UKFan4Sure

So I'm driving down by one of the LBSs yesterday and I stopped in. They have a rack of used bikes that I usually look over as the first order of business. I noticed a lugged frame De Rosa immediately and found out they wanted 3 bills for it. Now I don't know a lot about vintage bikes, but I know enough to snatch up a SLX tubing De Rosa, even if it's just for the frame alone. My initial research tells me it is a 1989 Professional model, and I've measured it at a 56.

The chrome on the rear chain stays is toast and beyond hope. If I have the bike restored, that will be an expensive issue. Also, it has been converted to early STI shifters, one being ultegra and the other 105. Also, the front and rear wheels are mismatched. It has an 8-speed cassette, with an early 105 derailleur so that might be original? I keep telling myself I paid $300 for a frame; a frame; a frame.... and stop worrying about all of the mismatched, dilapidated components.

I rode the bike today and man, even with the sketchy components, it is so smooth.

So, my question is this, folks. Is this frame noteworthy enough to drop some $$ into a restoration? Not that I think of getting any profit out of it, just is it nice enough to be worth the trouble? I've been looking for some time for a decent frame to restore and build.

Also, should I go with 7400 Dura-Ace, or is that taboo on an Italian bike frame? I have Veloce on my Veloce (Bianchi of 2005), so I heard a lot of complaints that you don't put rice components on an Italian Ferrari. I do know now it's almost impossible to buy a NEW Bianchi with Campy.

I'm just looking for some interesting takes and opinions. Thanks.

jetboy 

score! look like the frame is in beautiful shape. first thing i'd do is get a proper seat binder bolt before whatever is in there does some damage.

personally i like 7400

vp1337

Beautiful! Next time rotate the pictures cw tho.

UKFan4Sure

When I uploaded them, they were upright. I'm not sure how that happened...

John Nolan 

Nothing wrong with 105 in my book. And before you worry about the chrome, try rubbing it with a bit of tinfoil and water. Given the rest of the frame, I doubt the chrome is toast.

UKFan4Sure

Yes, I've been looking at getting a binder. Some of them are $40 on eBay (Campy)! That is nuts! I'll get that squared away as one of my first bits of business before something disastrous happens to that frame.

UKFan4Sure

So you think I can save this? That would be great, if so...

3alarmer

...the Sugino ones are cheaper and don't have a reputation for snapping at inopportune moments.

UKFan4Sure

Sugino it is, then! Thanks!!

Eric S.

When I snapped the Campy seat binder bolt on my De Rosa SLX a few years ago I replaced it with another Campy for $10 on eBay (2009). I snapped the bolt on my Bianchi and, in that case, just bought a few bolts under the Sunlite brand to keep around.

Nice find, by the way! That's my exact frame/fork that I bought used in 1992 for $600.

KonAaron Snake 

That's minor patina, it wouldn't bother me at all.

When you ask putting money into, do you mean restoring to original with the "right" parts and chroming the chain stay to make a show piece? To me...no.

If you mean spending money on the parts you like to make it your kind of rider, most definitely.

MiloFrance 

Gorgeous. I think you need to put things on it that you like, or can afford, or are in a box in the attic. The second one of those 3 could be full period correct Record, or second hand RSX. It's gorgeous, and it's yours. Enjoy it.

gomango 

Don't worry about using 7400.

I had it on one of my De Rosas and it never burst into flames.

DSCN3373 by gomango1849, on Flickr

CoRide59

Plenty of De Rosa's have Japanese parts, mine had em from the start. Full 7400 Dura Ace group with brifters. The bike doesn't seem to mind a bit.

I'd say go with whatever group set tickles your fancy and enjoy the hell out of that incredible frame!

unworthy1

The one tiny detail about the seat binder bolts: Campy and Italian imitators have a "coined" nut for the female side (a bunch of ridges that bite into the inner hole of the seat lug ear) where most of the Asian style use a single nub that's meant to key into a notch and prevent rotation...If your binder ears don't have that notch, and I'd bet not in the DeRosa, then I'd reco you grind off the nub if you opt to buy the Asian style. And if you can't find a Campy bolt for reasonable price (and don't you think a fine frame like this DeRosa deserves the proper bolt?) try for a GPM or similar "2nd tier copy" (might even have been made in the same plant as the Campy FWIW).
NICE BIKE! BTW...

jiangshi

The frame is earlier than 1989. It is probably a 1984 or 85. In 1986 the 'De Rosa' on the seat stay caps changed orientation.

Nice score. Chrome on the chain stays is shot, but I wouldn't let that bother me.

jamesdak 

Man, I see the tinfoil advice given so often. All I know is it totally messed up my chrome forks on my Peugeot. I'll never do that again. Proper chrome polish is cheap...

velomateo

What bike shop doesn't know that an SLX DeRosa is worth more than $300? That's the craigslist "My boy friend left this here, and I want it gone" price.


Great score.

Steve Whitlatch 

That is an ultimate score!

KonAaron Snake 

I think just as many De Rosas in that era near me had DA, or parts mixes.

Put whatever you want on this to ride it happily. I wouldn't pay for a restoration, or a time specific perfect campy build, but I'd pay for ewrgos if I liked em'. It's not a show bike.

3alarmer

...+1. That stuff on the chrome just proves it's genuinely Italian in origin. I know it's heresy, but some people just paint over chrome thats that far gone after roughing it up some.

KonAaron Snake 

Probably what I'd do if I cared. Chrome is just too big a PITA, it's expensive, it's bad for the environment and paint looks fine. On a new bike...sure, if it is an option, I might (and did) pick chrome...but on a restoration, unless it's a REALLY special bike...just paint over it.

Cinelli's chrome was a little better than some btw.

UKFan4Sure

I think the chrome on these chain stays is actually flaked off and missing in spots. Nothing is going to help that situation except a resto. As I am reading these posts though, everyone is probably right; don't let it bother me.

I don't know. I thought it was strange as I've watched what these frames bring from time to time. I had an 87 Paramount in absolutely MINT condition (it had 7400 DA with down tube shifters), but couldn't hang on to it because it was a 58 and too big.

Wow. I knew it was probably a good purchase. Like I said, I rode it this morning and it reminded me of the Schwinn Paramount I sold a while back.

That may be my best hope unless I want to sink more in it that it's worth.

Strike two for re-chroming....

Guys, thanks for all of the advice! I am thinking now just to find a nice set of 7400's, clean and touch up the frame (and let the chrome just be the fly in the ointment), and enjoy it. BTW, I loved the Max Flite seat on CoRide59's bike. That is awesome looking!!

DMC707 

Very nice score OP, ---

I have seen a couple come through the forums here since I decided to go on a quest for a red DeRosa a month or so ago myself

-- I paid a lot more than you did for my frameset -- LOL

This may seem like an odd suggestion for a groupset --- but I have picked up a couple of Craigslist "treasures" with the Ultegra 600 tri-color group and have to say I really like the way it looks on any bike

-- my DeRosa I mentioned is getting late model Campy, but if I were going 7 speed or 6 speed, i'd be using a tri-color group ----- I know its a little down market from D-A 7400, but the performance is top notch and , - as I may have mentioned - I really like the looks of it

KonAaron Snake 

Just as a counter point...folks moved to Japanese stuff when campy was putting out an inferior product (from 7400's intro to when campy put pout the first ergos). A lot of folks in that era went japanese because of price/quality/both.

Post Campy Ergo - I personally prefer campy in function, aesthetics and fit. While the De Rosa with DA is attractive, an Ergo build still has its place