Tag Archives: serotta

Bike Of The Week: Andrew’s Serotta CSI

The Bike of the Week this week is Andrew’s Serotta CSI.  The CSI model was Serotta’s premiere lugged steel frame offering when it was built (as a stock 55cm frameset) in 2000, proving that the computers, in fact, did not take over.  All of the tubes, referred to as the Colorado Concept tubeset, and lugs were designed by Serotta and made specifically for the CSI model.  The Colorado Concept tubeset was first introduced in the 1980′s and established a high-water mark for steel bicycle tube technology and performance.  The Colorado Concept tubeset consisted of flared top, down, and seat tubes and shaped and tapered seat stays and chain stays, along with a custom lugset to match the radically shaped tubes.  All of the tubes were cold-worked into what was considered at the time to be the most advanced and performance-oriented steel frames available.

This particular CSI wears a Campagnolo Chorus 10 speed group with a Gage&Desoto-approved Record carbon crankset (the first of its kind), Chorus seatpost, Cinelli handlebars, and perforated Selle Italia Flite Saddle.  The wheelset on the bike was handbuilt by NYC Velo Service Manager Bill Spaceman using French-made Mach 1 elliptical spokes, Stan’s NoTubes Alpha 340 rims, and custom-drilled (20-hole front, 24-hole rear) gold-anodized Industry Nine hubs.  While the rims are tubeless ready, Andrew chose to run standard tubes and Michelin’s 25mm front-and-rear-specific Optimum tires as the bike spends much of its time on the sometimes paved, sometimes not roads of upstate NY’s Columbia and Dutchess counties.

The first big test of Bill’s wheels was conducted on the upcoming Taconic 150 course – the wheels passed with flying colors.  The combination of very light handbuilt wheels, high-quality 25mm tires, and one of the finest (even at 12 years old) lugged steel framesets yielded a very smooth, very comfortable ride.  The wheels accelerated quickly over the myriad rolling hills of southern Columbia county, and the dirt and gravel roads seemed eerily like fresh-laid asphalt.

In this case, the sum of the parts equals a very fine bike indeed.

BOTW: Justin's Serotta

The frame’s use of Columbus custom tapered, ovalized seat and top tubes make for an interesting design, purportedly stiffer, lighter, faster than the also-rans of the day. Serotta had a reputation at the time for making some of the best, if not the best, competition-level bicycles in the world.  The attention to detail in this frame is obvious, and impressive against today’s NAHBS crowd, just think about how it might have outclassed its peers when it was made nearly 25 years ago!

Justin runs, on this bike, a single down tube shifter connected to a 10-speed cassette, offering him plenty of gearing for jaunts around QNS and the commute to and from the East Village. The cockpit of the bike, used primarily as a “get around ride”, is upright, the handling quick, ideal for poppin’ wheelies. Campy cranks, Phil Wood front hub, Dura Ace rear hub, Paul E Brake, Selle Italian San Regal leather saddle and Brooks leather bag complete the package: a fine, fast, comfortable ride!

5ive Points: Jared Porter

Introduced by Justin King…

I first met Jared while working at Serotta Custom Bicycles in Saratoga Springs NY, a few hours north of NYC, some time in 2002.  He was working in production and as part of the R&D team responsible for the design of what would come to be Serotta’s legendary Ottrott (a carbon tubed titanium-lugged frame.) Jared says ” We built the first frames and were shocked at the wonderful ride quality they had. From the prototypes, I developed the manufacturing processes for the Ottrott.” He was already a well-seasoned custom bike builder, and well on his way to becoming one of the most knowledgeable people in the business. Originally from Massachusetts, Jared graduated from art school at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. While studying art & photography, he worked at bike shops in Boston and then Merlin Metalworks.  He has since been the production manager at Serotta Custom Bicycles and worked for Vicious Cycles and Willits Brand Bicycles.  He’s now back in his home state, steering the production ship at Parlee Cycles as Operations Manager (in Beverly, MA.)  He’s also a contributing writer for Embrocation Cycling Journal. I feel fortunate to know Jared and we are grateful for his participation in our Q&A series, “5points.”

- Justin

NYC Velo: What bike do you ride?

Jared Porter: I ride my Willits Trail King as much as possible.
On road I ride my Serotta fixie or PARLEE Z1.  The one I’m most excited
about right now is a steel dirt road bike (looks like a cross bike but
with road bike geometry)that I just finished up.

NYCV: What’s your favorite ride?

JP:I really like D2R2, I grew up in Western Mass.
and have been on those back roads since I started riding bikes.

NYCV: What’s your favorite post-ride food?

JP: Beer and pickles

NYCV: What is one thing you always carry on a ride?

JP: First aid equipment, you
never know when you will need to have a safety break.

NYCV: What’s next?

JP: Well, winter is upon us, and I’m really looking forward to
teaching my son how to snowboard this year.

BOTW – Serotta CSI

Andrew’s twin brother Todd is the inspiration behind this week’s Bike Of The Week. Todd and Andrew started racing bicycles in high school in Texas. Todd coveted a Serotta from the day he first saw one, but he knew it was a purchase he probably couldn’t afford (especially since college was right around the corner) . But it turns out he earned a full ROTC scholarship, paving the way for putting together his dream bike – the legendary Serotta CSI. The Brothers Crooks even made their way to Serotta (in beautiful South Glens Falls, NY at the time) to visit the bike as it was being assembled and painted. The bike sports custom geometry, an austere red/champagne/blue paint scheme, is beautifully lugged, and is tough enough to handle the thousands and thousands of miles of riding and racing that Todd put in on it in the past 15 years.

And wouldn’t you know it – after all these years, Todd has managed to resist the siren call of fancy frame materials – the CSI is still his primary ride!!!