From steel to aluminum, then titanium... now carbon. King, the evolution of technology from De Rosa is designed for the rider in pursuit of maximum performance and unrivaled comfort. De Rosa''s experience, and the most advance technology has created the ultimate in carbon.
Strengths: Light, stiff, high quality, looks cool.
Weaknesses: I don't really care for the stick on decals over the clear coat, but is' a minor issue
Bottom Line:
Last year I got rid of my Orbea Orca because I really didn't like the ride. I switched back to steel with a wonderful Colnago Masterlight. I really wanted a lighter bike for climbing and race days, and to use the Colnago for longer rides. I found a 2006 De Rosa King with full Campy 10spd in Craigslist. The bike is amazing. Very quick, agile, comfortable and best of all cool looking. What amazes me most is how quick you can accelerate this bike. It gets up to speed quick and is very stable at high speeds. It's not quite as plush as the Colnago, but very smooth for a stiff carbon bike. Right now it's my favorite ride and it's my first choice for fast rides and climbing.
Strengths: It's light, but really well balanced. Comfortable, yet stiff. I know it's an oxymoron to usually put those two descriptives together, but it's true.
Weaknesses: I have an esthetic issue with the bike. I know the target weight is under 1000g for the frame. In order to achieve it there is no clear coat over the frame and graphics. The logos and graphics are stickers, and beg to be peeled off.
Bottom Line:
This bike is amazing. Over rough road it feels more like a Ti bike, yet it is stiff when you sprint and allows you to descend like the bike is on rails. It's not as fast as my Merckx AXM, but I could and would ride a century with the King 3.
Strengths: Stiffness...this bike will let you peddle as hard as you can and give you the response in return
Weaknesses: still looking...
Bottom Line:
Just bought the bike with Campy Record, Boras set up. i used to ride a ti bike with chorus set up. i am amazed at the responsiveness of the bike. When you push hard on the crank it fires off the line, surprised the rubber holds on to the ground. The one low review isn't even for this bike...it is an older model that is totally different. It is a beautiful bike...was looking at the Pinerallo Prince, Colnago C-50 and Cervelo...came down to fit at the end of the day...
Similar Products Used: Pinerallo Prince, C50, Look 595 (they are all in the elite class, it really depends on what bike fits you best - i wanted the Prince going into it but the bike was too tall for my frame).
Bike Setup: Campy Records
Campy Boras
Zero100 Stem
Fizick seat
Strengths: Turns Heads
Smooth Ride
Handles like it is on rails
Italian Attitude
Stiff in exactly the right places
Mid Engine Positioning
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
I have to admit; it took me time to fall in love with this frame; about 9.7 seconds -- the time it took to accelerate from zero to twenty. Yes, this frame is all about subtleties: baby-bottom smooth ride, on the spot acceleration, sports car handling, and Italian flare. The longer you ride, the more you appreciate the R&D that went into this frame and Ugo's mastery of modern materials.
Unlike mass-produced frame manufacturers, De Rosa allows only the finest shops in the world to represent its frames. This strict selection process ensures that your bike is properly fit -- a good fitting means everything when it comes to comfort and performance. Also, De Rosa has the reserve to only produce and sell what it knows -- frames and forks. (BTW, contrary to popular belief, the King is NOT mass-produced in Asia; all King frames are manufactured in Italy).
Buy a Giant if you're seeking bang for your buck (you won't find a 1:1 with De Rosa -- $1 of bike for every $1 spent). If you are one to appreciate subtle ride characteristics, however, I can't think of a single frame I'd rather own.
Weaknesses: Paintwork & masking, Headset don't sit square, De Rosa seat pins explode,Speed wobbles, poor handling. Prone to crack around headset.
Bottom Line:
Sold Pinarello Prince SL to purchase De Rosa King Xlight after hearing about the raves. Waited 4 mths for the frame. First the seat pin exploded after only 20 mls riding then during a decent it wobbled, buckaroo'd then threw me off. I've now handed the King in PX for a Litespeed Ghisallo which I'm waiitng on delivery. I'm totally disapointed in De Rosa as the quality of the paintwork is not a what you would expect for a 2k+ frame. The masking of the gold strips was a total aborsion. My record hidden headset sat on the wonk and the back wheel was a nightmare to fit.
Mr Ugo De Rosa wont be getting any more of my hard earned money. Total pants !!!! AVOID
I've got one on the way. I guess I'm shallow paying this much for a bottle cage!
[url=http://moots.myshopify.com/collections/accessories/products/king-cage-water-bottle-cage]Mo Read More »
Hello all,
Love or hate the team, I fell in love with the original paint De Rosa did for Rock Racing, and have looked for an ex team frame since then... and finally have one and Read More »
[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Biscuit_Boy"]King Biscuit Boy[/URL] popped into my head for some mysterious reason known only to my synapses--
--only to find out that he Read More »
Oh, no.
I want you to know this morning that I’m a sinner like all of God’s children. But I want to be a good man.
And I want to hear a voice saying to me one day, "I take you Read More »
Just wondering if anyone has laced any up yet. I am leaning towards using them on my next build. I know they just started shipping them about a month ago. I run King on all my m Read More »
