Serotta Desirability?
#51
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#52
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In the '80s, Serottas were more likely to have high quality paint than their Italian brethren. Some would say that American framebuilders in this era were more exacting than the Europeans - which is not surprising considering the US craft beer industry and similar European pursuits Americans really get into. So the overall quality and American geometry would be reason to go Serotta over Italian.
I also LOVE the fastback seat cluster they use, but Basso and others had similar.
I also LOVE the fastback seat cluster they use, but Basso and others had similar.
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#54
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The bikes are a bargain for sure.
#55
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I have fond memories of Ben visiting Walnut Hill Park during early spring training series crits in the 80s. He was an idol as well as Richard Sachs whose team was always there. I used to be friends with the owner of the financial investment group who fired Ben from his own company unfortunately. Key phrase "used to be".
I could not pass up on a Serotta if I found one I could afford.
I could not pass up on a Serotta if I found one I could afford.
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#58
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Never had a problem with how to say the name. Of course that back when I could walk into The Bike Shop and Ben would be behind the counter if he wasn’t upstairs building. He was also USCF district rep for Northern NY, so he would be at races.
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#60
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Shameless first world people showing off their wealth! Well, OK, here's mine
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Legend ST (Yep, I've swapped out the front tire, and adjusted the bars/seat - get over it...
'96 CSI, not sure, but may be my favorite bike. OK, I'm sure now.
2002 Concours, now sold
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In the '80s, Serottas were more likely to have high quality paint than their Italian brethren. Some would say that American frame builders in this era were more exacting than the Europeans - which is not surprising considering the US craft beer industry and similar European pursuits Americans really get into. So the overall quality and American geometry would be reason to go Serotta over Italian.
I also LOVE the fastback seat cluster they use, but Basso and others had similar.
I also LOVE the fastback seat cluster they use, but Basso and others had similar.
For me a Serotta, Cuevas, Richard Sachs or Chris Chance (I know there are others, this is my northeast sphere of knowledge) would be more desirable than an Italian racing bike. But that is what keeps this hobby interesting. The Italians have trophies, heritage and mystique.
I think it comes down to if you want to impress you friends get an Italian bike, if you are wanting a good race bike, get a Serotta. If you want a little more aesthetic appeal then get a Cuevas. If you want an investment get a Richard Sachs.
I bought a Serotta Club Special frame only for $355 in 1980 when working a co-op job in college. It was expensive for me, but a good value considering what was available and I knew someone that had a Serotta and was fitted by Ben prior to my purchase.
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Serotta did do some touring frames, the pnwgopher has one, it is the ‘Rapid Tour’.
I have a Club Special track bike, this one is not my size. I use that one to hold the floor down, this was a parts purchase. No pictures of that one for now.
I’ll have my Colorado out for pictures soon.
I have a Club Special track bike, this one is not my size. I use that one to hold the floor down, this was a parts purchase. No pictures of that one for now.
I’ll have my Colorado out for pictures soon.
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Birds of a feather flock together…
Subtle differences with the seatlug, the fork crown to.
Horizontal vs. vertical, the white has a Colorado shaped toptube that is pressed to the same thickness as the smaller diameter, the blue is an OS strait, and different bb shells as well.
Subtle differences with the seatlug, the fork crown to.
Horizontal vs. vertical, the white has a Colorado shaped toptube that is pressed to the same thickness as the smaller diameter, the blue is an OS strait, and different bb shells as well.
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#66
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Ben's mom (Caroline Serotta) was my elementary school Art Teacher and the best one anyone ever had! She was a jeweler (taught Jewellery at Skidmore college) and she was the one who put a torch in Ben's hand. I remember Ben, behind the counter at The Bike Shop, or at the Farmer's Hardware/J.H. Mabbet & Co that his parents owned, just above The Bike Shop, on Broadway. I am currently eating my toast off a plate that was bought from the back of the Farmer's Hardware in 1979? Would love to get my hands on a Serotta from the early era, one that has "Saratoga" on the bike.
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#67
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Serotta did do some touring frames, the pnwgopher has one, it is the ‘Rapid Tour’.
I have a Club Special track bike, this one is not my size. I use that one to hold the floor down, this was a parts purchase. No pictures of that one for now.
I’ll have my Colorado out for pictures soon.
I have a Club Special track bike, this one is not my size. I use that one to hold the floor down, this was a parts purchase. No pictures of that one for now.
I’ll have my Colorado out for pictures soon.
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#68
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Since there are so many other folks sharing photos of their beautiful Serottas here, I'll throw mine into the mix: a 1994 Colorado Ti that was just finished being built up. I absolutely love this bike.
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#69
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Poor picture of my recent Campagnolo build of a '91 NHX with a later F1 fork. The NHX was the first model with the S curved chain stays, but lacked the (perhaps overly) stiff Colorado tubing. All SLX.
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