dharring67

This is my first post and I am excited to be in the forum. I just picked up a NOS De Rosa frame that says Giro on it. I have not been able to id color or the fact that it does not have internal cable routing. It is panto-ed w hearts. and the sn says something like DC 50 on the bb.

It has campy c record rear der and shifters
It has a suntour front der
nuovo record crankset and hubs
chorus seatpost, calipers and levers

I don't want to drop too much more money into this but I would like to standardize on the gruppo and sell off the old parts

First, does the bike look like a respray (doesn't to me but you guys are the experts) and also, does it look like a de rosa
Second, what gruppo should I standardize on?

Thank you all.....

Kactus

Nice bike. Please provide us with more photos showing details. The Columbus Brain tubing on your bike was introduced in the early 90's so I would go with 8 or 9 speed Campy Chorus if it were my bike.

You say that you have Campy NR hubs. I would think that your rear spacing is 130mm making you squeeze the rear stays together to fit them.

dharring67

good question re the hubs....they have a 7 sp cluster on it

gioscinelli 

Welcome to BF! Will need photo's on the right side profile, close up on hubs, cranks and shifters. The De Rosa looks awesome as a keeper or to sell for a some buckaroo's.

dharring67

I finally got the rest of the pictures taken. Any suggestions on gruppo and year of the bike is helpful.

howsteepisit

Does not appear to be new old stock (nos) to me, looking at the chain wheel mounting bolts, saddle, hubs. OTOH, its really beautiful! I's ride it as it stands.

IthaDan 

Dump the synchros and get some (pointy hood) 8/9s first gen ergos for it. Anything else, barring an alloy 9/10/11 chorus or the like group, wouldn't really do. Keep it in the era. The cranks aren't quite right, but that's not a big thing. Freewheel?

Its easy to cold set a frame of of needs be done.

jiangshi

It's a De Rosa Giro. All original, not a respray. There is a nice 8s group at Paceline.

FS: Chorus 8s group - The Paceline Forum

zukahn1 

While you could dump a tone of money into this one if everything works good the current componets look great. I would keep it as is and change the FD to a Chorus or C record to better match the rear but not realy neccesary.

Wildwood 

+1
Campy throughout. What is there to change? Ride it.

Edit: Upon re-examining the pics, I'd get a nicer seatpost. I have a black one, panto'd 'DeRosa', that doesn't go well with mine. And an English touring saddle belongs on a tourer.

zukahn1 

Well yes I would agree on a nicer more correct seatpost and seat would be nice. But still the ones on it are basically fine. You can't really see a seat/seatpost post when your sitting on a bike and niether can any one looking at you.

Wildwood 

The only bike I ever had with Brain tubing had an ovalized downtube (and was tig welded), but it was quite stiff in a 59cm frame. I'm going to bet that on your smaller frame the main triangle is plenty stiff.

bibliobob

Beauty! I vote for either 8 or 9 Campy..

jiangshi

This was a mid range De Rosa, not the top of the line. It was made with more affordable tubing, but done on the Primato model. It should be a fantastic rider, and a nice looking bike, to boot.

Put a modernish groupset on it and ride it for the next 50 years.

It's a nice bike.

Edit: The seatpost is above the limit line. Don't ride it like that, you could damage the seat tube.

dharring67

What awesome insight everyone....Great suggestions!!!!! Regarding my NOS comment. I meant only the frame. The parts are mish/mash. I like everything (in its own right) except the front derailleur. I think it is kinda crazy that it has 3 different gruppos represented. I don't want to dump a lot of money into since I plan on riding it into the ground (but in a nice way). If I standardize on anything it will cost some bucks since I will have to either switch out the crankset or brakes. For sure the seatpost is on its way out. I will be keeping the seat on it since it was made for my bum and my wife bought it for me as a present many years ago and I love the green leather. I have some green leather cloth tape that is going on the bars this weekend. Thank you again everyone for fantastic advice!!!!!

dharring67

good catch....does campy make a longer seatpost, I wonder....

dharring67

good catch....does campy make a longer seatpost, I wonder....

zukahn1 

You can find campy seatposts and realy nice similar ones from other makers in the common 27.2 size ranging from 150mm to 500mm fairly easily starting at $20 or so online.

cbresciani

Nice bike! I love my De Rosa, I would go with Campy Record 8 Speed Ergo, that's what I have on mine and it's a pleasure to ride. Have fun riding it!

rebel1916

Modern Campy Athena. 11 speed in Alloy. That bike is pretty whatever you decide to do.

gomango

Yes, that's a good idea.

I had 10 speed Chorus on my Giro 'd Italia.

I liked it quite a bit as well.

R3tired

or Veloce 10 sp. just as pretty and only $550 at Velomine. nice bike.

JJScaliger

I would change only the ft derailleur (campy)and maybe the saddle (regal or rolls). Looks awesome otherwise. That reminds me, I need to take my De Rosa for a long overdue ride soon...

Road Fan

There's really no reason not to install Campy 10 or 11 if you want the benefits of a modern gruppo. The bike will work as well with those parts as with any other group set. Campy is in character and I prefer it, but if you like Shimano, go for it.

Regarding this frame and its current setup:

1. The saddle is very high and this may indicate that this frame is too small for you. Getting a taller seat post will make the installation safer, but will not make the frame long enough for you. I can't say it isn't long enough, but you have kind of a huge saddle to bar drop.

2. Saddle choice is very personal, but the B-17 is generally intended for bikes where the handlebar is only a few cm lower than the saddle. if you're going to stay with 4 inches or more, as it looks, you might consider a narrower saddle. Brooks Pro or Swift if you like Brooksies.

3. Your rear wheel is farther back in the slots than was intended. These frames were sold with little adjuster screws that let you set the wheel position for best shifting, and let you consistently align the wheel with the frame when you install it. You can buy OEM or other replacements for the original screws. Hardware store screws will not work very well.

4. I would really assess whether the hub is 130 mm in over-locknut distance, and if that matches your frame (should slip in very easily with not more than a mm or so clearance, at least I believe that was the intention of deRosa when it was new.

5. The frame is rather stiff. My wife's Terry is made with Columbus Brain with 28 mm on all main tubes, and it is stiff, and the ride is a little rough and jittery. She also finds it very responsive.

6. I would not hesitate to put on a modern index system. My point would be to enjoy the frame with parts that I like to use and in the spirit of the frame. I don't see much difference in "spirit" between 8s, 9s, 10s, or 11s road groups, but if you have more gears you are more likely to find the gear you need all the time.

Nice buy, I think the paint is probably original, considering the sharpness of the lug edges. Repaints, especially powder jobs, usually soften those edges.

gomango

Ribble had a Veloce groupset for the low $400s recently.