Conference noted::bicycle

    	Norbert,
    
    	For the record, it's Serotta.
    
    	His bikes are well made but expensive.
    
    	His shop is in the state of New York.
    
    	One of the fellas here in LKG is a friend of Ben Serotta.
    
    	Scott

     There is some conflict as to which Co. is using the higher quality
     Ti tubing. I own a MERLIN. They use U.S. processesed/seamless
     tubing. 
    
     IMHO, they are considered the premier Ti frame manufacturer and
     maintain a fine reputation...
    
     My (biased) $.02

There's a shop down the street, Wheelsmith, that offers 'em.  Very
nice bikes.  Will probably be my next bike purchase in about 10 years.
It'll take that long to save up for it.

In fact, I was riding to work the other day and came opon Ric H.,
the owner of Wheelsmith, riding a Ti-Serotta and towing a bugger.
I thought I'd seen everything!  He jokingly said he plans to offer a
titanium bugger in the future.

AAA

PS:  Graham, there was a young child in the bugger, if you must know!

Hi Scott,

thanks for your informations.
Do you think that it would be possible to get some material
(folder or so) through your fellow @LKG and have it shipped
to me?
I certainly would cover the expenses it may cause to you or
your friend.

Thanks and regards

Norbert

    To .4;
    
    Norbert,
    
         Hold on to your money ( i.e., don't agree to cover someone's
    incidental expenses ), you're going to need it by the time you
    finish your bike purchase.
    

    Norbert,
    
    I was speaking with a shop owner/racer a few weeks ago, who had just
    bought a Ti Serotta.  His comments:
    
    	o It rides a lot like his steel bike (even with an EMS carbon fork)
    
    	o The whole Ti bike, however, weighs 5 lbs less than his old steel 
    	  bike (it's got lightweight everything, not just frame)
    
    Serotta is one of the two Ti frames I know of that use
    honest-to-goodness butted tubing for at least the main frame tubes (the
    other is the Merlin Extra Light), so the weight is about half a pound
    lighter than your typical Merlin or Lightspeed.
    
    Serotta hasn't been in Ti as long as Merlin, but I've seen them both,
    and the workmanship is equal (sorry, Chip).  Geometry-wise, Serotta's
    Ti is a carbon copy of their top-of-the-line steel frame, the Colorado.
    Everyone I know who owns a Colorado loves it.
    
    Serotta has been building since 1976, and the shop I used to manage
    still carries him.  I've ridden two myself -- then the Seven-Eleven pro
    team started using them, and the prices doubled.  Where he used to
    build by himself, Serotta is now a factory, turning out both road and
    mountain frames, brazed and welded.
    
    Serotta distributes regularly in Europe, so the shop where you saw(?)
    one should be able to get the literature you're seeking (you'll find it
    quite informative).
    
    I do suggest that you go for a carbon fork, either EMS or Time.  More
    stable on very fast descents, but still gentle on the hands.
    
    Justin

Hello Norbert,

I really like my Colorado II Nivacrom steel bike. It's a 63cm with a 60 cm top
tube so it's a big bike. I don't know what size you are or if Serotta tries to
preserve the same handling characteristics for all sizes but mine is a stable
"road" bike that makes a chicken like me feel as comfortable on fast downhills
as I'm gonna feel on any bike.

Karol Z

If you want I'll mail you a copy of a recent review of the Serotta Ti from one
of our American Bike mags.

Hi Karol,

Good to hear, that big Serotta bikes are stable. I probably
need a 58 or 59. So this should not be a problem. 

If you could send me a copy of the review you are talking
about, I really would appreciate.

My home address is:
Norbert Gisler
58, rue Rothschild

CH-1202 GENEVA

Thanks and regards.

Norbert

     No problem Justin... We all know "workmanship" is a judgement call
     when splitting hairs... :-) You're wrong BTW :-) :-)

    The gauntlet is hurled, Chip ;-)
    
    Wait'll they find a course to sub for 140!
    
    BTW, lest I get off the subject, three mags have done reviews on the
    Serotta Ti: BICYCLING, WINNING, and ROAD BIKE ACTION.  They all tend to
    lather on the praise (they don't want to offend a potential advertiser,
    although the only place Serotta consistently advertises is Velonews).
    ROAD BIKE ACTION does put down the aluminum fork.  And BICYCLING agrees
    with my shop-owner friend: this is a Ti frame that feels like steel
    (although BICYCLING's tarantula tester says it has as much flex as a
    Merlin).
    
    Here are the specs for a 57cm frame (listed in the BICYCLING article):
    
    	Seat tube:		57cm (center to center)
    	Top tube:		57cm
    	Wheelbase:		99.8cm
    	Head angle:		73.5 degrees
    	Seat angle:		73   degrees
    	Chainstays:		41.5cm
    	Bottom Bracket height:	27cm
    	Fork Rake:		4.3cm
    	Trail:			5.6cm
    
    		(Fork specs are for an aluminum Prologue fork, and one
    		thing Chip and I *do* agree on is get a carbon fiber fork.
    		Kestrel just went out of business, temporarily at least, so
    		your best bet there is probably the new Time fork).

     Good news Justin... It looks like Rte. 140 WILL be ready for
     launch in April!!! I'm anxious to see that machine!!!!
    
     Chip