BobHoveyGa@aol.com wrote:
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>Sergio;
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>It is good to hear that Billato builds nice frames. But I must wonder if
>the ones that the connoisseurs value so much in Italy are of the same quality
>as those sent to the USA to become Masi's lowest and next-to-lowest models.
>The first group or two that were sent over here were so bad that they could
>not be sold as Masis... I believe they had to be disposed of at a loss
>somewhere (probably Ted Kirkbride or Jim Allen could tell you more about this).
>After the problems with the initial batch(es) were ironed out, the Billato-built
>Nuova Strada and Gran Corsa became known as serviceable and reasonably priced
>frames, but I don't believe they were ever prized for their beauty or
>collectability. I like my Gran Corsa's ride qualities a great deal but I would be
>very surprised if any part of that frame had ever seen a file.
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Bob,
I don't know for certain that the initial shipment was built by Billato. I do remember that they were spec'ed not be Ted, but by Randy @ High Country Imports, the then distributor for Masi.
They were not poorly made, but the paint and decals just weren't up to snuff - vinyl top mounted stuff. I still have a box of them somewhere!
We stripped the decals off the frames and resold them to Euro Asia. As I recall, the only engraving were the letter "M" engraved on the brake bridge and the fork crowns. They were constructed of Columbus Aelle R. The telltale on these frames was the double taper seat stays and the internal fork crown.
We later saw or heard occasional reports of some of these frames being repainted elsewhere and sold as Gran Criteriums.
Jim Allen
the CycleSmiths
Ranchita, CA