Serotta Fierte IT

[gregrams]

I am 57 yrs old, 6,4", 245 lbs, currently riding a steel Bianchi Vigorelli. I ride 35-45 miles 3 times weekly, mostly for club rides, some metric centuries and some regular centuries. I want to know if this bike in the stock mode, is good for me, as opposed to an all carbon or all ti bike.

[Ahneida Ride]

From what I hear, the Fierte may be the best value in the whole Serotta
line-up....

But will she fit? Is not a 62 the largest made? Will a 62 fit a guy
6'4" ? the bike is a sloper ... maybe some one with experience will
chime in here. I think it depends on leg length and torso length.

The Fierte is made in lots of 1,2 or 3. Never More. So it really is a
"handcrafted" machine.

I would LOVE to demo a 62 Fierte .... but so few exist.

Next week .. I get to demo a 62 CSi and a 62 Meivici.

I've seen a few Fierte's in my LBS shop. The quality of the finish is
identical to a Legend, Ottrott or Meivici.

[Ahneida Ride]

The All Ti Fierte is comming back too I understand.

Oh yea ... I asked my LBS guru about a 6'4" guy on a 62 Fierte ...

He said it could work, but depends on the guys flexibility.

[gregrams]

So perhaps I need to think Ottrot?

[Smiley]

no weight limits on these bikes BUT if it was me and I planned to lose weight I'd contact SoCal Steve and buy what he has on the shelf and lose a few lb's and then entertain a new bike cause things will change.


BUY USED and contact SoCal Steve here on these boards cause he has a few big bikes to sell

[gregrams]

Went to Signature Cycles and got their Fit One on the Bianchi just to make sure I had done everything I could to make me and the bike work as one. Paul, the fitter, said that when the time came for me to go big (as in big money) I should get the Fierte IT stock in a 62. He said I wouldnt get more bang by going custom.

[Pete Serotta]

Originally Posted by gregrams

So perhaps I need to think Ottrot?

Do not need the Ottrott. Suggestion would be a Fierte or a CDA (preference is CDA custom)

Get measured first

[dekindy]

Originally Posted by gregrams

I am 57 yrs old, 6,4", 245 lbs, currently riding a steel Bianchi Vigorelli. I ride 35-45 miles 3 times weekly, mostly for club rides, some metric centuries and some regular centuries. I want to know if this bike in the stock mode, is good for me, as opposed to an all carbon or all ti bike.

I would keep the Vigorelli because it is an ideal bike for comfort, which is what I would think would be your top priority and you are not having any fit issues.

Is the Vigorelli too flexible for you? If that is the case and you would like better performance with great comfort, have a custom Serotta CDA, Legend or Ottrott designed for yor weight, riding style, and desired stiffness and handling.

Aren't most stock bikes designed for the average weight rider? I would not think the stock Fierte IT would off much improvement over your Bianchi if frame flex is the issue.

[gregrams]

Vigorelli rides great. I have a dura ace tripple to help with the hills. I just thought that I could get a little lighter in the bike by going cf/ti with the Fierte IT stock. The Ottrott GE custom would be the most I could afford and the CDA is still steel.
I realize I am the one who should drop some weight so that issue is addressed. I wonder if I should do upgrades to the Vigorelli components or go for a new dream bike.

[Ozz]

a new bike always results in increased motivation towards goals....

get the Fierte IT...

set a goal of losing 20 lbs over the winter...

ditch the triple come spring time!

[dekindy]

Originally Posted by gregrams

Vigorelli rides great. I have a dura ace tripple to help with the hills. I just thought that I could get a little lighter in the bike by going cf/ti with the Fierte IT stock. The Ottrott GE custom would be the most I could afford and the CDA is still steel.
I realize I am the one who should drop some weight so that issue is addressed. I wonder if I should do upgrades to the Vigorelli components or go for a new dream bike.

Based upon this I would keep the Bianchi with the triple and only get a different bike if you lost 50 pounds and wanted more performance.

Even at 200 pounds plus a 25 pound bikes losing 5 pounds on the bike is 5/225 = 2% which is not enough for us recreational cyclists to worry about. Now if we only weighed 130 pounds and were riding in the Tour De France it would make a world of difference.

But if you can afford a new bike, go ahead and get a custom fitting and do it. You would have to get others opinions but I would think you would want to consider a Legend SE in addition to the Ottrott GS since they are comparably priced. You said GE but I assume you meant GS since you mentioned affordability.

I wanted naked titanium so that I would not have to worry about scratched/chipped paint. I would have kept my Serotta Fierte steel, which is comparable to your Bianchi, and got it factory restored as needed to satisfy my anal retentiveness regarding looks if it had not been my good fortune to find a lightly used Legend demo at a 60% plus discount.

Since lighter wheels are not an option and you have Dura Ace, I would be at a loss to suggest upgrades for the Bianchi. Lighter, climbing wheels are certainly not an option.

[Ahneida Ride]

At the TdFL. I heard of a dealer that does a dirty trick.

Customer X enters and asks to demo bike A. LBS says fine, under the condition that Customer also demos Bike B and Bike C.
(Bike B is a bike similiar to bike Bike A, while bike C just happens to be a Steel Serotta Fierte.)

Turns out, they they always purchase the Firete. Says this trick has
not failed yet.

Demo a 62 Fierte if you can.

[fierte_poser]

get a bike you feel like riding everyday. get one that fits you. is the vigorelli that bike? life is too short to ride a bike you don't dig.

screw your fitness level. its about what _you_ want to ride.

[fierte_poser]

Originally Posted by gregrams

I wonder if I should do upgrades to the Vigorelli components or go for a new dream bike.

New dream bike. Put fenders on the Vigorelli for winter/rain rides.

Why would you wait any longer to get your dream bike if you can afford it? You're 57! Go for it!

[gregrams]

You dudes are right. I'll get the ottrott gs, with ultegra sl components, transfer my kyserium sl wheels and easton seatpost. black and white. who cares its only money.