Hello Paul,
I have owned a Masi Prestige, early Cal Masi and a early 60s Special. After
years of searching I found a Masi Prestige and purchased it as a 40th birt
hday present to myself, this was 14 years ago. Masi Prestiges were virtuall
y impossible to find in the US of A. I finally found one listed in the old
BIKE TRADER newspaper. As my kids would say this Masi was totally 'pimped o
ut', with Masi engraved: stem, seatpost, chainrings, handlebars, shifters-
even the Fiamme rims had Masi decals! The bike was TI Super Record with a C
ampag. Pearl ivory with yellow accents she was Bellissima! I was expecti
ng the frame to handle perhaps alittle quicker than the lovely Cal Masi twi
nplate. But sadly this was not case. The bike was extremely twitchy and som
ewhat unpredictable. I would reach down for the waterbottle and during the
moments inattention the bike would be almost in the opposite lane. I wanted
to like the bike. But I only hang on to bikes that fit and have good
riding characteristics. With a heavy heart I sold it and used the money to
purchase a 1947 SiNGER tandem! So the Masi Gran Criterium that I have hand
les fantastic as does the its stable mate the Masi Special. Perhaps others
could articulate the wonderful ride Masis of this vintage evoke. Alberto Ma
si has a shop at the Vigorelli in Milano. I
From: paulandrews57@aol.com <paulandrews57@aol.com> Subject: Re: [CR] Masi Prestige To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2009, 2:07 PM
Is anyone aware if there are any differences in the frame geometry of the P restiges built in Italy vs the Gran Criteriums built there or in America?
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Paul, basically the Masi Prestiges were made in Italy starting in about 197
6 or so. They had Reynolds 753 tubing (versus the 531 on Gran Criteriums of
the era) and the Prestiges were finished/detailed a little nicer. That's a
bout it in a nutshell. I imagine someone can give a better detailed answer
and maybe some variation on what I'm aware of.?
?
I have an example(s) of each and I like 'em all.?
?
Also, be sure to check out Bob Hovey's very informative website dedicated t
o Masi's: http://bhovey.com/
>?
> What can anyone tell me about a Masi Prestige built by Alberto in the 80'
s > compared to the Carlsbad Masis??
>?
> How about the Campagnolo Cobalto group??
>?
> Is there still a Masi factory in Italy, by any name? How would?I contact
> them??
>?
> Thanks!?
>?
> Paul Andrews?
> Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA?
>?
>?
>?
>?
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