Some inputs please?: Bikefanclub.com

Steel is the only comparison among the three you suggest are on your list. Vanilla is the fanciest and the place where the most beautiful craft lies, either in lugs or fillet brazing. Serotta TIGs those CIII and they are the better comparison to the TIG'only IF. CIII and IF are the same price, more or less. Do you need fit help? Do you know who you would like to get that help from? If getting the fit a certain way is really a concern than I would either get the Vanilla or I'd go to the dealer who can give you the fit you need on the CIII or IFCJ. I am skeptical of the fit solutions that we see (not the fits, but the solutions) but that is another story altogether. If the aesthetics of the TIG welding is the issue then no one is better than IF. If tube aesthetics are the issue then it's a toss up: Serotta's tubes have always been the most beautiful in the business, as far as I am concerned, but to rate the ride as "better" on the basis of tube choices (given that all are using the best quality tubes, and they are) is not really much of an issue. The ride is comparable all the way around. I love the ride of my Serottas that fit the way my IF fits, which is perfectly. There is more in wheels, tires, and tire pressure than in tubes for the ride quality, and the rest is fit.

Since all three offer custom for the price of off the peg then I would either pick the Vanilla (and wait, 'cause it's worth the wait) or I would go to the local Serotta or IF dealer that could help me best. If I didn't need fit help and all things were equal, then I'd go with Vanilla: one man, great craft, assured brilliance. But you will get a great ride in every case---so long as the bike fits. I can honestly tell no difference between the Serotta and IF ride but that's comparing custom to custom fit, which is the same on both.

dbrk