Delightful Delivery - De Rosa

[Leatherseat]

Look what the courier has just delivered...


Whilst the cat prefers the box, I am a very happy man, working from home, today.
It is a non-original fork (Ahead set up, which I am happy enough with) and Columbus Brain tubing. From my calliper measurements it seems to be Brain OS (oversize), with a top tube and seat tube measuring around 30mm outside diameter (my Columbus SL frame has closer to 26mm top tube).
Lots of measuring, weighing and a bit of a polish then I will start building it up (and buying more bits...).

for the record, the steel fork, with the crown race fitted, measures a chunky 848gm and the frame with headset, bottle cage bolts, seat binder bolt, through frame cable housing and unknown Campag bb fitted is 2,427gms. I'll have to try to work out what those elements weigh.

Currently thinking of a chrome (curved fork), silver stem and seat post, white bar tape and saddle (If I can find one without spending too much). Any other colour co-ordination suggestions?

I've a Campag 10 speed groupset to go on (mixed) for a retro-mod build that I will actually ride.

More to follow.

David

 

[Nob]

Cat is the QA/QC Inspector

 

[Hawmaw]

Re:

Is this the frame that was for sale on Gumtree Glasgow ? Looks similar but the sellers photos weren't great. If it is I nearly went for it as the seller lives near to me but I decided I could do without another frame ! Looks good but certainly needs a curved fork.

 

[Leatherseat]

Hi MacRetro Rider,
It may well be the same frame. I got it from Ebay, delivered from Scotland. The sellers description and photos were very limited, but there was so little interest, I thought I'd take a punt. I certainly don't need another frame, but have always fancy a De Rosa.

It was very well packed and is in pretty good order - some bad cable rub at the head tube, plenty of paint chips and I have been unable to get the bottom bracket out (not that I've tried with particularly long levers etc).
I'm just building it up to see how it rides, then will probably strip it down and may get it resprayed (perhaps at Vernon Barker or Bob Jackson).

Fully agree on the fork. I like it being A-head, but need to decide if I go chromed, or painted steel, or perhaps a Columbus Minimal fork (carbon), which may be the way to go for a net-retro build. Decisions, decisions. It has given me an excuse to pore over Google images looking at De Rosa could schemes.

Best,

David

 

[Leatherseat]

Re:

I have built the bike up, to see how it rides. I've just had brief 2 mile 'round the block' ride to check brakes, gears etc, but enjoyed it. More work to be done and more bits to change (fork being the main one). It needs the bottom part of the headset changing, which I'll do when I get a new fork, to get the crown race fitted to. Rear brake cable housing needs shortening, too.



It is three or four years since I last built up a new bike. I had forgotten some of the stuff I had stashed away (Chorus Ultra torque cranks, Chris King and Record 1inch headsets, etc). I am now surfing Ebay with a vengeance looking for a new seat post, a white SLR saddle, some 25mm tan wall winter tyres and a new fork.


For the record, it came as a size '59'. I believe this reflects the De Rosa measuring system of top of bb, to top of seat tube. This equates to 60cm centre to top, with a 57.5cm top tube and a 17cm head tube.
Enjoying myself. I'll post more pics once changes are made.

David