Considering a vintage Titanium
 

Serotta Legend Ti and Litespeed Palmares are available within a couple hours from me. Any experience and/or advice from my fellow CV-ers?

Look for cracks, otherwise they are good bets for used frames. Excellent aftermarket 1" forks are available

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I was in a rush when I posted the above, so allow me to expand: I wanted a mid-to-late 1990s Litespeed Ultimate since the mid-to-late 90s. I couldn't afford one then (they sold new for > $4000 in 1990s bucks. Time passed, and they got cheaper, because they aren't the Latest And Greatest - no disc brakes, 1" threaded fork, etc. I started looking for a used one back in about 2019, but they were all either the wrong size or the seller musta been high to think they'd get the asking price (some of those frames are still on Ebay, years later!).

Finally, I found one for a price I could justify. It came equipped with thoroughly worn out components, but the frame, the fork, and the headset were all in great shape. I stripped all the decals off the frame with acetone, and and used strips of red Scotchbrite to restore the lustrous brushed finish. I bought new decals from Litespeed and applied them. I built it up with 3 different ways before settling in on the current configuration: R8000 Ultegra. It became my favorite bike. Even with 10 other bikes to choose from, it's the one I want to ride most.

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So, I'd say go for it! But don't compromise on something that almost fits, or is almost what you want.

Looks nice. What size tires are you running? It looks to have decent clearance for a mid 90s race bike.

I can relate to your post. I lusted after the early Merlin titanium bikes but could not afford them at the time. I eventually found a used 1990 Merlin titanium frame/fork here on this forum, and I’m really happy snatched it up (even though I’m limited to about 25mm clearance; 27mm will fit but very tight).

In addition to being rust proof, titanium bikes are also great to travel with since you don’t have to be concerned about paint scratches in transit.

My 1997 Quattro Assi titanium frame is still one of my favorite bikes to ride. It’s super smooth over rough roads but still gives you that connected, lively feel. Unlike some of the carbon frames I had ridden of the same era, this one doesn’t feel muted or overly stiff. A lot of that early carbon just felt kind of dead by comparison — this Ti frame still feels alive.

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It’s currently built up with Dura-Ace 7800 10-speed and a 7700 crankset. Shifting is still buttery, and the whole setup just works — no drama, just smooth, reliable performance.

I had a Merlin Road with Time Vectran 1” carbon fork in the 1990s. It was a great bicycle at the time but my c. 2002 Merlin Extralight with 1 1/8” steerer is lighter and better. Frame alone cost me well under USD1k a few years ago. I had a steel Columbus Max fork built for it. Rides very well, but I might replace it with a new carbon fork to save a pound one day.

Personally I wouldn’t use a second hand 1” fork with carbon steerer, which will be what at least some of these older Titanium road frames came with. I’d also be very wary of an old carbon fork with steel or aluminium steerer, but that’s largely just me…

If you’re prepared to part out a complete bicycle then even top-tier Merlins, Spectrums and Serottas are great value now and easier to find than frames alone.

i agree 100% with genejockey above, wait for the right size and model, anything else is a waste of time at any price. Unless you enjoy churning unsatisfying bicycles…

25s. 28s won't fit under the rear brake bridge. But 25s at 90/95 F/R are way more comfortable than 23s at 125 (like I used to ride back in the 90s)

No direct experience, but a Ti Serotta is one of my dream bikes.

I just bought the Serotta. It is SUPER clean and I am STOKED!
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That's hot!

Yes…..incredible!!!

Serotta is on the bucket list, either a Colorado II or the Legend TI. My challenge is $$ and spouse. Gorgeous bike @biker Pete!
I picked up a 1994 Catalyst for less than 550. Not the top of the food chain but still a great buy. I am surprised how much I like it. Converted it to 3x9 and about to go to 3x10 just so I can use the Record or Chorus Ergos. The Veloce are not the best shifters even with an overhaul. I think the BB model is better.

Perish the thought but if I could have one bike, this might be it. To calibrate my feelings, I rode the De Rosa yesterday, I am doing better now.
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I have two titanium bikes that I ride regularly. An early 90s LeMond V2 and a late 90s Mongoose MTB that I converted to a mullet. The LeMond rides amazingly well. Light and nimble, not rigid but not noodley either. Snaps forward when your step on it. Definitely one of the best riding road bikes I've ever ridden and, yes I know this is going to sound snobbish but, I worked at a bike shop in the bay area and test rode thousands of high end bikes. I can only think of a few bikes that had that combo of attributes. I'm a clydesdale to boot (over 200 lbs) and have put thousands of miles on both bikes with no problems. I even took the moogoose on some decently rugged single-track courses with only one washout (see torn bar tape). I say go for it. Do all the due diligence of course, but I wouldn't shy away from vintage Ti for any reason, unlike vintage carbon which is a ticking time bomb.

Any excuse to post em'!
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EDIT: I see you already did it. Congrats, it’s a beauty.

I have no experience with the mentioned brands. I do have a 2003 or '04 Airborne Zeppelin I purchased used, VCG, in 2017. I had wanted to try a TI bike for a while, found it at a great price. It is one of the best cycling purchases I have made.
There are a lot of quality, name brand, TI rim brake bikes available. If you have not already, do some comparative shopping before spending.

Well, that was quick. Your Serotta is beautiful. You've made your decision, but I'll just throw a couple of comments into the thread. I don't have any ownership or riding experience with Serotta Ti, but I'm fully into Litespeed 1994 and later. The Palmares was produced in 2000 and 2001 only and had a 1 1/8" head tube both years. I've owned a 2000 Palmares now for 5 years. It's light, fast, and comfortable over long distances.

I was very interested in the Palmares. It looks like a really outstanding bike. Unfortunately the seller stopped responding to our conversation, which pretty much pushed me to the Serotta. And I must admit, I’ve been very interested in a titanium Serotta for a couple of years now. So that itch has been scratched…..

All Ti bikes are pleasant, but they do reflect the philosophy of the builder. The Serottas tend to ride like their steel bikes, and that's a good thing. But Serotta excels in the details - the dropouts are works of machined art. Great paint as well. Really impressive production.

congrats on a nice Serotta with Dura Ace 7700:thumb:

A very nice choice, ride it like you own it.

Partly as a result of an insurance settlement (got hit by a van) I'm in Ti Heaven: Fierte ST, Legend ST - can't decide which I like better. Then there's my CSI (love it!), and the steel Fierte, oh, and don't forget the '79 Serotta Criterium...Also miss my Concours (sadly sold as it was too small).

Congrats on coming over to the dork side - nice 'Rotta!
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Got the bike. Cleaned the drivetrain including a new waxed chain. Changed out the tires (it came with these really interesting Tufo tires that are a cross between clinchers and tubulars!) for Michelin Power Time Trial with RideNow TPU tubes. Bike weighs in at 18.1 lbs. First ride today, I do a daily 10 mile loop averaging 20mph. I gotta say, I am SUPER impressed with ride quality and the speed! Very happy camper here……

Great bike !!!
Great score!!!

Very clean !!!!

Love the color !!!!!!

Eddie Merkx titanium are also built by Litespeed.

My Old Litespeed Classic with 9 speed Dura Ace is one of my favorite bikes that I ride anywhere and Everywhere. I recently was up in Glendora Mountain Road and it performed flawlessly . I think it weighs 17 Pounds .
Im a firm believer in , and recommend Titanium road bikes .

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