Serial Numbers Decoded

[oliver1850]

[QUOTE=SomerHimpson60;3295171]

Originally Posted by oliver1850

That's definitelyAttachment 1698071183 not a 1993 CRL. It's the first example I can recall of a model code being used a second time for a new model. Better photos would help with identification. I can't even be sure of the fork model from the picture. My guess would be that it's a Fierte but they were made in steel and Ti, so start with the magnet test.

[/ATTACH]

It does look to be titanium. With no carbon tubes and custom geometry it would seem likely to be a Legend or a Concours, but that doesn't explain why it has a different code than we've seen previously. It looks like you have Campagnolo 10 speed with the new shape levers. If the components are original that would put it 2009 or later. I haven't been able to find a web archive of the Serotta site in 2009, but it appears that by mid 2010, the Classique was the only all titanium frame being produced.. That makes sense of the C CL code as well. MSRP of $3395 in July of 2010, presumably for a frameset. Try entering the link below at the wayback machine.

http://www.serotta.com/Bikes/Road/ClassiqueTI

[oliver1850]

In this thread on 19 January 2012 cnw20 posted a 2010 Classique with the serial number CL X00959. That corresponds to what I remember about 2010 and later Serottas having X in the serial number. So SomerHimpson60's bike is possibly a 2009. I still have no explanation for why the model code was changed, but at least we seem to have two Classiques coded CL.

[SomerHimpson60]

On the model table it lists:-CL and identifies it as CRL. What does CRL mean please? My Serotta Ti number is CCL 52 062, where i understand the first C stands for custom and the CL is the model. But what model is CRL please?

[SomerHimpson60]

What year do you believe it was made please?

[SomerHimpson60]

Please find more photos which may identify the model

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by SomerHimpson60

On the model table it lists:-CL and identifies it as CRL. What does CRL mean please? My Serotta Ti number is CCL 52 062, where i understand the first C stands for custom and the CL is the model. But what model is CRL please?

The CRL mentioned in the table is the top of the line lugged steel frame made in 1993 and 1994. I believe your frame is a custom Classique, likely built in 2009.

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by SomerHimpson60

Please find more photos which may identify the model

Here is a for sale thread with a very similar Classique with a C CL serial number:

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...ight=classique

[SomerHimpson60]

Thank you so much for your reply in identifying my bike. I am curious to know however why mine is fitted with the S3 forks and not the F3 forks as in the example that you pointed me to in the forum. What is the difference please?

[dave thompson]

The F3 and S3 forks were very similar, the main difference was the F3 forks could be had in different stiffness characteristics and had Titanium dropouts while the S3 fork dropouts were aluminum and less expensive.

A Serotta customer, if they ordered a complete bike, could spec what components they wanted. Very often a customer would order just a frameset with a desired fork.

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by SomerHimpson60

Thank you so much for your reply in identifying my bike. I am curious to know however why mine is fitted with the S3 forks and not the F3 forks as in the example that you pointed me to in the forum. What is the difference please?

As I remember from the classifieds listing sokyroadie's frame came with an S3 fork and he changed to an F3. So originally it would have been nearly identical to yours. As Dave stated above, Serottas traditionally could be ordered with a range of forks.

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by dave thompson

The F3 and S3 forks were very similar, the main difference was the F3 forks could be had in different stiffness characteristics and had Titanium dropouts while the S3 fork dropouts were aluminum and less expensive.

A Serotta customer, if they ordered a complete bike, could spec what components they wanted. Very often a customer would order just a frameset with a desired fork.

Thanks for posting about the forks. I haven't owned an S3 and couldn't remember much about them. Am I mistaken, or was it introduced after the F3? The F3 is shown in the 2005 catalog, but I'm wondering if it may have been introduced with the Ottrot in 2004. The S3 doesn't show in any catalog that I have seen. Can we assume that the S3 had the medium F3 stiffness? Were both forks made by Reynolds?

[dave thompson]

I used to have a large collection of Serotta catalogs and paper, which I sold several years ago, one of which I recall explaining the F3 and S3 forks though I don’t remember which specific catalog it was.

I’m not sure about the forks manufacturer but I think it was Mike Lopez, who did it after Reynolds was defunct.

[SomerHimpson60]

Are the older Serotta’s a good buy bearing in mind they have older group sets etc. which are difficult to upgrade.

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by SomerHimpson60

Are the older Serotta’s a good buy bearing in mind they have older group sets etc. which are difficult to upgrade.

Perhaps more difficult to maintain as original than to upgrade - though not much of a problem for a bike from 2010. For upgrades: still plenty of current wheels and components that will bolt right on.

As to value/good buys - I think the best time to buy a Serotta or most any other bike was about ten-twelve years ago. Prices seem to have come up in general since then.

[SomerHimpson60]

Hi
Does anybody have any idea of the value of my bike if I were to sell it now?