Road Cycling - Serotta: Worth it?

Hiya, anyone have any opinions? I heard some good things about the Serotta Ottrott ST. I'm looking at the price tag for the frame alone. Is it really worth it? I've gone to be fitted for a bike. Since I have shorter legs and a longer torso, I would need a bike that has a longer front end than a regular stock frame. The guy's opinion was that I shoul get a custom bike. I've been looking around and Serotta seems to have been getting some good press. Anyone think that the Serotta Ottrott ST is worth it?

I have an Ottrott, not the ST model. I think the bike is worth every penny that I've spent on it. It's the best bike I've ever owned, and I've had many over the years.

There will be those who argue that no bike is worth that money, but it's your money and you shouldn't let others dictate how you spend it. You should, however, ride one and make up your own mind.

Also post your question over on the Serotta forum: http://www.serotta.com/forum/ Biased? Yes, but also well educated, well informed and very experienced in bicycles.

You buy more than a bike when you buy a Serotta. Tremendous service (as it should be) and they back their products with deeds, not words.

Yes, it is worth it. As is the Seven Elium but I don't own either. I do own the spine design Lemond Tete de Course - Ti/carbon combo - and can state that it too is "worth it." It also has the Lemond geometry with it's longer top tube - check it out...

http://www.lemondbikes.com/2004_bikes/tete_de_course.shtml#

55/Rad

The Ottrott is a very good bike and highly regarded but, whether it is any better than any other quality bike, hybrid or not, is very debatable - even before you take into account the hideously high price of this model. As always, the fit, choice of material and execution of the builder's philosophy will have far more to do with the percieved quality and overall satisfaction of a bike. Knowing what I know and accepting my priorities and riding style I would not consider an Ottrott unless it came in at about $2K max. If I was determined to have a Serotta, I would look at the CIII (or the CSI if I just needed to spend more money for the mental satisfaction). I just can not come to grips paying $8-10K for a bicycle. This is just a bit extreme.

I personally like the all carbon frames more than the hybrids. They tend to be a touch lighter and more fleet-footed, perhaps better integrated, at least in my opinion. But here each person will have their own preference. So, like always, try to test ride your candidates. I know it is not always easy but, frames today and getting rather pricy and there is nothing worse than an bicyle which does not fit well or match your riding preferences. The Lemond hybrids (Tete de course, etc) are extremely well thought of and, price out less than the esoteric hybrids from the likes of Serotta and Seven. I would almost bet that you would would be hard pressed to point to a winner if you owned both. If you really need a custom fit (most really don't) then take the time to research the true custom builders because there are some very talented ones out there with unique philosophies and, with prices less than what an Ottrott will cost (Richard Sachs, Sacha White, Dave Kirk, Bob Crumpton, Bob Parlee, Craig Calfee, Tom Kellog, Dario Pegorretti, etc).

There are few bad custom bikes. Decide on what you want and you can make a list of a few bike makers that make that sort of thing.
Pick one that's in your budget. See if you can't test ride a Waterford.
You should look to see if there is a well regarded custom builder in your area.

I guess I shoul'dve been more specific. :o Currently I own an old Moab 3. I'm looking to get a new bike. I'm also looking to purchase the components seperatly as then I can sort of spread out my cash. That way I can spend more. Currently I'm looking at Serotta Ottrot ST. I'm also looking at the Pinarello Montello ( more like drooling :p ), although I dont think it would be good for me since I have a body like a linebacker. I've taken a look at Seven. Anyone know if this is true since the guy that was fitting me said that Serotta has an accuracy when making the custom frame of .5mm from the target while other companys have no where as close except maybe Seven which has 1mm accuracy. So now it comes to two questions. Montello or Ottrot :D

I'm also looking at getting a custom bike and believe custom anything is much better than off the shelf.
Serrota is a consideration. I believe if I went to 4 Serotta fitters I would end up with 4 different designs, that in it's self concerns me. I do like the Serotta philosophy of fitting and tube designing though, but who or which fitter do I go to???
The Legend was (is) a consideration. Not sure I buy into the Titanium thing yet. Ride quality...weight... The CIII or CSi looks just as good and much cheaper.

The Ottrot is a good looking bike, but unless I got it for under $4000, no way. I just don't think it would be any better ride quality or performance (for me, that I would recognize or appreciate) than a properly fitted steel bike.
All this theorizing...I could be wrong. For now though, I'll get the $4000 complete bike, ride the piss out of it and in 3 years see what's out there. If the Titanium/carbon bikes are still out there and have proven their worth (steel has been around for years) than maybe...

Hmm, I never even considered going to another different bike fitter. I guess its the same thing with doctors...go to different ones just to make sure. I sort of agree on the $4000 bike but I'm thinking like 10 yrs down the line or something, I would still like to ride this bike. I dont think the biking industry changes that drastically that 10 yrs from now an Ottrott or some other flagship line would depreciate that bad.

Hmm, I never even considered going to another different bike fitter. I guess its the same thing with doctors...go to different ones just to make sure. I sort of agree on the $4000 bike but I'm thinking like 10 yrs down the line or something, I would still like to ride this bike. I dont think the biking industry changes that drastically that 10 yrs from now an Ottrott or some other flagship line would depreciate that bad.
This is why I went with the Tete. I really can't afford the Ottrott or Elium but I can afford to build the Tete. Especially since I picked up the frame (used 3 months) for less than 1/2 what the MSRP is. By the time it's finished, it will be in the $3k range and everything I want in a bike. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the geometry is perfect for me. Point is, price doesn't always have to keep you from what you want if you can be creative.

55/Rad

I'm not sure where you are located, but Serotta has a rolling demo van that
takes bikes out for real life test rides (and lets face it most shops aren't willing
to let $8k worth of bike roll out the door). You can contact Serotta via their
web site to find out where the closest demo day is going to be. If you are upstate
NY you can probably arrange to go to Serotta factory for demo/tour etc.
Everyone I've talked to for the most part agree the Ottrott is worth the
expense over say a CIII, CSi or Legend (amoung others). The CF is a
different ride than the Steel or Ti bikes.
Serotta uses a proprietary Carbon Fibre tubeset (I think Reynolds produces it
for them). The philosophy is that the downtube and chainstays show no benefit
in being carbon fibre (in terms of ride quality) and if any tube is going to get trashed
those are the ones. One of the things I like about the Ottrott is that the tubes are
replacable if they do get damaged. As DaveT mentioned you get more than just a
bike when you buy a Serotta.
Definately check out the Serotta forum, yes it is VERY biased, but you will get an honest
answer over there.
FWIW I don't ride an Ottrott, but there is one I'm lusting after at LBS (blue tint CF tubes!).

Marty

"Definately check out the Serotta forum, yes it is VERY biased, but you will get an honest answer over there."

C'mon Lotek, only a portion of the opinions are biased. Not all will tell you the ottrott is worth the price. IMHO no, I've even passed up a few deals on almost new frames, but still can't swallow spending that kinda cash , and yes I have ridden more than one.
If you want to save some dough, but like the looks of an ottrott, check out their new model "Nove", it should have most of the ride qualities of an ottrott st but slightly less give in the seatstays, almost $2000 less.

Some will tell you its not worth it, but all of em are very biased towards Serotta
(it is the Serotta owners forum). That was my point, not that they will all sing
the praises of the Ottrott and all things Ben. Heck one poster (very respected
too I might add) even has gone so far as to dispute the "its the tubes".
Am I biased towards Serotta? you betcha. Is it the be all, end all bike for everyone?
nope.
would I spend that kinda cash on an Ottrott? Don't think so. The Nove looks good,
and I'd probably look towards legend or Concours.

Marty

Yeah the Nove look nice, but I would lean towards buying a Legend St. I currently have 2 Legends non-st, 1 compact and 1 straight tt and have owned a CDA, but as a owner forum member I don't sing the praises of only 1 bike builder. My Serotta's are not even my favorite bikes, they each have their uses, that's why you should buy as many bikes as you can afford. : ) Fast rides, long rides, beater rides, rain rides, hilly rides, ect..ect.......