In a message dated 12/1/04 1:21:43 PM, classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org writes:
> If "real deal" means built in the Masi shop in Milan or prior to that,
> Florence, then the exceptions would be the Nuovo Strada, Gran Sports and 3Vs
> that
> were made by contract builders such as Billato and Mondonico. I believe in
> the
> CR timeline, and after Masi moved his operation to California, that the
> Prestige and a few Gran Criteriums were made in Italy with Alberto's name on
> the
> toptube. I'm not really sure where those frames were actually made. I
> would
> tend to say "any Masi made in Italy prior to 1971 is the "real deal". Lou
> Deeter, Orlando FL
>
I guess "Real Deal" means different things to different people. I dig most Masis, each for different reasons. There are many that can lay claim to the "Real Deal" tag, it just depends what you're looking for. Here's how I would break them down:
If it's charm, personality and the romance of tradition, then certainly the pre-'71 Italian Masis are the real deal. If it is the quality of hand work, and overall level of finish, the Carlbads are definitely it. If it is superior stiffness in a race frame, then it's the 3V. If you are looking for a refinement of the early Carlsbad geometry (more responsive and without the surplus rake), it's hard to beat one of the later San Marcos bikes from Roberson, Moulton, Tesch, or Starck... you'll love the way they ride even tho the IC lugs might put you off.
The "Real Deal", each in their own way?
Bob Hovey Columbus, GA
PS: A couple of nit-picky crorrections to Lou's message... "Nuovo Strada" should be "Nuova Strada" and "Gran Sports" should be "Gran Corsa"