1st Legend made!?

[mg2ride]

There is an ebay add for what claims to be the first Serotta Legend ever made.

Any chance it it accurate?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Serotta-Legend-1-first-ever-w-Campagnolo-Chorus-and-Record-58-x-57-5-cm/311739536591?_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D888007%26algo%3DDISC.MBE%26ao%3D1% 26asc%3D38530%26meid%3D4d6f125b92374b7292705133eb2 ee5e6%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D172 381385000

[AJM100]

that dude has listed some rare stuff in the past, so it would not surprise me. Think he has a deep collection.

[charliedid]

He also has what is listed as a prototype Ottrott with some supporting documentation.

[oliver1850]

Seller has been selling stuff that was in the factory when it closed, including some NOS frames and oddities. He may or may not have the story straight on this bike. The Ti was introduced in 1993. All Colorado (tapered diameter) tubed frames that year had "Colorado Legend" in the model name, including the Colorado Legend Ti. The picture in the 1993 catalog shows that model name on the top tube. In 1994 the decal said Legend Ti. 1995 was the first year for the TI model name decal that the listed bike has. Could still be the first Ti bike made, perhaps repainted for some reason. The listed geo is a bit off from stock, but it could have custom geo. Stock frames were 57 x 57 or 58 x 58, c to c. I'd ask about the serial number. It should be TI580001 if it's truly a 58 cm frame, or TI570001 if it's actually a 57.

The components and Ti Serotta stem also date from 1995 at the earliest.

[Peter P.]

I'd question the accuracy of the "First Legend Ti" claim.

If I recall correctly, Serotta debuted a Legend Ti bike in Bicycling Magazine. That bike had a red STEEL fork with the explanation as to the why for the fork. I couldn't imagine the first Ti frames would have a carbon fork, THEN switch to steel, only to reverse to carbon. A start with a steel fork (while the rest of the industry was promoting carbon forks in Ti bikes), then a switch to carbon forks, makes more sense to me.

[RedRider]

That bicycle hung in the hallway at the Serotta Factory with a sign that indicated it was the first Legend.
I don't recall the components or that it has wheels when it was on display...

[oliver1850]

I'd question the accuracy of the "First Legend Ti" claim.

If I recall correctly, Serotta debuted a Legend Ti bike in Bicycling Magazine. That bike had a red STEEL fork with the explanation as to the why for the fork. I couldn't imagine the first Ti frames would have a carbon fork, THEN switch to steel, only to reverse to carbon. A start with a steel fork (while the rest of the industry was promoting carbon forks in Ti bikes), then a switch to carbon forks, makes more sense to me.


Good point. The first Legends came with choice of steel or AL forks. Adds creedance to my guess that the frame was repainted and refit some years later. F1 fork was available in 1995. Not sure it's an F1 from the pics.

Serial number appears to be TI58L000(?). Good chance it is what is advertised.

[titans]

I had one of the earliest Serotta Titanium bikes and it came with Kestral fork and I don't think it was called Legend back then but just Ti on the top tube. I purchased mine back in 1992 or 1993 when Cyclesports head mechanic received his and he was one of the first to have a titanium Serotta. In the mid 90s the name changed so this very well could be the first Legend Ti but not the first titanium bike made by Serotta. I wish I still had that bike but after 30k+ miles the BB to chain stay weld separated.

[John H.]

But then again does this bike really have value other than to a die hard Serotta-head?
Not like early 90's ti bikes were the high water mark of titanium performance.

[Hilltopperny]

I had an early 90's ti serotta. It was not yet called a legend, but was triple butted and swaged in all the same places and was claimed by serotta to be the most advanced ti frame ever built at the time. The seller has had a myriad of rare and cool serottas over the past year or so, but some of his pricing has been borderline ridiculous.

[Lanternrouge]

The seller had a relationship with the last owners of Serotta before it shut down and acquired a number of interesting items that way, so I believe it is authentic. Then again, it's not my size so it's a moot point since I see no reason to have a bike that I can't ride.

[mg2ride]

But then again does this bike really have value other than to a die hard Serotta-head?
Not like early 90's ti bikes were the high water mark of titanium performance.

IF I were in the market for a decent Ti bike and IF I could make those measurements fit and IF he could somehow document his claim I would consider that price.

IF all the above and IF it was 9 speed Dura-ace I would be even more inclined.

Lots of IF's but I would think it would be pretty cool to claim to have the 1st Ti bike form Serotta. Maybe even a 1K premium just to say it.

P.S. none of these IF's apply and I would have to take out a loan to buy at this point.

[bewheels]

I know this individual and have no reason to question the validity of this bike.

Yes, there is a connection to the old factory. Yes, he has sold many other authentic serotta bikes, frames, etc.

As a matter of fact he helped a lot of people on this forum who had bikes caught in the factory closing.

[Black Dog]

Probably the 1st legend but not the 1st Ti bike by serotta.