90s baby blue De Rosa build
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,204
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 383 Post(s)
Liked 538 Times
in
231 Posts
90s baby blue De Rosa build
Hey gang,
Thanks to SoCaled and his enabling ways, I just picked up this gorgeous baby blue De Rosa. I used to have an identical color De Rosa from the 80s, which I regretted selling a while back, as it was probably the nicest riding vintage frame I had experienced. When I saw this on the "looking for one of these" thread, I jumped on it. At $470, it was too good to pass up. Paint looks pristine (and original). Decals are under clear-coat. Very few tiny nicks... Rear is 130, so I'm thinking of building it up with a 10 speed Campagnolo group-set (brifters for sure, as I have a few other bikes with downtube shifters). Any recommendations on how you'd build it up? Was even considering 11 or 12 speed Campy for a Neo-retro vibe. I'm open to all ideas... groupset, wheels, cockpit, etc... Pretty sure I'lll be going with white bar tape and a white saddle. Thanks!


Thanks to SoCaled and his enabling ways, I just picked up this gorgeous baby blue De Rosa. I used to have an identical color De Rosa from the 80s, which I regretted selling a while back, as it was probably the nicest riding vintage frame I had experienced. When I saw this on the "looking for one of these" thread, I jumped on it. At $470, it was too good to pass up. Paint looks pristine (and original). Decals are under clear-coat. Very few tiny nicks... Rear is 130, so I'm thinking of building it up with a 10 speed Campagnolo group-set (brifters for sure, as I have a few other bikes with downtube shifters). Any recommendations on how you'd build it up? Was even considering 11 or 12 speed Campy for a Neo-retro vibe. I'm open to all ideas... groupset, wheels, cockpit, etc... Pretty sure I'lll be going with white bar tape and a white saddle. Thanks!



Likes For Caliwild:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,670
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2209 Post(s)
Liked 2,567 Times
in
1,406 Posts
I personally am a fan of vintage wonderful frame with modern components.. did that with a de rosa and a team miyata
10 speed Campy if you can find a group would let you keep silver look components
10 speed Campy if you can find a group would let you keep silver look components
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Likes For squirtdad:
#3
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Posts: 5,414
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: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 914 Post(s)
Liked 2,121 Times
in
893 Posts
Submitted for your consideration: It's not blue, it's not the same size and it's not the same year, but here is the '86 De Rosa I had in its Campy 10sp triple livery to give an idea of how yours might look.

__________________
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,185
Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 795 Post(s)
Liked 1,932 Times
in
1,121 Posts
Nice color and can’t wait to see what you come up with. I can appreciate the desire to have a modern drive on such a classic bike.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,204
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 383 Post(s)
Liked 538 Times
in
231 Posts
[QUOTE=bikingshearer;23023309]Submitted for your consideration: It's not blue, it's not the same size and it's not the same year, but here is the '86 De Rosa I had in its Campy 10sp triple livery to give an idea of how yours might look.
Ooh! I like the triple... Thanks for the visual...
Ooh! I like the triple... Thanks for the visual...
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 4,886
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2909 Post(s)
Liked 2,470 Times
in
1,485 Posts
Likes For smd4:
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,670
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2209 Post(s)
Liked 2,567 Times
in
1,406 Posts
[QUOTE=Caliwild;23023338]also the for sale section of C&V is your friend, especially WTB (want to buy)
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Whittier
Posts: 756
Bikes: 1973 Colnago Super, Litespeed Classic , Automoto , Pinarello Gavia TSX,Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra,Eddy Merckx EMX-5 , 1982 Moser SL, Concorde TSX, Vitus 979 KAS. Diamant SLX,60's Meteor
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 208 Post(s)
Liked 624 Times
in
248 Posts
Great De Rosa frame !
Looking forward to seeing it built. Campy for sure.
Looking forward to seeing it built. Campy for sure.
#9
Full Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 308
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 100 Post(s)
Liked 307 Times
in
128 Posts
Hey gang,
Thanks to SoCaled and his enabling ways, I just picked up this gorgeous baby blue De Rosa. I used to have an identical color De Rosa from the 80s, which I regretted selling a while back, as it was probably the nicest riding vintage frame I had experienced. When I saw this on the "looking for one of these" thread, I jumped on it. At $470, it was too good to pass up. Paint looks pristine (and original). Decals are under clear-coat. Very few tiny nicks... Rear is 130, so I'm thinking of building it up with a 10 speed Campagnolo group-set (brifters for sure, as I have a few other bikes with downtube shifters). Any recommendations on how you'd build it up? Was even considering 11 or 12 speed Campy for a Neo-retro vibe. I'm open to all ideas... groupset, wheels, cockpit, etc... Pretty sure I'lll be going with white bar tape and a white saddle. Thanks!



Thanks to SoCaled and his enabling ways, I just picked up this gorgeous baby blue De Rosa. I used to have an identical color De Rosa from the 80s, which I regretted selling a while back, as it was probably the nicest riding vintage frame I had experienced. When I saw this on the "looking for one of these" thread, I jumped on it. At $470, it was too good to pass up. Paint looks pristine (and original). Decals are under clear-coat. Very few tiny nicks... Rear is 130, so I'm thinking of building it up with a 10 speed Campagnolo group-set (brifters for sure, as I have a few other bikes with downtube shifters). Any recommendations on how you'd build it up? Was even considering 11 or 12 speed Campy for a Neo-retro vibe. I'm open to all ideas... groupset, wheels, cockpit, etc... Pretty sure I'lll be going with white bar tape and a white saddle. Thanks!



Likes For BMC_Kid:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: London, UK
Posts: 652
Bikes: Yes, probably too many but still have a roving eye...
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 283 Post(s)
Liked 2,397 Times
in
473 Posts
Lovely frame, and it will look great with the planned white bar tape and saddle (and white pedals?).
I'll give another vote for silver 10 speed Campag for the traditional look, but with more modern brakes and brifters, I prefer the silver Chorus or Centaur levers rather than the black Record ones.
This may not bother you but having just recently fallen down the Campy triple rabbit hole, I can confirm that even knowing Campagnolo is often regarded as the patron saint of money pits, that particular exercise turned out pretty spendy. Long cage 10 speed Campag rear derailleur's seem to command very high prices still and seem rarer than rocking horse poo, then it was new FD, then I found some NOS silver Chorus shifters which wasn't cheap either, and then the new longer BB, and then the triple Chorus crankset....you gotta really want it
I'll give another vote for silver 10 speed Campag for the traditional look, but with more modern brakes and brifters, I prefer the silver Chorus or Centaur levers rather than the black Record ones.
This may not bother you but having just recently fallen down the Campy triple rabbit hole, I can confirm that even knowing Campagnolo is often regarded as the patron saint of money pits, that particular exercise turned out pretty spendy. Long cage 10 speed Campag rear derailleur's seem to command very high prices still and seem rarer than rocking horse poo, then it was new FD, then I found some NOS silver Chorus shifters which wasn't cheap either, and then the new longer BB, and then the triple Chorus crankset....you gotta really want it

Likes For botty kayer:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fredericksburg, Va
Posts: 9,468
Bikes: '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, '94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster, Tern Link D8
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1562 Post(s)
Liked 2,122 Times
in
1,055 Posts
@Caliwild - Should you go down the 10 speed path, you may find some of my experiences of some value.
Help me build a 1990 De Rosa Pro - Bike Forums
P1050285 on Flickr
A triple option is covered in this thread but on a Pinarello Montello. Consider Racing T as an option for a Tripple
Pinarello Montello component morphing - Bike Forums
1991 Pinarello Montello - 9v Racing T on Flickr
Help me build a 1990 De Rosa Pro - Bike Forums

A triple option is covered in this thread but on a Pinarello Montello. Consider Racing T as an option for a Tripple
Pinarello Montello component morphing - Bike Forums

__________________
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,574
Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 534 Post(s)
Liked 500 Times
in
364 Posts
Great find, looking forward to the finish. Agree with white saddle/tape and I think black would distract. If you want 11 speed if you can find one these Athena groupsets are excellent, I now have three, this custom and two Tommasini.

Likes For Caliwild:
Likes For icemilkcoffee:
Likes For Caliwild:
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,574
Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 534 Post(s)
Liked 500 Times
in
364 Posts
DA would not be my choice but that said De Rosa road bikes come with DA, Ultegra Di2 and Sram these days.
Likes For easyupbug:
#22
Steel is real
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Not far from Paris
Posts: 2,021
Bikes: 1992Giant Tourer,1992MeridaAlbon,1996Scapin,1998KonaKilaueua,1993Peugeot Prestige,1991RaleighTeamZ(to be upgraded),1998 Jamis Dragon,1992CTWallis(to be built),1998VettaTeam(to be built),1995Coppi(to be built),1993Grandis(to be built)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 566 Post(s)
Liked 780 Times
in
512 Posts
Likes For georges1:
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,670
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2209 Post(s)
Liked 2,567 Times
in
1,406 Posts
nope
black did not look bad on my red De Rosa (which you have seen in silver with SJX426 build of the same frame (bit to big for me so moved it on to a happy new home)
black did not look bad on my red De Rosa (which you have seen in silver with SJX426 build of the same frame (bit to big for me so moved it on to a happy new home)

__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
#24
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,040
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 280 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3735 Post(s)
Liked 4,382 Times
in
2,043 Posts
Vintage DeRosa shouts silver Campa to me. But that is secondary.
I cheer your comment about 'best riding frame'. For a vintage racy bike feel my '86 is unequalled. Altho my '89 Falcon with R531c was close, maybe because it was red.

….since everyone’s posting their DeRosa….
I cheer your comment about 'best riding frame'. For a vintage racy bike feel my '86 is unequalled. Altho my '89 Falcon with R531c was close, maybe because it was red.

….since everyone’s posting their DeRosa….
Likes For Wildwood:
#25
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,040
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 280 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3735 Post(s)
Liked 4,382 Times
in
2,043 Posts
Just build it with tubular wheels.