Late 80's Masi Gran Criterium
08-06-09, 01:30 PM
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For a Masi GC I think you did well. You're also in Seattle with a strong bike community so that price for your area I think is fair. I just bought a Medici Pro Strada just below what you paid. However, Masi carries a higher prestige I would say.
I'm sure some of the other guys would be able to provide more insight
I'm sure some of the other guys would be able to provide more insight
08-06-09, 01:37 PM
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Nice frame! Are there any numbers or anything stamped under the BB?
08-06-09, 02:03 PM
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Judging from the legnth of the head tube, the "58" could be the frame size.
What tubeset did they use on this bike Columbus SL?....SLX?
The good price might also be because of color. Everyone loves the red and blue Masis, but I suspect that the white versions are not as popular. Just my theory
Chombi
84 Peugeot PSV
What tubeset did they use on this bike Columbus SL?....SLX?
The good price might also be because of color. Everyone loves the red and blue Masis, but I suspect that the white versions are not as popular. Just my theory
Chombi
84 Peugeot PSV
08-06-09, 02:50 PM
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Its an Italian one, as in Alberto Masi. Been repainted, the paint and the chrome on these was often fragile.
Transfers are later American Masi design versions. Seat tube bands are kind of painter's artist approach to placement.
The market for these is quite varied, as a whole bike, not bad, but Shimano parts? It should be CAMPAGNOLO. Only.
The dogleg seat post is curious, these bikes were not that upright, a typical straight post should work well.
Transfers are later American Masi design versions. Seat tube bands are kind of painter's artist approach to placement.
The market for these is quite varied, as a whole bike, not bad, but Shimano parts? It should be CAMPAGNOLO. Only.
The dogleg seat post is curious, these bikes were not that upright, a typical straight post should work well.
08-06-09, 03:16 PM
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It is indeed an 'Alberto.' Some do, some don't think that makes it more desirable. (I think it does. A Masi should be made by a Masi or, at least, be made by someone who is overseen by a Masi.)
I must respectfully disagree with repechage about the need for Campy parts first and foremost. There's nothing wrong with Shimano. 600 is a fine group, it later became Ultegra. Ride what's better quality, not where something is made. 600 parts are well-made and function supremely. Campy parts from that era, the only thing they do really well is command ridiculous prices on eBay.
I must respectfully disagree with repechage about the need for Campy parts first and foremost. There's nothing wrong with Shimano. 600 is a fine group, it later became Ultegra. Ride what's better quality, not where something is made. 600 parts are well-made and function supremely. Campy parts from that era, the only thing they do really well is command ridiculous prices on eBay.
08-06-09, 03:35 PM
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One could always switch to Campy if they choose. But it's the frame that defines the bicycle, so I wouldn't be concerned if it's decked out in Italian or Japanese.
08-06-09, 04:27 PM
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It is indeed an 'Alberto.' Some do, some don't think that makes it more desirable. (I think it does. A Masi should be made by a Masi or, at least, be made by someone who is overseen by a Masi.)
I must respectfully disagree with repechage about the need for Campy parts first and foremost. There's nothing wrong with Shimano. 600 is a fine group, it later became Ultegra. Ride what's better quality, not where something is made. 600 parts are well-made and function supremely. Campy parts from that era, the only thing they do really well is command ridiculous prices on eBay.
I must respectfully disagree with repechage about the need for Campy parts first and foremost. There's nothing wrong with Shimano. 600 is a fine group, it later became Ultegra. Ride what's better quality, not where something is made. 600 parts are well-made and function supremely. Campy parts from that era, the only thing they do really well is command ridiculous prices on eBay.
My .02, the mojo had already left the barn by the time that frame was built.
08-06-09, 04:29 PM
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Heh heh. A parts purist? Perhaps? I'd rather see a proper Italian racing frame wearing top-shelf Shimano Dura Ace than barrel-scraping Campy 990.
How much is it worth? That's a funny question. Even "Action Comics #1" is worth no money if you can't find anyone to buy it. Did you pay a fair price for it? Oh, most certainly. Masi is Masi. You can repaint it, you can put the wrong decals on it, but you can't change the important part: the metal.
After a complete teardown, grease/replace the bearings, put everything in the parts scrubber, buff out some of the scuffs etc etc. It will look pretty darn impressive.
As for bar tape, black cloth tape looks pretty darn classy on white frames. (Red may be the popular color, but I really fancy white.)
I'm not entirely sure, because Masi history is incredibly fuzzy, but your bike may be one of Alberto's 'Prestige' bikes. Prestige is the brand he had to make up in order to sell his own bikes in the States because he didn't own the rights to his own last name. Reproduction decals can be found here:
https://cgi.ebay.com/Masi-Prestige-70...3286.m20.l1116
(This guy's work is excellent, by the way.)
If you really wanted to spend a little money on the frame, depending on its condition and how much it was worth to you, I would get a set of these, then have it professionally powdercoated by someone who knows how to powdercoat bikes. (Proper powdercoating is both more environmentally friendly and is thinner than paint, thus showing off more construction detail.)
How much is it worth? That's a funny question. Even "Action Comics #1" is worth no money if you can't find anyone to buy it. Did you pay a fair price for it? Oh, most certainly. Masi is Masi. You can repaint it, you can put the wrong decals on it, but you can't change the important part: the metal.
After a complete teardown, grease/replace the bearings, put everything in the parts scrubber, buff out some of the scuffs etc etc. It will look pretty darn impressive.
As for bar tape, black cloth tape looks pretty darn classy on white frames. (Red may be the popular color, but I really fancy white.)
I'm not entirely sure, because Masi history is incredibly fuzzy, but your bike may be one of Alberto's 'Prestige' bikes. Prestige is the brand he had to make up in order to sell his own bikes in the States because he didn't own the rights to his own last name. Reproduction decals can be found here:
https://cgi.ebay.com/Masi-Prestige-70...3286.m20.l1116
(This guy's work is excellent, by the way.)
If you really wanted to spend a little money on the frame, depending on its condition and how much it was worth to you, I would get a set of these, then have it professionally powdercoated by someone who knows how to powdercoat bikes. (Proper powdercoating is both more environmentally friendly and is thinner than paint, thus showing off more construction detail.)
08-06-09, 04:34 PM
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Wrongo. The Prestige was the successor model to the GC - a bit more "racy" to keep up with the Colnagos of the world. They were distinctive in that they debuted the use of investment cast lugs. The Prestige was a model, not a brand - they were always branded "Masi." As such, they were, in fact not generally available for sale in the US except via the gray market.
08-07-09, 12:16 PM
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I've done a lot of Googling and have found a lot of sites saying that if the serial isn't on the BB, then it should be on the steerer tube (and it indicates Italian origin). I've looked everywhere around the steerer tube (and the rest of the bike, for that matter) and there is no serial number in sight. Thoughts?
08-07-09, 12:30 PM
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I've done a lot of Googling and have found a lot of sites saying that if the serial isn't on the BB, then it should be on the steerer tube (and it indicates Italian origin). I've looked everywhere around the steerer tube (and the rest of the bike, for that matter) and there is no serial number in sight. Thoughts?
Also, when you say it's an "Alberto", do you just mean that it was designed by Alberto Masi? I had first thought that there was an actual model called the "Alberto". Is it possible to tell if the bike is a Prestige/3V/etc?
Also, when you say it's an "Alberto", do you just mean that it was designed by Alberto Masi? I had first thought that there was an actual model called the "Alberto". Is it possible to tell if the bike is a Prestige/3V/etc?
The Prestige details, the seat stay plugs rear brake bridge, lugs and crown, under the BB cable runs (not on the very early bikes but adopted early) announce Prestige. Alberto was Masi's son who will close the Vigorelli shop soon, as the Vigorelli is slated for demo. will he move? Unknown. His website is offline last I checked.
The Prestige was built concurrently with the Masi Volumetrica (3V) for a time.
Ride the bike and see what you think. I just don't think Shimano components on a brand whose stationary proclaimed preferred components Campagnolo is fitting. Campagnolo fits with the name Prestige. Shimano 600 works well, but not prestige componentry.
So yes, it was designed by Alberto, made by him? Who knows. Masi used subcontractors as far back as the early 70's and probably earlier. Not everything was subcontracted.
The steerer can only be viewed if you remove the fork. 50/50 chance there will be stampings. I might provide a build timeframe, as the steerer was often date coded.
Last edited by repechage; 08-07-09 at 12:35 PM.
08-07-09, 02:18 PM
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08-07-09, 02:35 PM
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