Well, I didn't have a Masi at 17 -- I'd never even heard of them back then, but I did have a Jack Taylor at 20 -- which for me was the equivalent high-end lust-worthy bike. I got it the same way Steve describes -- I worked in a bike shop, Art's Cycle on the South Side of Chicago. Art made a deal with the shop on the North Side that imported JTs so I could buy my frame wholesale. Then I scrounged whatever parts I already had or could buy cheaply, so it ended up with a hodgepodge of parts that all were functionally excellent even if few had the cache of Campy.
David -- I still have that Jack Taylor, and, no it's not for sale -- White Burlington, VT
Steve Leitgen wrote:
> When I got my start in 1979 the only way to afford a reasonably hot
> bike was to work at a bike shop (I did), put in a lot of overtime (I
> did) and piece together a hodge podge of parts while living at home.
> God bless Trek for coming up with affordable racing machines. Mine was
> a Trek 900 Columbus frame. Each time you scored a big paycheck you
> upgraded a part to Campy. Masis were for rich old farts.
>
> I'd like to hear if some kid was able to do a Masi on his own.
>
> Steve Leitgen
> La Crosse, WI