Serial Numbers Decoded

[dave thompson]

Nope, Serotta did all their paint in house. They were know for their excellent paint work.

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by batmick1

I did, thanks. But it looks like the Colorado II doesn’t get much coverage in there. I also did not see the particular color. I think I’ll clean it this weekend if I can find the time and post some more pics. Maybe there is some more identifying detail under the grime.

1992 was the last year for Colorado II production. Guessing that's what you have.

[Jimmiz]

My
Serotta Titanium Mountainbike

has this serial number

TH 17 030

any idea what model and year this is?

[oliver1850]

I'll have to think about that one. Would help to have some pics of the frame. Looks like Serotta sized MTB frames in cm through 1999. The 2000 catalog shows sizing in inches. Ti Max was the Ti hard tail frame that year. Will have to check some other catalogs.

[BorealOwl]

All,

I just acquired a 1976 to 1978 59 cm ctc Serotta criterium model with the serial number: BS319. See attached images. I acquired it from its second owner, who purchased it for its compliment of as new 1983 vintage Campy Super Record components. He said that the frame was too big for him. I suspect that the '83 SR components were an aftermarket addition.

Wanting to know more about its age class, I tried contacting Ben Serotta, who graciously responded to my query. He said that his records for the late 70s were no longer in his possession but he said that it was built sometime between the years 1976 and 1978. I did find a 1975 frame listed here on this forum with the serial number BS175.

Its quite a beautiful bicycle and I'm proud to be giving it a new home. I plan on hanging a mixed bag of 70s and 80s Campy Record and SR components on it, as well as a more contemporary CX crankset for lower gears more in tune with my aging knees.

Ben Serotta also said that he suspects that it was repainted or the decals were replaced. He said that during that time period he did not clear coat over the decals and that they easily wore off and were often replaced. He said that in this case, in a different manner than the originals. Can anyone comment on this?

[oliver1850]

That's a nice find. It would have had the round head tube decal originally. The Made in USA decal was also different and the S decal on the seat tube didn't appear until the mid 1980s.


https://velocals.com/serotta-head-ba...d-badge-decal/

https://velocals.com/serotta-1977-bicycle-decal-set/

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=245088

You might look for a Campagnolo Triumphe or Victory crank for help with the gearing. They have a 116 mm bolt circle and look right with NR and SR while giving much lower gearing. It's hard to find the small rings but I was lucky enough to land 36/48 Miche rings for mine.

[oliver1850]

Ebay seller has one posted with the build sheet. Serial number is C LS 56 00714, dated October 31, 2006. So at least the early sloping Legends evidently got an LS code instead of TI.

[zambenini]

Hey, perhaps someone can help me with mine, for some reason I got curious... my eyes are crossing and failing trying to find numbers beginning with HG in this thread. Bike's (far as I know) an HSG cross bike, more recent, but doesn't seem to exactly match the geo in the charts for the era. No 'C' for custom that I can see, unless I didn't wipe enough dirt off the bottom.

HG 56 (size, I obviously get that) 021.

Any insight as to year and geo? Many thanks.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by zambenini

Hey, perhaps someone can help me with mine, for some reason I got curious... my eyes are crossing and failing trying to find numbers beginning with HG in this thread. Bike's (far as I know) an HSG cross bike, more recent, but doesn't seem to exactly match the geo in the charts for the era. No 'C' for custom that I can see, unless I didn't wipe enough dirt off the bottom.

HG 56 (size, I obviously get that) 021.

Any insight as to year and geo? Many thanks.

hey, just seeing this, is it steel or ti?

[cycle-spinner]

Reposting here:

Hi. I know there have been multiple threats in the past...no help so far.

Colorado LT (possible 1987, exterior seat post bolt, lugged)

G 50.

50 is the size (close on measurements)

G? Early model.

Any help would be great.

Thanks.

[zambenini]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

hey, just seeing this, is it steel or ti?

Sorry it took me so long to respond. Your question actually threw me for a loop - I thought it was steel and I had a momentary mind warp where I was like, "Wha- could it be ti?" (I've never ridden a ti bike so I wouldn't know the difference in ride, but I assume I would notice the weight). Anyway, a magnet sticks to it, so yeah, it's steel.

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by cycle-spinner

Reposting here:

Hi. I know there have been multiple threats in the past...no help so far.

Colorado LT (possible 1987, exterior seat post bolt, lugged)

G 50.

50 is the size (close on measurements)

G? Early model.

Any help would be great.

Thanks.

I think that you need to look for another number. Smallest size for the LT was 52 cm. I'd guess the serial number will look something like LT 52 XXXX.

[cueoner]

Originally Posted by oliver1850

Smallest size for the LT was 52 cm.

I'm not so sure that 52cm is the smallest. I just picked up a Colorado LT yesterday and it's a 51cm.

[AirTomac]

Hi guys,

I just received a Serotta T-Max with serial#: SM 51 1508

Am I correct to believe SM stands for T-Max?

Thank you very much!
Daniel

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by AirTomac

Hi guys,

I just received a Serotta T-Max with serial#: SM 51 1508

Am I correct to believe SM stands for T-Max?

Thank you very much!
Daniel

Sounds right, thanks for posting it. I had a T-Max for a short time but didn't keep track of the serial number. Looking at the catalogs, 51 cm wasn't offered at first but shows up in the 1992 geometry chart.