Serotta Nova Special

[K Green]

I am restoring a 1984 Serotta Nova Special...original red with yellow decals...and need a decision nudge. Taking a poll here; should I leave it at 126 spacing and use friçtion Nuovo Record or C-Record...or, spread it to 130 and build it with 9 speed Campy index?

I lean towards the 1984 era setup, BUT, newer indexing is sexier. What to do?

Your thoughts will be appreciated!

[jtakeda]

Do whatever will make you ride it the most.

No SRAM though

[parris]

Are you sure that it's an 84? I ask because my 84 Club Special has had no problem taking modern rear hubs.

[bjf]

I generally agree with the whatever will make you ride it the most -- or be happiest while riding it -- but I personally would go with the friction on that bike. It's another kind of cool.

[handsomerob]

Are you sure that it's an 84? I ask because my 84 Club Special has had no problem taking modern rear hubs.

Yours might have been a little stretched.

My '84 Club Special needed a little coaxing to take a 130mm rear hub with a 126mm dropout. No more than a few seconds, but it wasn't nothing.

[elong8]

Another vote for whatever makes you ride more. And another vote for "not SRAM"

[oldpotatoe]

I am restoring a 1984 Serotta Nova Special...original red with yellow decals...and need a decision nudge. Taking a poll here; should I leave it at 126 spacing and use friçtion Nuovo Record or C-Record...or, spread it to 130 and build it with 9 speed Campy index?

I lean towards the 1984 era setup, BUT, newer indexing is sexier. What to do?

Your thoughts will be appreciated!

Cold set it to 130, then use Nuovo/C-Record friction shifters..then it's ready if ya want to spec it with modern stuff. 'May' need a longer axle for the rear wheel is all. 'SuperSpace it..as in, add 4mm of spacers to the LH side, keeping the axle end length on the RH side the same, then add a little tension to the LH side to dish..good for the wheel. MUST make sure the dropouts are parallel tho..the biggest reason why freewheel rear hub axles break.

agree with above, splam/scam/spam/sram, is junque.

[tlittlefield]

That was my very first Serrota, same year and paint scheme as well

[oliver1850]

Novas are under-appreciated I think. Good to hear you're taking care of one.

I think either build would be fine, so do what you think you'll like to ride. You won't hurt the value of the frame by spreading it.

If you go with friction, consider some shifters other than Campagnolo. Simplex, Mavic, SunTour PowerRatchet, Sachs are all nicer than NR.

[Team Murray]

1697889980
Here is my restored Nova Special. It started life in bright fluorescent pink. With color, it screamed, "I'm from the 80's!"

[K Green]

Good to hear from the community. I am Leaning towards friction and NO FEAR... NO SRAM !!!!!

[K Green]

What about clincher rims: Mavic, Wolber, Rigida or Campy?

[roydyates]

I generally agree with the whatever will make you ride it the most -- or be happiest while riding it -- but I personally would go with the friction on that bike. It's another kind of cool.
I agree with this sentiment to fit it the way it will make you want to ride it most, but I think the OP will ride it more with modern shifting. Old C-Record looks nice, but the shifting is meh.