Re: [CR]Colnago/Masi Comparison, and random blatherings

(Example: Framebuilders:Tony Beek)

From: <PBridge130@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2004 00:04:38 EST
Subject: Re: [CR]Colnago/Masi Comparison, and random blatherings
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


Never had my butt on a Masi. Didn't relate to them back then, only developed an interest in later years. Owned 72 and 77 Colnago Supers, both of which lived by the sword, and both of which died by the sword, covered in laurels.

The Supers were two of three bikes I've ever ridden.... no, make that four, that were "magic". For me, "magic" meant and means a lively rear end -- life to the steel, along with quick, but stable and predictable, handling. By way of contrast, I admire Cinellis, but their rear ends have always felt heavy and "dead" to me, and I admire Serottas (and always respected Ben), but I found their front ends to be divey and un-forgiving, whether badged "AMF" or Serotta.

The other two magic bikes were a late 70's Eddie, and an early 80's Pinarello, both of which were very much alive, and both of which handled predictably, but with surgical precision. My 76 Traut, the one bike that has been with me all the years, is a close runner-up, not quite as alive in the BB and tail, but with perhaps the best front end of all -- 74 degrees, and rock solid, hands off, at 30 miles an hour.

Lost interest in new Colnagos around 79 or 80, beginning -- to my memory -- of the Colnago boom, although I did enjoy seeing Saronni on one (red, naturally), training in the vicinity of Boulder, and then at the Worlds -- 86? "Real" Colnagos have gracefully fluted seat stays (although Faliero's are more graceful yet), and chainstays which haven't been deflowered and offended by stampings. In an ideal world, they are also a translucent, electric blue, unless Saronni is in the saddle.

Brian, how's my bike? This summer? I'm hoping that it'll be magic.

Cheers,

Peter Bridge
Greater Metropolitan Westminster, CO