SJX426 

sheddle The 1R may be clicking at the stem/steerer interface. I was interested in understanding what the torque should be on that bolt. I looked up 6mm bolt and it looks like 7 n-m.

I actually thing that the location of the break makes sense. There isn't much material at that location and the transition from the ramp feature to the clamp above and below it is less than optimal for force distribution. If it were made of rubber, most of the force would be applied around the ramp feature on the HB side. The rest would be marginal. The only significant advantage of all that surface area are the serrations to keep the bar from rotating. Speaking of which.....

I went for the maiden ride today, covered 15 miles, most of which were on a MUP. The MUP goes along the Fredericksburg Canal which has lots of trees along the way. The pavement has a number of areas where the roots have lifted the pavement. If you don't hang on tight, it can throw your hands off the bars. The impact and shocks going over them did not result in any movement of the HB with the reduced clamping area. I am sure it will be alright. The tires were pumped up to 150 psi and a bit hard.

Oh and the ride was flawless! No adjustments needed. Felt like home! that is to say, Much like the Pinarello! Nasty statement, no? Were Ugo and Giovani friends? I certainly don't need the higher gears of this set up. A compact chain set of 50/34 would be an improvement.

SJX426 

Another ride was planned for yesterday. Pumped up the tires.... Well the front would not hold the pressure. Stuck it in the sink and a small stream of bubbles showed up. Small hole.
P1030563 , on Flickr

Since the tires came with the wheels set, they are expendable. They are Continental Sprinters with the rear having worn down to a smooth center section. Since a couple of new tubulars were in the stash, the rear will be a back up. Welll.....

It took me nearly 45 min to remove the tires from the rims. Contact cement was used instead of a typical tubular glue. Surprisingly the base tape did not seperate as the tire was removed. The front rim looked like it was a manageable clean up.
P1030561, on Flickr

The rear was a totally different presented challenge.
P1030562, on Flickr

The brass 8" wire wheel always served well to remove glue on rims. This time it clogged up with glue! So now the wheel needs to be cleaned as well . The acetone gallon can was nearly empty. Retrieved a replacement from Home Depot.

You can help me choose the replacement tires. There are two to choose from. Italian
P1030565, on Flickr

Or
P1030564, on Flickr

Decided on water bottle cages. Didn't go with the modern look but a compromise.
P1030566, on Flickr

There is another choice on tires but they are not gum walls, which is the preference.

jiangshi

Do the 27c tires fit on the rear without deflating them to clear the seat tube? My Professional is a 54.5, and I have to deflate the tire to get anything larger than a 23c into the dropouts.

Also, is there a reason you run at such high psi? I use tubulars so I can run them at lower psi, to help smooth out the rough roads where I am. No pinch flats with tubulars.

SJX426 

Yes, no clearance issue. I have to rotate the RD all the way back. This is true for most of the shorter wheel base rides.
The Conti's measured 22 mm in width as are the Vittoria's. The Challenge tires measure 26mm and clears easily.
I ran them at 150 based on the 170 max on the tires. The ride was not as harsh as I expected. The pressure run on the clinchers of the Pinarello are 135 front and 140 rear. They are more compliant at this pressure then at 120/115. Strange experience.
Obviously these are tubulars. I am in the process of converting everything to tubulars that are fast road bikes (Italians)!

I may save the Challenge set for another ride, Trek 760 or the 610. I don't mind running 21, 22 or 23's. Afraid to experience a plush ride!

jiangshi

I run my tubulars at 80-90 lbs. I'm about 175lbs. The ride is great.

SJX426 

did a very short comparison ride between the Pinarello and the DR Pro. Definately need to adjust the Pin Ergo's. The Saddle was more comfortable too, a Brooks Pro.
I had two choices, a White Pro or a black Swallow. Neither are used and are not broken in.
After much deliberation, I decided to try the Swallow for thre reasons. First is it is very classy looking, I believe the design has not changed since about 1936. Found a statement saying it was the most compliant out of the box. Third was its very black color. I think it looks pretty good and it rides very comfortably. May need to make a couple of angle adjustments.
P1030593, on Flickr

Probably will post one more time when the new skewers show up.

gomango

I'm down to 190 lbs and I run at the same pressure.

@sx426 Starbike has Veloflex Vlanderens for $63. I really like that tire and I have an extra wheelset for my Della Santa with those on it and they absolutely sing.

Might not fit on your De Rosa, so I would go for Corsas out of your choices. Otherwise, I would order up the Veloflex tires in a heartbeat.

SJX426 

gomango Thanks for the tip. I have the Corsas in Clincher on the Pinarello and really like them. When I was looking for what was in my stock, I ran into the Tubular Corsas! Was kind of a no brainer as I really like them. I have a bout 30 miles on them now and they do not disappoint.

I have been intrigued with the Veloflex but have never seen them on sale at a price I could live with. Since I did the inventory, I have lots to choose from at this point. Not enough built wheels to mount them on! The gnawing feeling of needing to sell what I don't need is growing. I found 26 Tubular rims in my stash! and not quite half as many tubulars.

On another note, The Cinelli 1R showed up today. A duplicate of what is on the DR. I did a spreadsheet of measurements related to fit only and discovered a couple of outliers that need to be addressed. The approach was to measure saddle to pedal axle (saddle height), BB center (vertical) to saddle (offset) and saddle to HB (reach). I did not measure HB drop from saddle. They are all nearly the same.
Now if the best saddle fore/aft location can be determined, I can start looking for the right stems. Have a stash of those too from 70 to 130. Reading about how to locate saddle now. I want to get into a little better shape first. Likely start exploring in a couple of months.

SJX426 

Final touch showed up in the mail today. Matching set of new skewers. I would have preferred a front one like the rear.
P1030550, on Flickr

But at half the price and actually lighter, I got these.
P1030598, on Flickr
Didn;t know about the country of origin.

They look good.
P1030597, on Flickr

Very easy to close. Much easier than any other internal cam skewer in my possession.

SJX426 

Possibly the last entry to this thread. I emailed De Rosa inquiring about the year of the frame set.
1991

jiangshi

That is not correct. Tubular brake bridge and Diamante chain stays point to mid to late 80’s. I have gotten incorrect dates from the factory before.

SJX426 

I was wondering about that.. I specifically sent pics of the bridge and stays.

squirtdad

As I understand it this frame was physically looked at by one or both of Ugo's sons and they said it was 90/91 vintage

jiangshi

Highly unlikely. SJX426 , is there any serial number on the BB shell, or just a generic marking?

Check this old thread from RBR: https://forums.roadbikereview.com/de...ml#post1096529
Also see catalog scans: bulgier.net - /pics/bike/catalogs/

squirtdad

I owned this frame before sjx426 and I got it from a highly knowledgeable, well known and respected forum member. That forum member is the one who told me that the de Rosa boy's looked at the frame and dated it to 90/91. It was at 130mm spaceing and IIRC the previous owner did not cold set, which also suggests 90/91 during transition from 126.

jiangshi

It would be a total outlier. If you are talking about gomango , I have a feeling he would agree with me.

squirtdad

I am indeed speaking of gomango, and unless I am completely screwed up in memory, he told me that the frame have been looked at by the Ugo boys at a bike shop in Minnesota at some point in time and they identified it as a 90/91. I thought it was pretty cool provenance. but no matter what that frames rides great (it was just bit too big for me so that is why it got moved on and that my wife noticed the red and asked which bikes i could get rid of)

SJX426 

jiangshi squirtdad
P1030586, on Flickr
P1030447, on Flickr
IMG_20200224_184538, on Flickr

What are the characteristics of the diamante stays?
P1030440, on Flickr
P1030204, on Flickr

jiangshi

They are diamond shaped, instead of oval. The round brake bridge disappeared in 1989, the microfusion 'bridgeless' bottom bracket shell appeared in 1986. The Diamante stays disappeared in 1988. The engravings on the seat stays changed orientation in 87-88. This is most likely a 1987 frame, give or take a few months either way. I have one slightly older, and also an early 1990's frame.

The year makes no difference, they are lovely riding bikes.

SJX426 

Fully agree! Having a hard time telling the difference from the Pinarello, very similar build and with SLX. Need to get more time on the DR,

gomango

Easy to straighten dating out.

I contacted De Rosa and they said the frame was originally invoiced/dated to 1988.

The local shop confirmed this to me.

Another (former) forum member asserted that this couldn't be true, so I recontacted De Rosa.

They confirmed the 1988-1990 time frame and simply stated "it's a good frame."

They went on to say that the SLX De Rosas rode in a "very similar way."

I never worried one bit about such matters and just rode the bike.

It was one of the nicer riding bikes I have owned.

The fellow I purchased the bike from was the first owner and a state amateur champ in his age group.

He was an absolute beast of a rider.

SJX426 

gomango Could you comment on the previous comments from #86 ? Based on the last comment by jianshi, This appears to be a 88-89 frame set. first is the year range from 86-89, then from 88-89, possibly 87 but that might be a bit unlikely.

I sent an email to Flanders Bro. Cycle who are still in business. Maybe they have records going back to the sales date, hope it wasn't used when they applied the sticker.
P1030446, on Flickr

SJX426 

gomango Thanks!

jiangshi

It’s difficult to tell which style chain stay from the pictures. They look more oval than Diamante in the last set of pictures.

squirtdad

as noted really doesn't matter as it is a great frame, other than I may need to get memory/cognitive check and is is fun to see the different builds this frame has had from different forum members