Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - custom built serotta

Hey fellas,

I am looking to buy this bike and need to make an offer soon. Dont know much about it other then a claim that it is custom built and has shimano 600 components also it has 26 inch wheels. I know what the components are worth really just the frame I am curious about, while I do have some idea I will leave it to people more knowledgeable. Appreciate your help.

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq210/gnarus/IMG_1076_2.jpg

Looking at my post I cant believe how attractive that is.

Nice looking bike, and 600 is a good groupset. They're probably 700c wheels, and they've mis-measured, unless they've done something really weird.

If it's under $300, it's probably worth it.

I'd value a Serotta in good condition, fully built, and the right size for you, much more than $300. I traded a poorly painted 86 Serotta with Campagnolo for a bike I had on sale for about $250 and considered it the deal of the year. Frame does not appear to be lugged, but the white color may be making that difficult to make out. Appears to be early late 80's but more likely early 90's, just before or right during the time STI came on the scene since it still has downtube shifters. If I were selling that bike, I'd ask for not a penny under $600.

I don't know, did Serotta ever build a wishbone seatstay arrangement?
I'm not sure that actually is a Serotta. I've never seen a Serotta with
that type of internal cable routing, nor what looks like a fully sloping fork.
Ask for clearer more detailed pictures and get back to us.
Right now I wouldn't pay more than $100 for that (unless it's really a Strawberry!)

Marty

Lotek brings up some good points (he having seen more Serottas than I). Parted out I'd say it's worth well over $100, but till we know more about the frame I'll withdraw my $600 value.

well I did find some reference to Serotta building monostay bikes, but the configuration is different, had a very beefy looking wishbone.
I don't know about this one, maybe ask over at the Serotta Forum?

Marty

I agee with Marty that posting over on the Serotta board will probably be the fastest way to get some background on this frame, instead of us taking shots in the dark (not that it's not fun to do so!)

That looks like early triathlon geometry to me - extremely long TT, short ST. Something like the Klein Aeolus shown on Diabloscott's blog.

http://diabloscott.blogspot.com/2000_05_01_diabloscott_archive.html

-Kurt

That looks like early triathlon geometry to me - extremely long TT, short ST. Something like the Klein Aeolus shown on Diabloscott's blog.

http://diabloscott.blogspot.com/2000_05_01_diabloscott_archive.html

-Kurt

That would support the suggestion that this is one of those that David Kirk brazed during his time with Serotta as TT bikes.

here's the serotta forum thread that Lotek was referencing above: http://www.serotta.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16018&highlight=wishbone

That seat tube has a tall chimney!

Thanks guys as usual very helpful. I think I will offer him 300 and when i go see it make sure it is the real thing.