Steel Serotta (1990's?)

[SarahVPritch]

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?

[CNY rider]

Wipe it down and share a photo here.

[mhespenheide]

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".

[fiamme red]

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.

[JedB]

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)

[Pastashop]

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!

[thwart]

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).

[Ken Robb]

Originally Posted by JedB

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)

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

[Toeclips]

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

[Latestart]

Presuming it's not a custom size?

[retropean]

Originally Posted by Latestart

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

[Toeclips]

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

[fmradio516]

Tempting! Whereabouts are you located??

[SarahVPritch]

Originally Posted by fmradio516

Tempting! Whereabouts are you located??

Burlington, VT

[Ken Robb]

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.