I am looking for a rossin record or team frame from 1984-86 to turn into a project .most would have been on campag super record etc but I want to fit a newer groupset maybe chorus. I want the bike to be easier to ride so 7-8 sprockets on the back if possible. I have read in some posts these frames often had narrower wheels with dropouts having 126mm instead of 130mm clearance.

I would like to stick with an sti.style gear change on the bars for convenience if possible.

For me the project is about the frame not the whole bike, so I'm prepared to go newer on the parts including dura ace

Any suggestions ?

Hello Steve welcome to the forums. So you want an 85ish frame but want gearing more like the early '90s. There is actually a whoe thread dedicated to this type of project. The only thing you really need to do is find a good shop to coldset (spread and realign the rear dropouts) and your good to go.

The hard part will be finding a frame, Rossin is one of the names that like DeRosa, Colnago, and Bianchi command a preium for nice ones. And actually I see far more Colnagos for sale that Rossins. I don't know if that means they sold many more Colnagos or Rossin owners don't part with them.

Look over this thread for some inspiration https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ldies+with+sti

Some of us go the other way and take a new frame and build it 'old school' https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ldies+with+sti

When I started racing about 1985 I bought a second hand Rossin Team frame from an ex pro who came back from racing in Belgium. He sold me the frame and a spare set of wheels for £80 ( I was 13 at the time and it seemed like a lot to me). I built the Rossin up with second hand parts that I could buy and some parts donated by team members over 6 months. (That bike was polished to perfection during that 6 month period). I raced that bike until I was 19 at which time I was outgrowing the Rossin. For some reason I traded it in for a 22" Raleigh Road frame in Reynolds 531. I have lived to regret that for soo long that I have decided to get another Rossin Team frame and build a bike.

This is another I have found online that looks like my old frame:
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCCvgD4TN5...sin%2B0501.jpg


At the time I traded the Rossin in (1991) it was on Shimano Dura Ace ( I think 6 sp cassette but my memory is hazy here), mix of other parts Campagnolo Aero seat pin (most people had these) , probably Shimano 600 brakes, chainset, and the wheels were Miche hubs with Mavic GP4 rims and Tubs.

This was before STI etc . I want to get the frame exactly how I had it for me that is the passion behind this, the groupset etc I am flexible on but I do want to be able to ride it and its hilly here so more than 6 sprockets on the back would be good and a modern set of shifters make life easier. I prefer the concealed cable look rather than the early shifters where the cables come out of the side of the brake hoods.



So step 1 is to find the frame, I have a decent repair shop lined up (Argos Cycles in Bristol, I will ask them about the rear spacing, and expanding this)


Any recommendations on groupset would be appreciated , but its going to have to be second hand ebay etc .

thanks again for any replies

I would also recommend cold setting the frame to accept a 130mm hub. If it were me, I would dress the bike in any of the silver Campagnolo 10spd groups. They are cheap, durable, and look right on a steel bike.

if you are against cold setting (some are) I would recommend Campagnolo 8spd shifting over a shimano spaced (5mm) 7spd cassette/freewheel. The shifting is perfect and it will fit a 126mm frame.

Second hand ebay for components to build = expensive route. Think finding a donor bike, with a group you like, then move it en mase to your Rossin. It also eliminates most of any compatibility issues as you know the group works well together on one bike (exception for bb, seat post and hs, those are frame and COO dependent). One problem with a donor bike is if you are going to have a shop do all the work, it can run up some significant labor charges.

As you plan to have a shop do the work, talk to them about what groups to use and they may have something in hand that works.

Since you are desiring a specific model and size, be prepared to pay a premium, and ship from wherever. Also be open to a complete bike, even if the parts are not what you want, the sale of those surplus parts can help offset part of the cost. I try to avoid locking into a specific model. In the one case I did, I paid a premium for sure, and bought a complete bike with components I did not want. I also had it shipped a fair distance, and the seller did a mediocre job packing it.

Agreed. Slowly collecting parts off forums and Craigslist can also be just as cheap but as noted, you have to watch compatibility. If you end up with campy 8-10spd feel free to contact me. I've worked through nearly every part combination. There are some fun options.

I should also be noted that shimano just recently concealed their cable housing. Campagnolo always has. SRAM also as concealed cable but they have not been in the road market as long.

I dont mind campag at all, I never had it when I was racing but that was just because of cost at the time and what was available. The shop I have lined up would be for the frame only, I will try and do as much of the rest as possible to keep costs down.

8 Spd would be fine for me so which of the Campag groupsets would start with a STI option ? or once I get the frame if we coldset it what options does that open up groupset wise ?

Here is something I saw online, its not the right frame but groupset wise its got a nice look, although the shifters seem to have a small lever on the inside of the hoods



So if you have any parts you think might suit send me a picture with what you want and I would be open to suggestions or if you see anything online for sale please send me a link.

thanks

Steve

What size Rossin are you seeking?

I'm looking for something around 54-56cm I'm 5'9 and average dimensions

Read the thread posted by BG, you will see many of us have used a variety of speeds and component groups on vintage frames. Myself, the move from 6/7 speed (126mm) to 8/9/10 speed (130mm) does not require a coldset. You are talking just 2mm per side. I have put various Shimano 8/9 speed STI groups on several bikes that came with 126mm spacing. I'm working on another one right now.

Its really about your budget, and what you find. Rarely have I singled out a particular group, instead, I have remained flexible and ended up with what I have found. Flexibility = lower cost.

Here is the frame I have now, I havent managed toc onfirm whether the paint is original, it has some unusual features though such as race number hanger and cable guides along the side of the top tube. The race number hangers normally appear on the team frames but I have come across nothing in this paint scheme.

It has the other normal features, "R" cutout on BB and cable guides under BB.
"R" on lug bottom of headtube
"R" in pentagon on Brake bridge
"Rossin" on seat stays
"R" in pentagon on top of fork crown

Most of these are early 80's features, its labelled SLX but I think its probably SL looking at the BB and rest of the frame

I would appreciate any comments or feedback on possible age , origins ? S/N = K1 210