"On the other hand, my Masi just doesn't seem to lend itself to aggressive riding. It feels like a Cadillac (which I do not have) with a smooth, stable, and stately ride so I take it on Sunday drive-type rides with my wife. What is it about the personality of a frame and the bike that so affects our riding attitudes?"
I am mystified at your description of how the Masi GC rides.I have heard steering is quick, Ferrari like, and if anything even criticised as a bit twitchy but never Cadillac like or Buick like.(I own an old Buick but have a Masi GC bike = my geiser side or couch on wheels vs sports side. I am a novice at this but you would think that a touring bike, maybe a Woodrup Giro with the longer wheelbase would be more Cadillac- like? I have, and admit to very little basis for true comparison, only others descriptions. My former ride was a 42"wheelbase Shogun 600 touring bike.(I have never ridden a Cinelli but sure would like to.) I wonder what Mr. Sachs thinks?? He has a Masi, I think. Everyone seems to agree-they love Sachs bikes, ride construction, everything.
Warning-a slight digression- The first day out on my Masi GC after Ebay purchase, I had a very different impression. After an easy mile I am struggling really hard in the very lowest gear(46 front, 24 rear cog) trying to maintain a reasonable speed just on flatlands. I am beating myself up-talking aloud to myself saying "OK you are struggling-You are 51,too old, too many heart problems, too much heart surgery.I can feel the heart pounding, feeling out of breath. Then I get real rude in my conversation with myself saying "Face it man-You are clearly washed up, should have never gotten into this vintage thing-wasted your time and money.You can't even pedal an easy low gear.Get training wheels or just stick to the cardiac rehab bikes- geiser man. Besides these Masis aren't all they are cracked up to be. The front steering is admittedly really quick; but the back drags, like someone following you continuously poured glue on the road behind your front chainrings." Suddenly I look behind me and I laugh-the rear tire is nearly flat.I suddenly feel better. After a quick trip to the bike store (it's not just the tube, it's the tire too) I pedal on and it's a nice day after all.
Best Regards, Mark Cutrufelli (Just needed an open forum to confess this embarassment) in Laurel,MD
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