Vintage De Rosa versus Kessels bicycle.
Period 1977 - 1978, Fiat en C&A

Year
1977
Model
derosa
Info
Italy
Comments
Trying to compare the 77 - 78 De Rosa and Kessels (S.Henry)
Trying to compare the 77 - 78 De Rosa and Kessels frame details
is not easy to do. The most reliable indicator is the bottom brackets of the
respective brands. I have several examples of both De Rosa and Kessels from
1973 - 1978 and I make the following comments:
1. The fork tang you have identified as being used by Kessels has also been
used on the majority of De Rosa forks that I have in my possession. Only one
of my circa 1978 De Rosa's uses the fork tang variant you have identified as
De Rosa. The remainder appear to be identical to your Kessels picture. :(
2. Seatstay termination at lug - Kessels used several frame builders and
they used a variety Seatstay termination at lug styles. One Kessels style is
very similar to that shown for your De Rosa albeit not quite as long as De
Rosa's termination length. My 1978 De Rosa has a more elliptical style as per
you have shown for your Kessels Seatstay termination at lug photo. Once
again, the De Rosa is larger in length with the the Kessels lug being approx
36 mm vs 46 mm for the De Rosa lug termination.
3. The Seat stay lug you have pictured for the Kessels is very similar /
identical to that used on 71 - 73(4?) De Rosa frames.
4. The Kessels fork crown that you have pictured does not resemble any
examples that I possess. Mine are all flat at the top with the compass symbol
embossed on the top of the crowns. Kessels did supply different fork crowns
however and your pictured example may be one of those.
5. Brake bridge lugs - My 78 De Rosa has the same brake bridge lugs as you
have shown in your Kessels photo.
So, in summary, looking at the bottom bracket is the best place to start when
looking at frames of the articles vintage. :)