Readers’ Rig: Scott’s 1989 De Rosa SLX

The late 80s was a time of Classic bikes and De Rosa was making some of the nicest examples of steel artistry. De Rosa frames were something special, Eddy Merckx rode them and Ugo De Rosa gave the Belgian star some lessons on the welding torch. Scott in Washington owns a fine example of De Rosa’s work in Columbus SLX… Enjoy.

Name: Scott Bellamy
Location: Snohomish, Washington, USA
Frame: De Rosa 1989, Professional, 53cm, Columbus SLX steel tubing.
Group: ’89 –’90 Campagnolo C-Record; 52-42 chainring, 13-23 Regina America 7 speed freewheel, Chorus brakes (shop recommendation over the Delta’s and didn’t like the blue “jewel” on the Cobalto’s), Simplex friction shifters (shop recommendation over the Campy).
Handle Bar & Stem: ’90 3T bar, 3T Model 84 quill stem.
Wheels: ’89 Campagnolo Omega Strada Hardox, 36 DT Swiss spokes.
Hubs: Campy C-Record, low flange.
Pedals: Campagnolo Chorus, contemporary (originally had Mavic 646 LMS).
Saddle: Fizik Aliante VS, contemporary (originally had a San Marco Rolls).
Other: Blackburn bottle cage, Benotto bar tape, Contiental GP 4000 tires ’89 Lone Peak saddle bag, Silca frame mount pump (don’t use it any more).
Weight: 20+ ish lbs.

I heart you

When did you buy it?
Bought as a late ’89 on sale frame set. Assembled parts myself late ’89 thru early ’90. The result of my first good paying job out of college. Bought a few parts here and there on a monthly basis. Had the shop, Cyclecraft, Cupertino, CA, (RIP), install the bottom bracket and headset. Shop mechanic used a Chianti wine cork to seal the opening in the bottom of the steering tube.

What made you choose this bike?
It was between a Pinarello and a De Rosa (I’m an Italophile). Went with the De Rosa because of Ugo/Eddie lineage. And I liked the logo.

Head on

Motivation

miscellaneous:
Avocet 30 computer, worked all the way up to 2017, the battery cover plastic warped, could no longer snap it into place.

Change happens

Shifty Frenchman

Have you done any modifications/additions to it?
No planned up grades or mods, just regular maintenance. Want to try and keep it period correct. A while back had to replace the rear hub, found a matching NOS hub on eBay, came from Hungary! Thank you Internet.

Stop stop stop

How many miles/kilometers do you do a year?
Roughly 8,000 miles, but really at this stage in my biking life, it’s not about mileage, it’s about the ride. The De Rosa is a dry weather bike, so the mileage put on it is about three months of the year. I have other bikes (Casati Vola, Hampsten Strada Bianca and Trek XO-1) that fill in the rest of the year.

Wheelin’ and dealin’

Dinner plate and salad plate

What do you love about this bike?
It is fun to compare what was then and what is now. Yes, it is heavy and changing gears needs a bit of for-thought and agility, but once you get up a head of steam the ride is so solid, smooth and comfortable, the way Ugo intended. Also, some ego stroking when a true bike geek geeks out over it and the Campy sculptures.

Where it all begins

Favorite Riding Areas:
In my part of the world there are a number of country roads and a network of Rails-to-Trials, both paved and gravel. Can’t really pick just one, like them all. But, bottom line, favorite riding experience is the RIDE.

Ready to roll – accessorized

Last Words:
It seems like I’ve always had a bike. In college a bike was both transportation, and recreation/stress relief when I needed a break. The bikes were usually mid-range (read: cost effective) bikes. A grand convergence occurred, the starting of my career and viewing the 1989 Tour de France. Those bikes were stunning, the paint jobs and the chrome! I want, I want, I want! I got! And now, not only is it a dream to ride in the here and now, but it also serves as a time machine remembering all the great rides, and not so great rides (what are now called Epic rides) I’ve had in the past. Please excuse the dirt and worn tires, it has been and is ridden, a lot.

The class of ’89

Thanks to Scott for sharing his ride with us. Got a bike that you walk into the room just to stare at? Well how about sharing it with fellow PEZ fans and getting it featured in Readers’ Rigs so we can all stare at it! Send us a Readers’ Rigs submission direct to [email protected] and your bike could be featured in all its glory here on the pages of PEZ.