Actually its Mario Confente frames - post his Masi career that are so super rare. But, there are 135 of them out there (OK, a few lost in crashes). There were very few of these DeRosa bikes brought into the country - they are much more rare! Its supply and demand. DeRosa is by anybodys account one of the great Italian bikes, so given that so few came here, the value makes sense.
Of course by late 70's, DeRosas were plentiful compared to either - but those bikes aren't worth the big bucks.
Now despite the value of the DeRosa, the build quality on the one I had and others I've heard about is just plain stinky in places - almost comical compared to a Confente.
So maybe in terms of scarcity, the DeRosa is the holy grail of Italian bikes from the early 70's period.
Now in my mind none of these bikes are the holy grail - but we all like different things.
Mike Kone in Boulder CO
>
\r?\n> Well, subject line says nearly all. I was lead to
\r?\n> believe that the (Mario) Confete Masi was the "holy
\r?\n> grail" of bicycles?
\r?\n>
\r?\n> What am I missing here with regards to the history of
\r?\n> this DeRosa bicycle?
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Ted Baer
\r?\n> Palo Alto, CA