KonAaron Snake 

Gents - Silca or something more modern?

Old Fat Guy

CO2 in jersey pocket. Can of Vittoria Pit Stop. No frame pump

Picchio Special

Agree with most of the preceding, however, I can definitely tell the difference between 175's and 172.5's - and prefer the 175's, being 6-0. Also definitely prefer 172.5 to 170. I've had a number of bikes with all of these combos.

bigbossman 

^^This. That's all you need. If you stick a frame pump on it, you will mar the finish. Between the Co2 and the Pit Stop, you just don't need one. And if you go tubular, you really don't need much of a seat bag either.

Well..... I knew someone would answer up. I have ridden all three across my bikes, and really can't tell. If I have a preference, I guess I'd hedge my bet and get the middle size. But, I have zero problems buying the 175's - especially if I can get a goot deal on them.

Ecrevisse

The Primoto looks nice Aaron.

KonAaron Snake 

Definitely using a pump - not a big fan of the CO2 method.

Old Fat Guy

Then get a good mini pump. Lezyne comes to mind, but there may be others that actually work.

gomango

Lezyne works fine, but for me, it's a time issue.

I carry CO2 in the tool roll, with usually a couple of refills.

....for my friends that seem to believe a credit card fixes everything.

A flat is a pain in the ..... and I want to get back on the road with the group as fast as I can.

Additionally, I have a couple of Silcas on older bikes that look great, but that's about it.

Aaron, I'd love to hear about a further comparison between the Marnati and Primato.

Yep, a real live road test of the two (side by side) would be fun!

I'm interested to hear your side of the EL-OS story.

fender1

Aaron, BBM, OFG (and any other DeRosa owners);

I know folks LOVE these bikes and I was wondering if anyone has determined why they seem/are different from other similar models/brand? Is it differences in builder skill, materials, geometry, all of the above? Anything thing that is definitively different that you know of?

JunkYardBike

Quicker Pro pump, about 7 inches long. Fits in your jersey pocket or use the handy under-the-water-bottle-cage mount. Has worked well for me.

https://www.amazon.com/Quicker-Pro-Bi.../dp/B000TH3HY0

Pars 

Beautiful bike Aaron!

KonAaron Snake 

I think the answer is fairly complex and I'm not sure I'm the best to answer it. i'll give it a shot. First off, i think a lot of this depends on which era De Rosa we're talking about. The 60s 70s ones are almost possible to find. Scarcity helps drive price. I think De Rosas connection to professional racers, obviously Merckx in particular, helped to drive demand. The workmanship on the earlier ones is reportedly fantastic - I've only seen one and it was spectacular. He built in such low numbers and didn't contract out like Colnago did. I mean at a very basic level, Ugo De Rosa is the guy that Merckx went to when he wanted to set up his shop. I think that says a lot. If Merckx thinks that highly of him, there's probably something there.

The geometry is supposed to be just terrific. I had an SLX De Rosa in my size which never really thrilled me that much, at least not compared to my Merlin or Sachs (granted that is tough competition). I can say, for myself, a lot of my interest was that a kid I knew had a De Rosa Signature and it was the first bike I ever truly lusted after. It made my Sirrus feel like a turd in comparison. In maturity, I realize a lot of that had to do with tires...but I didn't understand that as much then. De ROsas have the rep as comfortable all day bikes - less twitchy and aggressive than many of the other Italians (Masi/Colnago/Pinarello). I should say I've ridden all of the above mentioned three, and have never really enjoyed them like I did my friend's De Rosa.

I think the Primatos are especially desired because not many bikes used EL OS tubing - by then steel was going the way of the do do. I think a lot of the steel bikes from this period are fantastic because in a way, they represent the pinnacle of lugged steel building before it became dedicated to TIG welding advantages and the industry moved towards CF. I've heard the webbed BB shell adds stiffness, and I've heard it's an aesthetic gimmick. No clue which is true, but it's unique!

I still haven't ridden it enough to really say much - the big thing I think I'm seeing is that tubulars are like FLOATING over the road. My GOD! I had no idea the difference was that notable. I'm quite sure some of that is because these are easily the highest quality (and price) tubulars I've been on.

ColonelJLloyd 

I'm interested in the answers to fender1's question. Maybe I'll own a nice Italian ride some day, but as of now i have other itches that need scratching.

I'm not crazy about the white bar tape, but I do like a red bike. The DeRosa BB shells are really cool.

Congrats, Aaron!

KonAaron Snake 

I'm really looking forward to some of these answers as well, especially those with more experience on De Rosas than I have. Obviously OFG, Citoyen, Picchio, Gomango and Repechage are going to be the heavy hitters here. I will say that, in general, I have liked Japanese and American bikes best. I think both are generally more neutral handling while Italians are more aggressive. I'll also say that I never knew how fluid a bike could be for me until I rode the Marnati, but I think a lot of that is because it was built for me. I wish to hell I could have owned it when I was a better rider!

I think part of De Rosas handling may be due to De Rosa cutting the fork for the bike's size/geometry. I think most others use the same fork and the same rake.

Coop500

Beauty!

Ecrevisse

Tubulars are the way to go. My personal favorite are the Clement Paris-Roubaix. They are a little fat for a tubular, go figure. The most expensive and nicest riding are the Clement Seta, silk. Oh so nice and light. Oh so expensive. Vittoria Corsa are great, but the Clement Seta are far superior.

lostarchitect 

I'm not really sure what it is about the De Rosa that makes them so special. I've never ridden one, but I don't lust after any bike more. Maybe it's just that everything seems to come together so perfectly, like every bike was loved. I dunno. They're just beautiful. I hope I own one some day. (sooner rather than later!)

-holiday76

Nice bike Aaron!

I really don't get the allure of these bikes either over a lot of the other stuff. I've also never ridden one so I'll reserve judgement until I do.

I will just say that De Rosa owners seem to have a lot in common with Rivendel owners though, perhaps minus the specific, opinionated leader.

gomango

Ride one, then we'll really have grounds to chat.

..and they certainly don't ride all the same. Not from my experience.

The brand has a wide selection of models from the past to the present.

Made from a wide range of materials.

Expand, if you would though, on this notion of "commonalities" with Riv owners.

Is this a positive connection with Riv owners or ?

That comment interests me.

As for special characteristics of a De Rosa versus another Italian brand?

Hmmm.

I'll think about it a little more and get back to you.

mkeller234

Oh lord Aaron, that is stunning! Does it even need to be said? You already knew that.

KonAaron Snake 

I really don't get this at all - would you care to maybe explain what you're trying to get across?

I think of Riv guys as serious riders who have some extra bucks for things that are pretty.

-holiday76

Sorry, I guess I wasnt being very clear - both brands seem to have a cult following.

-holiday76

wow, people don't like the Riv comparison eh?

If you read my post you'll see where I said I'd reserve my opinions on the ride until I rode one so don't get yourself too worked up.

See my above post as it pertains to the Riv comparison.

now you can r-e-l-a-x, ya crazy ass De Rosa owners.

KonAaron Snake 

I don't see them as being similar at all - sorry. Aren't devotees to pretty much any high end bike going to extol its virtues and become fans? You could say Sachs fans are cult like, or Serotta, Miyata, or, heck, even Surly. There are people who, with a straight face, extol the virtues of the LHT. I do think that a De Rosa owner might be inclined to view some other Italian marquees that are less "craft" and more mass produced with some disdain, but I don't see this as Rivendell'ish.

Honestly - I think your analogy works better between Colnago and Rivendell. Pretty bikes with a focus on aesthetics that don't necassarily offer top value.

-holiday76

So you don't agree De Rosas have a cult following or you don't agree Rivs have a cult following? Aside from that there really wasnt anything else to disagree with.

Am ii missing something or are you guys just still angry I used Riv and De Rosa in the same sentence?

I'm sure there are other analogies that work as well, Colnago might be one of them.