Serotta Davis Phinney

[Bentley]

What are the identifying characteristics?

TIA

Ray

[Mark McM]

There's some information on the Davis Phinney model in the Serotta 1989 catalog:

http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalog..._Catalogue.pdf


The Serotta 1991 catalog appears to have the same information:

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=82673

[Dude]

The biggest "tell" are the asymmetric chainstays. The drive-side chainstay is straight, the non drive-side chainstay uses the serotta s-bend shape.

[oliver1850]

The Phinney frames had steeper head and seat tube angles and longer top tubes than other Serotta road models of the period. They also had asymmetrical chainstays (Davis "Sprint Control" power rear triangle = crooked left chainstay, straight right chainstay). The serial numbers from 1990 on begin with SD, 1988 with an 8, 1989 with a 9.

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by Dude

The biggest "tell" are the asymmetric chainstays. The drive-side chainstay is straight, the non drive-side chainstay uses the serotta s-bend shape.

Just to be clear, the left stay on the Phinney was curved but not the familiar S bend. The S bend first appeared on the 1991 NHX, then spread to other models in 1992. 1991 was the last year for the Phinney.

[rccardr]

Once owned an 88 with Shimano 600 Tricolor. Gorgeous bike, excellent finish work, really sharp looking. Got lots of comments from other riders when I took it out.

But, also one of the slowest bikes I’ve ever owned. Never figured out why. Lent it once to my SiL, he later asked me why I gave him such a slow bike. Might be that the first year frames weren’t completely sorted out.

At least some of the later ones had straight chainstays on both sides.

[Mark McM]

Regardling the assymetric chainstays. As I understand it, chainstay curves are to increase heel clearance. If extra heel clearance is desireable on the left side, why not on the right side as well? Wouldn't that only benefit those with assymmetric pedal strokes?

[9tubes]

Originally Posted by Mark McM

There's some information on the Davis Phinney model in the Serotta 1989 catalog:

http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalog..._Catalogue.pdf

I'm curious, is that Mark Bulgier, the famous former framebuilder for Davidson Cycles in Seattle?

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by Mark McM

Regardling the assymetric chainstays. As I understand it, chainstay curves are to increase heel clearance. If extra heel clearance is desireable on the left side, why not on the right side as well? Wouldn't that only benefit those with assymmetric pedal strokes?

As I remember the story, heel clearance was why the left stay was originally curved for Davis during the 7-11 days and he apparently only needed more clearance on that side. After racing it, he felt that there was some kind of performance benefit to the asymmetrical stays and Serotta built similar frames for other team members who sampled that flavor of Kool-Aid. When the production frames came about, they elected to make them the same as what Davis was riding.

[brewsmith]

Originally Posted by 9tubes

I'm curious, is that Mark Bulgier, the famous former framebuilder for Davidson Cycles in Seattle?

Yep, the same. He is still very active on the classic rendezvous page and a brilliant resource in the bike community

[sparky33]

This quite large Davis Phinney Serotta was hanging on the used bike rail at a nearby shop in Edgartown, MA. The Kirk-like fastback seatstay joint and straight round chainstays caught my eye - really nice. Driveside chainstay is autographed "B..???"...Ben S maybe? Despite the marine-induced rust and garish green paint, the bike is a good deal more interesting than most of the cruisers you see around here. A good spotting.

edit: sorry for the upside down images...

[Chris]

I had a Viner with similar geometry. Brutal.

[witcombusa]

Originally Posted by oliver1850

Just to be clear, the left stay on the Phinney was curved but not the familiar S bend. The S bend first appeared on the 1991 NHX, then spread to other models in 1992. 1991 was the last year for the Phinney.

Odd, my '89 Nova Special X has the classic Colorado S shaped stays. It even mentions them in the catalog.

[HenryA]

Originally Posted by witcombusa

Odd, my '89 Nova Special X has the classic Colorado S shaped stays. It even mentions them in the catalog.

I think that is right, but not odd.