BlueDevil63 

I just finished a couple of Masi and Masi related bikes over the last month or so and took pictures over the last few days. I thought I would post these in one thread as kind of a pictorial history of Masi and some offshoots from the Masi family tree. Starting off with my oldest Masi, a 1972 Gran Criterium built in Italy before Masi moved to the US. I am still looking for a early Masi Special in my size and at a reasonable price to finish off the collection but for now this is the earliest Masi I have. This one was purchased from the original owner and was built in March of 1972 so it was probably one of the last ones built before Masi moved to the US. Most of the drillium was commissioned by the original owner. Otis did the large chain ring. The paint infill was done by myself. The one has Super Champion rims and Campy HF hubs which I don't think are original. I have a set of Martano rims waiting to be built into a more correct wheelset for this bike. Finish is original and components are mostly original or period correct. Pat. 72 rear derailleur, no circlip front derailleur.











Next up: 1976 Carlsbad Masi.

BlueDevil63 

This is a 1976 Masi Gran Criterium built in Carlsbad, CA, the first US location for Masi. This was the operation set up by Faliero Masi and run by Mario Confente. This bike is very, very similar to the Italian Masi GC. Seat tube decals are slightly different and this has the somewhat rare red/white/blue seat tube bands. Note that on the US built bikes the small panel in the seat tube bands faces forward. On the Italian bikes they face to the side. I also have a set or Martano rims waiting to be built into a wheelset for this bike. This bike has a Pat. 76 first gen Campy Super Record rear derailleur. Cranks are from 1973 which was common on all Carlsbad Masis as a large supply of Campy components were purchased when the US operation was set up in 1973. Finish is original as are many of the components. Seat is obviously not original.











Next up: 1978 Masi Gran Criterium

BlueDevil63 

This is a 1978 Masi Gran Criterium built in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, the second US location for Masi. Masi was in transition at this time after Mario Confente had left. Various builders were active at this time. This bike is slightly different from the earlier GCs. Fork crown is different. Graphics are different. 1978 was the only year the simple "MASI" down tube decal was used. All components are Campy Record/Nuovo Record and are from 1978. Note the 1978 only four hole cage front derailleur with narrow mounting band. This bike is a repaint and was painted by Jim Allen both originally and for the repaint. Seat is a modern Brooks I had available.











Next up: 1984 Masi Gran Criterium

BlueDevil63 

This is a 1984 Masi Gran Criterium built in San Marcos, CA, the third US location for Masi. Various builders were active at this time. This bike was built by Rob Roberson and Joe Starck. This bike is again slightly different from the earlier GCs. Fork crown is different again. Graphics are back to the classic GC design. All components are Campy Record/Super Record and are mostly period correct. Wheels are Campy Record LF laced to Velocity Fusion rims. Brakes are Campy Cobalto with a custom jewel. Finish is original. Paint infill done by myself.











Next up: 1984 Masi 3V

BlueDevil63 

This is a 1984 Masi 3Volumetrica built in Italy. This bike was built by Alberto Masi, Faliero Masi's son, who had stayed in Italy building bikes but had been unable to use the Masi name in the US. The 3V represented a reconciliation of sorts. Alberto developed the bike but sold the rights to build and sell in the US to Masi USA. This is one of the first ones built by Alberto in Italy. The 3V uses distinctive internal lugs and oversized tubing. All components are Campy Record/Nuovo Record and are mostly period correct. This is a CyclArt repaint and the head badge decal is not correct.











Next up: 1977 Confente Pro Strada

BlueDevil63 

This is a 1977 Confente Pro Strada built by Mario Confente after he left Masi. Mario built about 135 bikes after leaving Masi and before his death. All were custom built. This is a somewhat unusual build with brazeons for bar ends and a very intricate paint job. Finish is original. All lugs and braze ons are outlined in gold paint. When I received it it had an eclectic assortment of components including a lot of Weyless parts. I have rebuilt it with all period correct Campy Super Record parts. I used a seat and bar tape I had on hand. I kind of like them but am not 100% sold. I am not quite finished with it yet and need to find a better wheelset. I have a third set of Martano rims I may use for this bike. I am not a huge fan of bar ends but since that is what the bike was built for I put them on this bike.











Next up: 1986 Medici Pro Strada

BlueDevil63 

This is a 1986? Medici Pro Strada. Medici was started by a few folks who had worked at Masi or were otherwise related. Medici was started by Bill Recht who was also working with Mario Confente at the time. The formation of Medici supposedly led to a falling out between Mario and Recht. Some definite similarities can be seen between Masi, Confente and Medici bikes. This Medici model was also called a Pro Strada and used the same chain stay decals. Gian Simonetti and Mike Howard were the principal builders at Medici. This Medici is not exactly in perfect shape and will probably eventually be parted out. It has a rather unusual chromed rear triangle. It is built with Campy Super Record and C-Record components.

AZORCH

Cool thread! I really like the look of that black GC. (Of course, that Confente ain't too shabby either.)

PeregrineA1 

Very nice. Amazing how far one can take this family tree.

I have a red Pro Strada with a chrome rear triangle awaiting restoration. The chain stay is cracked unfortunately. The cost will exceed the ROI, but it will happen....

inkandsilver

Wow. So beautiful. Thank you for sharing these.

sloar 

simply stunning...

BlueDevil63 

Yes it is and I encourage others to add pictures of their Masi or other related marques. Bayliss, Wizard, etc.

Bianchigirll 

BEAUTIFUL Bikes!!

John E

Jim "CyclArt" Cunningham rides a 1976 Gran Criterium that he himself may well have painted when he was learning his trade by working for Masi. Also, we all know that the real star of "Breaking Away" is a Gran Criterium!

BlueDevil, my stepmother lives in Springville UT -- I just may have to detour over to Park City next time I visit her.

repechage

I like the rebuild of the Confente much more than how it was built up when you bought it.

The '76 Masi is interesting in that the chain stay transfers were placed so far forward. Medici did the same for a time too. My Medici has Pro-Str only visible on the drive side.

BlueDevil63 

Yes I read a blurb from a Masi employee once about the variation in the placement of the chainstay decals. Evidently Faliero was very strict about the placement of everything but once he left things got a bit looser.

jimmuller 

Incredible collection! Thanks.

Two GC's. (What the plural of Masi? Masis? Masi's?)

First, my own as found and built up for a test ride:


Its history as far as I know it has been described here before. Let's just say it took an unusual path to my livingroom. The BB is unstamped with size or serial number, shows no sign of anything having been filed off. This suggests an employee's personal bike. The rear brake bridge is slightly askew, which may explain why they chose not to number this one. The lugs and BB suggest it was late '75 to mid-'77 Carlsbad. It has other signs of serious abuse as if an owner didn't care. Beyond that we know nothing more about it.

It was re-painted by Toby Stanton of Hot Tubes:


Next, an Italian GC belonging to the friend who gave me the frame pictured above:

jimmuller 

I recall reading online somewhere about a controversy regarding whether Faliero's signature should go on the left or the right. Apparently he wanted it on the left IIRC, but it an be covered by a poorly placed rear brake cable.

BlueDevil63 

All mine are on the left (and so is Mario's) except for the 84.

gomango

This will take a week or two to digest.

Thanks for the fantastic pics for us to enjoy.

Appreciated!

jimmuller 

When Toby Stanton painted mine he had an authentic '75 CG in the shop as a reference, so he put mine on the left too.

Greg Fletcher's website has the following paragraph:

balindamood

I am reasonably certain your collection is worth more than my house. Very nice.

Italuminium

LOL, as I'm between apartments my measly bike collection is actually the bulk of my wordly posessions... Not a bad thing, come to think of it.

BlueDevil63 

I do think the Confente looks better and is definitely more functional. Especially since the Weyless hubs were pretty much seized up. Unfortunately I can't find any way to rebuild them. I am still not sure about putting Brooks saddles on Italian or pseudo-Italian bikes but I guess they look acceptable and I had a few I had gotten in trades and wanted to use them.

Pars 

^ This. I love the blue used on the first two examples ('72 and '76).