Classic & Vintage - Wither DeRosa?

Does it seem to anyone else that DeRosa is less prominent than they were 20+ years ago? I know they still are considered one of the best, but you don't see a lot of professionals riding them compared to some of the other names.

I have an '86 vintage and will soon be in the market for a new ride & wanted opinions they are still considered among the elites. Comments?

Do you think they've withered?

Wikipedia's article says:
On Dec. 10th, 2007, it was announced that the UCI Continental team, Team LPR would be riding De Rosa bicycles for the upcoming season.
UCI Continental team Rock Racing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Racing) also currently rides De Rosa bicycles.


Sr De Rosa is 74 now; maybe he's slowing down.

An '86 will be steel, most of the new ones are other stuff, they do still make a Primato variant in steel, have not seen one in person, should be good. Have a Primato from the 90's just as they were ending use of the square shouldered crown, oversize tubing chrome head lugs and crown, ends. Nice frame.

De Rosa, is still a premium brand and the ice blue Primato I saw at Euro Bike was stunning. They also had one in that beautiful warm gray that they used to use. The reason you don't see Pros on them is because De Rosa is very much a small family run business and to sponsor a pro team costs Millions of Euros.

Reply to Charles Wahl:I don't necessarily think so, I've just been out of touch with the market for a while. I knew Rock rode them but wasn't sure who else did. You just don't see them in Bicycling mag (I only get it because it's free with my Performance membership) either advertising or reviewed much. I just wondered whether they'd dropped off a bit or just don't have the promotion budget. From what vip says, it's the latter. Thanks for comments.

They are also unreasonably expensive compared to similar brands and types. Their top end carbon bikes are made in the same asian factories as all others though.

They are also unreasonably expensive compared to similar brands and types. Their top end carbon bikes are made in the same asian factories as all others though.Are you positive about that? I know the Avant is made in Asia, painted in Italy, but I've been led to believe the other models are all made in Italy. In fact, all I've read supports the 'Made in Italy' claim.

Who cares. I have one kid in college and one not far behind. A new DeRosa is about 1 semester of tuition.

Who cares. I have one kid in college and one not far behind. A new DeRosa is about 1 semester of tuition.

Depends where you send them.