After a couple of missed opportunities on one of my "grail machines" -- I offered a number on this ebay frameset which was accepted

---- I had looked at a few others that were already built and sold for decent prices, --- but just a hair trigger short on the ebay auction line as it were

This is a Super Prestige reportedly and has a minor repair on the rear triangle. It was at an agreed price that if it needed a little re-work, its not a problem

If it checks out, -- and I think it will - it will make an awesome rider

I have been on the fence a bit as I normally considered myself a 53/53 or 53/54 ideally --- and this one is a 54/54.5.

Being a De Rosa, it may have enough of a placebo effect that being a couple mm's large is do-able, --- but if it doesn't work, - not a huge problem

---So-------- search for a nice SR/NR era groupset? OR -- modern 11 speed 130mm carbon Record or Chorus groupset?


And --- what is the De Rosa hierarchy -- as in -- : Super Prestige vs Professional vs PRimato ? --- I know they only made good stuff just didn't know about tubing, etc

I vote whichever way you'll enjoy it more.

Congratulations on a nice frame. Yours is a Professional.

There has never been a De Rosa Super Prestige model. A very common misconception though - because of that frame decal. The Trophee (Pernod) Super Prestige Arc en Ciel decal is comemorating winning a seasons points race (put up by Pernod). There was different categories and the "Super" was the finest and most prestigious. You can see the decal on different brands of frames - De Rosa, Moser, etc. Has nothing to do with the frame model.

I voted for SR/NR...

edit - there is sometimes also a debate about if there even was a model called Professional or if a De Rosa pre 90ies just was a De Rosa. No model name at all. But there are 80ies De Rosa catalogs (both Italian and US/English) refering to the model as a De Rosa Professional. Earlier catalogs just stated "Strada" or "Pista".

Pics from Bulgier

I rode my Cyclops with full Super Record for years. I found it to be the best riding bicycle to ever come my way(so far). With that in mind, I removed the SR group and installed a Shimano 10 speed group and I have never looked back. What a great upgrade for a bicycle that does get ridden. I heartily recommend going New School, if riding is to be your goal.

If you go modern group set, I assume the rear will need to be set to 130 mm spacing. I would suggest go SR or C Record. If the frame turns into a long term rider and keeper, then the upgrade can be done later if you want.

Pretty frame! Enjoy!

That's a tough one. I tend to have this mental thing about only putting modern groups on mid-80s Japanese bikes. But this frame could break me of this.

For me, a classic SR group would make this bike a show piece, one that I would ride more casually. A modern Campy group would make this a go to hammer machine for me, one that would find its way to the Saturday shop ride.

Either way, should be a beauty.

I voted SR/NR only because the other option included two black carbon groupsets (Chorus, Record), if a silver Athena was the other option to SR/NR I would be as torn as you apparently are.
If however, you will be riding in a lot of traffic I say 11 speed to keep both your hands on the brake/shifters at all times for the protection of this frame (and yourself).

I'd choose the one you don't already have.

If you have neither, flip a coin.

I switched my DeRosa from SR to a modern 10 speed Campy and regretted the switch.

Well if this helps.

I had the same decision to make when building up my NOS Giordana XL Super. Decided on a modern 11-speed silver Athena set to give me a combination of classic looks with modern components. I also kept the chrome fork and put on a heavier set of silver Open Pro rimmed handbuilts. I honestly figured looks were important and that this would be my special, or nice day, rider only. Instead the bike durned into my most used on because it's just such a joy to ride. I'm aroun 2000 miles on it this year so far since the build up. And if I could turn back time I'd have built it up with a modern light C.F fork, higher end C.F Campagnolo groupset, and a much lighter and aero set of wheels. This so I could enjoy the overall riding experience even more. Although the fork would be only for weight savings on my long climbing rides because in terms of ride quality the old steel fork outperforms everything else I have.

So I vote go as modern as you can and ride the snot out of the beast. Bikes are made to be ridden and enjoyed.

Interesting.

How does 10 speed Campy disappoint if I may ask?

Which groupset?

@op Nice frameset. Should build into a strong rider for you, regardless of drivetrain.

Since I had that same frame in that same color, set up with 2x10 DA (downtube shifters), I can relate.
Modern Campy from a British supplier, and ride it like you stole it, never look back.

Polished over black, to relate to gomano's post.

It wasn't a performance issue, just my personal opinion. I liked it better with the SR.

Wife's De Rosa w/Campagnolo 10s:

Alrighty then.

Both look fantastic.

Flip a coin. I've owned both drivetrains and liked them for different reasons.

Gorgeous bike for sure.

Look at Sloar's and this beauty for build blueprints.

And a Racing T setup to boot! Very slick - i still have a racing T crank, Italian BB and RDR that could be used to get started

Wow! Seeing those 2 pics side by side makes a guy realize there is no wrong choice-

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I think it depends on your location. I live in pancake flat central Indiana and shift gears once or twice on a 40 mile ride. I really don't need modern components, so it comes down to what I think looks best.

I may have to stick a fork in my C&V collection and call it done for a while after this.

I had previously told the story of taking that one fateful ride on an old Ciocc which led me to go a bit bananas for lugged steel again

I dont touch my Cannondales anymore -- i am actually primarily a MTB'er and a recovering trackie, -- road bikes used to simply be a tool to maintain fitness for those pursuits -

Now on the days i do ride the road, it seems to be just as much about having a nice ride on a pretty machine as it is calories burned, average speeds, heart rates and lactate thresholds

My vote, Super Record



C-Record looks nice too but I preferred the way the Super Record felt/performed/looked

Both of these look stunning trimmed in white

Almost too pretty to ride ---- both ways --

Looks like its impossible to make a bad choice when outfitting a classic

My big packages just arrived

I opened the bike box and saw nothing but packing peanuts and white insulation wrap ----

Rather than digging in greedily, I got a headache thinking about how long it would take to un-wrap probably a whole roll of clear tape plus trying not to nick paint cutting away other bits of packing material

So I went upstairs and went to bed


But I will have some pics up later today

Man, you have way more patience than I do. I would've already had it built and riding it.

I voted modern Campy, but I think you definitely need a silver crankset and derailleurs. Will your Racing T stuff work with 11-speed shifters and cassette? I think it depends on the age of the Racing T but some will. I could be wrong about that. Anyway, I'd do that if possible.

I put a silver 11-speed Athena group on my '84 Pinarello and haven't regretted it for a second, but then I'm really a "retro roadie" guy at heart. I have yet to manage a completely period correct build.