Dean's are actually very decent bikes. I became familiar with them quickly when I was a builder in Boulder when they started building their bikes. Like a lot of new (then) builders, they took proven designs, used many and tweaked some. I've seen quite a few unpainted Dean bikes, and their quality is good. The more they built, the more they learned, and the better they became. I would have zero issues with buying and riding a Dean. If you want spot-on, instant name brand recognition, go ahead with the Serotta. Ben Serotta has added much to the sport of cycling, and many people will pay extra to have his name on their bike. Dean's name may not drop jaws everywhere you go...or have the OCD weight that Serotta or Seven does, but trust me building a Ti bike is not rocket science. I've built quite a few Ti bikes, and I've never even been on a rocket!