Serotta Ottrott - Keep or Sell - Don't Hurt Me...

[weisan]

TwilightZone pal, it sounded like you would actually enjoy riding a gravel bike or an endurance bike, one that has a higher FUN factor and can take a fatter, more robust tires, you can take it anywhere to ride or use it with the kids.

Don't be a stranger, you have every right to post on this forum and you never know, you might know something that the others don't and can actually contribute something of value.

[slowpoke]

Originally Posted by texbike

Unfortunately, the market for older, narrow tire, rim-braked bikes has dropped dramatically over the last 4 years. They're usually more valuable to their owners than what you could get on the market for them dollar-wise.

Yeah, to serve the bad news, the bike is probably worth <$800 in today's market (and less during winter). So it might be a reason to keep it if you have the garage space.

[Twilight228]

Both kids are on gravel bikes, sorry, I know I said mountain.

Regarding the value, I'm not super shocked. I was thinking the complete bike was somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.2-1.3k, thinking that the groupset might not be very desirable (Campy Record 10). It's really not a money play for me, I seriously am/was tired of watching it sit.

[Flinch]

Originally Posted by Twilight228

I purchased a Serotta Ottrott shortly after my daughter was born (2nd child)... As projected by at least one person one here indirectly, she has sat in my garage for the better part of a decade...

Dang, my dyslexia read that to mean your daughter sat in the garage for a decade...Having three daughters, I can see that as fair.

I'd say sell the Ottrott, if it is my size.

[Baron Blubba]

Originally Posted by Twilight228

Good Morning Everyone,

I followed this forum heavily 10+ years ago, and was an avid cyclist at the time. Against the advice of those on this forum, I purchased a Serotta Ottrott shortly after my daughter was born (2nd child), with good intentions. As projected by at least one person one here indirectly, she has sat in my garage for the better part of a decade. I've never had the nerve to sell it, mostly because the fit is literally as good as it gets.

I think it has been time to let her go for a while, but know that I'll likely not find another one should I try to do so.

Would the consensus be that I have been selfish to hold it for so long, or keep it? It has nothing to do with the money, it's hard to watch it sit.

Full transparency, I am a terrible lurker. Never really had the confidence to post on this forum unless I was asking a question I couldn't find an answer to.

Thanks as always, Jay

I love how ambiguity sets in about 1/3 of the way through this post and I'm no longer sure if it's the bike you've left in the garage for 10 years or your daughter.

[54ny77]

Maybe post pictures, am sure someone would offer to take it off your hands if it fits 'em?

Personally, I'm never selling my Ottrott. Past couple years it's been used alot. In the past, however, it sometimes sat for months on end while I got distracted by other bikes in rotation.


Gratuitous pic....



(It currently rides on a nice set of Farsports carbon rims that fit the tight rear triangle. This pic looks like a set of Velocity's that I used for a bit. I also have polished HB Son alu rims that look fantastic with gumwall tires.)

[Twilight228]

A few fun things in there:

To put it to bed, no, my daughter did not live in the garage, although it is conditioned.

I have no idea how to attached a pic, but here goes, hopefully as requested. Standard color scheme, nothing fancy, and not a pretty as yours. That white is slick.

I can't find the measurement, but I'll measure it up again tonight. It's a custom 58, with pretty stock geo minus a slightly shortened top tube as my memory serves. I think the top tube is 57.5.

Ottrott.jpg

[saab2000]

That’s a really nice bike. And looks to be my size!

That said, outside of this forum and a small group of folks who know what it is, as others have said, the open market value and customer pool isn’t big. If I were you I’d build it up and ride it and enjoy it. But since it will likely only take 23 or tops 25mm tires it’s a bit out of place in 2024. Bikes have evolved. A lot. That doesn’t mean that this Ottrott isn’t great but it’s a bit limited.

If I were in your shoes I’d build it up and ride it. I still ride 15-20 year old Look 585s that have similar tire limitations.

[ChainNoise]

I sold a Legend to a member on here. I really didn't want to get rid of it but I needed money at the time. I regretted it the second I dropped it off at UPS. After I gave the tracking number, I told him if you'd ever sell it, give me first dibs and I'll take it assuming I can afford it at the time.

I was lucky enough that the seller was really cool and kept in touch. Roughly a year after I sold it to him, he sold it back to me. This was probably 4 years ago. We still exchange messages from time to time. I will never let that damn frame leave my possession again. Nothing rides like it!

Moral of my story that spills over to yours - DONT SELL IT! Throw some wheels on there, and a chain, tune it real quick and go for a short ride! I know your priority is not road anymore but I bet if you threw a leg over it again you wouldn't want to sell anymore.

[glepore]

Originally Posted by saab2000

That’s a really nice bike. And looks to be my size!

But since it will likely only take 23 or tops 25mm tires it’s a bit out of place in 2024. Bikes have evolved. A lot. That doesn’t mean that this Ottrott isn’t great but it’s a bit limited.

Mine is fine with 27's in back and 25's up front. With different brakes it "may" clear a front 27.

[Twilight228]

Originally Posted by glepore

Mine is fine with 27's in back and 25's up front. With different brakes it "may" clear a front 27.

I started today ready to let my bike go...I end the day shopping for larger tires...

What tires do you like on yours?

[nmrt]

Selling the bike with wider tires is an even better idea!

Originally Posted by Twilight228

I started today ready to let my bike go...I end the day shopping for larger tires...

What tires do you like on yours?

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by Twilight228

I haven't tried to dig up the conversation, I'm sure it's on here. I could also be slightly off, I'm operating on the impression left by a discussion 10-years later.

Probably should have referenced it.

I think this is the thread.

For tires, you might consider a set of Specialized Turbo Cotton 26.

I too am in the "keep it" camp. I had an Ottrott, very similar to 54ny77's (except GS, not ST, and built with Campy ahem) that I gave to my brother with some small regret. Looks like it's about to make its way back to me and I really look forward to riding it again.

[glepore]

Originally Posted by Twilight228

I started today ready to let my bike go...I end the day shopping for larger tires...

What tires do you like on yours?

They're gone-Veloflex.

I'm a tubular guy, so maybe not part of the equation. The rear is currently a Challenge Elite 27, not as nice as the Veloflex, but honestly not far off. Front is still a veloflex protour 25.

If clinchers, I'm a huge fan of the non TLR Vittoria Corsa controls...

[Twilight228]

Checked the wheelset that was on it, have GP4000s in 25mm. Not too far off. It feels like there is no shortage of room to go a little wider.