Kind of a cool throwback
 

I must admit I had to do a double take when I saw this new offering from Masi. Of course the crank and tig welded frame are obvious, as is the threadless stem, but it is still pretty cool to see simpler bicycles coming back onto the market.
Seems to me the new owners are at least trying to give a nod to the lineage.

http://www.masibikes.com/gallery/alb...rada_brown.jpg

Now, if we can just get them to route the cables correctly ;)

People that race still buy pretty ordinary bikes sometimes.

Masi has some cool looking bikes in their stable. Their singlespeed and fixed gear offerings are good and make good commuters as they have horizontal dropouts so changing a flat on a bike with fenders isn't a pain.

In person, that bike above has a pretty level top tube.

The overall impression is good, I guess they did not feel that they could make a decent price point marketable bike with a lugged frame.

Actually pretty bold to get the execs to sign off on this one.

i honestly think we have the fixie kids to thank for making old road bikes popular again.. kids started riding their conversions and people remembered how nice a clean simple bike looks :D

Interesting enough to stop by the lbs today to see if they have one.

I'd like to look at in person.

Gonna check out those tires while I'm at it.

Masi has been rolling out somewhat retro-styled bikes for a few years now, take the Speciale Randonneur for example. I'd love to see any of these in person, but there's only one dealer near me and they don't have any Masis in the shop.

Non-aero brakes say what?!

...and "aero" that front wheel quick release lever :D

I cracked up when I read this line:
"the Strada appeals to those looking for something truly different"

Different?? They must be kids writing that article.

Gorgeous bike.

i know, right?! What levers are those?


I recently saw eddubal's Masi CX bike and it was pretty darned cool.

The more I look at this bike the more I like it. Make a lugged model and i'd be onboard.

$895 mSRP? Not bad.

I wish the graphics were better, and unfortunately it only comesin black, but the '11 Campione de Italia from Bianchi Gran Fondo line picks up the classic torch too.

http://www.bianchiusa.com/typo3temp/pics/4dd4ab4332.jpg

9spd DT shifters, but it still retains a clean aero look on the brakelevers.

I like the cables flapping in the breeze . . . now if they'd horizontilize the top tube . . .

http://www.masibikes.com/framesets/g...iterium-frame/
Nice looking frame, and they offer it built for under 2 grand. They need to improve the bend on the fork, but otherwise, nice looking frameset.

I guess kinda, but putting gumwall tires, DT shifters and pedals with clips/straps seems pretty half-assed in comparison to the Masi. The top tube drop seems even more severe on the Bianchi than the Masi.

maybe if it came with less black...

Yuk!

http://www.masibikes.com/gallery/alb...eriumf_blk.jpg

Not bad, but not how I'd want it built. Nice frameset though...does it come in other colors?

*edit**
truthfully on reflection its just the headset/stem and the seatpost I dont like. That's an easy fix.

**edit*
at what point is Shimano gonna work on making those big honkin brifters smaller?

Poking around on the Masi website, it seems they offer a lugged, horizontal tube, Reynolds steel SSFG bike. http://www.masibikes.com/fixedss/spe...ixed-ultimate/
More of a roadish geometry than true track, with bottle cage bosses and drilled for brakes.

+1 to all of that :D

I could see going with an Athena build, or perhaps finding an early 10sp Chorus group in alloy.

OMG your right what was I thinking. :twitchy: I am sure the tan sidewall tires and the clip and strap pedals on the Masi are far superior to what the Bianchi comes with. :rolleyes:

Disclaimer: above post meant to be tongue in cheek and may need by some to be taken with a grain of salt. it is not meant to offend anyone. no smiley faces were harmed in the creation of this post.

Stems still look yucky and the TTs still slopes backwards....Brifters....blehhh.....Close but no Ceegar!
If Masi would just break out the old brazing jigs, pull out their stores of cast investment lugs and build real steel bikes from their 80's designs......they'd sell like hotcakes! Even Hipsters might find them cool!
I kinda find these half baked retros pointless.
JMO,

Chombi

ah you'd like anything bianchi put its name on ;) If they stuck a saddle in a Tuna and Noodle Casserole and put a Bianchi sticker on the pan you'd praise it as vertically stiff and laterally compliant when baked in a 375 oven for 30 minutes.:lol:

honestly though i wouldnt be shocked to learn the two bikes are the same frame from the same tawianese factory just painted differently

thats a hoot!! I was actually thinking the same thing about where they were built.

Everyone on C&V says that, but really? And at what price?

To think new, high line CF race bikes now easily go for $3000 and up. There should be enough room in that price level to build a steel bike the "old fashioned" way.
Build them and they would come!

Chombi

[QUOTE=Chombi;12773242]Stems still look yucky and the TTs still slopes backwards....Brifters....blehhh.....Close but no Ceegar!
If Masi would just break out the old brazing jigs, pull out their stores of cast investment lugs and build real steel bikes from their 80's designs......they'd sell like hotcakes! Even Hipsters might find them cool!
I kinda find these half baked retros pointless.
JMO,


The Strada frameset is worth looking at for me.

I'd like a new rainbike.