DE ROSA NUOVO CLASSICO

The pre-eminent framebuilding dynasty still knows its roots

MODEL De Rosa Nuovo Classico FRAME AND FORK Lugged Dedacciai 01; 1in threaded lugged steel GROUPSET Campagnolo Super Record 2013 GEARING 52/36t chainset; 11-25t cassette WHEELS Fulcrum Racing Zero TYRES Continental Grand Sport Race 25mm FINISHING KIT Deda Speciale 26 bars, Deda Murex stem, Deda RS01 seatpost, Prologo Scratch 2 T2.0 saddle WEIGHT 8.61kg (56cm) PRICE £2,550 (frameset), approx £5,500 as tested CONTACT i-ride.co.uk

SIMON’S SUMMARY

I know it’s not all about looks, but you really have to hand it to De Rosa – the Nuovo looks absolute dynamite in this rosso red. I could spend all day chatting about the beautifully embossed details on the fork crown and bottom bracket, the polished stay and lugs and its perfectly poised stance, but there is a lot more to it.

I’ve ridden bikes from all the usual materials including steel, but this build struck a perfect balance of smoothness and spring. The steel fork adds around 400g to the build over a carbon one, but the payoff was that the De Rosa descended with aggression, partly due to the extra weight, but also due to the roadholding the fork offers – I could really feel it working underneath me to soak up bumps and hug rough surfaces. It flexed just enough to track corners in a way I normally only experience on a mountain bike.

What would I change? Just a couple of aesthetic issues, really: lose the Fulcrum wheel stickers and opt for polished finishing kit, not matt. And maybe a polished fork like the Condor’s.