Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - De Rosa San Remo asking too much

Hi all

I am a long time lurker to these forums and I am have been looking for late eighties to 90's Italian lugged frame in a 49-50 cm. It is becoming clear that bikes in that size are hard to come by, especially from a renown brand

I have found this 1995-1998 De Rosa San Remo and wondering about the value. It is in very good shape, probably mid nineties, and done with a complete durace 9 speed STI group.

Here it is:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/1621577414.html

The guy wants $1500 and won't budge. I am thinking this is too much even for a De Rosa. It has Columbus Brain OS tubing and it was De Rosa's entry level bike, although it appears to be a Primato with different tubing. It even has the web bottom bracket. But from I read of Brain it pales in comparison to the EL-OS and Geninus tubing.

I have ridden the bike around the block and it seems nice but it isn't setup for me bars too narrow, stem too short. It also is a centimeter bigger than I ride but the top tube and seat angles are similiar. Standover is tight but not dangerous.

Thanks for any help.


Jim

I think that it is a little too much. You can get a full DA 7700 group for $500-600, so he is asking 1000 for the frame, saddle, pedals, handlebars, stem and seatpost, wheels and frame. That probably breaks down to about $400-500 for the frame.
Columbus Brain is 4130 tubing... I think that you can do better.

Price is too high, but you are in San Fran which has some insane pricing, and the bike is in super condition and is a small hard to find size. Like you, I do not see high end bikes in this size, so its really about how bad you want one. Compared to my area, San Fran prices are usually about double.

Its all about what the bike is worth "to you", rather than to the market, and your budget.

Your other choice is to hunt for a better frame, and build a bike of your choosing. That takes patience, time, tools, work area, and quite a bit of luck in this size.

One centimeter is a little over 1/4 of an inch, so we are not talking anything significant size wise. Historically, many manufacturers bike sizing jumped in two inch increments (5 centimeters).

While I think you can do better, it probably won't be local (in that size). I pick up every 18 inch and 19 inch road bike I can get my hands on, as they sell themselves. When I do find one that size, it is usually lower to mid level. I have not found a high end bike yet in that size. Wanting an Italian bike makes the search much harder.

Thanks guys! I think it is not a bad price based on what you are all saying, just a little too high.

Wrk101--yes things are more expansive here and for all the bikes we have in the NorCall area, not much of a selection.

EjustE: What I didn't mention was I was planning on removing the durace groupo and selling off all the durace parts. I am not up on shimano pricing but for the full bike kit can I really get close to $1000?

Yes my concern in the Brain tubing as well but I was also looking at older mid ninties Bianchis with deda tre. Probably a better tube set. I already have a Pegoretti with SAT 14.5 and a Kuota kebel carbon bike so this is mainly for the nostagic value.

I think I will see if he comes down to $1300 with a real offer. Sell the bike parts off for 6-800 and it isn't too bad.

Thanks

EjustE: What I didn't mention was I was planning on removing the durace groupo and selling off all the durace parts. I am not up on shimano pricing but for the full bike kit can I really get close to $1000?



A full 7700 DA group retails for about $500-600 as a group. Add about $200 or so for the wheelset and I think that this is your baseline

Little late to this De Rosa party. That San Remo looks like a very nice bike.

The seller may well get their money, especially when it warms in the Bay area just a bit. It really sounds like a sooner or later for the seller.

Won't get into a debate about Shimano on a De Rosa. I have Dura Ace on mine, my wife has Campy Centaur on hers. I also am switching the gruppo on my Primato to 10 speed Chorus. All work as intended.

Here is what I would do. Send an email to: info@matuzmaster.hu Ask him what he has, it is usually considerable.

He usually has some beautiful framesets, including the link below. You already have two top-notch bikes under your belt, so I see no need for you to hurry.

I would buy the frame you really want the first time, and slowly build it with the components of "your" choice. Even with the size you are looking for, you will eventually get what you want if you are prepared to pay.

http://www.matuzmaster.hu/_userfiles/image/2010-01-08-de_rosa_primato/13575-big.jpg

Just a thought.

Well you may be right about the seller waiting. He turned down 1300. I am still considering it. I have another frameset, a kuota kharma, that would be much easier to sell as a bike. I could put the durace on it and get 1000-1200 maybe. That would take a bit of the sting out. Still considering this as well as a Masi Nuovo Strada. The Masi is a 50 to top so it may fit better. Will let you all know. thanks for the help.

P.S. where is matuzmaster? Hungary is pretty far. And I just perfer campy. Never could get use to STI.