View Poll Results: Which Classic?
Early 80s SOMEC
27
55.10%
Early 80s DeRosa
22
44.90%
Voters: 49. You may not vote on this poll
SOMEC vs. DeRosa
11-09-20, 05:07 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Fayetteville, GA
Posts: 50
Bikes: '71 Raleigh Professional MK III; '88 Bianchi Campione d'Ialia (project); 2011 Ellsworth Roots; 2012 Cool Fixie; 2017 Bottecchia Leggendaria; 2008 Electra Townie
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
SOMEC vs. DeRosa
Looking at two vintage bikes this week. Both frames in VG to Exc. condition. THe SOMEC has a mix of Gipiemme and Campagnolo parts. The DeRosa is purported to have a pantographed Campagnolo Record gruppo. The DeRosa is of course, more expensive. We’re not talking acquisition costs, but quality and collectibility. Pros/con store on either?
Last edited by Ungaro; 11-09-20 at 07:12 PM. Reason: Addtl. Info
11-09-20, 05:17 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 485
Bikes: Pedaling for the Lord!
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 313 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 53 Times
in
36 Posts
I might be the only person who votes for SOMEC. DeRosa was a dentist bike. If you rode a SOMEC, you were in the know. If you rode a DeRosa, you had more money than brains. Just sayin'.
Likes For onyerleft:
11-09-20, 05:19 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Arizona
Posts: 214
Bikes: Many!
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 61 Times
in
45 Posts
Originally Posted by onyerleft
I might be the only person who votes for SOMEC. DeRosa was a dentist bike. If you rode a SOMEC, you were in the know. If you rode a DeRosa, you had more money than brains. Just sayin'.
DeRosa... or whatever bike you like better!
Likes For unworthy1:
11-09-20, 05:21 PM
#5
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 27,314
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 142 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1938 Post(s)
Liked 712 Times
in
448 Posts
It would be helpful to know more about the bikes. Are the frames and groups of similar quality?
I’d vote for the Somec because I believe they are less common than a De Rosa.
I’d vote for the Somec because I believe they are less common than a De Rosa.
__________________
Bianchis '90 Proto, '90 Campione del Fausto Giamondi Specialisma Italiano Mundo, '91 Boarala 'cross, '93 Project 3, '86 Volpe, '97 Ti Megatube, '93 Reparto Corse SBX
Others but still loved; '80 Batavus Professional, '87 Cornelo, '?? Jane Doe (still on the drawing board), '90ish Haro Escape SLX Bertoni "Speckled Trout"
Bianchis '90 Proto, '90 Campione del Fausto Giamondi Specialisma Italiano Mundo, '91 Boarala 'cross, '93 Project 3, '86 Volpe, '97 Ti Megatube, '93 Reparto Corse SBX
Others but still loved; '80 Batavus Professional, '87 Cornelo, '?? Jane Doe (still on the drawing board), '90ish Haro Escape SLX Bertoni "Speckled Trout"
Likes For Bianchigirll:
11-09-20, 05:40 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Germany
Posts: 433
Bikes: 80s Alan Super Record, 79' Somec Special, 90s Rossin(?) Columbus Ego Triathlon, Peugeot Prestige, Alan corsa (frame only), 90s Prophete , previously: Bianchi SBX Reparto Corse, Peugeot Neuilly, Hercules steel city, 60s(?) PON Dutch bike, Enik
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 183 Post(s)
Liked 378 Times
in
333 Posts
I became a Somec convert ever since I got mine. Unfortunately have no De Rosa's (yet) and looking at the market I don't expect it would ever happen (although before finding mine I also thought Somec is way above my league). But to be fair the 80s models were cool on both sides (maybe the panto parts and the Mario Martini paintjobs for those who like such are a big plus again for Somec).
Last edited by Lattz; 11-09-20 at 05:44 PM.
Likes For Lattz:
Likes For krakhaus:
Likes For iab:
Likes For RiddleOfSteel:
11-09-20, 06:51 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Germany
Posts: 433
Bikes: 80s Alan Super Record, 79' Somec Special, 90s Rossin(?) Columbus Ego Triathlon, Peugeot Prestige, Alan corsa (frame only), 90s Prophete , previously: Bianchi SBX Reparto Corse, Peugeot Neuilly, Hercules steel city, 60s(?) PON Dutch bike, Enik
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 183 Post(s)
Liked 378 Times
in
333 Posts
Originally Posted by RiddleOfSteel
Whose decals fall off by themselves the fastest?
Last edited by Lattz; 11-09-20 at 06:55 PM.
Likes For Lattz:
11-09-20, 07:23 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 163
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Liked 77 Times
in
66 Posts
Both of finest craftsmanship. DeRosa obviously has venerable history and pedigree. SOMEC wins for aesthetics in the eighties period because they look unbelievably cool with the mind blowing paint jobs and decals and pantographing. Besides SOMEC has way cooler time trial bikes in the classic period. So while respecting DeRosa history, I have to vote SOMEC.
Likes For smallfrontwheel:
Likes For P!N20:
11-10-20, 12:55 PM
#14
It's MY mountain
A De Rosa will get you the MOST admiring glances and smilies; because everybody knows them.
But a SOMEC will get you the admiring glances from the real cognoscenti.
But a SOMEC will get you the admiring glances from the real cognoscenti.
Likes For jet sanchEz:
11-10-20, 04:58 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 6,708
Bikes: '72 Cilo Pacer, '72 Peugeot PX10, '73 Speedwell Ti, '74 Nishiki Competition, '74 Peugeot UE-8, '75 Peugeot PR-10L, '85 De Rosa Pro, '86 Look Equipe 753, '86 Look KG86, '89 Parkpre Team, '90 Parkpre Team MTB, '90 Merlin
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 543 Post(s)
Liked 313 Times
in
145 Posts
I do own a mid-80s De Rosa Professional. I've never ridden a Somec, but I've gushed over a few of them. One of the local shops had a display model with custom leather wrappings around the tubes--I imagine for urban protection--with custom stitched "Somec" lettering/graphics on the main tubes. Black paint & leather wraps with chrome lugs. It was a really attractive bike.
I'd expect the ride and craftsmanship to be very similar, but Somec may have some flashier details (extra chrome, internal cables, BB cutouts, engravings, unusual color schemes and graphics, etc.). All else being equal, I might give the slight edge to Somec for their tendency to include these extra embellishments and because I prefer brands that are a little more obscure. However, the pantographed Record parts package on the De Rosa might put it over the top. Classic first world problem.
I'd expect the ride and craftsmanship to be very similar, but Somec may have some flashier details (extra chrome, internal cables, BB cutouts, engravings, unusual color schemes and graphics, etc.). All else being equal, I might give the slight edge to Somec for their tendency to include these extra embellishments and because I prefer brands that are a little more obscure. However, the pantographed Record parts package on the De Rosa might put it over the top. Classic first world problem.
11-10-20, 04:58 PM
#17
Edumacator
I’m not sure there is a wrong answer here. Somecs are often stunningly exquisite. Derosas are timeless.
all I want is to find is a Ciocc that someone is about to toss...
all I want is to find is a Ciocc that someone is about to toss...
__________________
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1988 Faggin Matrix with not Matrix tubes, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1982 Rossin Record, 1987 Trek Elance
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1988 Faggin Matrix with not Matrix tubes, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1982 Rossin Record, 1987 Trek Elance
Likes For jdawginsc:
11-10-20, 07:34 PM
#18
Gone riding
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 10,658
Mentioned: 206 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1711 Post(s)
Liked 1,355 Times
in
607 Posts
Somecs are thinner on the ground, and as a result less well-known and likely to cost a little less. Also likely to give one more of a feeling of exclusivity if that's what one is after 
Especially if it is embellished with pantographing and cat stickers:
DD
Especially if it is embellished with pantographing and cat stickers:
DD
Likes For Drillium Dude:
11-11-20, 06:34 AM
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Fayetteville, GA
Posts: 50
Bikes: '71 Raleigh Professional MK III; '88 Bianchi Campione d'Ialia (project); 2011 Ellsworth Roots; 2012 Cool Fixie; 2017 Bottecchia Leggendaria; 2008 Electra Townie
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
Originally Posted by Drillium Dude
Somecs are thinner on the ground, and as a result less well-known and likely to cost a little less. Also likely to give one more of a feeling of exclusivity if that's what one is after
Especially if it is embellished with pantographing and cat stickers:
DD
Especially if it is embellished with pantographing and cat stickers:
DD
11-11-20, 10:19 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Atlanta, ga
Posts: 67
Bikes: Bridgestone 300 ; Bridgestone XO3; Motobecane Grand Jubilee; Surly karate monkey; Lemond ventoux "team z" colors; Diamondback Master TG pink with black splatter paint
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I’ve been eyeing this SOMEC that has been on the local Craigslist for a while. https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/b...204877310.html
I don’t know the brand well but saw a similar paint scheme and Somec on FB market place a few months back. It was under $200 with crappy pics. I messaged within 15 min after it was posted but someone snatched it up quick. I wondered what it may have been as I’m not sure how “low end” the model line of SOMEC goes?
Shannon
I don’t know the brand well but saw a similar paint scheme and Somec on FB market place a few months back. It was under $200 with crappy pics. I messaged within 15 min after it was posted but someone snatched it up quick. I wondered what it may have been as I’m not sure how “low end” the model line of SOMEC goes?
Shannon
Likes For wheatfly:
11-11-20, 10:49 AM
#21
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,297
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,369 Times
in
883 Posts
Originally Posted by onyerleft
I might be the only person who votes for SOMEC. DeRosa was a dentist bike. If you rode a SOMEC, you were in the know. If you rode a DeRosa, you had more money than brains. Just sayin'.
Cancel Culture: you!
11-11-20, 11:59 AM
#24
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 25,883
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1260 Post(s)
Liked 1,295 Times
in
794 Posts
Problem: Poll doesn't have a "Get both" option.
-Kurt
-Kurt
__________________
Likes For cudak888:
11-11-20, 02:49 PM
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Fayetteville, GA
Posts: 50
Bikes: '71 Raleigh Professional MK III; '88 Bianchi Campione d'Ialia (project); 2011 Ellsworth Roots; 2012 Cool Fixie; 2017 Bottecchia Leggendaria; 2008 Electra Townie
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
Originally Posted by cudak888
Problem: Poll doesn't have a "Get both" option.
-Kurt
-Kurt
Likes For Ungaro:
