Serotta Serial number question

[UKBROOKLYN]

Anyone know how to interpret this number.. found on the BB shell of a Ti Classique

CL X00959

Thanks Chaps

[tiretrax]

Someone posted the guide here recently. CL = classique, 00 = size, then production number for that frame.

Search for serial number to get more accurate info.

[oliver1850]

see this for the general info:

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=99078


The Classique hasn't made it onto the list yet. CL was previously used on the CRL, but could have been used on the Classique Ti too. Are you sure about the X? Even the customs I've seen have always had the size listed, it's virtual c to c on sloping TT frames. I'm sure AS would like to see pictures of your frame and the serial number, so he can add the code for the Classique Ti to the list. It was introduced in 1999, see page 21 of the 1999 catalog for a description. I'd guess from the 959 number that your's was built in 2000, maybe even later.

[UKBROOKLYN]

Images are here

http://76.163.13.22/serotta1.jpg

http://76.163.13.22/serotta2.jpg

[RedRider]

CL indicates a Classique, the other numbers correspond to the Serotta sales order. X indicates 2010, X1 would indicate 2011. That frame was the 959 in order sequence but has no significance regarding sizing.

[dave thompson]

CL indicates a Classique, the other numbers correspond to the Serotta sales order. X indicates 2010, X1 would indicate 2011. That frame was the 959 in order sequence but has no significance regarding sizing.
That's a departure from what Serotta has been doing for the past 15 years.

[Ken Robb]

Maybe Serotta doesn't want to list a "nominal" size on custom frames anymore?

[oliver1850]

My Concours is a 2002 and still has the size in the serial number, but that's the newest Serotta I've owned. I think the Classique was gone by then. It's shown in the 2000 catalog with a level top tube. It's hard to tell in the 2001 catalog as just the frame is shown unbuilt, but I think it's level too. Perhaps the X indicates an otherwise standard frame with a sloping TT. I think this would have been CCL if it was a full custom, my Concours has the extra C. I'm guessing this might have been one of Serotta's first sloping road frames and they hadn't decided yet how to designate them.

[dave thompson]

I've had a number of Serottas with sloping top tubes, the latest was a 2008. In every case there was no designator in the serial number of the bike being a 'sloper'. They followed the standard Serotta serial number pattern and if it were a custom it had a C inserted into the number. The X in the number appears to be something quite new.

[jpw]

Adding to this thread if I may, what would a serial number CTU 55 019 imply?

[dave thompson]

Adding to this thread if I may, what would a serial number CTU 55 019 imply?
C denotes a custom, TU is Serottas model designator, 55 is Serottas size and 019 is the bikes sequential build number.

[AngryScientist]

let's make sure we capture any new information from this thread here, once we reach any conclusions, for the sake of future inquiries.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=99078

[jpw]

let's make sure we capture any new information from this thread here, once we reach any conclusions, for the sake of future inquiries.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=99078

Well I've got a custom ti cyclocross and the serial number begins CC, and then U. CC would make sense as custom cyclocross.

[jpw]

C denotes a custom, TU is Serottas model designator, 55 is Serottas size and 019 is the bikes sequential build number.

Thanks. Would the '55' be the length of the top tube measured c-2-c, actual or virtual?

[dave thompson]

Thanks. Would the '55' be the length of the top tube measured c-2-c, actual or virtual?
The 'Serotta size', as I call it, has been the seat tube length c-t-c, or virtual seat tube length if the bike has a sloping top tube.

What model is your Serotta? I'm not familiar with the TU prefix.

[jpw]

The 'Serotta size', as I call it, has been the seat tube length c-t-c, or virtual seat tube length if the bike has a sloping top tube.

What model is your Serotta? I'm not familiar with the TU prefix.

Isn't that rather tricky to measure accurately if the tt is sloping?

Not mine - a Uniscasi.

[oliver1850]

Isn't that rather tricky to measure accurately if the tt is sloping?

Not mine - a Uniscasi.


That's why they put the size in the serial number, so you can tell the virtual seat tube length without having to measure.

This also makes it relatively easy to measure the effective TT length. Measure from the center of BB to a spot on the seatpost 55cm up (for example), then measure from that spot to the center of the head tube at the tt intersection.

I still think the OP's Classique is a frame that Serotta made before they decided to use the serial number system described on sloping frames, even though it had long been used on level top tube frames.

[dave thompson]

Isn't that rather tricky to measure accurately if the tt is sloping?

Not mine - a Uniscasi.
The effective seat tube length is the distance between the bottom bracket and the point at which a virtual horizontal top tube would intersect the seat tube.

[dave thompson]

The effective top tube length is the horizontal distance from the top tube/head tube junction to the seat tube.

[KF9YR]

I bought my Ottrott in August.

Ready-Custom. Serial OG X10170

No size designation in serial #...

[oliver1850]

Looks like Serotta has changed again. I think the current one is the 5th version.

[UKBROOKLYN]

So the X1 would be 2011 .. ergo the X0 in the pictured BB would be 2010. as I thought..

[oliver1850]

Sorry about the confusion. I didn't realize Serotta had brought back the Classique. It disappeared around 2002, then was gone for a number of years. I assumed the bike was 2001 vintage.

[jpw]

Looks like Serotta has changed again. I think the current one is the 5th version.

5TH - ridiculous.

One change that would be less so woul dbe to stamp 'Serotta' on the other side of the shell. I always feel unbalanced when riding.