1992 Serotta Colorado Concept 2

[Aaron O]

I just made a deal for a 92' Serotta Colorado Concept 2. I know this is heresy for this forum, but I don't know much about the Serotta models and I have a few questions...

1. Seller says it's lugged steel and has a replacement Alpha Q CF fork. I'd much rather have the original fork...any chance on finding one?

2. What would the tubeset for this be?

3. Was this a stock or custom model?

[Pete Serotta]

I will have to look at metals but it is Columbus or that year could be true temper.

PETE

[Aaron O]

Pete thanks...I was wondering if there was a chance Serotta would have used different tubes depending on the rider's weight and size. Was it a custom model?

[AngryScientist]

aaron, have you taken a peek at the '92 catalog in the respective section? its got a bit of information, but not sure about the concept in particular, it's somewhat cryptic the way its describing some stuff - worth a look if you havent already...

[Aaron O]

I haven't, but I will. Thanks much for the tip (I never really noticed that section).

I'll have photos of it later today or tomorrow. I'm extremely excited...it's 9sp record (which i really dig because it's the last all alloy record group). The only thing I don't like is the CF fork...not that there's anything wrong with it (NOT a CF rant), I'd just rather have the bike original.

[Aaron O]

Follow up...got her!

I believe it's a mix of tubings...some looks like Columbus MAX...some maybe SL. It was a custom. I THINK the TT is EL OS, but I'm not certain.

First the bad...

CF fork and hideous threadless stem. Will change these out sometime (i hope) soon. Need a Serotta fork!

It's a repaint.

The internal routing is either damaged or ugly. Seller says ugly.

Now the good -

Complete 9 sp record group, except the wheels. Including ti record seatpost!
It's a Serotta factory repaint.
It's BEAUTIFUL!
It's perfect for my size and I'm excited.
I found a worthy mount for my new Alpe Brooks!
I love the lugs and love the curved stays
Columbus tubing...I think parts look like MAX

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0564-1.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0565-1.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0566-1.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0567-1.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0568-1.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0569-2.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0570.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0572.jpg

[mpetry]

that looks like a real nice bike. Great color. Nice garage door too.

Have you thought about getting a new Serotta carbon fork ? they do 1" steerers now. Would be a friendly update. I don't care for those alpha q forks, they look weird.

Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA

[Aaron O]

that looks like a real nice bike. Great color. Nice garage door too.

Have you thought about getting a new Serotta carbon fork ? they do 1" steerers now. Would be a friendly update. I don't care for those alpha q forks, they look weird.

Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA

I'm with you on the Alpha...a threaded CF fork might be a way to go, but truthfully I'd rather get it as close to original as possible. If I can find one here, great...if not maybe I'll talk to Bilenky or Firth and have one made.

The Alpha looks good on my Lemond Poprad, but that's a whole different kinda dog...it's TIG'd and more of a functional bike than a special one. I absolutely love it...but it's not in this sort of category.

[Peter B]

Nice bike AaronO. I had the same one in frost white w/ full alloy Record 9 group and the original steel fork. The stock fork is worth seeking out. I see them on eBay from time to time.

Tubing is Serotta's proprietary butted and swaged Colorado Concept drawn by Columbus in that year. The internal cable routing works ok but your rear cable housing is way too short. Looks like one of the entry holes needs a bit of touch-up paint too.

Otherwise that's a nice looking bike. Hope you enjoy it!

[Aaron O]

Nice bike AaronO. I had the same one in frost white w/ full alloy Record 9 group and the original steel fork. The stock fork is worth seeking out. I see them on eBay from time to time.

Tubing is Serotta's proprietary butted and swaged Colorado Concept drawn by Columbus in that year. The internal cable routing works ok but your rear cable housing is way too short. Looks like one of the entry holes needs a bit of touch-up paint too.

Otherwise that's a nice looking bike. Hope you enjoy it!

Thanks much Peter...would you mind showing a photo of your's? I really like this paint, repaint or not!

There seems to be definite rust around one of the internal routing holes. To be honest, the routing on this bike is unimpressive and a little distracting. As you suggested, I'll put some paint on it. I'd like to seal the holes off as well...they look like rain magnets.

I totally agree on the rear routing...I just got it, so have some work to do.

Good to know about the forks...I'll definitely be on the look out! I actually like the ride of the alpha Q's, but it just looks wrong here. It's too nice a bike not to get the right fork.

Serial number is SC55 2936. The tubes look a lot like Columbus EL OS...or even the MXL. It's absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to give it a spin! Outside of the toptube routing, the bike's workmanship is terrific.

[HenryA]

I have a very similar bike within a year of this one. I bought it new and rode it thousands of miles for years before I had to have a higher position. Its a great, great bike.

[Aaron O]

I have a very similar bike within a year of this one. I bought it new and rode it thousands of miles for years before I had to have a higher position. Its a great, great bike.

I'm really liking the looks of it and can't wait to get her on the road...probably a couple of weeks. I'm trying to restrict my stable to customs or extremely functional bikes and this fits my style to a tee. Or it will after some aesthetic modifications.

Some more photos (made the easy change already, this Brooks has been on a shelf waiting for the right mount):

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0573.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0574.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0575.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0576.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0578.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Photo0579.jpg

[oliver1850]

.

[oliver1850]

.

[Aaron O]

I'd like to get some kind of plastic plug in there to seal it. My Koga Miyata has internal routing like this, but it has plastic plugs/guides to help stop water from seeping in.

It definitely, DEFINITELY requires immediate attention. The rust there scares me...I'm going to run it over to Bilenky for a closer inspection. I saw the rust before I bought it, but the price made it an acceptable risk. Knowing it's a repaint was also a definite warning sign, though I don't imagine Serotta would bother painting something that was structurally unsound. Frankly the parts alone are worth substantially more than I have in. I am NOT viewing this as a flip though...this is definitely worthy of the keeper fleet. If it takes a few hundred to get right, I'll still be well under it's value.

[oliver1850]

.

[buldogge]

Aaron... Would the Cinelli bar cable hole rubbers work?

I have a few of those in different colors...

-Mark in St. Louis

ps...So much for the bike buying freeze... ;)

[oliver1850]

.

[Aaron O]

Ha! He meant me...I had slowed down on increasing fleet size. This was just too good not to move on though!

Those plugs might work...it's a very very good idea. So is wrapping the tube. I've been using a head cover that's been terrific at limiting sweat drip on the TT, but it doesn't totally eliminate it. I'm sure you're right...the firstbstep is sand it and seal it.

[HenryA]

Yep, kill the rust and touch up the paint. Then spray all the joints and crevices with Boeshield every so often.

[buldogge]

Ha...All of us! ...but...

I know you won't stop.
I know I can't stop.
I knew Aaron wouldn't stop!

-Mark

freeze? Aaron, you or me?

[Aaron O]

Ha...All of us! ...but...

I know you won't stop.
I know I can't stop.
I knew Aaron wouldn't stop!

-Mark
In my defense...I did go 5 months! I think I'm going to have to sell the Miyata Team...I like it, but it's out classed. The next thing I get is going to be a frame to replace the Raleigh Professional.

Some JP Frame Saver couldn't hurt either gents. I don't think it's past the point of no return, but I think it needs attention and I want it looked at.

[oliver1850]

.

[Aaron O]

5 months is a long time. I would call that a freeze.

Tell my wife that!

I also sold a De Rosa that was part of my fleet a few months back...this sounds absurd, but I just got my Marnati, and the De Rosa was an Orange Italian as well. I felt like I only had room for one.

BTW...your's is STUNNING!

[Germany_chris]

If you'd like to part with that UGLY fork, I'll take it! I like ugly carbon forks..

[Aaron O]

If/when I find the replacement I'll shoot you a message. I think it's a good fork, it just looks wrong on this bike. It would be like a CF road frame with a MTB fork.

[Germany_chris]

I think it looks perfect! Nice blend of old and new

[Aaron O]

Heh...you should be telling me how ugly it is!

Aesthetics are a personal thing, and I think I'd prefer it with a quill stem. We'll see...maybe I'll ride it as is for a bit, see how it does and go from there.

[RedRider]

If you are considering a repaint or repair contact Serotta for obvious reasons. For what you will need the pricing is reasonable and the result authentic.

[Aaron O]

If you are considering a repaint or repair contact Serotta for obvious reasons. For what you will need the pricing is reasonable and the result authentic.

I don't see any need to repaint it now...most of it looks terrific. That spot on the TT outlet is really the only notable problem.