RE: [CR]Is the real or imposter?

Hello Jan,

My family and I once again had the opportunity to visit Italy this summer. This time, while staying in Milan I was able to visit Alberto Masi at the V igorelli. I have wanted to make this journey for over 30 years. What made t his visit extraordinary for me was the fact that my Italian friend was arra nging a personal meeting with Alberto. Milan and all of Italy was in the mi dst of a heat wave, it was hot and smoggy and I was jetlagged. I left my wi fe and my 12 and 14 year old exhausted boys in our air conditioned hote l and caught a cab to the Vigorelli. Upon arriving at the Vigorelli, I was greeted by my friend Mimmo and wa sho wn around the shop. Alberto was assemblying a contemporary OT Masi. Alberto was very friendly and accomodating and brought out various Masi frames and complete bikes from years past. With my friend acting as an interpretuer, I asked about the relationship between Cino Cinelli and Faliero Masi. I was told that there was mutual respect and admiration between the two. At that point Alberto rushed to a back room and brought out a prototype seat clust er lug that his father had developed. The cluster is virtually indenical to the Cinelli seat cluster. I was told that it was developed before Cinellis , and Alberto gave the cluster to Cinelli..... and as they say the rest is history. So, there is some cross pollenisation that takes place and no good idea goe s uncopied.  

Regards,
David Martinez
Fremont Ca
USA