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09-12-02, 11:11 AM
OK, after a few hundred miles on the "new" bike I figure
I can acurately talk about it.
First a bit of background:
The Frame is a Serotta Nova Special, ca 1990, Columbus SLX
tubing, straight chainstays and probably built by Ben Serotta
himself (thats what he thought when I spoke to him).
Components are campy chorus 8 speed, Mavic GP4 rims
with Conti sprinters, AM classic seatpost with Brooks B17 saddle.
Previously I was riding 1985 Trek 670, Campy Nuvo Record throughout.
Wow this bike is responsive, it almost seems to know where
I want to go. It turns like a good carving ski, just glides through
corners. Frame is very stiff, no flex in BB even when standing
on pedals hammering up a hill. Yeah I know its 13 years old,
but it rides better than alot of newer/current bikes I've ridden.
I can't say enough about Columbus Steel tubing.
Now the interesting stuff going from Friction to Ergo.
I admit to being a bit of a retrogrouch. I like old bikes, I love old
campy components so this was a real switch for me.
I find I shift significantly more with the ergo, I never felt
uncomfortable with downtube shifters, but this has take my
shifting to a whole new level. Subsequently my climbing has
improved as I'm more likely to use the gears than just grind
away. The Ergo, even tho it also is rather dated, functions flawlessly.
Shifting is crisp and smooth, the one shift at the
rear cog that did skip was easily fixed with cable adjustments.
I really like being able to adjust cables at the downtube.
The brakes which are newer chorus do much better at stopping
then my Modolo equipes (with scinterized pads no less),
modulating on the rim effectively scrubs speed when I need to.
The Wheels are NOS rims 28 hole laced 3 cross. They are light
(don't know comparison to say Ksyriums, but less than CXP33's
or Open Pro's), have stayed true over some nasty roads and
really soak up the road buzz, I credit alot of that to the tubular
tires.
So, which do I like best? thats like comparing apples and oranges.
The Ergo setup is very easy to ride, almost mindless shifting and
I can comfortably say is here to stay.
The Nuevo Record is just plain sexier to my eye. The rear
derailleur really gets my juices going. There is something that
I can't quite put my finger on that makes the N. Record bike
a little more satisfying to ride. I don't know maybe its the
mindlessness of the Ergo that makes it less appealing to me.
Oh, thats not to say I won't ride the Serotta, its become
my primary bike and the trek is getting a complete overhaul
with possible repaint (if I can find decals) and replacement
of all the original parts.
So thats my initial impressions, I'll post again after a few
hundred more miles.
FWIW I'm looking for a mid 70's Colnago just to play with.
Marty
I can acurately talk about it.
First a bit of background:
The Frame is a Serotta Nova Special, ca 1990, Columbus SLX
tubing, straight chainstays and probably built by Ben Serotta
himself (thats what he thought when I spoke to him).
Components are campy chorus 8 speed, Mavic GP4 rims
with Conti sprinters, AM classic seatpost with Brooks B17 saddle.
Previously I was riding 1985 Trek 670, Campy Nuvo Record throughout.
Wow this bike is responsive, it almost seems to know where
I want to go. It turns like a good carving ski, just glides through
corners. Frame is very stiff, no flex in BB even when standing
on pedals hammering up a hill. Yeah I know its 13 years old,
but it rides better than alot of newer/current bikes I've ridden.
I can't say enough about Columbus Steel tubing.
Now the interesting stuff going from Friction to Ergo.
I admit to being a bit of a retrogrouch. I like old bikes, I love old
campy components so this was a real switch for me.
I find I shift significantly more with the ergo, I never felt
uncomfortable with downtube shifters, but this has take my
shifting to a whole new level. Subsequently my climbing has
improved as I'm more likely to use the gears than just grind
away. The Ergo, even tho it also is rather dated, functions flawlessly.
Shifting is crisp and smooth, the one shift at the
rear cog that did skip was easily fixed with cable adjustments.
I really like being able to adjust cables at the downtube.
The brakes which are newer chorus do much better at stopping
then my Modolo equipes (with scinterized pads no less),
modulating on the rim effectively scrubs speed when I need to.
The Wheels are NOS rims 28 hole laced 3 cross. They are light
(don't know comparison to say Ksyriums, but less than CXP33's
or Open Pro's), have stayed true over some nasty roads and
really soak up the road buzz, I credit alot of that to the tubular
tires.
So, which do I like best? thats like comparing apples and oranges.
The Ergo setup is very easy to ride, almost mindless shifting and
I can comfortably say is here to stay.
The Nuevo Record is just plain sexier to my eye. The rear
derailleur really gets my juices going. There is something that
I can't quite put my finger on that makes the N. Record bike
a little more satisfying to ride. I don't know maybe its the
mindlessness of the Ergo that makes it less appealing to me.
Oh, thats not to say I won't ride the Serotta, its become
my primary bike and the trek is getting a complete overhaul
with possible repaint (if I can find decals) and replacement
of all the original parts.
So thats my initial impressions, I'll post again after a few
hundred more miles.
FWIW I'm looking for a mid 70's Colnago just to play with.
Marty