Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Masi Speciale Commuter anyone?

Have been looking for a new frame that fits me & offers better tire clearance & hor. drops. I found this Masi with 46.5cm chainstays, long-reach brakes on flat crown fork. It looks good, was wondering if anyone is using it?
Thanks

is it my breath?

I'm waiting on LBS to get one in stock so's I can try it out. But I'm pretty sure it's my next bike purchase (also waiting on the 'bush bucks' so's I can pay for it).

Doesn't answer your question, but at least there's a reply now. :D

is it my breath?

No, you're just in the wrong forum. There are at least six threads about the Masi Speciale Commuter in the...*gasp* Commuting forum! :eek:

No, you're just in the wrong forum. There are at least six threads about the Masi Speciale Commuter in the...*gasp* Commuting forum! :eek:

Actually this is a perfectly valid thread for this forum. I'll tell you why. I bought one a couple weeks ago and haven't touched my other bikes since. I love it. Sure it's not a lightweight, but so what. It's comfy as hell, the bars especially are nice old rando-style drops. This is also the first time a bone stock bike has a frame that fits me nearly dead on perfect. It's got mounts for fenders and carriers front and rear, room for wide tires. If you want a SS/FG for long distance or light touring, this is the bike, IMO. I'm not too fond of the stock wheels (heavy rims and spokes) but it uses formula hubs - smooth as butter. It's pretty nice for the cost and what it is. Since it has the braze-ons, you can gear it up if you want.

Actually this is a perfectly valid thread for this forum. I'll tell you why. I bought one a couple weeks ago and haven't touched my other bikes since. I love it. Sure it's not a lightweight, but so what. It's comfy as hell, the bars especially are nice old rando-style drops. This is also the first time a bone stock bike has a frame that fits me nearly dead on perfect. It's got mounts for fenders and carriers front and rear, room for wide tires. If you want a SS/FG for long distance or light touring, this is the bike, IMO. I'm not too fond of the stock wheels (heavy rims and spokes) but it uses formula hubs - smooth as butter. It's pretty nice for the cost and what it is. Since it has the braze-ons, you can gear it up if you want.

Hey, awesome reply. Since I'm considering one I was curious to see what it would be like to ride a flat century on it. I'll be doing Hancock Horizontal Hundred in Findlay Ohio in the fall and riding with my sister, who's a few notches below me on skill level. It will be her first century (maybe second if I can talk her into an earlier one. HHH is one of the flatest centuries in Ohio (the only hills are highway overpasses), so she wants to use it as a training ride for Ironman FLA (also flat). I figured I'd ride it on the SS (assuming I've purchased by then).

Zonker, even though I ride centuries by the dozen and venture into this forum on occasion, I also... *gasp* COMMUTE! ;) And you're right... the Masi is fairly highly thought of in that forum as well, which is my primary reason for buying one.

I was mixed up, I was thinking of the Masi Soulville, a decidedly different bike. So looking at the Speciale Commuter, I can see how some might consider it suitable for centuries or other long distance rides, if you subscribe to the SS/FG ethos. As one poster mentioned, you *could* gear it up, if you wanted...but why bother, when there are a plethora of purpose-designed geared bikes available? I had something similar at one time, A Rivendell Quickbeam, and sold it because I found it too limiting. Your mileage may vary, of course. Pardon me, while I go over to the Commuting forum and ask what bike they prefer for double centuries. :p All in good fun, to each his own! :D

Pardon me, while I go over to the Commuting forum and ask what bike they prefer for double centuries. :p

Hilarious! I'll likely be the only one to answer seriously, since I just happen to commute daily and ALSO do double centuries. My primary reason for buying the Commuter is the commuting, (gee, they even put it in the name so I wouldn't forget why). The advantage of ss/fg being low maintenance and simplicity since my daily route is flat and simple. But... it will have to be ridden on a century+ at least once. All bikes in the stable must pass this requirement. I don't know why.. it's a rule I just made up. :D

But... it will have to be ridden on a century+ at least once. All bikes in the stable must pass this requirement. I don't know why.. it's a rule I just made up. :D

Dobovedo, that's an intriguing rule! On my own personal stable, only half have made the cut. Centuries on the tandem and road bike, no problem. I also have a folder with 20" wheels...I've done 65 miles on that in a day while touring, so a century is possible, but have never felt the desire. And my commuter is a flat bar cyclocross with 30c semi-slicks...fine for 10 miles across town, but absolutely no way would I want to do a century on that. I doff my cap to you on your full-on century-ness! :o

Right now I'm 2 for 3.. both road bikes have done centuries galore.

The other bike I have is a 1985 Raleigh Alyeska. I bought it last summer, as a replacement for the original one I had as a teenager, and which got stolen while I was in college nearly 20 years ago. The bike is in original condition, except for tires/tubes which I replaced. I did TOSRV (2 days 210 miles) on that original Raleigh 23 years ago, but this one I have not done one yet. I've only done 50 miles on it. Soon though... I only take it out on pristine weather days.

Anybody here know if I can get the Masi Especiale Commuter as a frameset only?

Anybody here know if I can get the Masi Especiale Commuter as a frameset only?

If you're looking for frame-set only, you'd probably have better luck with a Long Haul Trucker.