Strengths: Custom fit. Quick handling. Very responsive. Quick acceleration. Looks great and turns heads wherever I ride. It goes wherever I point and and goes there fast!
Weaknesses: None.
Bottom Line:
I did the Serotta size cycle thing and had this frame ordered from my local shop. They did a great job. It fits perfectly. It was a little scary since I was spending so much money on a bike I never had a test ride on. I've built other custom bikes but they were on stock frame sizes. Everything turned out great.
I was also able to have a custom paint job which i designed. It looks beautiful. Whenever I get around to building a new bike it's going to be real hard to top this one.
Similar Products Used: Trek 5500 with Dura-Ace group and Rolf wheels.
Bike Setup: I built this bike with a Campagnolo record group and Zipp 303 wheels. The bars and stem are Zipp carbon. I used a King headset and Selle Italia SLR carbon saddle. The seatpost is a Campy Record carbon model. The fork is a Serotta F3 6-5 carbon.
Strengths: - Frame seems like it will go forever
- Incredibly precisely built
- Handling
- Fit
- Fork
Weaknesses: - Durability of decals
- Fit process still not perfect, they seem to build the bike perfectly but that's no guarantee the saddle & bars will get placed perfectly by the dealer.
Bottom Line:
After knowing every bike I'd rode for 7 years was a compromise on fit, when I decided it was time for a new bike this time I thought I would go with a custom bike. I already had some of my components so that helped with the price. (Price listed was just frame & fork)
The fitting process is not perfect, I have actually gone back several times over the next 3 seasons to work on the fit more, but the bike was essentially sized perfectly, any issues I had were simply figuring out exactly where to put the saddle & bars. Disappointing, but it has not really dampened my enthusiasm for the bike.
This bike rides fantastically & handles extremely well, even touching a pedal down when cornering hard and trying to keep pedaling does not upset it. It tracks extremely true at any speed, never shakes, and rides great with no hands assuming the saddle is perfect. Comfort is greatly effected by other things, I have had the bike feel uncomfortable before I got the contact points right but once that was done it is extremely comfy.
The decals have not been so great, I will have to get something more durable done for the logos. But the finish itself is extremely durable. Wash the bike, put some pledge on it, and it looks essentially identical to the day I received it.
Doing maintenance shows where this bike shines. Every little piece is built extremely well. Ti barrel adjusters that will never corrode, beautiful strong dropouts, Ti seatpost collar, BB machined so precisely you can tighten the BB down by hand and just do final torque with a torque wrench, etc.. just little details that show attention to quality.
In the end I know I will ride this bike longer then any other bike I've owned, it is on it's second set of components already, but since I am so happy with it, the price will be forgotten over the years.
Strengths: Fast, Stable, Great Handling, Responsive, Good Looking Bike-Immune from trends(timeless), Feel of Titanium
Weaknesses: None. Some may say cost, but if looked after, and you don't need the latest bike under you, then it could be your last Bike purchase(which in itself could be a negative!)
Bottom Line:
Destroyed my old Trek 2300 in an accident and went for this Bike as it was a demonstrator(therefore a good buy).
Bike from day 1 until now has been astounding in it's performance. Wickedly responsive- the transfer of power to the road is like a straight line, as if it's not going through a drivetrain at all. On rails handling- very accurate handler and extremely stable at high speeds. Quiet- No noise has emanated from the Bike since I've owned it.
Bike Setup: 2005 Serotta Concours CS with full Ultegra 10 gruppo, Ouzo Pro fork, Mavic Ksyrium Elite Wheels, Specialized Carbon Handlebar, Terry Dragonfly Saddle.
Strengths: Road feel, a combination of making the vibrations and small bumps disappear, but still having a lively connection to the surface. Confidence inspiring on fast downhills. Responsive to pedal input, accelerates briskly.
Weaknesses: None - The bike is expensive, but so are any other bikes of it's caliber, and it fits like a glove because it was custom made for me.
Bottom Line:
I was loaned a demo of this bike for a 60 mile charity ride with lots of hills. Fell in love with it instantly. In shopping, I took 6 more months and rode many other titanium and carbon bikes. No other bike I rode had it's combination of liveliness and comfort.
Has Ouzo Pro fork and Carbon seatstays.
I'm so confused! I cannot decide if I want a Serotta Concours or Seven Axiom Ti! The reviews here show the Seven heavy in recommendations, but the forums have a lot to say about th Read More »
Here's a few pics of my Serotta Concours in progress. Sorry the lighting isn't so great- I had my camera's exposure set for outdoors when I took these.
This is an 05 Serotta Co Read More »
I've got a chance to purchase either one these bikes both 2004 serotta concours cs or airborne manhattan project with about a $600 difference. They both fit pretty good, any advic Read More »
Yeah, its about time I know.. Actually its been done for a while, I just haven't had a chance to get some pics, so here's a few shots taken last Sat in Antelope Island State Park, Read More »
