In a message dated 12/5/05 3:03:27 PM, classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.or g writes:
> Thanks to Nick Z for the subject line. I wanted to bring this closed E-
bay
> auction to the group's attention. I think this is a remarkable example
of a
> name confering perceived value on a bike frame. $860 for a slightly use
d
> frame that cost about $700 brand new in 1990 would be surprising for anyth
ing
> other than a Masi. I own this model, in this color, 1 cm smaller. Mi
ne even
> has that same headset. Nice bike, good looking too, but not to be confu
sed
> with the real deal. It's a contract built, generic late 80's Italian bi
ke.
>
>
> http://ebay.com/
>
> Item number: 7201133955
>
> Tom Dalton
> Bethlehem, PA
>
I agree Tom, it is amazing what a little name recognition will do. Ever since I began keeping the Masi Registry I have been getting dozens of emails from new owners of Gran Corsas and Nuova Stradas who by virtue of the Masi name o n the downtubes, are convinced that they have one of the world's great bikes.
It is hard to find a gentle way to tell them that I just can't list all thos e second and third tier "price point" bikes on the registry... first of all, they are too numerous, and second their connection to the Masi tradition is a bit too tenuous. Usually, they take it fairly well... it often helps when I tell them that I own a Gran Corsa myself and as much as I like the ride, it still is not going on the registry.
Of course everyone draws their own line in the sand... for the registries, it's just the Stradas and Corsas and the Team 3V's that stand on the other s ide. Some people might include the regular 3V's, others think ALL the post-Carlsbad bikes are unworthy, and quite a few think it's any Masi with i nvestment cast lugs. And then there are those who say it's anything built on this si de of the Atlantic. Finally, the truly hard core feel that the only real Masi is an unsubcontracted Vigorelli bike that Faliero himself had a hand in building.
Who knows? Sometimes I wonder if anyone can honestly say that there's any conceptual difference between a Masi Nuova Strada that Ted subcontracted to Billato, and a Verona Masi that Faliero subcontracted to Confente. I guess we all have to make our own decisions on that score... (though from the more practical standpoint of visual appeal and the amount of hand work, most rati onal souls would say there's really no comparison at all). I gotta be honest th o... there are times I'm flying down the road on my Gran Corsa (which commits the double heresy of being built by Billato AND wearing cheap Shimano parts) and I say to myself, 'Dang, this ain't a bad ride." And it is followed by tha t horrible fraction of a second when I wonder if I accidentally said it loudly
enough for someone to overhear. Cold sweats follow, until I see that my on ly witnesses were a few birds and a disinterested squirrel.
Bob Hovey
Columbus, GA