Serotta Colorado build
 

Pulled the trigger on my first ebay frame/bike not too long ago. Always been weary of purchasing something larger and hoping it wasn't damaged in transit (used to work in that industry, and still do, but now somewhat different). The Serotta pink to orange fade is always something I've been fascinated with but never seen in person.

Received my frame and I'm quite happy with the condition. I'm somewhat picky about paint quality and this is near new save a couple common spots. It's a little dirty yet and will clean up nicely I believe. I threw a wheelset from another bike on it to get an idea for looks and to make photos slightly easier.

Paint is literal highlighter bright so it wants to play tricks with the camera a bit. The pink is more subdued that what the pictures show, whereas the orange is much brighter than what it appears. Mavic stickers coming off of course.

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Build Plans
General idea is likely to go all black everything to allow the frame color to pop. Will more or less be hotrodded with modern components.

Headset: Plan is to replace the Shimano on there as if I go all black, it may be out of place. Ideas on a black headset? Not a fan of the appearance of Chris King headsets if I'm honest.
Stem: Will likely find a black Cinelli stem. Open to other ideas.
Seatpost: Leaning black Nitto. Haven't looked into this yet though.
Component Group: I'll probably pick up a near complete modern used group from somewhere after I dig around. Probably some form of Ultegra. Potentially Ultegra r8000.
Crankset: Mostly have my mind set on a black White Industries VBC.
Wheels: Probably going carbon here. After seeing my Neutron set on the bike, I like the black appearance but wanting to go a little more high end even though I love these wheels.
Tires: Definitely going with an all black tire I think. I love tan side walls and Veloflex/Vittoria Corsa G+ tires but not caring for that look after mocking my set up. I think I have the clearance for 28s minimum but I will do some more testing here.

Would love for some input on the build. I have nearly everything to build this up but everything I have is not really the direction I'm looking to go with this. :lol:

That is a beauty. Can't wait to see it built up.

Is this a replacement for the Atlanta you sold a couple years ago? I have a Colorado II of similar vintage with Dura Ace components. Great bikes. Should be a fun build.

Ha. Somewhat. I did like that Atlanta but it was on the bigger size of what I like to ride. It was a well put together bike and figured I’d be back to the brand sometime. I’ve thought about buying Grady’s green Serotta frame many times. lol

I would like to see yours in person once done to see what the colors really look like. I love pink bikes and would like to get an orange bike again at some point. Maybe Molteni.

I think the 80’s threw up all over that bike.

Have you tried rubbing out the scrape on the top tube? I have had pretty good luck removing what at first appeared to be a bad scrape. After rubbing it out the paint in the scraped area may be a bit dull. I have used an automotive scratch saver pen on the scrape and in many cases it completely disappears.

The late '80s and early '90s threw up all over a few of my bikes.

Ya, I could certainly show it to you when finished. When I bought it I thought I knew what I was getting but I didn’t know it was going to be this bright. I love it.

I haven’t attempted anything on it yet. There’s a few imperfections that I believe will clean up. That scratch on the top tube is pretty deep. It’s small thankfully. Not sure how it’ll work out but I’ll be working on it.

At least you are working with one color where the scrape is. My Serotta had a deep scrape on the seat stay in the fade area. That was a fun area to fix. I used Testors red and yellow. I started in the yellow area and kept adding red to get the orange area. I then started at the other end with red and added yellow until I got to the orange area. It turned out quite well.

So for black threaded 1" headsets...a Tange Sekai Levin is $25ish. Ritchey Logic start at $15ish.
And a Cane Creek 110 will be $105ish. The quality and finish is apparently equal to a King.

Wow...I love how bright that is. Trying to focus on the green in the pink (top tube) hurts my eyes a bit lol But it's a great looking frame. Not really into black components, but I can see how that would work well with this frame - really letting it stand out (not that it wouldn't anyway). Looking forward to seeing it built up!

From the image, I have a hunch that the stack height of the current headset will be a major guide as to what you can use, looks fairly low stack to me.
I had this problem with my Tesch S-22, I had to source the lowest stack headset I could locate. Bought the frame set as a loose frame and matching fork.

I like the look, of a period for sure, but this bike was distinctive and of technical note.

Green bar tape would look badass.

This Colorado II looks fantastic.

What an excellent choice. :)

This is something to think about with that sweet VBC crankset.

Di2 Ultegra

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/shima...speed-gearset/

Maybe.

But I think there is already ample color with that frameset.

I'd go black saddle/black tape.

I love the color and I think it's 1/2 size too small for me so I can't be totally bummed I missed out on this frame. IMO black parts are the ticket for this build. I was looking at a Colorado a while back with this paint and did some looking for ideas and saw the photo below. Not all black but nice.

After you build it and ride I would be really interested to know what you think of a Serotta made Tange Prestige frame since you rode an Atlanta. I love my Atlanta, (see avatar) and have a Colorado 2 with Columbus tubes that is accumulating black bits as we speak. It's blue.

I also have lusted after Grady's green Serotta. Who wouldn't?

A beauty, when it popped up, I was disappointed it wasn't a 60cm. Love it!!!!

gosh! i kick myself every day for not getting a Colorado from cl a while back. that looks great with that modern ultegra, which i have sitting around. someone here told me i shouldn't put ultegra 6800 on that bike. it was the pink to forest green fade, which i'm not crazy about, but in retrospect i realized i'd just consider it my watermelon bike. maybe even get some seed stickers lol.

I’d love to do Di2 or similar. Just know nothing about whether it would be feasible or how much I’d have to modify the frame.

Pretty sweet frame. All black will make those colours pop even more.

Very cool. I'd also be interested in your riding impressions of the Tange LT vs. the Colorado II. I almost got one of these LT frames last fall, but it was a tad too small.
Someday.

No need to hurry. You've got a long Minnesota winter to figure it out.

Don't forget to try Chrome Molly as a fantastic local resource. He's thought through all sorts of configurations.

Lots of local smart guys. :)


Just to throw out one more idea, have you thought of an all black Chorus groupset with the VBC groupset?

Ribble will likely have some crazy Black Friday deals on the horizon that could get the price down.

Don't forget to watch Velomine for deals as well. Wouldn't hurt to to see if they will price match.......

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/campa...uble-groupset/

Ideally I’d prefer a carbon Campagnolo group but they seem to be disappearing from the UK sites. I’ll keep an eye out though.

I’m definitely intrigued by electronic groups but not sure I want to modify this frame. It’s not overly special but it is extremely clean so I’d hate to do damage.

Have a wheelset for the bike now. Mounted Vittoria Corsa G+ to get a feel for aesthetic. Not sure how I feel. Black or tan walls? Or more parts needed? (Logos may or may not stay on rims)

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