Della Santa

Quoted message said:

. I was told about Della Santa's relationship with LeMond, but can anyone shed some more light on
this brand?

Well, since no one more knowledgeable has jumped in yet, I can mention that Roland Della Santa is a
major framebuilder. He's been profiled in at least some of the major bike mags over the years, and
he operates out of one of the Western states, I believe. Since you're thinking of buying, be sure
the bike you're looking at is the right size for you.

Joe

[email hidden] (Joseph Kubera) wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

. I was told about Della Santa's relationship with LeMond, but can anyone shed some more light on
this brand?

Well, since no one more knowledgeable has jumped in yet, I can mention that Roland Della Santa is
a major framebuilder. He's been profiled in at least some of the major bike mags over the years,
and he operates out of one of the Western states, I believe. Since you're thinking of buying, be
sure the bike you're looking at is the right size for you.

Agree, Della Santa is one of the premier steel framebuilders, in the same class as Richard Sachs,
Albert Eisentraut, Richard Moon, Rivendell and many others. Della Santa operates out of Reno, NV
(where Greg L grew up) and was a major influence on Greg. For more on Della Santa, see here:
classicrendezvous.comdellasanta main.htmOpen ↗ For more on Greg's relationship with Della
Santa, get a copy of Greg's book....

[email hidden] (bfd) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Agree, Della Santa is one of the premier steel framebuilders, in the same class as Richard Sachs,
Albert Eisentraut, Richard Moon, Rivendell and many others.

How has Grant Petersen (sp?) gained a reputation as a frame builder with Rivendell? He doesn't make
frames, others make them for him, like Match, Waterford, etc. Grant was/is a product manager. That's
not a bad thing, mind you. --Jim

[email hidden] (Meccanico di Bici) wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (bfd) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Agree, Della Santa is one of the premier steel framebuilders, in the same class as Richard
Sachs, Albert Eisentraut, Richard Moon, Rivendell and many others.

How has Grant Petersen (sp?) gained a reputation as a frame builder with Rivendell? He doesn't
make frames, others make them for him, like Match, Waterford, etc. Grant was/is a product manager.
That's not a bad thing, mind you.

True, GP doesn't build his own frames, he only designs them. What GP brings to the table is his
ability to design a frame that probably makes more sense for most riders than the current trend of
compact/integrated headset/big downtube/"smallest is best" cookie cutters frames coming out of
taiwan under an italian name and that is on the market today. GP's design "focus" is more late
70s/early 80s sport touring geometry or 1950s club racer style that has a "fist full of seatpost",
quite contrary to what most shops market/sell/"fit" to today's riders.....GP also has the ability to
find arguably two of the best steel frame builders around - Joe Starck and Curt Goodrich. Add all
that together and Rivendell qualifies, at least to many, as being one of the premier steel
framebuilders....

[email hidden] (bfd) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (Meccanico di Bici) wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (bfd) wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Agree, Della Santa is one of the premier steel framebuilders, in the same class as Richard
Sachs, Albert Eisentraut, Richard Moon, Rivendell and many others.

How has Grant Petersen (sp?) gained a reputation as a frame builder with Rivendell? He doesn't
make frames, others make them for him, like Match, Waterford, etc. Grant was/is a product
manager. That's not a bad thing, mind you.

True, GP doesn't build his own frames, he only designs them. What GP brings to the table is his
ability to design a frame that probably makes more sense for most riders than the current trend of
compact/integrated headset/big downtube/"smallest is best" cookie cutters frames coming out of
taiwan under an italian name and that is on the market today. GP's design "focus" is more late
70s/early 80s sport touring geometry or 1950s club racer style that has a "fist full of seatpost",
quite contrary to what most shops market/sell/"fit" to today's riders.....GP also has the ability
to find arguably two of the best steel frame builders around - Joe Starck and Curt Goodrich. Add
all that together and Rivendell qualifies, at least to many, as being one of the premier steel
framebuilders....

One more thing, in addition to the above, GP will also custom select tubing to match not only his
"criterias", but also a person's individual requirements. This is very similar to what Richard Sachs
and Albert Eisentraut do. The result is you don't get a specific frame sticker, i.e., all Reynolds
5xx or 7xx tubing, but a bike that has a variety of tubing from Reynolds, Columbus, Vitus, Dedacciai
(sp?), True Temper, Starlight and more....

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

True, GP doesn't build his own frames, he only designs them. What GP brings to the table is his
ability to design a frame that probably makes more sense for most riders than the current trend
of compact/integrated headset/big downtube/"smallest is best" cookie cutters frames coming out
of taiwan under an italian name and that is on the market today. GP's design "focus" is more
late 70s/early 80s sport touring geometry or 1950s club racer style that has a "fist full of
seatpost", quite contrary to what most shops market/sell/"fit" to today's riders.....GP also has
the ability to find arguably two of the best steel frame builders around - Joe Starck and Curt
Goodrich. Add all that together and Rivendell qualifies, at least to many, as being one of the
premier steel framebuilders....

One more thing, in addition to the above, GP will also custom select tubing to match not only his
"criterias", but also a person's individual requirements. This is very similar to what Richard
Sachs and Albert Eisentraut do. The result is you don't get a specific frame sticker, i.e., all
Reynolds 5xx or 7xx tubing, but a bike that has a variety of tubing from Reynolds, Columbus,
Vitus, Dedacciai (sp?), True Temper, Starlight and more....

There is no doubt that Rivendell's are good frames, well built by good frame builders. I've
assembled a couple from various previous builders and they were quite nice, indeed. ( unless things
have changed, Grant contracts out his frame production ). I liked what Grant did at Bridgestone, and
what he offers at Rivendell is a great alternative to the marketing driven jive that's flooding
shops today. There are many good builders around the country that offer great "personalized" product
like Rivendell. All I was saying is Grant isn't a framebuilder ( think welding mask and torch in
hand ). He is a damn good product manager, and runs a fine company and has very good people making
his products. --Jim

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Dave Thompson
In my travels, I came across a Della Santa Gran Corsa. I had never seen one before, but it sure was
pretty. It looked to be about 10~15 years old, based on how it was equipped with Campy dt shifters
and 7-speed cogset. I was told about Della Santa's relationship with LeMond, but can anyone shed
some more light on this brand? This bike may be something I want to buy.

--

Roland Della Santa has made 2 frames for me in the past and he is starting on my 3rd frame. I have talked with other builders of Roland’s level such as Sachs and Wygul( Hopefully I that was the proper spelling of his last name) and feel that Roland undercharges for his frame and once ordered you can receive a custom frame in a quarter of the time of his counterparts.
Personally I feel for the quality, price, and time wait Roland Della Santa is best value in a Master Frame Builder in the US, bar none!!

Roland Della Santa is best value in a Master Frame Builder in the

Quoted message said:

US, bar none!!

Even if you disregard the "value" part he's the best for my money.

I've seen & ridden a lot of frames. Fancy lugs, composites, alloy, ti,
- all go out the window the moment you ride a Della Santa. You have arrived.

Jim

Hi,
New to group, but proud owner of a Della Santa Corsa Speciale. I'm wondering what the bike is worth. I came upon it a year ago on ebay and snapped it up. It's Dura Ace grupo with Campy wheels. Down tube mounted shifters. Caramel color. I'm considering doing more touring and may sell it. I might contact Roland and see if there is a collector's market so it could stay in the family. Any thoughts or comments?
Thanks.
Jon.H

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Jim Beam
Roland Della Santa is best value in a Master Frame Builder in the

Quoted message said:

US, bar none!!

Even if you disregard the "value" part he's the best for my money.

I've seen & ridden a lot of frames. Fancy lugs, composites, alloy, ti,
- all go out the window the moment you ride a Della Santa. You have arrived.

Jim

Quoted message said:

Hi, New to group, but proud owner of a Della Santa Corsa Speciale. I'm wondering what the bike is
worth. I came upon it a year ago on ebay and snapped it up. It's Dura Ace grupo with Campy wheels.
Down tube mounted shifters. Caramel color. I'm considering doing more touring and may sell
it. I might contact Roland and see if there is a collector's market so it could stay in the
family. Any thoughts or comments? Thanks. Jon.H

IIRC, the frames go for around $1250 if you buy directly from Roland, add a couple hundred more if
you go through a shop. FWIW I'm not aware of any "collector's market" for Della Santa bikes like
there are for older Masis, etc. If I were you, I'd just ride it!

-Patrick

"Patrick W." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hi, New to group, but proud owner of a Della Santa Corsa Speciale. I'm wondering what the
bike is worth. I came upon it a year ago on ebay and snapped it up. It's Dura Ace grupo with
Campy wheels. Down tube mounted shifters. Caramel color. I'm considering doing more touring
and may sell
it. I might contact Roland and see if there is a collector's market so it could stay in the
family. Any thoughts or comments? Thanks. Jon.H

IIRC, the frames go for around $1250 if you buy directly from Roland, add a couple hundred more if
you go through a shop. FWIW I'm not aware of any "collector's market" for Della Santa bikes like
there are for older Masis, etc. If I were you, I'd just ride it!

Agree, the "collector's market" is currently for older Italian made frames like Masi, Colnago,
Cinelli, etc. However, I would argue that American made frames are as good, if not better, than most
Italian frames (OK, that wine colored/white panel Colnago is too pretty). Della Santa is in upper
level of American framebuilders. In fact, I would put him in the same class as Richard Sachs, Albert
Eisentraut, Richard Moon, Columbine, Rivendell's 2 builders - Joe Starck and Curt Goodrich to name a
few. I would also agree that you should keep the bike and ride it.

Thank you!