Serial Numbers Decoded

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by dvancleve

Thanks oliver1850! This ad was deleted, but it’s up again now. The 126mm rear spacing means this bike is probably older than I thought it was, and probably older than the Mavic parts that I need to find a home for. Is there ANY chance this isn’t a legit Serotta? Regards, Doug

I would guess mid to late 1980s from what I have seen. Photos aren't that clear but it looks like the fork may have the Serotta engraving on the crown. Serotta didn't do much chroming but I have seen other 1980s frames with chrome. Is there any engraving on the frame? Most likely place would be the brake bridge.

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by dvancleve

Thanks oliver1850! This ad was deleted, but it’s up again now. The 126mm rear spacing means this bike is probably older than I thought it was, and probably older than the Mavic parts that I need to find a home for. Is there ANY chance this isn’t a legit Serotta? Regards, Doug

I should add that the chainstay bend makes it very unlikely to be anything other than a Serotta.

[SomerHimpson60]

I have just purchased a Serotta Ti bike and the code stamped into it is:- CCL 52 063.
I know the middle number is the size of the frame and I believe the first letter C means it was a custom build but I am not sure what the letters CL next to it mean nor what the number 063 is. If anybody knows that would be great. Thanks.

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by SomerHimpson60

I have just purchased a Serotta Ti bike and the code stamped into it is:- CCL 52 063.
I know the middle number is the size of the frame and I believe the first letter C means it was a custom build but I am not sure what the letters CL next to it mean nor what the number 063 is. If anybody knows that would be great. Thanks.

Are you sure it's titanium? CCL should be a custom Colorado CRL from 1993, size 52 cm, the 63rd CRL produced. CRL was first in the steel lineup at the time. It should have an internally routed rear brake cable with ports on the side of the top tube.

[SomerHimpson60]

Attachment 1698070304Attachment 1698070304

I believe this to be a titanium frame and not steel

[dave thompson]

Post the serial number, which is stamped on the bottom bracket shell.

[SomerHimpson60]

Ccl 52 063

[SomerHimpson60]

This is a better photo of the bikeIMG_1944.jpg

[Seramount]

Originally Posted by SomerHimpson60

Attachment 1698070304Attachment 1698070304

I believe this to be a titanium frame and not steel

a magnet will tell you which one it is...

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by SomerHimpson60

This is a better photo of the bikeAttachment 1698070529

That's definitely 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.

[bob_in_pa]

Originally Posted by oliver1850

That's definitely 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.

The serial number of my custom Legend Ti starts with CC 63. Kind of stumped me but I figured it was due to the model at one point being a Colorado Legend Ti, but who knows.

-Bob

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by bob_in_pa

The serial number of my custom Legend Ti starts with CC 63. Kind of stumped me but I figured it was due to the model at one point being a Colorado Legend Ti, but who knows.

-Bob

How old is it? Might work into the system somehow if it's a really early one.

[bob_in_pa]

Originally Posted by oliver1850

How old is it? Might work into the system somehow if it's a really early one.

I'm not exactly sure. The serial number is CC 63 1370 which I would have assumed was pretty early but it has some other characteristics that make me think it's a little later. So I'm thinking it's most likely '97 or '98. I do know it was a custom that was designed/built for a big guy.

I'd be interested in what you think. Details are as follows:
"Ti" decal on TT
USA CCTi tubing decal
F1 fork
25th anniversary decal
Head-ons cable stops - no DT shifter bosses
No 3D dropouts

-Bob

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by bob_in_pa

I'm not exactly sure. The serial number is CC 63 1370 which I would have assumed was pretty early but it has some other characteristics that make me think it's a little later. So I'm thinking it's most likely '97 or '98. I do know it was a custom that was designed/built for a big guy.

I'd be interested in what you think. Details are as follows:
"Ti" decal on TT
USA CCTi tubing decal
F1 fork
25th anniversary decal
Head-ons cable stops - no DT shifter bosses
No 3D dropouts

-Bob

I'd say 1997 as it has the anniversary decal. I have never located a full 1997 catalog, only the anniversary brochure. It doesn't mention 3D dropouts but does mention the introduction of the F1 fork in 1996. The 1998 catalog specifies 3D dropouts in the model description. "Ti" top tube decals were used on 1995-1999 models. I believe my two frames are both from 1994, have stock geometry, and are stamped TI 58L. Both serial numbers are in the 750-850 range. I can't explain why yours doesn't follow the usual model code system, which would have resulted in CTI or C TI. It seems they reverted to CC for custom Colorado. It would be interesting to find another custom geometry frame from the same era and see how it is stamped. My CSI is close in year but is standard geometry so no help there. The only custom frame I have is a 2002 Concours, which is stamped C CT.

[SomerHimpson60]

[QUOTE=oliver1850;3290310]That's definitelyIMG_1941.jpg 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.

IMG_1941.jpg