De Rosa Protos build project near completion

[RacerBice]

I can see some light in the tunnel. Months and months again have passed as I have been looking for, and taking decisions on components and then waiting for deliveries. But now I'm almost there. This is from my bikefit the other day at the local shop in Stockholm, Sweden. All that now remains is cutting the steering tube, and changing the provisional garbage seat-post (there only for purposes of the bikefit) to the permanent one (Ritchey WCS Carbon).

It looked plain in catalogue and online pictures, so this really felt like something of a gamble. But in the flesh, Protos is simply stunning in white with its silky matte finish and all those subtle (and endless, in number) angular lines and curves all over the design. I have spent hours just gazing at all detailing of the frame. To me, the complete Protos package really stands out as unique in so many ways. And it's the simplistic layout along with a rather conventional geometry that does the trick. And the bottom bracket. Man, the bottom bracket.....

I don't regret for one second having resisted the aero trend. Not even after recent launch of the SK Pininfarina.

[RacerBice]

Hmmm....the image won't upload. What am I doing wrong with the BBCode [img] tag?

[Norregard]

You have to use the link ending in .jpg (http://s8.postimg.org/r067bi4kz/DSC_2600.jpg) instead of the link you used, although you might need to downsize before posting because that image is HUGE!

[Zurcho]

I LOVE the looks of the Protos! Nice choice. I'd be curious to hear a ride report once you've had chance to get out a bit on it.

What seat post is that?

[bencolem]

Looks fantastic - but I don't like those chainrings, spoils the look!

[BlackMadone]

Are you building it with Athena?

[RacerBice]

Looks fantastic - but I don't like those chainrings, spoils the look!

Because they're polished aluminium, you mean....? Well, I personally hate all-black bike components. Looks mainstream, dull, and CHEAP. Whereas the carbon look of the crank arms works fine. Thanks, though, for general compliment.

[tbrix]

WOW! That looks incredible! Love the mix of black and silver components, and the silver spokes on the wheels. The glossy red saddle shouldn't work, but somehow it does. Can't wait to see it finished.

[RacerBice]

Are you building it with Athena?

No, actually only brake calipers in Athena. While trying to keep weight down if possible, my main priority has actually been styling. And as I mentioned in comment above, I hate all-black components. So I have been on a rampant chase after quality gear in polished finish, with the "right" design. And Athena derailleurs, for instance, simply don't do it for me. Right now, I therefore have a senseless mix of stuff on there. Apart from the Athena calipers, there is Centaur ergopowers (old generation 10-speed, with brilliant shift precision of Super Records - unlike cheaper Campa series of more recent generations - but a solid quality feel from aluminum controls rather than plastic/carbon), Chorus rear derailleur with red Token pulleys, Chorus front derailleur, dated Record UT crank arms with old-fashioned shiny chainrings plus new red Token chainring bolts, and red Chris King R45 hubs. Some of this is not to everyone's taste, I know that. And I have deliberately made some sacrifizes in terms of weight, which objectively may certainly be categorized as stupid considering the senseless money I have spent on this project...... But I myself love the look of every little detail now, so I'm happy nonetheless.

[RacerBice]

Thanks, tbrix! So it's not just me, then. As for the saddle, it was instant love already when I first saw a picture of it and I simply had to have it (I had seen and tried other SMP's before, but never the red all-carbon one without any stuffing). Still nothing like seeing it in the flesh, though. When it finally arrived after the standard Italian delivery lead time (which seems to always count in months), I went bonkers and I still can't stop staring at it. It's bike porn like nothing else....!

[tbrix]

Ha, I love it. High risk high reward.

So, what colour bar tape...?

[RacerBice]

Ehrm....I am actually leaning towards no bar tape at all. Have you seen the 3T Aeronova bars? Speaking of bike porn, I mean....

Btw, if my rusty German is not completely off, bike.de seemed to favour your Basso Diamante (lovely!) over Protos.

[RacerBice]

I LOVE the looks of the Protos! Nice choice. I'd be curious to hear a ride report once you've had chance to get out a bit on it.

What seat post is that?

Don't know, actually. It was my guy at the shop who put it there temporarily, just because I didn't want scratches on my new, carbon seatpost from jacking it up and down during bikefit.

[BlackMadone]

Great!

[SLCBrandon]

I for one applaud you for making the choices you did, based solely on what you like and for well thought out reasons. Good for you.