A very fine looking "Moser" indeed. You say that it's actually a De Rosa; were they building the lugged frames for Moser at that time? I love the fact that you have a quill post on that bike, what is the size? Many folks have modified the Leader seat tube to allow use of a collar clamp seat binder, but I think that takes a clean looking frame design and mucks it up a bit. Maybe your post will fit my Leader (HA!), I had a heck of a time finding a quill for it in the right size without breaking the bank. I'm glad you gave some feedback with your saddles through the years; it might not apply to my 140 lb body, but I had not really heard of (nor was I watching for) anything on the "Rivet" saddle. I've never ridden on one. Did it end up stretching too much like the Anatomica? It looks like a nice saddle, fairly similar to the "Swallow" except the center cut-out. I don't know your weight, but even I have noticed some these leather saddles with the cut out feel a little too "flexy". I've busted a fake "Swallow" ("cut down" Fujita "Belt" leather saddle) due to there not being enough material to maintain proper stiffness/support, especially on a used saddle. I now modify saddles to have those "tabs" extending from the sides and lacing them together to maintain stiffness and durability as well giving a means of adjustment due to stretching. I'll be breaking in a modified "Fake Brooks B.17" that has been cut like a "Swallow" model, but with the "tabs". Looks almost like the real thing; I could slap a "Brooks" badge on it and most folks wouldn't know. I got it as an extra on a bike purchase a few years back so I wasn't too concerned about messing it up. That bike came with a new real Brooks saddle anyways.
So good to see another "old" steel frame out there still going strong and looking good doing it!
a lot of questions without paragraph breaks, bro.
I love my Moser, and it's silky, quiet, fast above every other bike I've ever been around (including OPs much newer bikes).
Yes, just the last few years' Formas were marked-for-Moser Primatos. TiG-welded Leaders were made at home.
The first few Moser lugged frames from c. '84 were also built by DeRosa.
I was forced to the quill stem - which isn't supposed to be required - by saddle/stem squat. I had tightened the clamp to the point of fear. Found a great ebay buy I could live with on a Super Record quill stem, and problem solved.
I didn't get more than a few months from an Anatomica - they stretched to the end of the stretch bolt.
The Rivet saddle - and Debra is a great person - developed a sharp crown behind the rear cut radius, which was kind of rude - I kept it trimmed with my best knife.
But when I put a Brooks Swallow Select on the bike, it was instant
what was I thinking? - for this riding position, the Swallow is the most invisible saddle I've ever ridden.
I think a lot of people have misapplied B17s to drop-bar road bikes, which created the whole break-in internet myth. B17s belong on a semi-upright touring position.
('74 International)
In order to fit me, my '57 Lenton ended up with an even more aggressive riding position, and ditto on Swallow here.
I'll also add the Cinelli 44 Dream Bar on the Moser makes for a useful and comfortable drop - much more so than pista bars that were delivered on way too many Italians, and bike boom bikes in general.
