Serotta Nova vs Davidson Impulse
06-03-19, 04:08 PM
#1
Hump, what hump?
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Serotta Nova vs Davidson Impulse
If one had the opportunity to buy either, (but not both!) and each fit, which would you choose and why? One is mostly Dura Ace 8-speed, one is mostly SunTour 7-speed. Both have mis-matched wheels. Asking prices are within $50 of each other. Neither are local.
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2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
06-03-19, 05:52 PM
#2
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Impluse - cuz Davidsons r awesome!
Serotta is dentist bike.
Serotta is dentist bike.
06-03-19, 06:17 PM
#3
Hump, what hump?
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Now that's funny! But seriously, I thought Cervelo was the dentists' brand. 
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2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
06-03-19, 06:17 PM
#4
Hump, what hump?
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OK. That's one for the Davidson.
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2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
06-03-19, 06:41 PM
#5
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I'll let this do the talking for me.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
06-03-19, 06:45 PM
#6
Hump, what hump?
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Sweet, but it's not listed in your collection.
Two votes for the Davidson. No love for Serotta?
Two votes for the Davidson. No love for Serotta?
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2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
06-03-19, 07:08 PM
#7
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I vote Davidson, but being from/in PNW, well.....
That being said I would venture a guess that most Davidson owners know of Serotta, not sure the inverse would be so.....
That being said I would venture a guess that most Davidson owners know of Serotta, not sure the inverse would be so.....
06-03-19, 07:13 PM
#8
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I will admit that I also have, and love, a Serotta CSI. It's a wonderful bike too. But that Davidson is something special.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
06-03-19, 11:13 PM
#9
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Davidson for the win.
Sold my cherished Pinarello Record after I took a few spins on my "new" Davidson Impulse a few years back. The Davidson is now my go-to fast club bike. I couldn't imagine ever parting with it.
Sold my cherished Pinarello Record after I took a few spins on my "new" Davidson Impulse a few years back. The Davidson is now my go-to fast club bike. I couldn't imagine ever parting with it.
06-03-19, 11:41 PM
#10
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Davidson, also, too.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
06-04-19, 01:27 AM
#11
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I wish I had experience with Serottas so I could help you more, but alas, I only (and very fortunately) have experience with an Impulse. Certainly worthy of period correct components, but...put some newer good stuff on it and watch it get even better. After a few forms, my Impulse is on rain/fender/winter duty because if the weather is going to be crummy and cold, then I want to not begrudge a heavy touring bike as my default winter frame type. In any setup, an Impulse is a trusted friend. It will also ask you to keep doling out as many watts as you can on sprints.
Here it is in a previous and very excellent form:
Here it is in a previous and very excellent form:
06-04-19, 04:05 AM
#12
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Much as I lusted after Serottas when I lived in NY's Capital District, I'd choose the Davidson as well. An early Serotta might be a different story.
06-04-19, 06:44 AM
#13
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Don't know about how a Serotta might ride, but I love my Davidson Impulse. Definitely encourages putting out more effort:
06-04-19, 08:25 AM
#14
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Man, you can never get a clear answer out of this group. Really hard to tell what people prefer at this point.
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06-04-19, 09:14 AM
#15
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Davidson. I know Bill and Mark Bulgier (Davidson's erstwhile master builder), I lived in Seattle for a good long while, worked at Elliot Bay Bicycles when Davidson's shop was in the back room and a friend of mine was Davidson's painter for several years, so...
Oh, and while I was working at another shop in Seattle I had the chance to work on and test ride a Serotta. Meh.
Oh, and while I was working at another shop in Seattle I had the chance to work on and test ride a Serotta. Meh.
06-04-19, 10:59 AM
#16
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Another vote for the Davidson!
Mine is not an Impulse but an older 1983 Signature. I'm sure the Impulse was designed and made with the same care and attention to details as these slightly older ones were done bu Bill Davidson.
06-04-19, 05:13 PM
#17
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by both, ride and decide which on you like....if it is the davidson.....move the DA over
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(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
06-04-19, 05:48 PM
#19
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I really like my Serotta. I don't have a Davidson (Impulse or otherwise). Sounds like I need to try a Davidson.
06-04-19, 09:51 PM
#20
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That's exactly what I got out of this thread. I also have a Serotta that I really like. I'm surprised this has been so one-sided. Now I feel like I need to find out why.
06-05-19, 07:39 AM
#21
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