About 2 weeks ago I was offered a F/F badged as a Confente. It was offered by and old trusted friend, a serious collector and rider. So I read the archives, did Google, talked to some other knowledgeable collectors. On Sunday I bought the bike, understanding completely that it is not an authentic Mario Confente. It is blue, 60 cm, serial no. 012, and it is probably the same frame referred to in the archives as counterfeit. This is not a frame that someone found, painted and applied authentic decals. Although the paint isn't striking and the decals were never clear coated, the workmanship shows care and skill. It is not a stunning bike, but rather understated (except for the very cool graphics). The frame is my size and I have the correct kit to build it. So that's exactly what I'm going to do. If you ever ride the greenbelt up from Tempe through Scottsdale, maybe you'll see me cruising by. If you stop me to inquire about the bike, I promise not to misrepresent it.
For the cash that I paid for the frame, I could have purchased a nice Colnago F/F (several offered by listmembers during the last year). But I like this bike. I have a couple of flashy bikes, but I hardly ever ride them. This bike is more in keeping with my other daily riders (like my BROWN Paramount...painted it myself more than 20 years ago). So...why am I telling you about this bike with such a questionable provenance?
When Confentes come up for sale, there is often much discussion about the authenticity of the sale. So I am outing my bike. While I have no interest in selling the bike, if it ever does leave my possession, I'll post the name of the buyer to the list so it can be tracked. I'm not going to post pics to my photobucket site, because it will probably be listed on e-bay the following day. Gee, a bogus bike for sale in a bogus auction...it happens too often. I suspect that not many would want this bike, but please don't ask. I wanted to make it clear that this post isn't a veiled 'for sale' attempt.
I am going to have to figure out on which hook to hang the bike. Should it hang next to the OT Schwinn Peloton, badged Schwinn but made by some robot in the Panasonic factory (o.k., I love that bike). Or maybe my San Marcos Masi, built by a fine builder, but he wasn't exactly from Italy. Or maybe the empty hook that used to hold my recently sold 80's Pog, the one with the disappointing graphics and built by... whom? No, I think I'll just leave it on the floor and ride it every day for a while. Maybe it will just find it's own place.
Let the flames begin. Gently, please.
Pat Moffat Tempe AZ USA So who owns the real number 012?