Serial Numbers Decoded

[Keith A]

oliver1850 & josephr -- Thanks for the replies.

[KevinPak]

Hi all,

Reviving a semi-old thread although I'm trying to purchase a Legend Ti for the lady and need some help.

Trying to decipher the "P" in this serial - Cti46p259

Any clue ?
Thanks !

[dave thompson]

I've never seen a letter in the middle on Serotta serial numbers. Often the paint is thick enough over the number it can obscure it. Try lighting it from a side and perhaps that may help discern what it may be.

Otherwise the serial number indicates a stock CTi, size 46.

[oliver1850]

The 1999 geo chart shows a 46P Legend. My guess is that it takes 650c wheels, the 4.8 BB drop would seem to confirm that.

[oliver1850]

See this thread for a custom TiMax coded CTM:

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=163054

[bjf]

Can anyone help me date this frame? CLE 54 024. Thanks.

[oliver1850]

I don't know this for certain but my best guess is that LE is the code for a Legend ST, which is a Legend with a carbon seat stay. CLE would be a custom.

2003 was the first year for the Legend ST. If your bike has the carbon stay, I'd say you have a 2003 Legend ST since they likely made at least 24 in the first year of production.

Let us know if you do have the ST stay so we can be sure of the LE code.

thanks

[thebudge]

I have a Serotta Colorado II with pearl white paint. Trying to figure the year of make (my guess is 1996, but could be earlier), and have a question about the serial number.

Serial number is: SC57X. Believe this means a Standard/stock Colorado, 57cm, but what does the X refer to?

Year: It has a complete Shimano Ultegra 600 groupset (with tri-colour bands), 8 speed, STI shifters, and internal cabling, pearl white paint scheme

Many thanks

[thebudge]

Wondering if the X may refer to size of frame? The top tube is notably long on this frame (a 57cm, but top tube approx. 58cm C-C)

Also any suggestions on pricing welcome - I am looking to sell

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by thebudge

Wondering if the X may refer to size of frame? The top tube is notably long on this frame (a 57cm, but top tube approx. 58cm C-C)

Also any suggestions on pricing welcome - I am looking to sell

I think that the X was put on bikes that were experimental or built be employees for themselves on their own time. Dave Kirk will know the answer to this. I bet this bike is earlier than 1996. Check the catalogues to see what year the CSi came out.

[oliver1850]

Looking at the 1992 catalog, the Colorado II and TG were available in "XL Road Geometry". Your frame should have a 58.5 cm top tube. All other dimensions were the same as the standard 57 cm CII, and the L model.

SC57 = 56 cm TT
SC57L = 57 cm TT
SC57X = 58.5 TT

If original, I'd guess your CII is a 1992 from the pearl white paint - but since you don't have the TT model decal it may be a repaint. Pearl white was the color used for the 20th anniversary models. Does yours have a "20" on the fork crown? Other cues for a 1992 frame are a full lug at the TT/HT joint, lugged (vs. fillet) BB shell, and S bend stays. My guess is your frame is a 1992 CII, but not one of the anniversary models, unless it has the "20" on the fork crown.

It would be nice to have the rest of the serial number to help date other 1992 CIIs. Thanks.

[thebudge]

Hi there,

thanks for the really helpful info. As I suspected the X may have referred to size (i.e. extra long) - the top tube is indeed an annoyingly long 58.5cm

The full serial no. is: 3329

It doesn't seem to be a respray, but I could be wrong.

There is no reference to '20' or an anniversary edition. The fork crown has the Serotta S and Colorado written in scriptive

Correct on the lugs and s-bend stays

All seems to suggest a 1992, but not 20th Anniversary

Happy to provide more photos, including of decals if useful (decals include Colorado Serotta Design CC label top of seat tube; est. 1972 on down tube at BB; Made in USA for World Champions with S logo in U.S. flag colours, and WC bands on seat tube at BB)

[oliver1850]

I'm surprised that the serial number is so high. My CII is in the 350 range. They were only made from 1989-1992, so yours must surely be one of the last.

It's always nice to see details of the frames. Other than what's been mentioned already, I'd like to see the chainstay bridge. I'm still trying to pin down when it changed from a round tube to a web.

As to whether the paint is original or not, it's really hard to say. Someone might have ordered white but not an anniversary model. The anniversary models had red decals, and the one on the cover of the catalog has Ben's signature where the CII decal would normally be. Yours may not have either because it's not an anniversary and the decals my have been a custom color.

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by oliver1850

I'm surprised that the serial number is so high. My CII is in the 350 range. They were only made from 1989-1992, so yours must surely be one of the last.

It's always nice to see details of the frames. Other than what's been mentioned already, I'd like to see the chainstay bridge. I'm still trying to pin down when it changed from a round tube to a web.

As to whether the paint is original or not, it's really hard to say. Someone might have ordered white but not an anniversary model. The anniversary models had red decals, and the one on the cover of the catalog has Ben's signature where the CII decal would normally be. Yours may not have either because it's not an anniversary and the decals my have been a custom color.

My 1991 CII has a web bridge.

[thebudge]

Thanks for all the info. Some additional photos with detail - hope they are useful. Sadly the previous owner neglected the bike, so the paintwork has suffered, and there are some small patches of corrosion on the headtube and right chainstay