Hi CR folks, I recently picked up a DeRosa that looks pretty much identical (just frame and fork) to the blue one on the CR site for DeRosa - both the closeup photos and the catalog shot. Like the catalog bike, it does not have downtube shifter bosses or top tube cable guides. My guess is about 1975-1976, but I suppose it could be somewhere in the 1974 to 1977 zone in theory. Does anyone know the date more specifically? I'm sorting (and purging parts) and want to get the date right for the bits I put aside. What drew me to the frame is that it is built with much better care than the 1972-1973 model I sold a few years back. Filing is nice, the bb looks to be nicely done, and it doesn't have the hidous brazing glitches that have turned me off of other early DeRosa bikes (although in some ways this one is less cool in appearance). Oh - and mine is pretty small, about 51 or so to top. Paint condition is lousy but still bearly presentable I suppose. If anyone has a larger one to trade (must be just about the same thing - nicely built but ugly DeRosa of same time period is only trade I'm interested in) I'd like to talk. Most likely not and it will be the vintage ride machine for my kids as they grew into (and then probably out of) it.
Mike Kone in Boulder CO