New Build: De Rosa
10-30-21, 06:10 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Posts: 204
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane LeChampion (silver lilac), 1974 Motobecane Grand Jubile (red/black); 1975 Motobecane Team Champion (orange); 1982 Pinarello Professional (Exorcist Green); 1974 Raleigh Professional MkIV mink blue, 1974 Motobecane Grand Record blk/red
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
96 Posts
New Build: De Rosa
Hey folks, I picked up a new project - a De Rosa. This is only my second Italian bike, and somewhat of a holy grail, as I remember seeing these a lot back in the 80s. I think that is approximately the vintage of this one, but need some assistance from some of the De Rosa experts on this forum. In my research, some of the attributes look like early to mid 80s (fork crown, seat stays/binder, etc. But the internal brake cable routing throws me off a bit... It does have an SLX sticker, but not sure if that is accurate, I haven't really peeked into the bottom of the tubes yet to determine if there is rifling there.
In any event, there is some patina and paint chips, but the color is so cool (very dark blue) I am not going to do a repaint. But I will do a re-decal....
In terms of components, I think I will try for mostly Super Record. It does have a Chorus headset, but the stack height seems a little off. I'm thinking about maybe looking for a set of Cobalto brakes...
Any advice the De Rosa experts might provide in terms of date would be great. There is a serial number on the bottom bracket: CO327.... not sure if that means anything....
Thanks
Andy
In any event, there is some patina and paint chips, but the color is so cool (very dark blue) I am not going to do a repaint. But I will do a re-decal....
In terms of components, I think I will try for mostly Super Record. It does have a Chorus headset, but the stack height seems a little off. I'm thinking about maybe looking for a set of Cobalto brakes...
Any advice the De Rosa experts might provide in terms of date would be great. There is a serial number on the bottom bracket: CO327.... not sure if that means anything....
Thanks
Andy
Likes For 75lechamp:
10-30-21, 07:24 PM
#3
Senior Member
My ‘86 Professional has external brake cable routing and Campy dropouts. I don’t know for sure but I’d guess late ‘80’s. That headset is mid 90’s fwiw
__________________
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
10-30-21, 07:31 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Posts: 204
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane LeChampion (silver lilac), 1974 Motobecane Grand Jubile (red/black); 1975 Motobecane Team Champion (orange); 1982 Pinarello Professional (Exorcist Green); 1974 Raleigh Professional MkIV mink blue, 1974 Motobecane Grand Record blk/red
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
96 Posts
Thank you! I did feel some ridges, very shallow..... Interestingly, they are also in the steerer on the fork... Here is a pic looking down from the top of the steerer tube. It's much more subtle than I would have thought.
Likes For 75lechamp:
10-30-21, 07:32 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Posts: 204
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane LeChampion (silver lilac), 1974 Motobecane Grand Jubile (red/black); 1975 Motobecane Team Champion (orange); 1982 Pinarello Professional (Exorcist Green); 1974 Raleigh Professional MkIV mink blue, 1974 Motobecane Grand Record blk/red
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
96 Posts
In other words, I can confirm it's definitely SLX....
Likes For 75lechamp:
10-30-21, 08:16 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,834
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1363 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 459 Times
in
316 Posts
SL tubesets have the helical ridges in the steerer tube. Even the French Supervitus 980 tubset has it in the steerer tubes.
A lot of people mistakenly think they have an SLX frameset when they just check the steerer tube and find the ridges in there. You always have to check the down tube and the seat tube ends at the BB shell to be sure it is an SLX frsmeset.
A lot of people mistakenly think they have an SLX frameset when they just check the steerer tube and find the ridges in there. You always have to check the down tube and the seat tube ends at the BB shell to be sure it is an SLX frsmeset.
Last edited by Chombi1; 11-02-21 at 08:23 PM.
Likes For Chombi1:
10-30-21, 10:57 PM
#7
bironi
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 115
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Liked 73 Times
in
32 Posts
i'll defer to others
But the SLX sticker looks much fresher than anything else on the frame.
Nice frame however.
Don't fret the decals.
Build it, ride it.
Nice frame however.
Don't fret the decals.
Build it, ride it.
Likes For bironi:
10-31-21, 05:37 AM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Posts: 204
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane LeChampion (silver lilac), 1974 Motobecane Grand Jubile (red/black); 1975 Motobecane Team Champion (orange); 1982 Pinarello Professional (Exorcist Green); 1974 Raleigh Professional MkIV mink blue, 1974 Motobecane Grand Record blk/red
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
96 Posts
Yes I agree, the SLX decal looks somewhat newer. Good advice above, I did feel in the seat tube and there are definitely ridges in there, hard to see, but they are there...
10-31-21, 05:59 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 1,222
Bikes: Bianchi Ti Megatube; Colnago Competition; Planet-X EC-130E; Klein Pulse; Amp Research B4; Litespeed Catalyst; Fondriest Squadra Corse; Trek Y11
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 577 Post(s)
Liked 402 Times
in
235 Posts
Perfect frame to build & ride. I'd keep the old decals. Great find!
10-31-21, 06:25 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 22,730
Mentioned: 604 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4477 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2,545 Times
in
1,618 Posts
Originally Posted by Spaghetti Legs
My ‘86 Professional has external brake cable routing and Campy dropouts. I don’t know for sure but I’d guess late ‘80’s. That headset is mid 90’s fwiw
10-31-21, 07:04 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Barboursville, Va
Posts: 286
Bikes: N+1
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Liked 392 Times
in
154 Posts
Definitely early 90s with the brake cable inside the top tube. Mine is 87 I think, and still has brazed on cable guides. Yours also has de rosa dropouts instead of campagnolo, which remind me of Columbus dropouts. I’d build it up with whatever parts will get you riding it, because that’s what these bikes do best.
and that blue is the best de rosa color. Here’s mine.
and that blue is the best de rosa color. Here’s mine.
Likes For Flatforkcrown:
10-31-21, 08:18 AM
#12
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Posts: 4,600
Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 513 Post(s)
Liked 761 Times
in
388 Posts
Great find. Enjoy the heck out of it.
One word of possible caution: crank the wheel quick-releases down extra-hard. On my 1986, the drop outs required that. I thought of the feel of them as "greasy," although that is a metaphor and not strictly accurate. My guess is that the steel on De Rosa drop outs is just a tad harder than with Canpy drop outs, and thus the QR teeth don't bite as hard. All I know is that the rear wheel (and the fork when in a fork-mount carrier) were prone to slip unless I cranked the QRs down extra hard. (I had a 2000 Lemond Zurich that had the same problem, only more so. Well, not on the front - it had lawyer tabs.) Do not let this detract from the riding experience - it's an easy issue to deal with and my guess is that you will very much enjoy how it rides.
One word of possible caution: crank the wheel quick-releases down extra-hard. On my 1986, the drop outs required that. I thought of the feel of them as "greasy," although that is a metaphor and not strictly accurate. My guess is that the steel on De Rosa drop outs is just a tad harder than with Canpy drop outs, and thus the QR teeth don't bite as hard. All I know is that the rear wheel (and the fork when in a fork-mount carrier) were prone to slip unless I cranked the QRs down extra hard. (I had a 2000 Lemond Zurich that had the same problem, only more so. Well, not on the front - it had lawyer tabs.) Do not let this detract from the riding experience - it's an easy issue to deal with and my guess is that you will very much enjoy how it rides.
__________________
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
Likes For bikingshearer:
10-31-21, 04:39 PM
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Posts: 204
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane LeChampion (silver lilac), 1974 Motobecane Grand Jubile (red/black); 1975 Motobecane Team Champion (orange); 1982 Pinarello Professional (Exorcist Green); 1974 Raleigh Professional MkIV mink blue, 1974 Motobecane Grand Record blk/red
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
96 Posts
Wow that looks fantastic, I do like the color! Nicely done....
10-31-21, 04:55 PM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Posts: 204
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane LeChampion (silver lilac), 1974 Motobecane Grand Jubile (red/black); 1975 Motobecane Team Champion (orange); 1982 Pinarello Professional (Exorcist Green); 1974 Raleigh Professional MkIV mink blue, 1974 Motobecane Grand Record blk/red
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
96 Posts
Gathering components
Gathering some components for the build....
I'm going on the assumption that early to mid 80s Super Record will go well with this bike....
Braze on shifters
Super Record with miraculously uncracked pulleys....
Super Record levers, with what I believe to be actual non-repro hoods, in good shape....
Super Record seat post, appropriate to the eighties....
Record crank with SR rings, dated 1983...
Cinelli 64 bars and 1/A stem...
The front caliper even has the little hole for the rubber stopper - I wonder if you can even find those anywhere? None of my other Campy brakes have this...!
I'm going on the assumption that early to mid 80s Super Record will go well with this bike....
Braze on shifters
Super Record with miraculously uncracked pulleys....
Super Record levers, with what I believe to be actual non-repro hoods, in good shape....
Super Record seat post, appropriate to the eighties....
Record crank with SR rings, dated 1983...
Cinelli 64 bars and 1/A stem...
The front caliper even has the little hole for the rubber stopper - I wonder if you can even find those anywhere? None of my other Campy brakes have this...!
Likes For 75lechamp:
Likes For jiangshi:
10-31-21, 05:52 PM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Posts: 204
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane LeChampion (silver lilac), 1974 Motobecane Grand Jubile (red/black); 1975 Motobecane Team Champion (orange); 1982 Pinarello Professional (Exorcist Green); 1974 Raleigh Professional MkIV mink blue, 1974 Motobecane Grand Record blk/red
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
96 Posts
Thank you!
11-02-21, 05:44 AM
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Posts: 204
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane LeChampion (silver lilac), 1974 Motobecane Grand Jubile (red/black); 1975 Motobecane Team Champion (orange); 1982 Pinarello Professional (Exorcist Green); 1974 Raleigh Professional MkIV mink blue, 1974 Motobecane Grand Record blk/red
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
96 Posts
De Rosa confirmation
Well, I wrote to De Rosa (help@derosa.it) and here is their reply:Hello,
thanks for your email,
the frame was SLX in steel and we produce it in the 1993
Thanks
thanks for your email,
the frame was SLX in steel and we produce it in the 1993
Thanks
Likes For 75lechamp:
11-02-21, 06:33 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Great White North
Posts: 933
Bikes: 2013 Cannondale Caad 8, 2010 Opus Fidelio, 1985 Peugeot UO14, 1999 Peugeot Dune, Sakai Select, L'Avantage, 1971 Gitane Apache Standard
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 412 Post(s)
Liked 281 Times
in
201 Posts
Looking forward to seeing your progress on this build. Great foundation to work with.
11-02-21, 06:08 PM
#19
Senior Member
Originally Posted by 75lechamp
Well, I wrote to De Rosa (help@derosa.it) and here is their reply:
Hello,
thanks for your email,
the frame was SLX in steel and we produce it in the 1993
Thanks
Hello,
thanks for your email,
the frame was SLX in steel and we produce it in the 1993
Thanks
Likes For ManekiNico:
11-02-21, 07:00 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 10,085
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 200 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3124 Post(s)
Liked 2,868 Times
in
1,822 Posts
Originally Posted by 75lechamp
The front caliper even has the little hole for the rubber stopper - I wonder if you can even find those anywhere? None of my other Campy brakes have this...!
11-03-21, 09:30 AM
#22
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Posts: 204
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane LeChampion (silver lilac), 1974 Motobecane Grand Jubile (red/black); 1975 Motobecane Team Champion (orange); 1982 Pinarello Professional (Exorcist Green); 1974 Raleigh Professional MkIV mink blue, 1974 Motobecane Grand Record blk/red
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
96 Posts
Yes, it is! Which is good, since I can finally now use this subset!
Campy C-Record 32H
Campy C-Record 32H
11-03-21, 10:37 AM
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Posts: 204
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane LeChampion (silver lilac), 1974 Motobecane Grand Jubile (red/black); 1975 Motobecane Team Champion (orange); 1982 Pinarello Professional (Exorcist Green); 1974 Raleigh Professional MkIV mink blue, 1974 Motobecane Grand Record blk/red
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
96 Posts
Maybe originally, but now it's 130, new axle and spacers...
11-22-21, 08:28 PM
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Posts: 204
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane LeChampion (silver lilac), 1974 Motobecane Grand Jubile (red/black); 1975 Motobecane Team Champion (orange); 1982 Pinarello Professional (Exorcist Green); 1974 Raleigh Professional MkIV mink blue, 1974 Motobecane Grand Record blk/red
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
96 Posts
C Record crank
I decided to go a slightly different direction, since the bike is already destined for the C-Record hubs..... I was inspired by Ray Dobbins' work on this '86 De Rosa and came up with this:
C Record crankset
After 180, 320, 400 grit....
After 1000, 2000, 3000, then the fabled Simichrome.... not perfect but not half bad. I think this will look pretty good on the De Rosa...
C Record crankset
After 180, 320, 400 grit....
After 1000, 2000, 3000, then the fabled Simichrome.... not perfect but not half bad. I think this will look pretty good on the De Rosa...
Likes For 75lechamp:
