serotta made the 7-11 team bikes for a few years prior to Merckx sponsorship. At the time he was usuing some pretty experimental true temper tube sets. Serotta claimed the manufacturer was pushing him and when the frames started to crack like crazy Ben vowed never to be pushed around by a manufacturer again. Merckx took over 7-11 bike sponsorship and serotta moved on. The early 1990s columbus was custom drawing tubesets for serotta (seen on many a colorado with the oversided DT at the BB). Columbus continues to draw custom tube sets for serotta today and a custom colorado full steel bike with custom shaped columbus tubes can be had for under $3000 CND today. A pretty good price given the prestige and history behind the company.