Re: [CR]Masi Article NOW Colnago's Direction

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From: <themaaslands@comcast.net>
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org (Classic Rendezvous)
Subject: Re: [CR]Masi Article NOW Colnago's Direction
Date: Mon, 07 Mar 2005 21:38:18 +0000


I believe there are a few items that should be brought up with regards to Masi and Colnago.

Faliero Masi sold the rights to his name, thereby earning himself a very comfortable retirement, as well as ensuring a comfortable future for Alberto. From all that I have heard and read, Faliero was not in the least bit worried about leaving behind a legacy in the 'Masi' name. If Faliero today had the choice between siding with Alberto or Haro there is no doubt in my mind that he would back Alberto (unless of course Haro offered him more money). It should also be pointed out that Masi was well on in years when he sold the rights to his name and on a purely selfish level knew that the jig had already played itself out for him in Italy, so to sell the rights was almost a no-brainer. Had the whole matter involved some ego trip to build a lasting memorial to the Masi name, he would have certainly done things differently. Most likely, by grooming the next generation. This is what has been done at Colnago, Pinarello, De Rosa... I therefore think that it is quite obvious that, contrary to what monkeyboy writes, Faliero would not be overly impressed with the most recent news. However, were Haro to use the Masi name solely on the top of the line bikes... then he would probably be smiling down from above (or smirking up from below)

Colnago on the other hand is quite a different situation. Firstly, Ernesto has been actively involved in subcontracting for close to 30 years. He also has demonstrated a complete mastery of subcontract work, with proven ability to transmit his vision to his contractors and ensure that they follow it blindly. Haro has not shown the same vision, apparently leaving many decisions to the subcontractors. Another important advantage that Colnago has, is that they have a first hand link between the first and last frame made that carry the name. Ernesto is that link, but even when Ernesto is no longer around there will be numerous long-standing links to the past: Ernesto's son-in-law has now been handling most of the frame geometry calculations for quite some time and Ernesto's grand-son is being imbued with the Colnago ethos every day. Either one of them could rightly be considered a worthy successor to Ernesto. It is my belief that the production of Colnago frames in the Far East will therefore not have any negative impact, if the subcontract relationship is handled in a way even remotely resembling what previous Colnago subcontract relationships have been like. Another noteworthy point is that Colnago has long been the only big name Italian builder to be able to walk the tightrope of using both Shimano and Campagnolo equally.

The situation at Pinarello is somewhat similar, where Nanni has long ago abdicated the leadership of the company to the able hands of his son Fausto. Like Colnago, Pinarello has long used subcontract suppliers and has always mastered the relationships with these subcontractors, so the fact that many of the bikes are now coming from Asia or elsewhere should not be problematic. The only slight disadvantage that Fausto has when put up against Colnago is that he does not have the innate knowledge of frame design etc. and therefore needs to rely on outsiders for this input.

At De Rosa, it would appear that for the first time frames are now being built by subcontractors. If the info that I am receiving is correct, the King carbon frame is being made in Asia. This to me is troublesome as De Rosa does not have the experience dealing with subcontractors, nor do they presently have the management structure in place to ably handle the relationship issues that are bound to come up, especially at such great distances.

A last reflection to be made is that in the bicycle trade there are very few privately held companies that have lasted three generations.

--
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ