After seeing several beautiful De Rosa's and hearing how great they ride I finally found one for sale locally in a size I should be able to fit to me.

It's certainly not a mint frame but is structurally in great shape. It's an early 90 ( I think) TSX tubed Nouvo Classico. Some wear and chips in the paint from used but that's fine. All my bikes are riders. The inside has been treated in the past and looks great. The frame, fork and headset weighed in at an even 6 lbs. So this should build up at 20 lbs easily, not that the weight matters all that much. I want to feel that magical ride.

Not sure about the build plan yet. I may wait a bit and try to score a nice higher end silver Campagnolo groupset. If not I'll get at least Chorus and build it up. I think with the red and white frame I can get away with either a silver or black groupset. Would be sorta nice to go really modern with the lighter components.

It's really hard to make out the Serial number on the BB if that is what's stamped there but it looks like UB662.

If anyone has a good match for the paint on these to share I'de love to hear it. Might as well touch it up while it's waiting to be built up.

Now some pics, sorry they aren't better. Just shot inside during a snowstorm so color balance all over.

Looks good a few feet away!



Diamante stays, I see these praised all the time.



Internal cable routing on the top tube.



Gonna have to find the right binder bolt for this.



My second bike with a red white fade (87 Prologue is the other)

More Pics

Not sure what the Elica Continua means, if anything. I think the tubing makes it a 1993-1994 frame



Loving the heart and flat crown fork





And the rose, awesome!



A big thanks to the forum members who provided me some insight on these. I can' wait to build it up and ride it.

That is gorgeous!

Campy has the Potenza in silver now if you want modern with compact for your local hills.

Campagnolo Potenza Silver 11 Speed Double Groupset - Road Groupsets - Ribble Cycles

Looks clean to me, and it has a lot of desirable De Rosa features. I don't know much about the TSX models, but I'd assume it's probably a lot like a De Rosa SLX...the basic difference was more reinforced spirals in the tubing and supposedly stiffer. TSX wasn't around that long because most people liked SLX just fine, it was expensive, and they released MAX and the Nivachrome stuff soon after.

Enjoy it! I'd probably build up with either a modern gruppo or time appropriate 8sp campy ergo stuff...which was an amazing gruppo that saved the company after the debacle that was synchros/c-record. I'd also probably move to a campy headset, though the Ritcheys are very nice.

Very nice congrats! Not sure of all years and did a search, most seem to be 93'-94'. Here is a little info on TSX. Sounds like great stuff. The Bicycle Info Project :: Columbus tubing chart

Elica Continua basically means the spirals run the length of the tube, unlike SLX. Those are nice bikes, I have heard they ride a bit harsher than the SL/SLX models, but have no personal experience.

I dig it, you'll love the ride.

That was the rep I remember too, but no personal experience. If you look at the time line, it had MAX to compete with pretty quickly and it just never had the chance to gain a foothold.

Hi. The frame looks really lovely and not too many paint chips either. Im sure you will love it. As you have mentioned the bike is from early 90s and 1st gen 8 speed ergo Campy groupset would suit it perfectly. Tho many (even Italian) bikes were equipped with Dura-Ace by that time don't underestimate Campagnolo. Their 8 speed Record ergopower groupset was great looking and shifting as good as famed Dura-Ace 7410. I can ensure you that Chorus was finished equally good as the above two and you won't get disappointed with it. A hunt for a nice, period correct groupset is fun too. Go for it!

It shifted better than 7410 and was more durable. Also, the front derailleur works and can be trimmed...a notable improvement over 7402-7410.

Ergo was an amazing gruppo from first release.

If that Lovely Bicycle was mine I would go full Dura Ace 7700. Not period correct but Lovely just the same.

I know of a very nice Red 1984-5 Professional that is 50ST/52TT, C-C that will be for sale soon. The owner would sell f/f or complete Campy 10s triple.

PM me and I'll put you in touch.

My wife's Primato is actually a TSX framed Nuovo Classico.

Really a neat bike and she loves it.

@op If it were me, I'd start looking for a low mileage silver Chorus 10 speed groupset to put on your bike.

Reasonably priced, 10 speed Campy wheelsets are easy to find and the performance is my favorite of any Campy groupset.

FWIW I still have a 1990ish De Rosa Professional frameset hanging on a hook here.

Oh yeah, it's red.

Let me know if you need details.

Ugo don't make no junk! Very nice -- be sure to post again with first impressions of the ride and handling.

Sweet! That is a pretty frame.

Sweet

Are the flat Fork Crowns more desirable than the sloping ones? Better Ride?

Uh oh, last time I saw this come up it got ugly.....

And thanks all, truth is I won't be spending money on this one until after the holidays are paid for. So I'll probably change my mind a half dozen time.

There is no argument that, generally, the flat crown is more desireable...as to whether it rides better, that's more subjective.

So why is it more desirable? Not meaning to start any arguments just wondering.

Great bike. The Nuovo Classico has a great ride and great road manners....and it hits all of the DeRosa high points...diamante chainstays...flat top fork crown.....the traditional DeRosa style of seat cluster..

Some think it rides better...but I think the bigger piece is that it's a very "de rosa" feature that's associated with the brand. When you think de rosa, you think flat crowns and diamanté stays.

Very nice!

I would say flat is classic or a classic style. I'm sure someone can argue that too.