Classic & Vintage - DeRosa - Which model?

Hello,

I have found a DeRosa bike recently and am wondering what model it is?
Maybe a Primato? It has no sticker which could help identifying it.
The tubes are made of Columbus EL, has chromed headlugs and is equiped with
Campagnolo Chorus.
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/maym036/photo-6_zps403ccccf.jpg

Great looking DeRosa. Whats with the Victory crank?

I agree, that is a great looking bike.

Better pics please.

The usual, but importantly the bottom bracket shell, seat cluster, and fork crowns etc.

Thanks, yeah, the bike is nice looking, unfortunately the seller didn`t take a or it in the last years
so the condition is not so good anymore. He is the first owner, brother of a former professional Accacio Da Silva and
coach of a bikeclub. You can see that the bike was used a lot at the time and unfortunately, as he told me, his dad used it
in the last year to do some shopping or have drink. This means it was exposed to lots of rain.

Whats with the Victory crank? Nothing. It is a Victory crank, not a chorus. Also The front hub is a Record and the Headset I think it not chorus too. But hey, that is not that important for me as it can be changed. The bike got riden, that is what it was build for and then it is normal to change parts after some time.

Here are a few more and better pictures. I hope you can help me.
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/maym036/P1110875_zpsa26a8591.jpg
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/maym036/P1110876_zpsf3b0a851.jpg
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/maym036/P1110877_zps76ed9d21.jpg
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/maym036/P1110878_zps8f76f2c8.jpg
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/maym036/P1110879_zps6bfaee07.jpg
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/maym036/P1110880_zpsf6c6f1c5.jpg
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/maym036/P1110881_zps63a4801e.jpg
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/maym036/P1110883_zps7a23a7a6.jpg

I would agree that it is a Primato

Congrats, it's a Primato...one of the most desirable and iconic later steel frames built (along with the MXL).

I haven't seen many that don't have De Rosa panto on the seat cluster. The flat fork crown is also usually considered a bit more desirable.

On the plus side, I love the color!

EDIT - I just checked, and mine doesn't have panto in the seatstay cap either...apologies. Yours is pretty much identical to mine other than the fork crown.

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/IMG_0377.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/photo-25.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/photo-28.jpg

Thank you. Your DeRosa looks great too! And in much better shape!
I think the DeRosa panto`s on the seatstay were only on the earlier models, or am I mistaking?
Mid or end 80`s it changed.

The frame of the red Derosa looks the same than mine. Only other decals. Maby they called this model only Primato in the US
and not in Europe? What tube`s does it have?

EL OS - as I believe all Primatos were (I know a member who thinks otherwise). The only differences I see are the fork crown and decals.

Mine is EL, not EL-OS. Other than the Fork crown and that mine has both stays chromed there in no difference indeed.

Just by eyeball, I can tell you that your's is EL OS...very few bikes were made in standard tubing EL.

It may heve been ridden a lot but it has tons more life.

I remember reading somewhere that the Primato was not always called a "Primato" in parts of Europe because of the translation---for example, it means primate in German, not exactly evocative of a fast bicycle.

I have a 1993 Nuovo Classico that has the panto'd seatstays. I believe that model hasn't changed much as it is, obviously, classic.

The Sticker says Columbus EL. Does the OS means Over Size? Then your right of course!

I don't think it's a Primato. There were a lot of other similar models(Endurance, Neo Pro, San Remo, Giro, to name a few) in the 90's. I would guess that it shares geometry with a Primato, though. Being a European model, would further complicate exact model ID.

There should be a serial number under the cable guide, contact the factory and ask for ID.

OS = over size.

I will bow to roadrunner...and I have seen SOME of those features on some other De Rosa models, like the Cassanova, but, to my knowledge, none of those models used EL OS tubing. Euros might have a different name for it/decal arrangement, but I know that as the Primato.

If recollection serves, and it might not, San Remo used brain tubing, the giro was TSX/SLX and the neo pro used genius.

Yes, true as to tube types in US, but the Primato always had a flat fork crown, too. At least every one I've seen that was labeled as such. I have seen frames that shared every feature with the Primato apart from the fork, and have never seen a model name on them.

The bike should clean up well. I would totally disassemble and treat with frame saver, for starters.

I could swear I saw one with a sloping crown...either BBM or our friend in VA. I know squat about Euro models, so that could well be the answer.

I know I was at a loss to understand why my Anniversary had a sloping crown, and it was suggested it was either a custom fork or a replacement for one that got lost in shipping.

Hey maym036 - very nice score. It should clean up to be a great ride. Based on its history, I agree with roadrunner2012 that disassembly and some Framsaver or Boeshield is in order, but you already knew that.

Too bad about the color, though. Everybody knows the red ones are faster. :rolleyes:

I know the color thing is in jest but I really love the OP's bike color, much better than red. What color is that exactly?

I could swear I saw one with a sloping crown...either BBM or our friend in VA. I know squat about Euro models, so that could well be the answer.

I know I was at a loss to understand why my Anniversary had a sloping crown, and it was suggested it was either a custom fork or a replacement for one that got lost in shipping.That bike did not say 'Primato' anywhere on it, just like the OP's.

Got it...I'm very interested to know what those actually are. When did De Rosa stop taking custom orders (if ever)?

Kool Derosa! :thumb:

Measuring the diameter of the tubes will tell you if it's OS or not...!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/Rnbguitars/Motobecane-Cinelli/steel-columbus_zps2a987256.jpg

><><><

A good buddy of mine has a Primato sitting in his garage, an EL-OS. It's from the 90's & in like new cond. Replete w/ C-record Ergo. Another friend of our's gave it to him to hold onto cause his wife was a total nag about bikes & biking. They're both attorney's :rolleyes: It was bright red. He never bothered to come back & reclaim the bike, so my friend had it re-painted Pearl White by Joe Bell & there it has sat for all this time & hasn't ridden it since......lol! I think it's 59 cm. I believe he had it painted white because he already had a red Merckx. I think I need to go bug him...:D

Hmm... did all primato's also have the diamanté chain stays, or just certain years?

I googled and found this: http://bikeadelic.blogspot.com/2011/06/1993-de-rosa-primato-el-os.html

It is exactly the same frame and fork as mine. Even the chrome on the stays and the forkchrown. Only difference is the primato sticker and the pumpholder.

I googled and found this: http://bikeadelic.blogspot.com/2011/06/1993-de-rosa-primato-el-os.html

It is exactly the same frame and fork as mine. Even the chrome on the stays and the forkchrown. Only difference is the primato sticker.

Problem is though, your "De Rosa" and the Bikeadelic Primato look identical in most ways to my ELOS Giro d' Italia.

This id business is complex at times.

This model of yours though looks like a De Rosa I brought back from Germany five years ago.

Again, no model decal.

Did you email the folks at De Rosa for help with an id?

The Bikeadelic Primato clearly says 'Primato' on the top tube. The OP's does not. In the end, it really doesn't matter. I would bet the geometry is the same, and the ride is sublime.

Hmm... did all primato's also have the diamanté chain stays, or just certain years?

Everyone I have had did, though I think Ugo dropped them for a few years on some models. I would not buy a steel De Rosa without them. That's part of the magic.

^ Amen to that!

Problem is though, your "De Rosa" and the Bikeadelic Primato look identical in most ways to my ELOS Giro d' Italia.

This id business is complex at times.

This model of yours though looks like a De Rosa I brought back from Germany five years ago.

Again, no model decal.

Did you email the folks at De Rosa for help with an id?


I did email Derosa to have more information about the bike. Let`s see if they can help!
I mailed them letters and numbers on the bb and a link to the pictures.

The BB stamp is at the same place as on this frame and has also 2 letters over 3 numbers. Is that the case on all the derosa`s?

I did email Derosa to have more information about the bike. Let`s see if they can help!
I mailed them letters and numbers on the bb and a link to the pictures.

The BB stamp is at the same place as on this frame and has also 2 letters over 3 numbers. Is that the case on all the derosa`s?

They can be a bit...non-responsive. You might have to email them a few times to get a response. To echo what roadrunner said, Primato, Giro, blah blah blah...it's a spectacular EL OS De Rosa, and I love the color. I know the red is iconic, but I find the blue more interesting.

Let us know what happens!

I'd like to know what they say at De Rosa. I emailed them about my wife's De Rosa and Cristiano answered pretty much right away.

I already got a response from Cristiano De Rosa! Not bad I must say, even if the answer is very short and does not go into all the concerns and questions I send them.
Here a copy paste of his mail:

"Hello

We produce this frame end of year 80 , I confirm you to produce this frame with Columbus tube and lugs in microfusion .

Regards

Cristiano De Rosa"

I'd like to know what they say at De Rosa. I emailed them about my wife's De Rosa and Cristiano answered pretty much right away.

What did he tell you?

That tubeset was not offered in 1980.

Interesting...they gave me an earlier date than I anticipated on my Titanio and now I'm curious about the accuracy of their response.

What did he tell you?

WE build this frame on the 1990 el over size tube tig welding :)

By end of year 80, I think he means late 1980's.

By end of year 80, I think he means late 1980's.

+1

They usually get back to me promptly, but I usually have my wife write in Italian.

I couldn't do that if my life depended on it.

By end of year 80, I think he means late 1980's.
Oy - I feel like an idiot. I'm sure you're right.

When was el-OS first developed?

Late 1980's for Nivacrom steels.

Did someone say "Primato"?

This one is my favorite rider and it now has 10 speed ergo shifters which have replaced the Simplex downtube shifters. (and it also has bar tape!) I got this bike from a guy in Canada. It had a carbon fiber fork and he said that the fork on there now is the original. I'm not really sure. It is an EL fork, but it is the standard EL fork which is a unicrowned version with lugs. The guy I bought this from was the original owner and he bought the bike from a company called Rose Versand which was a German distributor of DeRosas at the time. Later they started assembling bikes under their own name and got out of the distribution business and became a huge company in the process. Anyway, maybe this style of fork was a European option. It rides very nicely and fits very well. Also, in response to some previous comments, I've seen plenty of Primatos (probably about 25%) with the classic sloping crown fork as opposed to the flat crown.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8017/6972737422_fa73bdd1e5_c.jpg


This one is the prettiest to me but it has seen a ton of miles and is chipped up all over.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8087/8361726575_f296ef9760_c.jpg


I bought this one recently and it has very low miles. The complete C-Record group is going to come off and be sold in favor of some later 8-speed Record. The C-Record parts are too nice for me, almost like new except for some logo fading.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7123/7496017538_9da477299e_c.jpg

I used to own BBM's red one but I sold it and I also had another candy apple red one which was a little small and I sold that one to fellow forum person cbresciani. I have a couple other bikes besides the 3 Primatos, so these aren't the only bikes I ride and, believe it or not, many times I prefer to ride the other bikes which are standard SLX or 531. The Primatos are special bikes, no doubt.... very light by steel standards while being good and stiff, but to be truthful, any well made bike with high quality tubing and good geometric integrity is more than acceptable to me at this stage. It's sort of like when you went to college and maybe you had a fast car or a killer stereo. Somebody out there always had a faster car and somebody out there always had a louder sound system. At some point, all the snob appeal and reverance of these beautiful bikes must give way to their utilitarian purpose. As Freddie Mercury once said "Get on your bikes and ride!", and very often I love the simplicity and vintage quality of 531 or SL or SLX.

Did someone say "Primato"?

This one is my favorite rider and it now has 10 speed ergo shifters which have replaced the Simplex downtube shifters. (and it also has bar tape!) I got this bike from a guy in Canada. It had a carbon fiber fork and he said that the fork on there now is the original. I'm not really sure. It is an EL fork, but it is the standard EL fork which is a unicrowned version with lugs. The guy I bought this from was the original owner and he bought the bike from a company called Rose Versand which was a German distributor of DeRosas at the time. Later they started assembling bikes under their own name and got out of the distribution business and became a huge company in the process. Anyway, maybe this style of fork was a European option. It rides very nicely and fits very well. Also, in response to some previous comments, I've seen plenty of Primatos (probably about 25%) with the classic sloping crown fork as opposed to the flat crown.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8017/6972737422_fa73bdd1e5_c.jpg


This one is the prettiest to me but it has seen a ton of miles and is chipped up all over.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8087/8361726575_f296ef9760_c.jpg


I bought this one recently and it has very low miles. The complete C-Record group is going to come off and be sold in favor of some later 8-speed Record. The C-Record parts are too nice for me, almost like new except for some logo fading.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7123/7496017538_9da477299e_c.jpg

I used to own BBM's red one but I sold it and I also had another candy apple red one which was a little small and I sold that one to fellow forum person cbresciani. I have a couple other bikes besides the 3 Primatos, so these aren't the only bikes I ride and, believe it or not, many times I prefer to ride the other bikes which are standard SLX or 531. The Primatos are special bikes, no doubt.... very light by steel standards while being good and stiff, but to be truthful, any well made bike with high quality tubing and good geometric integrity is more than acceptable to me at this stage. It's sort of like when you went to college and maybe you had a fast car or a killer stereo. Somebody out there always had a faster car and somebody out there always had a louder sound system. At some point, all the snob appeal and reverance of these beautiful bikes must give way to their utilitarian purpose. As Freddie Mercury once said "Get on your bikes and ride!", and very often I love the simplicity and vintage quality of 531 or SL or SLX.

Get on your bikes and ride indeed.

Good golly, you are loaded with beautiful De Rosas.

Pleased to hear you ride them though.

Way too nice to just sit there and get dusty. :)

Did someone say "Primato"?


fellow forum person cbresciani.

And I love it, what a great bike it is.

I took a Primato around the block a couple times today - suh-weeeeeeeeeet :)

DD