All this commotion over ebaygate begs the question....why Masi?
There is definitely something out there manifesting itself as Masi fever. Now prior to continuing there is a caveat and a disclaimer. 1) I own a Masi and I love it. I've owned several over the years and some of them were proper Italian Masis. 2) If you haven't noticed yet, you should firmly place your tongue in your cheek. As this is a bit cheeky.
I got into bikes and racing in 1971 and with the exception of Raleigh Pros and Paramounts, any pro bike was hard to come by, Italian more so than English. Partly due, I suspect, to the language barrier present for people to venture across the pond to enter into ventures. Like importing frames. We all coveted European racing iron esp. Italian. There were sexy like their women. In 1974 I returned from a racing trip to England and Belgium (yes I speak Dutch) with a custom made Mercian. It was truly a beautiful frame. But....it wasn't sexy like an Italian frame. So began my quest for an Italian frame. At first I wanted a Colnago (they were a little easier to get and Bottechias and Atalas just weren't it for me) but then I head about Masi. Man did I WANT a Masi. That was until I found out they were built in CALIFORNIA. I felt violated. Left scared for life. Then after resuscitation my question was, why would any one want a racing bike made in California? I had just returned from Europe and I can tell the gulf between racing in Europe and the US was as wide as the Atlantic. Why would any sane person want a frame made in California. There wasn't anything about racing/cycling in the ole US that warranted emulation. A Fender guitar? Absolutely!! But a racing frame? And with exception of Mario weren't they built by apprentices? Only kidding. Do bikes made in California go left better? Do they go right at all.
So I bought a Colnago and then in 1980 I bought a real Italian frame a De Rosa! Now I have to ask the question...why does a brand ridden by Dave Stoller rate over one ridden by the Big Guy, the Main Man, the Greatest of All Time..... FAST EDDY? (Just another example of how California tells us all what to believe by making the movies. The guy the beard and cardboard sign on the street corner was right. It is a conspiracy.) Isn't it great that ole Dave was consumed with everything Italian and yet he rode an American bike. I guess it's like Hondas built in the US. People still think they're Japanese. Here's a secret...They're made in America by Americans. My Honda Pilot is a great car but it isn't sexy like my Alfa Romeo is.
Why not De Rosa? From what I can see, the early ones are not as common as Masis. They were built in the old country and the Big Guy rode one during his years of greatest fame. (Maybe not his greatest years) Why does Southern California always get to make the rules? Vintage cyclist of the world unite, cast off your chains.
You got a 56cm GC for cheap? I really like that metallic gold like color.
Gary Glenn
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