Zancanato vs Csi...opinions

[Kingfisher]

I've been in market for a 60 csi...still waiting for one to show and then a beautiful Zancanato shows up in classifieds in 60.

I know what qualities and ride is like for a csi (had two, but a tad small, thus looking for a 60). Anyone ridden both care to comment?
Thanks

[Ken Robb]

I don't think you can get a valid comparison from second-hand comments about a custom bike and a CSi, which might also be custom.

OTOH if you can get the Zanc serial number or some other positive i.d. Mike might be able to tell you what the designed parameters he used for the Zanconato.

[jlwdm]

Two great bikes and as mentioned they might both be custom. Check the Serotta serial number.

All 60s are not created equally.

Jeff

[mhespenheide]

If you're looking at the orange lugged 60cm Zank in the classifieds, double-check some of the numbers beyond the seat tube length and top tube length. If I recall correctly, the seat tube angle was 71.8 degrees (giving a pretty short reach) and the bottom bracket drop was 78mm, combined with a head tube angle of 72.5 degrees. That bike is going to prioritize stability and straight-line manners -- a late 60's or early 70's European race bike.

I would guess that a stock CSI would have a more aggressive geometry that prioritized fast response for navigating close quarters in a pack -- an early 90's American race bike.

[msl819]

I owned a Lugged Zank that has passed around here a bit and two Serotta CRLs. I know CRLs are different but mostly the same. All were lugged all were very nice. I can’t remember the geo but it seems like my Zank had a bit longer rear triangle (it was custom) which felt different when riding at first. The biggest difference was the Zank had a threadless fork set up which allowed me to run modern bars and stem, which I like. As others have said, they’ll both likely be great bikes but short of a side by side test ride comparison, it is all speculation. For what it is worth I also ride a 60-61 and top the scales over 200lbs. Both were plenty stout and enjoyable rides. I know this is what it is but it may simply come down to paint color and the name in the downtube. If you gave me one of each, spec’d the same and I was blindfolded, I doubt I’d be able to tell much if any difference. Not that I recommend riding blindfolded.

[oliver1850]

Most 60 cm CSIs are going to have a 60 cm TT vs. the Zanc's 59, so there's that. You should be able to find a CSI frameset for much less than $1200. I paid somewhere under $500 for mine. There's a nice 63 cm CSI with 60.5 cm TT on ebay for $1400 shipped, including a nice Chorus/Record 9 build. Only fault I can see with it is that the fork is an AlphaQ rather than a steel Serotta.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Serotta-CSI...oAAOSwydpZepL0

[Ken Robb]

Originally Posted by oliver1850

Most 60 cm CSIs are going to have a 60 cm TT vs. the Zanc's 59, so there's that. You should be able to find a CSI frameset for much less than $1200. I paid somewhere under $500 for mine. There's a nice 63 cm CSI with 60.5 cm TT on ebay for $1400 shipped, including a nice Chorus/Record 9 build. Only fault I can see with it is that the fork is an AlphaQ rather than a steel Serotta.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Serotta-CSI...oAAOSwydpZepL0

This CSi looks to have 1 1/8" HT. I'm not sure that Serotta made steel forks with 1 1/8 steerers. The seller says it measures 63cm C-T and we all know Serotta sizes were measured C-C so this is smaller than 63cm. The serial number would tell us the "size" per Serotta. Nice bike. I had a 58cm CSi with 10spd Chorus so it was probably about the same age as this one. Mine had 1" F1 fork. It was a wonderful ride as long as you didn't want to ride tires bigger than 25mm and those were a TIGHT fit under the fork.

[Big Dan]

Having owned 3 lugged Serottas I would go with the Zanconato.

[11.4]

Mike is a superb builder and learned from a lot of builders who weren't around when CSIs were being made. I'd go with Mike.

[jlwdm]

Originally Posted by 11.4

Mike is a superb builder and learned from a lot of builders who weren't around when CSIs were being made. I'd go with Mike.

Did not see the logic in this statement.

Jeff

[Michael Maddox]

I’d choose a Zanconato over pretty much anything. Get one, you’ll understand.

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

This CSi looks to have 1 1/8" HT. I'm not sure that Serotta made steel forks with 1 1/8 steerers. The seller says it measures 63cm C-T and we all know Serotta sizes were measured C-C so this is smaller than 63cm. The serial number would tell us the "size" per Serotta. Nice bike. I had a 58cm CSi with 10spd Chorus so it was probably about the same age as this one. Mine had 1" F1 fork. It was a wonderful ride as long as you didn't want to ride tires bigger than 25mm and those were a TIGHT fit under the fork.

I didn't notice the HT diameter. You are probably right about steel forks not being made with 1 1/8" steerers, I've never seen one. 2001 catalog says the F1 would be available that year in 1 1/8", but I've never seen one of those either. If it does have a 1 1/8" HT, the right fork would be an F-2 or O2 - or even an F3 if it's a 2005. Always have to take sellers' measurements with a grain of salt. If the top tube is actually longer than 60 cm, the frame is likely somewhat bigger than 60 c to c. If I were going to bet, I'd say it's a stock 60 cm frame, 60 x 60. As you said, serial number would tell.

[Ken Robb]

I think most CSi frames with brazed HTs like the one in the pix were 1/1/8" because the lugs were only available in 1" size. My stock 58cm had a 57.5 TT and my stock 60cm had a 58.5 TT. I know some stock Serottas were square so there were certainly some 60x60 CSi frames.

[oliver1850]

You are right about later ones having shorter top tubes. The ones you listed are right for circa 2000 CSIs. I was thinking of the 90s frames, which were square for sizes 56 and larger - through 1999. Not sure which pics you're talking about. Pretty sure the frame I linked is fully lugged.

[fogrider]

Originally Posted by Michael Maddox

I’d choose a Zanconato over pretty much anything. Get one, you’ll understand.

+1. I hear ya! I have a mini max and it rides like a dream...and I have a few other pretty great bikes too.