De Rosa Primato – 1997

The Bike

It is a 1997 de Rosa Primato

It is constructed of Columbus EL tubing

It is pearl white in color

It is all 1997 Campagnolo Record Group

It has a Cinelli Gramo stem

It is a size 57cm square

It has Campagnolo Omega tubular rims with Veloflex Critierium tubular tires

Cranks are 175's

Cinelli bar tape

NOS Regal Saddle with Ti rails

It has a 13-26 cassette 9spd. Of course ergo levers

The pedals are NOS 1997 Campagnolo-Look design.

The Story

The bike originally was purchased by a friend of mine who used to ride with us however he passed away from serious illness. We the group were all very close to him and his family. The bike lay in his garage for at least 2 years and I inquired about it. The bike color was originally purple in color. The offering from de Rosa in that model that year was plum and red. I went to see the bike and it broke my heart just seeing it there all dirty and decals coming off. I rescued the bike from his wife and immediately took everything apart. I had ever part screw everything professionally cleaned. The bike never really had many miles on it. I even had the hubs sent to Ray Dobbins in Florida to have them worked over and polished. Anyway then I had the frame sent to Cycle Arte in California and had it completely stripped and repainted. The paint job alone was $1,100.00. The bike came back PERFECT. Everybody stops and stares at it. The pearl white is just the best color for that bike. I have ridden the bike twice in two years and I think it has about 20 miles on it to date.

Les, thanks a lot and many greetings to USA!

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Dear De Rosa fans, in case you want to contribute to my blog feel free to send in your photos, stories, articles, illustrations etc. related to De Rosa. Looking forward to your mails, Marcello