[CR]Serotta/Spectrum

(Example: Framebuilding:Paint)

From: "goodrichbikes" <goodrichbikes@netzero.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]Serotta/Spectrum
Date: Thu, 21 Nov 2002 12:01:38 -0600

Back in 1999 I spent a week working at Serotta. It was a trial period to see if I liked it and if they liked me. At the end of the week, Ben made me a generous offer but I declined for many reasons that I don't wish to discuss. Prior to going to Serotta, I had worked in small two man shops and a small production shop. Now, I build alone. I think this gives me a unique insight into this earlier thread.

Serotta is a production environment with a staff of about 25 people on the floor. Each has his or her compartmentalized job. The shop is separated like most production facilities. In the lug shop there were two people working. One person brazing the frame and a grunt cleaning it up. The person at that time that was brazing the frames is now a friend of mine and is a very talented frame builder. He now works at Waterford.

The Serotta frames are very well made frames and are offered in custom geometries. As fine as they are, the frames due lack the refinements that can only come from a smaller shop of smaller production numbers. As to how small, that is obviously up for debate. I feel that when workers become compartmentalized they will become very proficient at their duties but sometimes don't see the total picture. Also, when a frame is built by the same person from start to finish, certain refinements and consistencies are more likely to be evident.

Spectrum steel frames are built by one guy start to finish and painted by one another guy. People mistake Spectrum as a production facility because they have Lightspeed making Ti frames for them. Regarding the steel frames, nothing could be farther from the truth. While the overall appearance of their frames is a little too plain for my taste, the refinements and quality of the build are top notch. This can only be accomplished by a limited number of hands involved in the process. But a limited number of hands is no guarantee of quality. The skill of those hands is important also.

Curt Goodrich Bicycles
607 NE 22nd Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55418
612.788.6812