Maximum Irony Achieved
11-11-18 | 06:12 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Beaverton, OR
Bikes: Yes
Maximum Irony Achieved
Those who have ridden with me will appreciate just how ironic my latest bike purchase is. I'm OK with that. I took it out for a first test ride today and had to walk it up the hill to my house because the gearing wasn't low enough for me. It happens.
Shout out to [MENTION=396646]Spaghetti Legs[/MENTION]; who pointed me at the CL ad for this bike.
I tried feebly to resist, but [MENTION=381793]gugie[/MENTION] told me I needed it.
Shout out to [MENTION=396646]Spaghetti Legs[/MENTION]; who pointed me at the CL ad for this bike.
I tried feebly to resist, but [MENTION=381793]gugie[/MENTION] told me I needed it.
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11-11-18 | 06:18 PM
#4
I AM AI
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: 2008 S-Works Roubaix SL, 1979 Raleigh Comp GS, 1978 Schwinn Volare
Heh. Funny story, that. 
Cool bike. 
Cool bike.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
11-11-18 | 06:24 PM
#6
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Chicago area
Sweet bike! It`s got the measles?
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My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
11-11-18 | 06:26 PM
#7
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From: Beaverton, OR
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I would note that Rick Smith of Yehuda Moon fame anticipated the precise problem I have with this bike.
I will not be buying the jersey.
I will not be buying the jersey.
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Last edited by Andy_K; 11-12-18 at 02:41 AM.
11-11-18 | 06:36 PM
#9
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 537
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From: Durango, CO
Bikes: too many old steel bikes
Serotta Colorado
Andy, Great bike. I have a Colorado 2 and it is one of my favorite bikes. It happens to climb very well and I have it in Kent at the moment.
Gugie is right. Enjoy it!
I don't have any photos of mine to share at the moment.
Gugie is right. Enjoy it!
I don't have any photos of mine to share at the moment.
11-11-18 | 08:12 PM
#14
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From: Beaverton, OR
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It's actually even more unusual than that. The seat tube and down tube are tapered. They're both 28.6 at the top but around 36 mm at the bottom bracket. I believe this is standard for Serottas of this period (~1987). If I understand correctly, this is the "Colorado Concept" tubing that is (I think) unique to Serottas.
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11-11-18 | 08:22 PM
#15
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From: Central Virginia
Bikes: Numerous
That is a very cool bike and glad it got a good home. I would have snapped that up in a second.
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, ‘81 Masi Gran Criterium, ‘81 Merckx Pro, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, ‘92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, ‘81 Masi Gran Criterium, ‘81 Merckx Pro, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, ‘92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
11-11-18 | 09:06 PM
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Those who have ridden with me will appreciate just how ironic my latest bike purchase is. I'm OK with that. I took it out for a first test ride today and had to walk it up the hill to my house because the gearing wasn't low enough for me. It happens.
Shout out to [MENTION=396646]Spaghetti Legs[/MENTION]; who pointed me at the CL ad for this bike.
I tried feebly to resist, but [MENTION=381793]gugie[/MENTION] told me I needed it.
Shout out to [MENTION=396646]Spaghetti Legs[/MENTION]; who pointed me at the CL ad for this bike.
I tried feebly to resist, but [MENTION=381793]gugie[/MENTION] told me I needed it.
KOI, King Of Irony
Here's whatcha need,
It got me around Crater Lake with no walking.
Last edited by merziac; 11-11-18 at 09:10 PM.
11-11-18 | 09:14 PM
#18
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From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
11-11-18 | 11:14 PM
#20
Banned.
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From: PAZ
Is the polka-dot theme and/or top tube name original? If so, is there a story behind these frames? It looks to be of super-high-quality and somewhat radical for the time. Awesome score - too bad about the gearing
DD
DD
11-12-18 | 02:38 AM
#22
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From: Beaverton, OR
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The dots appear to be decals, but they're under a sort of sparkly clear coat that covers the entire bike and also the stem. The other thing I should have pictured is the rear stays. It has "S-bend" chainstays. Supposedly this makes it stiffer. I think that also may be part of the "Colorado Concept."
I actually thought about you while I was out riding it today. I didn't push it much because the brakes are barely functional (almost hit a couple walking their dogs because of that), but the first time I went up a hill I definitely noticed the response. I don't know if that was the Colorado Concept doing its job or the new bike euphoria doing its job. Either way, it reminded me of the way you described your Casati (and my brief parking lot experience with it). You'll have to come down and try this sometime and see what you think. The 24T cog on the freewheel might not be to your liking, but I'm sure I can find a corn cob to put on there for you.
As for the gearing, if I put a 14-28T freewheel on it, it will match what's on my Gios. I've got a plan to keep riding on that until I can handle at least moderate hills. I want to test the theory that I'm weak because I never push a big gear. I suspect that I'll find that I'm weak because I'm too old to build new muscle, but you never know until you try.
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11-12-18 | 04:56 AM
#23
Mike J
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,587
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From: Jacksonville Florida
Bikes: 1975 Peugeot PX-50L, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1974 Peugeot PX-8
I'd say Serotta was trying to make an Italian connection with that paint job, like Pepperoni. Probably why Spaghetti Legs liked it. But hey, it's cool, everything's weird in Portland.
11-12-18 | 06:04 AM
#24
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From: Washington County, Vermont, USA
Bikes: 1966 Dawes Double Blue, 1976 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1975 Raleigh Sprite 27, 1980 Univega Viva Sport, 1971 Gitane Tour de France, 1984 Lotus Classique, 1976 Motobecane Grand Record
Nice score! I suggest adding a triplizer chainring, a 28-tooth inner ring, a 14-34 freewheel, and a Soma long-cage rear derailleur sideplates. And put a piece of black tape over that "King of the Mountains" sticker.
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