Steel Serotta (1990's?)
 

Hey All! A friend recommended I pop in here and see if I could pick the collective hive brain on my Steel Frame Serotta. It was custom for my dad (I think in the early 90's, possibly earlier). I can't quite call it vintage, because I still love my dad and I don't think he would appreciate it.

I found the bike in the back of our garage collecting dust. Everything is a little gunky because it hasn't been ridden or maintained in YEARS, but structurally it is sound. I do not know much about Serotta, but the stickers tell me:

TANGE Prestige Serotta LT Colorado
Campagnola Components

The sizing is unknown (at this moment) but my dad is 6'3" and used it competitively. I will dust it off for the serial number and get more detail.

What I am looking for is recommendations on what to do with this little gem? Clean it up and sell it? Sell it as is? Clean it up and ride it?

Wipe it down and share a photo here.

Clean it up for a first pass with dish soap and water, and post some photos here.

You're not likely to be able to ride it well yourself unless you're also 6'3".

Hi Sarah, welcome to Paceline. I know that the LT model was offered in 1991 and 1992. You can find the catalogs at the links below:

1991

1992

I don't know if this model was offered in any other years.

Hi Sarah,

You can measure your dad's frame using the below graphic.
Most frames are measured in centimeters (cm)

The two key measurements are:
Seat tube. Measured from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the top tube. (Line B in the below)
and
Top tube. Measured from the center of the seat tube to the center of the steerer tub (Line C in the below)

http://www.bikesdirect.com/images/framegeo.gif

Wag
 

Based on the photos, I’d wager it’s a 58-60 cm frame size, and if you’re taller than 5’9”, there’s a good chance you can ride it (a stem and/or handlebar change could be in order). The older steel Serottas offer a wonderful ride, Tange Prestige is very high quality tubing, and the frame may be amenable even to a 650b conversion, permitting a 32 mm or fatter tire to be used for greater comfort on rough roads. Either way, definitely worth cleaning up and test-riding!

That’s a very nice bike. Looks like Campagnolo 8 speed Athena, perhaps...

Is your Dad still around? He would remember the size (and likely several other specifics).

Serotta sizes were determined by measuring the seat tube from the center of bottom bracket to center of top tube.

I found this in my serotta catalogs
I can't find a date anywhere on the catalog
It shows the frame, I think in the same paint scheme as yours and Tange tubing
Hope this helps

Isn't the size just on the bottom bracket in the serial number?
 

Presuming it's not a custom size?

Yep I was about to say - should be the third and fourth digits. Look for a number in the 60s I’d assume

I'm thinking 60 as well
Overhaul the bike polish it up you have a great bike

Tempting! Whereabouts are you located??

Burlington, VT

The custom Serottas I have seen still had a two-digit number indicating the size of the frame before the serial number of 3 or 4 digits. a number like CCSI 60 235 indicated CUSTOM CSi 60 centimeter frame #235 in the series of CSi frames. The catch is there is no clue as to how this frame would vary from stock in angles, tube specs and lengths.