David G. White wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Like many, I've long desired a De Rosa. I'd love to find one from
> the early 70s, but I've never even seen one of that vintage large
> enough (I need at minimum 63cm ctc), let alone having a chance to
> buy it. But I just bought one that the seller says is from 1982.
> He admits that he is not sure about the date and is relying on the
> opinions of others. I'm no expert on De Rosas and hope others can
> help confirm or refute the date.
>
> The bike has not yet arrived. I only have the photos the seller
> provided which can be seen on my Wool Jersey gallery site (thanks
> Morgan!) <http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/David-G-Whites-Bikes/>.
>
> Unfortunately most of the components are not original, so they
> can't be relied on to help with dating the frame. I've checked the
> catalogs on Mark Bulgier's site (thanks Mark!). But the two
> catalogs that might be applicable are not dated.
>
> Some clues that are visible on the frame:
>
> * derailleur cables beneath the BB
> * braze-on top tube cable guides for the rear brake cable
> * braze on front derailleur
> * the headset looks C-Record era (but who knows if it's original to
> the frame?)
>
> If you know what year or era this is from, do you know what
> components would have been on it originally?
>
> Any and all help will be much appreciated.
>
> David G. White
> Burlington, VT
David, here's the catalog dates...
De Rosa mid-1970s catalog:
http://bulgier.net/
Based on the Super Prestige decal on the top tube and the two chrome chain stays it matches the Professional SLX in the 1986 catalog. Doesn't match the 1988 catalog. 1982 sounds early but possible (is there an SLX tube decal?). I had a very early 80s and it had different style decals than yours.
The '86 catalog shows the Professional SLX Road model (your bike) equipped with either full C-Record group or full Super Record group.
C-Record equipped:
http://bulgier.net/
De Rosas were mostly sold as frame sets in the US back then, not as complete bikes.
I currently ride (among other things) a Super Record equipped Ugo Team Blue Pro SLX like shown in the 1988 catalog and love it to death!
Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California
.