istanbike

Hi friends.
I have an opportunity to buy this 60cm de Rosa bike for about 450 uk pounds. I think its a 1985 professional slx.

https://www.sahibinden.com/ilan/alisv...1549259/detay/

the parts are nice (pantos galore) but the frame is in bad shape. Finding a quality respray is very difficult. Are touch ups acceptable?

Is it worth the hassle? Advice on restoration please. Thanks

zukahn1 

Considering the condition 450 UK plus shipping seems a bit high. The frame looks like it could be touched up and cleaned to look alright. The total cost ounce you figure in the hassle and the cost of fixing the bike up nicely you will likely have spent more than it's worth. You could consider it if this is the bike you have your hart set on for some specific reason, if your just looking for a nice vintage road bike I would probably pass.

KonAaron Snake 

I can't see your photos, but I think the odds are 10-1 I disagree with the above post...De Rosa panto parts are worth quite a bit on their own and $750 USD is low for a De Rosa in rough shape in general. If by rough shape you just mean paint patina, I think Zukahn is completely wrong. If there's rust/dents, that's another thing.

Figure a minty 85' in average condition with panto parts probably averages around 1400ish (maybe more)...$725 at today's rate is very reasonable. If you can't accept a little patina, wait for the one you crave, but you can likely get it touched up for well under the $700 value difference.

istanbike

thanks for the replies. The bike is not far from where I live in Istanbul so no shipping.
I love the pantos on it: Stem, forks, seatpost, and front cog. Groupset is 100/ 100 campagnolo. Size is good for me: I am 1m 90cm but probably impossible to resell. Not that many tall people in Istanbul.
Bottom bracket is rusty but looks superficial. Frame wise the break cable on the top tube has done some damage to the paint. the rear forks are a bit of a mess. an accident with chain. Is it possible to chrome rear forks? or partial respray?

No love for de rosa? I figured it was up there with Colnago and Cinelli: certainly rare in Turkey.

thanks again.

Ex Pres 

Not that there's no DeRosa love, but many of us, me included, can not access your pics. Hard to value blind.

KonAaron Snake 

Yeah - need photos. It sounds to me like that price is likely a good deal, but it's hard to comment without photos. The chrome question is hard to answer because Turkey might have different rules making chrome cheaper and more plentiful. Here chrome is expensive, but isn't in some places.

gomango

For gosh sakes, did you look at the photos?

It's gorgeous.

I see nothing from the provided pics to dissuade a purchase.

As long as there are no dents or dings, buy the bicycle, show it a little tlc and ride the tires off it.

One of my favorite color schemes for sure.

KonAaron Snake 

Could you post a photo GMG? I can't see it...

Unless there are dents, I agree - that post is very off base.

gomango

Aaron,

Won't let me grab code on the phone.

Will post when I get back from the coffee shop.

For real though, she's very, very nice.

Won't let me grab code at home either.

FWIW I am using the updated Firefox at home.

jon c. 

From what I could see, it didn't look bad at all. (Took several minutes for the site to come up, and then it crashed my browser when I tried to expand the photo.)

rccardr 

I can see 'em just fine. Worth the price.

lostarchitect 

I can see the photos. No rust or damage that I can see, just a few minor paint issues. Pantos look nice. I think that is easily worth the price.

gomango

Hey op, did you buy this De Rosa?

Pics and a thread if you did please.

istanbike

yes. just got back in with it. Thanks to all on the forum for the advice. will post pics after it has received a little TLC.

gomango

Can't wait!

Such an attractive bicycle!

istanbike

Thanks.
If I can get it looking anything like this, Ill give up the bike game and start collecting stamps.

https://www.officinesfera.com/de-rosa-slx-1985/

KonAaron Snake 

That is pretty - but I don't know that it will sate the siren call of N+1. Besides, there are so many other De Rosa models out there that need homes.