Thoughts on this vintage Serotta, please

[Scott Shire]

Hello, all! I would love to hear your thoughts on this allegedly "Ben-lugged" Serotta

Serotta (http://cgi.ebay.com/Serotta-Cinelli-Vintage-Bicycle-w-Campy-Super-Record-/320673371156?pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item4aa99f5414)

Specifically, if it stays under $700, would it be a good buy? Full Super Record.

Does his story of its history sound right?

Thanks in advance for any help. I'm trying really hard to grow up and buy a bicycle with a derailleur.

[David Kirk]

Does the seller have the serial number? If it starts with "BS" then Ben built it. Otherwise all bets are off.

dave

[Ken Robb]

there are a few things in the ad where "BS" would apply. "Drilled brake calipers"???

[Scott Shire]

there are a few things in the ad where "BS" would apply. "Drilled brake calipers"???

It's fine, I haven't used brakes on a bicycle in years. :D

And I won't fault him any more for confusing levers with calipers than I will for the yellow tires.

Reminds me of a quote...
Little holes all over his bike: like lots of riders, he spends hours drilling out his parts; removing morsels of weight wherever he can. 'Ever thought about how much extra wind resistance that creates, Stani?' 'Yeah, it's less.'

[old_fat_and_slow]

don't mean to hi-jack the thread, but does anyone know when Serotta moved away from lugged to Tig'ed construction for their steel bikes?

[biker72]

I'd need some more information and larger lighter photos before I would bid on it.

[Hardlyrob]

don't mean to hi-jack the thread, but does anyone know when Serotta moved away from lugged to Tig'ed construction for their steel bikes?

Dave Kirk will know for sure - he built the last lugged CSI's in Montana and shipped them to NY. I think 2000 or 2001 - they've been gone a while.

Cheers!

Rob

[cuda2k]

For what it's worth, I just flipped my circa 1986 Serotta Nova over and it has a Cinelli BB as well... and I highly doubt Ben brazed mine. The BB does appear to be slightly different than the one in the photo, but it is a Cinelli piece.

In any case, the 'history' may be suspect, but a good steel Serotta with full Super Record is probably worth $700. I recently saw a full Super Record group (in good condition - don't think it was NOS) go for north of $600 on eBay.

[dbh]

Dave Kirk will know for sure - he built the last lugged CSI's in Montana and shipped them to NY. I think 2000 or 2001 - they've been gone a while.

Cheers!

Rob

I believe lugged CSI's were available through 2005.