spudly

Hi all, Anyone see the blue Masi Gran Criterium closing on ebay later today. It's built up, but the seller says the frame is NOS. Why do the bids seem low (I know people wait until the end to bid, but it was listed before and didn't generate high bids)? Are later ('83) bikes not as desirable, or is there something else? The geometry seems fast, with a 56 ctc seat tupe and 55 ctc top.

repechage

Reserve turns many off.

Much different mojo than an earlier bike.

These bikes do ride well, but more like a Colnago at this point rather than a predecessor Gran Criterium.

This bike was built in California

ebay really does not mean much at all until the last few seconds. An experienced bidder often never places a bid until the last few seconds. And they do it with a snipe program.

jeirvine 

It's also apparently just the frameset, and not the complete bike (despite the misleading title). As of now, the bidding is (IMHO) a bit high for just that.
"1983 Masi Gran Criterium Frameset. This frame/fork had been hidden away in the basement of a bike shop until the fall of 2012. This was a NOS frameset still wrapped and in the box when it came into my possession. After gathering parts for it I have put a whopping 130 miles on it. The frame is still unblemished and in immaculate condition. Also included in the sale are the ( at the time of installation) NOS Campagnolo Super Record bottom bracket and headset."

spudly

I've been looking for a nice Masi, but am in no hurry and want to wait for the right bike. What are the more desirable years? I know the early Italian ones are rare/expensive, but aren't some CA made ones very nice?

spudly

Sorry, didn't see that it wasn't for complete bike.

repechage

That is not going to end well I think.

repechage

Most are. Do some referencing before you open your wallet though. I don't know about how well the search function here works but there is quite a bit that has been posted regarding them.
I like mine, I have a few.

repechage

Bike, I mean frame got relisted. Interestingly, the completed auction had all the bids wiped out of the history. That is a strange one.
I think the presentation of the frame is really misleading.
These go for $750 to $1000 as frame sets of late. I think they are terrific riding bikes. I prefer the earlier versions aesthetically but that is a personal preference.
One last item, there was a dark blue metallic frame set that was auctioned about two years ago. Allegedly NOS. That one had the drive side dropout replaced and the paint was blended in pretty well but not perfectly. Not saying this is the frame, but it did come to mind as the size was I think the same. Ask Bob, he might have logged the auction.

spudly, for Masi information go to:
Hovey Masi

Lots of good information there.

daf1009

repechage...thanks for that site address...I am searching for a nice Masi as well...and that information will be helpful to determine which/what/when I want!

repechage

There are some who only want a bike from Milano.
The Carlsbad bikes are now appreciated almost as much as the Milano bikes, and in a few cases even more.
The Alberto era Milano bikes come next, with the exception of the Italian Tre Volumetricas.
The Henry James lugged USA built bikes have been gaining in popularity, such as the Dark Blue frame set on auction currently.
The orphan years are the bikes just after Carlsbad in the 1978-1979 ish time frame. Before Dave Moulton and Rob Roberson were building.
The market is not static, 8-10 years ago the order was a bit different.

jeirvine 

What are considered the Henry James years?

bconneraz

I've been watching this one too; may sound goofy, but color plays a role too. If it was red, I'd be bidding. Blue just doesnt do it for me, and I wouldn't re-spray such a nice bike. I've got an 80 and an 86 GC; they really do ride great.

zukahn1 

Well I think a lot of it may be the misleading boardering on fraudulent add. The seller says it is a NOS framset, BB and headset yet states it has been built up and riden. Also as others have said the blue colour holds price down on this one vintage MASI buyers seem to want the Red. It may seem odd to most but on this level vintage racing framset buyers want the typical makers colours and even with original paint off coloured framsets sell for 30-40% lesee.

repechage

1983 by and large began the use of this lug set and Fork crown. Specific to Masi, visually different than the prior design that started out as the Ref. #32 Dubois lugs and the same basic design continued with the first investment cast lugs.

KonAaron Snake 

+1 - yet I almost always prefer the more unusual color schemes...who wants what everyone else has?