> Charles Nighbor wrote:
>
> A nice example of a Masi 3V model I wonder at times why this method of int
e
> rnal lugged construction never spread to other KOF. All you have to do is
c
> ut tubes perpendicular
> avoiding mitering tubes to each other.
>
> Charles,
> In some ways I think you've answered your own question with "all you have
t
> o do is..." While wonder why this construction method did not
> become more popular in the broader market, it really is pretty much the
o
> pposite of KOF. It was a newfangled way of reducing the labor requi
r
> ements of building lightweight frames. I suspect that initial overall
> costs were high because of the devlopment work for the castings, but
> if it had caught on it would have extened upon the cheapening of produ
c
> tion brought by external investment cast lugs (also devloped, at least
> in part, by Masi). I think the 3Vs, especially the early ones, were r
e
> ally cool bikes, but I also see it as ironic that they came from the s
a
> me company that brought us those hand wrought gems from the 70's and ear
l
> ier.
>
> Tom Dalton
> Bethlehem, PA, USA
>
I agree... the 3V was a remarkable design but it was mostly a way of producing frames faster and cheaper. It was, as such, a great idea, but to the eyes of many handmade bike enthusiasts, singularly ugly... which may be one reason it never caught on. Another reason may be that Alberto probably patented the design. Of course Faliero also patented the oval chainstay but that didn't seem to keep others from copying it at will.
Bob Hovey
Columbus, GA USA
http://bhovey.com/
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