What do I do with this Serotta Colorado frameset?

[tepextate]

Hey y'all,

My wife picked up this frameset for $105 at Boulder Sports Recyclery. We started riding in the past 10 years, so I'm afraid we don't really know what to do with a frame like this.

Any recommendations on what type of groupset we should put on this bike? And what type of bottom bracket are we looking for? Would it be sacrilegious to put flat bars on this frame for an about-town bike?

Figured Paceline would be the best place to get advice for a frameset like this.

It says Serotta Colorado, but that's all we know.




Thanks in advance!

[dave thompson]

Standard BSA bottom bracket. A flat bar bike would be quite nice as would a standard drop bar bike. If the rear spacing between the drop-outs is 130mm, or could be cold-set to that, any modern 9/10/11 speed components will work well. Is the fork threaded? If so there are 1 1/8" adapters that will allow you to use most any modern cockpit goodies.

If the serial number is stamped on the bottom bracket shell, that will tell you the actual Serotta model.

[AngryScientist]

I'm assuming that's a threaded fork, so one unfamiliar bit for you will be getting a threaded headset, quill stem and "undersized" handlebars to get the steering going.

With the horizontal read dropouts, it could be a singlespeed candidate easily.

It totally depends from there on what you might want to use it for as to the direction to go with it.

[fourflys]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

I'm assuming that's a threaded fork, so one unfamiliar bit for you will be getting a threaded headset, quill stem and "undersized" handlebars to get the steering going.

you don't have to go with smaller diameter bars.. Velo Orange makes a quill stem with a removable faceplate for 31.8 bars..

https://velo-orange.com/collections/...ceplate-31-8mm

[weisan]

Originally Posted by tepextate

Hey y'all,

My wife picked up this frameset for $105 at Boulder Sports Recyclery. We started riding in the past 10 years, so I'm afraid we don't really know what to do with a frame like this.

Consider how old that thing is, it's bio-hazard!!!

The only right thing to do is have it sent to me for proper disposal, I will PM you my address.

I think a few pics will get your imaginations going as far as realizing its full potential but truly do whatever you want with it, most important thing is, get it back on the road and ride it into the sunset...

[Seramount]

post the serial number, have some nagging suspicision that it might not be a Serotta.

decal placement, paint scheme look odd...

[farmerjosh]

it may be a respray but it looks like a Colorado LT (lugged) to me.

[arroqueno]

Tepextate’s wife here. Here’s what I’m thinking, tell me if this is terrible:

All silver colored component and wheels, flat bars, quill stem (the person who said threaded fork was right) flat pedals and maybe single speed. I want to make it a fun little commuter.

Will having all silver components look dumb with the gold frame? Are there even alternatives to silver available from this time period (late 90s)?

Thanks friends! Stay safe out there everyone

[reuben]

Originally Posted by arroqueno

All silver colored component and wheels, flat bars, quill stem (the person who said threaded fork was right) flat pedals and maybe single speed. I want to make it a fun little commuter.

Will having all silver components look dumb with the gold frame? Are there even alternatives to silver available from this time period (late 90s)?

Go for it! Yours is the only opinion that counts.

[Louis]

If it fits her I think your wife got a good deal and that she'll enjoy riding it.

[paredown]

Originally Posted by arroqueno

Tepextate’s wife here. Here’s what I’m thinking, tell me if this is terrible:

All silver colored component and wheels, flat bars, quill stem (the person who said threaded fork was right) flat pedals and maybe single speed. I want to make it a fun little commuter.

Will having all silver components look dumb with the gold frame? Are there even alternatives to silver available from this time period (late 90s)?

Thanks friends! Stay safe out there everyone

This sounds about perfect to me.

Make sure you can find a shop with an old guy (or well trained young guy) -- if you are not doing the work yourself -- who can install the 1" headset correctly. (It's not rocket surgery, but there is a knack...)

Post up any questions -- this forum is full of old guys (me included) with a wealth of experience and a lot of opinions.

Pretty sure that would have 130mm spacing on the rear (double water bottle bosses and under stay cable guide mark it as mid-80s at latest); I think not an LT, since they had provision for rear rack/fender attachment. Looks Serotta to me--and as has been said, any standard modern wheel/group should be usable for a retro-modern cruiser.

[Fat Cat]

Single speed would be criminal. Cheap but criminal.

JMO of course but single speed sux and is a waste of a good bicycle AFIC



BTW the paint looks way thick and could easily be covering a serial number. Did later frames ever not have a serial number?

[charliedid]

Echo robt57 multi gear flat bar commuter.

5 speed with thumb shifter and an old silver commuter bar/stem from the Co-Op

Worry not about its origins too much, it's a cool bike.

[Derosid]

If it’s a real Serrota I’d just get a new quill stem and bars and ride it. Nitto still makes a very nice stem (the Pearl) with a 26.0mm clamp, and there are plenty of 26.0mm drop or flat bars. Old steel frames are cool!

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by paredown

It's not rocket surgery...

Good one.

I'm with @reuben -- build it however you see fit, your plan sounds good to me.