Frameset Blue 1980’s – 54.5 cm
This is a lugged Columbus steel road racing frame and matching fork from fabled Milanese constructor Ugo De Rosa, dating from the early 1980s, at which time they were the frame of choice for the Sammontana professional racing team. Commonly such a frame would have been finished in a paler hue of blue, but when we entrusted this used-but-still-excellent example to our master framebuilder for a proper refurbishment, we elected to have him repaint it in this tasteful and somewhat darker shade, known as ‘Gentian’, after the vividly coloured alpine flowers.
The immaculate metallic paintwork sports a fresh set of authentic decals, with yellow lettering and oh-so-Eighties graphic accents in yellow, orange and red. The decals are protected beneath a final top coat of clear lacquer, for a shimmering shine and increased longevity.
The flat topped fork crown is chrome plated, as is the drive side chain stay and the mounting faces of the Campagnolo rear drop outs. We have picked out a couple of the lug details around the bottom bracket casting in contrasting yellow enamel, and also the delicate stars filed out of the reinforcing tangs down the inner faces of the upper fork blades. In addition to the De Rosa signature ‘Diamond’ cross-section chain stays, the frame has braze-ons for external cable routing, a single water bottle, and the mounting point for the front derailleur. The next lucky owner is encouraged to build it up with a period correct collection of quality components from the likes of Campagnolo and Cinelli, and head out for fast rides in the spirit of the hugely successful Moreno ‘Il Capo’ Argentin, the star rider of the Sammontana pro team, who became Italian National Champion in 1983 upon a similar De Rosa.
Frame Size/Seat tube: 54.5 cm ct. – ct. (56 cm top tube)
Top tube Length: 54.5 cm
Head tube: 132 mm
Fork: 1″ Threaded
Fork Shaft: 172 mm
Rear spacing: 126mm
Seatpost diameter: 27.2mm
Columbus SL Tubes
Headset is machined and only for picture purposes.
