Serotta Ti

stephenmarklay · #1 10-20-2020, 07:39 AM

I am looking at a Serotta TI with Serotta Carbon fork. This looks to be a pre-legend.

I have had two steel serottas and am open to another but this popped up locally and wondered how the ride compares to a CSI for instance.

Any insights are appreciated.

NHAero · #2 10-20-2020, 08:11 AM

Stephen, that bike will ride very harshly. Adding tires will help a lot!
(sorry, couldn't resist - might want to add a chain too)

Hilltopperny · #3 10-20-2020, 08:18 AM

This was the predecessor to the Legend Ti and should ride great. Serotta titanium bikes are very nice riding and if you enjoyed their steel offerings then it’s highly probable you will like the way this rides IMHO.

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DRZRM · #4 10-20-2020, 08:25 AM

I have one of these and love it. Was one of the first bikes I bought, and the reason I joined the original Serotta site. It is the only bike from that era that I have not sold, if that tells you anything.

I had a Cha-Ching Green that was too small, and I traded that for a Big Boy blue that fits. Is that a 1" steerer?

In fact, it is likely actually a Legend, if you look at the 98 catalogue here you will see that the Legend only had a Ti sticker at the front of the top tube. Not sure when they started putting Legend on the sticker, but I think only the Legend only had the Ti sticker (the cheaper Ti frame of that era had a CTi sticker, and in later times the Legend and the...Concourse (right?) also had different stickers, the model name went on the frame. I could be wrong, and I'm sure someone will chime in, but that is how I remember it.

Great riding bike, just take out the front wheel and make sure the drop outs in the fork are not coming loose. If they still feel snug in there now, I figure you are good for another 20 years. Most of the research and engineering that went into the later Legends was in that frame, if it fits and is a good deal, I think you will be very happy.

stephenmarklay · #5 10-20-2020, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHAero

Stephen, that bike will ride very harshly. Adding tires will help a lot!
(sorry, couldn't resist - might want to add a chain too)

Goof

SPOKE · #6 10-20-2020, 12:17 PM

The rear dropouts look to be the 3D style (probably first generation). If this is the case then it is most likely nearly equivalent to the Legend. If the seat tube is larger in diameter at the bottom bracket then it’s is surely very similar to what I had in 1999.
Would love to find another Legend to add to the collection.

Ozz · #7 10-20-2020, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPOKE

The rear dropouts look to be the 3D style (probably first generation). If this is the case then it is most likely nearly equivalent to the Legend. If the seat tube is larger in diameter at the bottom bracket then it’s is surely very similar to what I had in 1999.
Would love to find another Legend to add to the collection.

It does look like it has the F1 fork, tapered top tube and seat tube.

jds108 · #8 10-20-2020, 12:59 PM

From a different perspective - it would be very difficult to find a currently-manufactured Ti frame that's more engineered/sophisticated than what went into this.

The only tangible differences to me are modern frames are using larger headtubes/forks and clearance for larger tire sizes.

Ken Robb · #9 10-20-2020, 01:02 PM

What is the serial number?

stephenmarklay · #10 10-20-2020, 01:21 PM

Ken, I don’t have the serial number yet.

I cannot really tell if it is swaged nor what the stem situation is. I would be fine with a 1” probably...

Ozz · #11 10-20-2020, 01:27 PM

If you can get a picture of the tube set decal at top of seat tube, that should tell you.

stephenmarklay · #12 10-20-2020, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozz

If you can get a picture of the tube set decal at top of seat tube, that should tell you.

HA. Good thinking.

Ozz · #13 10-20-2020, 01:52 PM

It says "Colorado Concept" which I believe is the tube set where they started tapering them. Others might be more familiar with that era...

Looks like you have yourself a really nice bike there!

I have a 2004 Legend and it is my "go to" daily ride. Mostly for ease of clean up over my CSI, but they are both great rides!

rwsaunders · #14 10-20-2020, 04:24 PM

Hope this helps...the only bike that I truly regret selling.

SPOKE · #15 10-20-2020, 04:53 PM

Looks like it has single bend chain stays too. Not a bad thing but most of the legends that were built for most customers had the “S” bend stays from about 2000 onward (if my memory is correct). Frames for heavy (200 lbs+ or very powerful riders) typically were built with the OS Single Bend stays. The F1 fork I felt was very well built and had a nice feel to it. Lighter riders may have thought it to ride a bit harsh but generally a nice, solid & secure fork that needed a few more millimeters of tire clearance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozz

It does look like it has the F1 fork, tapered top tube and seat tube.