Is this a 72` DeRosa ? Please help
 

Hello,
I was lucky again. A guy called me today referring to an ad in a local newspaper.
He said he had an old DeRosa which he bought in 1972.
Of course I didn`t hesitate as the price was very reasonable and now it has a new home. :) The Frame looks almost like new as do the components. Unfortunately he had upgraded the bike with some C-Record parts. BB, Crankset, Breaks, Stem, Seatpost seem to be original as also the yellow pantos match the frame.

As it is my first DeRosa I am not quite familiar with date identifying them. I googled a bit but it is not that easy, especially as the early DeRosa`s had no identification or serial numbers.

I would be really gratefull if the DeRosa experts ( I know there are a lot, f.ex: OFG ) could help me out. I took some picture of a few details that usually help and hope you guys can tell me if 1972 sounds reasonable or not. As from the age of the Seller it should be ok but you never know.

Thank you in Advanced,
Matt



http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...6/P1060074.jpg
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http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...6/P1060076.jpg

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...6/P1060077.jpg

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...6/P1060078.jpg
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...6/P1060079.jpg
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...6/P1060080.jpg
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Wow! No idea to the answer to your question but what a gorgeous bike and color. Would love to see a shot of the whole bike. Seems like it's in great condition.

Thank you Machine Age. I will post a picture once I have cleaned the bike, build it up with period correct parts and have some nice weather conditions outside. ;)

OFG: Wow, that was fast! Thank you!

It's legit. '72 is plausible, from what I can see. You are very, very fortunate. That's one of the nicest De Rosa's I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot. It's nicer then than one I used to own, and that's also saying a lot. Much more rare than a Masi, Colnago, etc. from the same period - and way cooler, IMO.

I'm assuming it has clamp-on rather than braze-on top tube cable guides?

Here's Jack Bissell's '73 for comparison:

http://www.43bikes.com/derosa.html

Keep in mind that details on De Rosa's vary quite a bit bike-to-bike throughout most of the 70's, as De Rosa was building a relatively small number of bikes, and a high percentage of those were custom or made for pros. So things like heart BB cutout vs. slots don't necessarily say anything about age. The multiple heart cutouts in the lugs became much less common by the second half of the 70's. More pics, including a full-bike shot, would be nice. That bike is a peach.

I want a nice Italian bike.

Brakes are post-CPSC, so either they're not original (despite the yellow paint fill), or the bike is a bit later than stated. Whether or not it has cable guides brazed on the top tube will tell us a lot. Either is possible - though as mentioned De Rosa wasn't commonly doing the multiple heart cutouts by '78-9 (i.e. post CPSC) - those are really exquisite.

this baby may deserve its own photo-spread...including centerfold! ;)

I was tempted to ask that, too. But I decided I don't want to know.

Yo - Gridplan, check it out!

I'm ogling it now. The OP has a really gorgeous bike, as did you, Picchio. I'll be following this thread with interest. :thumb:

The details, the colors, that is really really fantastic.

Is that red and white splash handlebar tape? Jeez.

Can't wait to see a shot of the whole bike in proper light.

What a beauty!

Pretty.

I predict, Matt, that this one will be your all-time ebay (auction) winner.

Or are you keeping this one?

For gosh sakes, I am bringing pockets full of cash to Bayern and Belgium this summer!

57-59 c-t-c top tube.

IMO, it's not a great bike, but it's certainly a very, very nice one, and currently underpriced. I even thought about taking a poke at it, but I'll gladly step aside.

I've been watching it. This would be a "asking for forgiveness rather than permission" instance. "Honey! Look what I bought myself for Valentine's Day!"

Go for it. I just made a deal with my wife: I got to bid on a bike from a well-known US builder; she gets to invite her sister's family to the shore in July. Works for both of us. Plus, you can still send/bring her flowers.

I just cut a deal as well.

When Fedex shows up tomorrow, I'll have a huge box of truffles from a local confectioner waiting for her.

Money goes, that the shipment never hits the basement for unpacking though.

Directly to our club space for the John Hollands!

If I'm smart.

It still will cost the chocolate I'm afraid.

Correct.

Still a value folks.

....and a very nice frame it would be.

I'm on it. We'll see.

Man, between you guys and riding with BigBossMan, I think I might need a DeRosa too. It's too bad there's so much competition for them :) In my favor, I only have myself to buy a gift for this Valentine's day, though!

Can't contribute anything other than that is is a gorgeous bike you have there. Congratulations.

-Collin-

An ad in the local paper, eh? It sure does pay to advertise. Beautiful!

Btw, I think this is the first time I've heard anyone say, "Unfortunately, he had upgraded the bike with some C-Record parts."

The frame looks older than the fork, but not by much. The frame could easily be 1972.
The fork just looks 2 to 3 years later from the DeRosas I have seen, but a terrific find.

It needs some detailing, move the star washer to the front of the fork crown. It needs some plain cloth tape... I would not be surprised if it got built for the first time up a few years after it was built.

I understand what you're saying, but then there's so much variation with De Rosa's, and Jack's '73 has the same fork. I think it could go either way. My money would be on the bike being a tad older than '72, too - especially given 40-year-old memory.

The frame is size 59cm ctc.

Gomango, this one won't be for sale for several reaaons.
It is a truly nice bike, in my size, and it's my very first DeRosa.

The many Merckx bikes you saw on ebay were only sold because I try to keep my collection reasonable and as i already have the 10th anniversary and the 7/11 the others had to go.