Summer Serotta Build and Thanks to Classified Sellers

[MePaleo]

I just wrapped up an interesting retro-custom build on what I believe to be a Serotta Club Special. If anyone can pinpoint a year for this frame, I'd be grateful. It has a Cinelli BB, but no serial number. In my cycling career, I went from aluminum directly to Ti and didn't get to experience the wonder of steel until now. This thing rides like a dream. Wish I would have tried steel earlier!
The previous frame owner did a few mods, so I'm running a 1x10. Love that downtube friction shifter action! The frame is raw steel with clear coat. If the patina starts to get rusty, I'll probably have to paint it. Although, it is cool to see the brass from the brazing on the seat tubes. The only thing I'm not wild about is my choice of bar tape. Easily changed, so I'm up for suggestions.

Thanks to forumites for great deals on the parts that gave this build some soul:
Brooks Swift Ti Saddle - JLP
Campagnolo Polished Ti Seatpost and Ti King Cage - deutscheclique (that seatpost is the crown jewel of the build)
Serotta Frame - bicycletricycle
Conti Grand Prix 4 Season tires - mcewen
Campagnolo Record Headset - odin99
Campagnolo Record Cassette - jwad

http://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=16

http://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=17

http://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=18

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http://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=21

http://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=22

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http://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=24

http://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=25

[rnhood]

Nice classic looking bike.

[oliver1850]

I've been thinking of clearing my Nova, which has been sitting around stripped for too long.


Have you checked the fork for a serial number?


The brake bridge will help date your frame. If you look at the 1986 catalog you will see the round bridge with the square section in the middle for the engraved "S". In the 1985 catalog you will see the flat bridge with the owner's name engraved on top. I believe the style of your bridge is earlier. I would guess early 1980s.

[thirdgenbird]

I was first in live for that frame and hesitated. Hoped I would never see it again.

My build turned out nice, but I still think I would rather have that one :)

Edit:
Wait, did that ti post and bottle cage come from the same seller/add at a very nice price? I tried getting those too. Get some black handlebra tape on this and then quit teasing me with it.

[Netdewt]

Black leather would be cool. I really wish clear powder was more rust proof. I like raw.

[thirdgenbird]

Black leather would be cool. I really wish clear powder was more rust proof. I like raw.

Yep. That was my biggest conflict. Loved the look but knew i would eventually want paint. I love the setup though. I wanted something convertible between 1x10 and single speed with a front rack. I've also got a serotta itch.

[pcxmbfj]

Love the look of your bike.

How did you strip the paint?

I've got a NHX that is currently in 650B mode and thinking to do the 1 X 10 if I can live with the minimal tire clearance.

[Cicli]

Thats a great looking bike.

[MePaleo]

I was first in live for that frame and hesitated. Hoped I would never see it again.

My build turned out nice, but I still think I would rather have that one :)

Edit:
Wait, did that ti post and bottle cage come from the same seller/add at a very nice price? I tried getting those too. Get some black handlebra tape on this and then quit teasing me with it.

Sorry thirdgenbird, but I'm glad you passed on it :) Ti post and cage were from the same person. I agree with you on the handlebra... maybe for next season. What did you end up building? Any pics?

[MePaleo]

Love the look of your bike.

How did you strip the paint?



The paint was stripped when I got it. Bicycletricycle may know the process they used...

[thirdgenbird]

Sorry thirdgenbird, but I'm glad you passed on it :) Ti post and cage were from the same person. I agree with you on the handlebra... maybe for next season. What did you end up building? Any pics?

Glad I could help :)

I used a Yokota legend frame I already owned. Not as flashy and no front rack bosses, but it was paid for.

Most of the same parts would have gone on the serotta. I've also got a veloce rd and campy downtube for 1x10 use. You should get in on our campy 10 downtube group buy. Perfect way to top your bike off.

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk177/thirdgenbird/Yokota-%20ss/358dfd2bba00b868e4e909ef707ecb40_zps2d426c50.jpg

[Netdewt]

You should get in on our campy 10 downtube group buy. Perfect way to top your bike off.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=149104
!!!

[MePaleo]

I've been thinking of clearing my Nova, which has been sitting around stripped for too long.


Have you checked the fork for a serial number?


The brake bridge will help date your frame. If you look at the 1986 catalog you will see the round bridge with the square section in the middle for the engraved "S". In the 1985 catalog you will see the flat bridge with the owner's name engraved on top. I believe the style of your bridge is earlier. I would guess early 1980s.

The bridge says "B.Serotta"... ahh, I wish. This one actually has a round bridge and there aren't any serial numbers on the fork. There was a hint of lime green paint inside the fork and a little ghost of a decal on the seat tube. Here are some detail pics...

http://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=27

http://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=29

http://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=31

http://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=32

http://forums.thepaceline.net/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=33

[MePaleo]

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=149104
!!!

Cool idea! I'll check it out!

[JLP]

That's a nice looking bike. Glad that worked out.

[Dale Alan]

Very nice,looks good just the way it is.

[Shoeman]

The early bikes usually had the serial number stamped on the Fork Steerer Tube, that is where mine was. Hear is a link to my Club Series, mine is stamped bs256 although the last digit is hard to read. Near as I can figure the bike is from the Early to Mid Seventies.
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=76904