Hello bike forums. I'm a new member and new to road cycling. I tried to get into it a few years ago with a Fuji grand touring model, but I bought my bike in the sumer and lived in riverside, California where it often goes above 100 degrees. I didn't have the endurance to go anywhere, so it just sat around and I eventually sold it. Now I'm in san luis obispo where I can ride anytime. I just purchased a 60cm masi 3volumetrica with almost all original parts off of a friend for 350$.it was sitting in his garage since it was too large of a frame for him, and he wanted it to go to a good home. I've done quite a bit of research and it looks as if I've found the best deal of my life. As you'll see in the pictures, its all campy, with very functional delta brakes. The handlers are the drop in style that were popular in road racing for a short period around 88-91. The wheels look to have been replaced with mavic openc4d and mavic 571 hubs around the time that the bike was purchased. Soon ill be replacing the rear wheel since its slightly bent, but I will construct the rear wheel around the existing mavic hub. It's a 16 speed, and has a very unique lug job. I just replaced cables and the seat. I've had trouble finding the exact campy group set that it belongs to, but the front brake says chorus on it. I think it was made between 87-90, and I'm not sure if it was in Italy or California. My research suggests that it was made by a masi, but not sure which one. Of anyone can tell me anything I don't know about this bicycle, I'd greatly appreciate it. I've fallen in love with this bike and I want to know everything and anything I can about it.
The ride is amazing, its incredibly stiff and reacts quicker than any bike I've ridden. I havent ridden it enough to feel comfortable bombing corners, but I'm sure it will corner very very well. It is also very smooth as the frame absorbs a lot of bumps. If anyone has tips on building endurance, is love to hear t. I'm 6'1 250, 20 years old. I have a lot of muscle mass from football lineman days but it hasn't seemed to help too much with cycling. I've put about 50-100 miles on it...i couldn't do more than 3 miles 2 weeks ago and now I'm doing between 5-10 a day.

Sorry about the spelling and grammar. I don't have WiFi at home so I use my smartphone. Thanks in advance for any replies.

The ensemble of parts is good, first generation "ergo" brake/shift levers, Record crank. If you like the brakes, you are good to go.
I would consider having the bottom bracket and head set repacked and drivetrain cleaned. Much cheaper than looking for undamaged replacement parts, select a shop that knows about vintage stuff.
Its an American built 3V, good bike. I like the Scott drop in bars, others and the UCI do not.
As you get more comfortable get some shoes and pedals to keep your feet in place while riding, much safer and modern "clipless" pedals are easy to disengage.

Do you have a resource or know how I would go about unpacking the bottom bracket or headset? I want to get this bike in the best condition possible, but I also want to learn how to do all of the repairs myself. I have a set of wrenches and screwdriver at home, and I can always use the bike kitchen downtown for 5$ where they have any tool ill need

Welcome to the forum. I have only a superficial familiarity with Masi, but hey, it was good enough for Dave Stoller, so... Keep up the miles; you'll be doing 40-50 before you know it. You can probably get more specific training info on the Training/Nutrition and/or Road subforums. In the meantime, if you want to trim down, I could guess where to start. Oh wait - you're only 20. Those weren't yours.

Assuming you are a total newbie to road bikes and road riding, my advice to you is to take it to a local shop and have them fit the bike to your body. You probably don't yet have a riding style, so have them make it generic. Alternatively, the people here can tell you how to set it up, but you will have to understand the directions, have the proper tools and make the adjustments, yourself. Don't bugger up the bike using the wrong tools.

rep -

I'm curious - How do you discern a California volumetrica from a real Italian?
I have a similar pearl white/grey 'Milano' 3V (with top tube routing) which I understand is an Italian made for the US market.

$350 is a great deal especially with Deltas.

On this bike, the serial number, transfer set and fork crown.
Small chance it was contract built in Italy for the USA market, I need more images and divine the serial number better. This one was not made by Masi of the Vigorelli.

The number is 9052 and the other set is M60. Let me know what pictures you need or want and ill take em.

As for the fit, it feels great right now. I test road 3 saddles for at least a mile before choosing the selle dardo. I've raised the stem about an inch and I made at least 15 changes to seat position before I found the right spot. I'll get a professional fitting if I have any problem areas, but I don't think its necessary right now.

Uhmmmm....the Delta calipers alone can cost almost that much these days, especailly if they are in mint/NOS condition.
They are beautiful brakes, but I don't really know why they demand such a super high premium as they are not that rare, plus they do not have any real advantage over other high line sidepulls of the time.....except for the aero thing, I guess.........On a slightly related subject, anyone notice the $500+ Modolo Kronos calipers that had been for sale at eBay for the last couple of weeks with no takers....yet? A new Cinelli Laser owner might be interested soon??

Chombi

I've got Modolo Kronos levers with the stops and a fresh in the sealed package pair of hoods, maybe I should offer them for a silly profitable price...

Funny. I was actually refraining from suggesting that he remove the Deltas and sell them to fund the purchase of the bike. I've never had Deltas but that is what I would do if I bought a bike that did.

Good call on the pedals, I took a nice tumble this afternoon - my right foot disengaged as I was taking off from a stoplight. Any reccomendations on pedals? I don't want to be bound to certain shoes, I commute to work and class by bike pretty often.

Not to hijack the thread but I just picked up a 3V myself. Serial number, in very small type below the size number on the BB, is 845. Based on the fork crown and serial number I believe this is an Italian built 3V from May of 1984. I think it is one of the very first built in Italy for the US market. It is a CycleArt repaint but I believe the graphics are correct for the bike. repechage from these few pictures does my assessment seem correct?

Beautiful 3v, how'd you come up on that?

Also...as for pedals, would it be possible for me to find clips to attach to pedals? I was just looking for old campy pedals, and I'm seeing a lot of vintage toe clips selling separately.

That is what it looks like. From a time when Italy and the USA were making amends. The 3V was too good to be denied the US market, and a deal was cut. From comments by Joe Starck, he went to the Vigorelli at some point, maybe to to be talked through the assembly procedure or just to trade file marks. a bit after this bike's date the the 3V's were being made in the USA. Later with different sourced lugs as the "engraving" changed.

You might try contacting Joe Starck on the ClassicRendezvous mailing list. He may be able to check your serial number against the ones he built in California, or at least offer ideas on how to determine your bike's provenance.

You're planning on using the 3V as a commuter? I hope you can bring it inside with you, because otherwise it's likely to evaporate either in whole or in parts.

For pedals, I'd suggest something that can use toeclips to give you versatility with shoes. The 3V deserves something nice; how about these?

PThose look nice, ill look into them more. The bike will be fine for going to work, its a very low traffic area and I can see the bike rack from my office. I'm getting another bike soon to get to class, perhaps a centurion or something cheap and reliable.