Army Cadets Choose Serotta

Last Monday 5 elite athletes from one of the fastest triathlon teams in the country, the cadets from West Point were at Serotta for another round of fittings. We were extremely pleased to host them and their performances since riding Serotta bicycles speaks volumes about our fit process and the quality of our ride. Thanks to Major Andy Caine for the following article and pictures. Woof!

Partnership With SEROTTA Key to Program’s Success



The problem was clear and it spanned the entirety of the West Point team in the fall of 2008: Bikes. More specifically, high quality triathlon bikes that actually fit and enabled the athletes to race to their potential. The Problem...The team did not have any.

What the team had was a hodgepodge of road and triathlon bikes, the majority of which may not have earned a second look at a flea market. Ryan Peacock's back was so curved when he rode his bike that he looked like “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Something had to be done.

The savior was businessmen and Serotta Competition Bicycle investor Richard Nager, who visited West Point in September of 2008. Unfamiliar with the area, he asked tri team officer representative, Major Caine, if he would take him on a ride. Major Caine brought four team members, including Ryan, along for a 40-miler though Harriman State Park. By the end of the ride, Mr. Nager was convinced Serotta and West Point Triathlon should be partners. His vision became the driving force behind a program that has been critical to the team‟s increased success.

Along with USMA ‘77 Graduate and former professional cyclist, Bill Watkins, Richard Nager connected the dots. By November five team members were personally meeting CEO Ben Serotta and getting fit by Paraic McGlynn, the company’s chief fit instructor.



It was a match made in heaven: Serotta is one of the very few true American bike companies, making 100% of their bikes on American soil, the majority at their factory in Saratoga Springs, NY. Like West Point, Serotta represents the elite of its industry, maintaining the highest production standards and never sacrificing quality for expediency.

However, it is not just the quality of the bike materials that separates Serotta, it is the quality of the fits. Paraic, a former Category 1 cyclist, has personally fit every cadet purchasing a Serotta. In addition to his knowledge of the sport, Paraic brings a wealth of exercise physiology expertise that has allowed cadets to prevent and overcome injuries.

The team's results on the bikes speak for themselves. Nick Vandam greatly improved his bike split, earning his way onto the U-23 USA National Team. Nick Sterghos won Duathlon Nationals in his second race on his new bike. In November, Serotta built Ashley Morgan a brand new carbon AE triathlon bike. Ashley made it worth their effort by averaging a stunning 25.2 mph enroute to victory in Clearwater.



Perhaps the clearest indicator of success is that new team members continue to get Serotta’s on the advice of veteran team members and Serotta bike owners.

In addition to the professional fit, Serotta provides the team with a custom Army Triathlon paint finish that visually sets it apart from other collegiate and club triathlon programs. Throughout the process, Serotta has worked with the team to make these sharp and high-performance bikes affordable.



In gratitude, the team has extended its hand to key members of the Serotta team. Paraic has come to West Point on several occasions; even attending a Thursday Night spirit dinner and a home football game. Paraic has repeated expressed a love for working with the team. “Working with tri team cadets is like working with Ferraris. They have got strong, powerful engines.”

The “engines‟ were always there. With Paraic's help, Serotta has given the team the bikes they needed to perform to their athletic potential.