De Rosa make over
07-02-12, 07:37 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
De Rosa make over
Here are some so-so pics of my De Rosa's new transmission and wheels. I bought this wheelset 6 months ago, but decided to wait until I wore out my drivetrain to install them. As a disclaimer: this bike is a rider not a museum piece, not a show bike.
before:
After:
I switched the rear derailleur to a chorus 8 speed from Sachs New Success and the ergo Sachs New Success to 7 speed syncro c-record set on friction. A customer gave me the syncros during an upgrade project back when I was a shop mechanic and I salted them away until I had a chance to use them. That opportunity is now since the shifting in my Sachs ergos was getting sloppy and money is a little tight because we just had a baby 4 months ago. Maybe I'll save up for a campy 8 speed ergo if I don't like the friction shifters. I put on a set of 600 tricolor levers I had in the parts bin for now.
The old Mavic helium wheelset that came with the bike I swapped for a chorus hub mavic tubular wheelset. I always hated the aesthetic of those anodized rims even though they proved very reliable. This is my first set of tubular wheels. I'm excited to see how much I like them.
I had a tough time getting the cable housing out of the top tube. Stupid internal routing!
Here are some pics from the lab late night last week.
I had to tilt the frame up and flush it out with PT Blaster just to loosen it. Then I had to stretch out the housing to yank it out. Unfortunately some of the outer plastic sleeve is still lodged in there, but I am able to run a cable through the tube and put nipple ferrules at the exit points of the top tube.
Sorry about the crappy cell phone pics in the dark.
I finished tonight and took it for a brief 3 mile spin around town as the light failed. Here she is in all her rusty glory!
I know I need to touch up the paint asap.
My initial impressions of this new set up:
1. dramatically lighter from wheelset and shifters/ levers.
2. rides smooth, shifts smooth
3. feels more "retro"
I'm waiting to see how I will feel about this set up on long rides. If I like it I might splurge and get a set of Campy aero levers with the white hoods + white tape and cable housing. Maybe even a white rolls!
before:
After:
I switched the rear derailleur to a chorus 8 speed from Sachs New Success and the ergo Sachs New Success to 7 speed syncro c-record set on friction. A customer gave me the syncros during an upgrade project back when I was a shop mechanic and I salted them away until I had a chance to use them. That opportunity is now since the shifting in my Sachs ergos was getting sloppy and money is a little tight because we just had a baby 4 months ago. Maybe I'll save up for a campy 8 speed ergo if I don't like the friction shifters. I put on a set of 600 tricolor levers I had in the parts bin for now.
The old Mavic helium wheelset that came with the bike I swapped for a chorus hub mavic tubular wheelset. I always hated the aesthetic of those anodized rims even though they proved very reliable. This is my first set of tubular wheels. I'm excited to see how much I like them.
I had a tough time getting the cable housing out of the top tube. Stupid internal routing!
Here are some pics from the lab late night last week.
I had to tilt the frame up and flush it out with PT Blaster just to loosen it. Then I had to stretch out the housing to yank it out. Unfortunately some of the outer plastic sleeve is still lodged in there, but I am able to run a cable through the tube and put nipple ferrules at the exit points of the top tube.
Sorry about the crappy cell phone pics in the dark.
I finished tonight and took it for a brief 3 mile spin around town as the light failed. Here she is in all her rusty glory!
I know I need to touch up the paint asap.
My initial impressions of this new set up:
1. dramatically lighter from wheelset and shifters/ levers.
2. rides smooth, shifts smooth
3. feels more "retro"
I'm waiting to see how I will feel about this set up on long rides. If I like it I might splurge and get a set of Campy aero levers with the white hoods + white tape and cable housing. Maybe even a white rolls!
Last edited by JJScaliger; 07-02-12 at 07:46 PM. Reason: added pic
07-02-12, 07:51 PM
#2
feros ferio
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Great bike, although I agree w/ you regarding the undesirability of internal cable routing.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
07-02-12, 10:24 PM
#3
weapons-grade bolognium
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Looks like a good rider. Are you going to address the rust issues?
07-03-12, 05:41 AM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
For now I'm probably just going to sand the bottom of the top tube in a couple of spots and touch up the paint. I have procrastinated doing this. I was toying with the idea of having it professionally painted by Circle A Cycles here in Providence or maybe Hot Tubes in Mass. That would probably run me about $500. I only paid $500 for the bike complete a little over a year ago. It would be nice to have piece of mind about the rust, inside and out. It has a seized H2O bolt on the seat tube which I wouldn't mind having removed either. (sic the awful cage there, but it works). I really had to battle to get the stem out when I purchased the bike, but was successful with no damage to stem or frame. I made sure I pulled and greased it again this winter!
My next bike project probably will be titanium. I used to sneer at all the rich middle aged guys at the shop who would trade in their beautiful lugged Grandis, Colnago and Olmo frames for Seven, Merlin and Litespeed. But now my views are more circumspect; and since all my current bikes are steel, I'm thinking I could use a rust free change of pace myself. There is something kind of je ne sais quoi in having a beater De Rosa.
My next bike project probably will be titanium. I used to sneer at all the rich middle aged guys at the shop who would trade in their beautiful lugged Grandis, Colnago and Olmo frames for Seven, Merlin and Litespeed. But now my views are more circumspect; and since all my current bikes are steel, I'm thinking I could use a rust free change of pace myself. There is something kind of je ne sais quoi in having a beater De Rosa.
Last edited by JJScaliger; 07-03-12 at 06:25 AM.
07-03-12, 05:53 AM
#5
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For now I'm probably just going to sand the bottom of the top tube in a couple of spots and touch up the paint. I have procrastinated doing this. I was toying with the idea of having it professionally painted by Circle A Cycles here is Providence or maybe Hot Tubes in Mass. That would probably run me about $500. I only paid $500 for the bike complete a little over a year ago. It would be nice to have piece of mind about the rust, inside and out. It has a seized H2O bolt on the seat tube which I wouldn't mind having removed either. (sic the awful cage there, but it works). I really had to battle to get the stem out when I purchased the bike, but was successful with no damage to stem or frame. I made sure I pulled and greased it again this winter!
My next bike project probably will be titanium. I used to sneer at all the rich middle aged guys at the shop who would trade in their beautiful lugged Grandis, Colnago and Olmo frames for Seven, Merlin and Litespeed. But now with a little my views are more circumspect; and since all my current bikes are steel, I'm thinking I could use a rust free change of pace myself. There is something kind of je ne sais quoi in having a beater De Rosa.
My next bike project probably will be titanium. I used to sneer at all the rich middle aged guys at the shop who would trade in their beautiful lugged Grandis, Colnago and Olmo frames for Seven, Merlin and Litespeed. But now with a little my views are more circumspect; and since all my current bikes are steel, I'm thinking I could use a rust free change of pace myself. There is something kind of je ne sais quoi in having a beater De Rosa.
Clean up the rust pronto.
Not that hard, check out one of the dozens of threads on this forum about oxalic acid.
I've rolled through more than a handful of De Rosas over the last five years and they are a treat.
Helped several friends find theirs as well, so I am aware of value.
You have a valuable bicycle if attended to.
Love the colors on yours, reminds me of my wife's De Rosa.
07-03-12, 05:57 AM
#6
Hopelessly addicted...
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So that's the bike that is in most of your ride pictures, am I right? I like that it isn't a garage queen and gets ridden. I'm guessing you'll enjoy the extra gears and lowered weight of the wheels.
So what's the deal with the Plymouth Valiant in the one picture? I have a soft spot for those old things, utilitarian as they are. They put me in mind of the Raleigh Sports, though more of the Raleigh bicycles seemed to have survived than the Plymouth cars.
So what's the deal with the Plymouth Valiant in the one picture? I have a soft spot for those old things, utilitarian as they are. They put me in mind of the Raleigh Sports, though more of the Raleigh bicycles seemed to have survived than the Plymouth cars.
07-03-12, 06:16 AM
#7
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
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For now I'm probably just going to sand the bottom of the top tube in a couple of spots and touch up the paint. I have procrastinated doing this. I was toying with the idea of having it professionally painted by Circle A Cycles here is Providence or maybe Hot Tubes in Mass. That would probably run me about $500. I only paid $500 for the bike complete a little over a year ago. It would be nice to have piece of mind about the rust, inside and out. It has a seized H2O bolt on the seat tube which I wouldn't mind having removed either. (sic the awful cage there, but it works). I really had to battle to get the stem out when I purchased the bike, but was successful with no damage to stem or frame. I made sure I pulled and greased it again this winter!
My next bike project probably will be titanium. I used to sneer at all the rich middle aged guys at the shop who would trade in their beautiful lugged Grandis, Colnago and Olmo frames for Seven, Merlin and Litespeed. But now with a little my views are more circumspect; and since all my current bikes are steel, I'm thinking I could use a rust free change of pace myself. There is something kind of je ne sais quoi in having a beater De Rosa.
My next bike project probably will be titanium. I used to sneer at all the rich middle aged guys at the shop who would trade in their beautiful lugged Grandis, Colnago and Olmo frames for Seven, Merlin and Litespeed. But now with a little my views are more circumspect; and since all my current bikes are steel, I'm thinking I could use a rust free change of pace myself. There is something kind of je ne sais quoi in having a beater De Rosa.
They aren't as pretty, no question, but they do have a more industrial, practical beauty.
07-03-12, 06:39 AM
#8
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Or you could get a titanium De Rosa! I'll tell you this much - titanium bikes are wonderful for ease of use and, like steel, when done right they have a fantastic ride. I LOVE my Merlin.
They aren't as pretty, no question, but they do have a more industrial, practical beauty.
They aren't as pretty, no question, but they do have a more industrial, practical beauty.
You were fortunate to hop on an exceptional value.
I'll get around to another titanium bicycle, but I will tread carefully.
They aren't all up to the Titanio or Merlin's ride standards.
I had a Merckx that was a limp noodle and the fellow I sold it to has already passed it along for the same reason.
The one that I have my eye out for is a Serotta Legend ti like Buldogge's.
Agreed though on the beauty, as my Merckx frameset was a real looker.
07-03-12, 07:13 AM
#9
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A lot of folks disagree with me, but I'm basing this statement on personal experiences and what I've heard a LOT of other riders say; if you go the titanium route, stick to the major names. Ti is harder to work with and, since there is less experience in cycling with it as a material, I think requires more specialization and knowledge. I would stick to titanium from Merlin, Seven, Serotta, Moots, Lynskey, Passoni, Eriksen, Black Sheep and De Rosa.
07-03-12, 07:45 AM
#10
Senior Member
That is a beauty but I think that rust is going to need more than some touch-up paint, it looks like it goes pretty deep from the photos. Since you obviously like the bike so much, I don't think another $500 into a nice paint job is too far out there. Hot Tubes has a great reputation, Marinoni is another good choice and they are a lot cheaper.
07-03-12, 07:32 PM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the comments guys! Yeah, I really like this bike. I like it more than my Cinelli sc. I rode the De Rosa to work today; a short commute of 3 miles and then 5 more over to my parents' for dinner. Sweet riding bike. Tomorrow I'll get up early and sneak a 30 miler in before the family wakes up. I don't have the funds right now to throw down $500 for the rust treatment/paint job it needs so badly. After a repaint you know I'm going to want to get the parts all spec'd out right: no more ultegra brakes, Mavic 305 headset, 600 brake levers- campy chorus/record everything. I'm not making my life any less expensive going down this tubular tire road either. I think you are right, I will start saving the pennies for that frame and repaint. Probably next spring. I'll take some pics and share my impressions about the current set up tomorrow.
07-04-12, 08:04 AM
#13
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For now I'm probably just going to sand the bottom of the top tube in a couple of spots and touch up the paint. I have procrastinated doing this. I was toying with the idea of having it professionally painted by Circle A Cycles here in Providence or maybe Hot Tubes in Mass. That would probably run me about $500. I only paid $500 for the bike complete a little over a year ago. It would be nice to have piece of mind about the rust, inside and out. It has a seized H2O bolt on the seat tube which I wouldn't mind having removed either. (sic the awful cage there, but it works). I really had to battle to get the stem out when I purchased the bike, but was successful with no damage to stem or frame. I made sure I pulled and greased it again this winter!
My next bike project probably will be titanium. I used to sneer at all the rich middle aged guys at the shop who would trade in their beautiful lugged Grandis, Colnago and Olmo frames for Seven, Merlin and Litespeed. But now my views are more circumspect; and since all my current bikes are steel, I'm thinking I could use a rust free change of pace myself. There is something kind of je ne sais quoi in having a beater De Rosa.
My next bike project probably will be titanium. I used to sneer at all the rich middle aged guys at the shop who would trade in their beautiful lugged Grandis, Colnago and Olmo frames for Seven, Merlin and Litespeed. But now my views are more circumspect; and since all my current bikes are steel, I'm thinking I could use a rust free change of pace myself. There is something kind of je ne sais quoi in having a beater De Rosa.
07-04-12, 08:27 AM
#14
vintage motor
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Really check out the extent of the rust before putting any more money into it.
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