Jerry M. and Peter K. wrote, respectively:
Have to agree, a $300-$400 French bike rides just as well and spares the owner all of the stress and agonizing. And let's not forget the huge advantage of the total inconsistency of French manufacturers. No dated hub locknuts. Component specs and even lug types and DO's that changed not only within a single year, but probably weekly. And frame serial numbers cryptic enough to make for a great sequel to the "DeVinci Code". In short, every debate about the originality of any bit on a French bike can be authoritatively ended with the two-word conclusion, "Who knows?" At which point one can stop worrying and go ride the thing. Ignorance is bliss!!
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
"kohl57@starpower.net" <kohl57@starpower.net> wrote: Masi.. the name comes up here a lot. But am I wrong or is it often i n connection with eBay scams, overhyped sales pitches, reserves met or unmet , hoodwinked buyers or sellers, Nigerian wire transfers or should I ride or touch it because so and so restored it?
It sounds like Masi Angst to me.
Which makes we phillistines who neither own or covet a Masi content in our
ignorance. Stick to PX-10s, Raleigh Pros and even Cinellis, and you're f ree from all of this. Just buy it, restore it as best you can and ride it.
Bliss.
Which doesn't suggest that there are those of you out there who not only acquired a bona fide Masi sans angst and ride it and really, really enjoy it more than any bike on the planet. Now that means more to me than who built it or what kind of bb cut-outs it has. A Masi as fun to ride as a PX-10 bought for $383.00. Now that would be something....
So resolved: Riding a Masi Isn't Better Than Sex, it is Sex.
Over to you Masi-isti...
Peter Kohler Washington DC USA
**********
Hey Peter. You bored today or something? I haven't seen such a blatant troll from you in what? Months, probably.
Normally I'd ignore this kind of thing, but, damn if I'm not as bored as you at the moment! Must be all those Masis in my garage. I'm jaded.
Two things:
1) Masis are very fun to ride. A danged nice bike no matter how you look at it, or ride it. Low bb shells, refined handling (a little sluggy compared to some 80s frames, or even a Colnago Super, but still, very nice of its kind, certainly no sluggier than a 60s PX10..and a lot nicer to look at, in general, imho). With a pair of Campionato del Mundos, a lovely ocean-liner ride that makes me happy every time I look down at all those pretty lugs and paint and graphics and sweet martano rims spinning along. But, then, Campionatos would make a Wall-Mart Huffy ride good...
2) The most fun is, every Masi I own has probably nearly doubled in value over the last 3-5 years. About how many other bikes can you say that? I have a Masi I paid 1800 bucks for 3 years ago. It is now worth easily over 3K. I have one I paid 2500 for...I could probably get close to 5K for it in the right week, on ebay. Nice bike. Pretty much a wall-hanger lately, but what pleasure I don't get from riding it, I do get from admiring its lovely aspect, and contemplating my sterling investment instincts.
Perhaps my second reason for the fun of Masis does not appeal to some. I accept that. I accept that all the way to bank.
Had I bought a nice 60s PX 10 four years ago? It would have cost me about 500 bucks. What could I sell it for today? Late 60s? 600 bucks. If I was lucky. Fun bike to ride, sure. No fun in the investment department though.
Now, that said, I wish I'd bought one of those 50s PX-10s with the cool parts, blue with the yellow lugs. I think those are super-cool, and I bet they've gone up in value too. Not as much as a Masi, but enough to be fun.
As for Jerry's post...gee, Jerry, did it ever occur to you that we actually LIKE arguing about Masi arcana? That it's FUN to DO? I'm sure it did. You, like Peter, must be bored today.
Charles "troll-hunter" Andrews
Socal