coolcamden

My brother in law totalled his old bike, and being a Serotta guy, decided to replace it with a Serotta Legend Ti. I tried to tell him that he's paying too much at >$6500 for his bike with DA components, and can get some other bikes for the same price, but he won't hear to it.

Before someone gets on a soap box to tell me that it's his money, and he can do anything he wants with it... that the Serotta is a nice bike, etc... I thought we should, for the heck of it, have a discussion about an equivalent bike in the $6500- 7000 range.

Base: Serotta Legen Ti with carbon stays + DuraAce 10 speed = $6700
Mine: De Rosa Merak with Carbon forks + 2004 Records = $3500
Certain online bike site: Pinarello Dogma + 2005 Records = $6100

So... I don't think the Serotta is worth the money.

Thoughts, but no flames, please.

slvoid

If it rubs him the right way, it's the only way to go without second guessing himself. Believe me I know, unless you get what you want, you'll always be second guessing.

coolcamden

Like i said, that's what he said he likes, and that's what he got. So good for him, and this guy is a TREMENDOUS rider... so he's not a noobie... and he's tested a few other models, with Phonax BMC being 1 of them... (he said the top tube is too long, and he is the same size as Tyler... so go figure...)

Just makes me wonder what some of you would pick if you had $7000 to spend.

slvoid

How about the Merlin's, Look's, Time, Seven's? Or the Titus, that one's pretty good though not as well known.

sydney

Worth is relative, but bling and poseur' points ...priceless.

coolcamden

Don't be talking bling bling with me or I'll go after you in the stands. :-)

NealH

That sure is a lot of money. It just doesn't take this type money today to buy a top notch bike. The Legend is a very stiff bike. Alternatives, albeit much less expensive and every bit as good, Trek Madone, Pegoretti Big Leg Emma (the name alone makes this one a winner), Pegoretti Marcello or Fina Estampa, Habanero makes a good stiff titanium bike, Litespeed also makes some good ti bikes, and the list would not be complete without mention of the likely two best Ti shops - Spectrum and Moots - when only the best is acceptable.

-CM-

I completely agree that worth is relative. I've had people tell me that a Sears bike serves the same purpose as any of my high-dollar bikes (don't even get started on why I "need" 5 of them.)

I looked closely at Serottas before I bought my Merlin, and I wouldn't mind owning one of them.

55/Rad

If I had $7k to spend on a bike - I'd buy some carbon/Ti combo like a Seven Elium or a Opera Pelladio. Then, I'd take it to the best frame painter west of the Mississippi and have him do a custom job. Then, I'd spend months figuring what combination of components would be right - maybe Rolf Prima Vigor wheels, Campy Record shifters and ders, Stronglight Pulsion crank, Deda Alanera bar/stem, Look Keo pedals, and some other goodies.

And I'd have fun figuring out how to do it all for far less than 7K.

55/Rad

fogrider

I must say that serottas have a great feel as they go through the curves, but I agree, 7k is alot of money to spend and not get campy.

roadwarrior

It's a custom build. The frame is tuned for his type of riding. Many do not seem to get this...they will select tubing and establish the wheelbase on your riding style. If he's wanting a race feel, he's getting that. If he wanted a touring/recreational fun riding feel, he's got that.
While the rest of the mentioned bikes are very nice, they are not custom, and they do not have the exacting measuring standards that Serotta has. And they do not require you to have a fitter trained in their facility...and the "stock" companies do not offer the benefits of ownership that Serotta does.
He sounds like an excellent rider/racer. I suspect he knows the difference and that's why he went with that bike.
There are bikes, and then there are bikes built only for you taking in consideration your weight, type of riding, feel you want, level of flexibility...

Two riders the same size...one weighs 160 pounds, the other weighs 210 pounds. Same inseam, same bike size...think the 210 pound rider gets the same ride from a five grand DeRosa that the 160 pound rider does? Nope.
they do on a Serotta...totally different frame setup for the heavier rider.
And Serotta fitters do not use tape measures to get a fit like Seven...

These other companies do not come close to the level that Serotta does in determining fit We have had it take as much as 2 1/2 hours to do one fitting. That's how much detail goes into this.

Yeah..it's worth it. If you know what to look for...
It's the frame of choice for Sierra Nevada and the US Postal Masters Team.

brunning

a custom-made serotta titanium frame will both fit you perfectly and with minimal care, will last longer than you.

Davet

A Serotta is a totally custom made bike, dimensions, desired ride qualities and paintwork. The worksheets for the Serotta fit and build are extensive, as is the communications between Serotta/dealer/customer.

I have a Serotta Ottrott, the next step above the Legend Ti. Yeah, yeah, I know I could have gotten 3 Treks or something like that for the money I spent, but before you say that, I'll say; my Serotta is the best bike I've ever ridden, I would buy it again, I'm extremely happy with the choice and it was money well spent.

Trying to choose how someone else spends their money is a exercise in futility. Imagine yourself saying to your brother-in-law: "No, no, don't buy that BMW. Buy this Buick instead. You'll still have a good car and save a wad of dough!" Won't work.

Trevorsg

This article does a really good job explaining why serotta makes such good bikes. https://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=2698

lotek 

The real question is why does it bother you so much that he wants (can afford)
a Legend ST?

Marty

coolcamden

Don't you know? Buick's ARE better than BMW's. :-)

coolcamden

Cuz he should have bought my bike for $7000 ;-)

Like I said in the initial post, I don't really care what he gets, it's his money and his bike, I merely wanted to have a discussion on:

1. Comparable bikes to the Legend Ti and
2. I think he could have gotten the Ti for less than $7000.

Davet

Much too much of a subjective issue. Most everything are mere opinions, not much more.

SteveE

I've got a Legend Ti. I like it a lot. I had the money. I wanted a custom frame. I wanted Ti 'cause all I ever had was steel. I wanted a frame from a respected frame builder. I have known about Ben Serotta from the early 80's. Tom Kellogg was the only other choice and he didn't have the distribution network that Serotta had. I wasn't crazy about the Seven method of bike fitting and felt more comfortable with the Serotta approach. No regrets. It makes me happy. (Warning: Peoseur alert!) People admire the bike even if it does have a triple set-up.

speedemon

Hi All

I just happened to be looking at a Serrota Colorado C4-Ti bike at a shop which is an older model. It's a 2001 model frame with a current all Ultegra components, Ritchey wheels and bars. Just a couple of question that you Serrota gurus might be able to answer. Since it’s a 2001 frame with current components and the 2001 frame it does have the 1” head tube with the F1 fork instead of the 1-1/8”, F2 fork on the 2004 model. How much do you honestly think this bike is worth? Also how much difference is the 2001 oppose to the 2004 besides the head size being 1” oppose to the 1-1/8” on the newer model and how much better is that? I’m probably going to finalizing this transaction tomorrow.


Thanks

lotek 

Speedemon,

A very large number of Serotta owners feel that the F1 fork was the best fork that
Serotta built. Yah its a bit heavy, but its got a ride that won't quit.
I'd say search E-bay for completed items (serotta) and see what they
have been selling for. The differences between 2004 and 2001? I'm not
really sure, Serotta did change the amount of BB drop from 7cm to 8cm but
I don't know if that was pre 2001 or not. I'd be surprised if anyone of us
(non pro riders) could tell the difference in ride between the 2001 and 2004/5
version of the same bike.

Marty