I spotted an ad on craigslist last night for an unspecified road bike, and decided to contact the seller today. I could see from the bad photo that it had MTB bars and controls, and a reversed seat post, but the shifter bosses gave me hope that it might be worth a look (priced under $100.)



The seller called me today, and when I asked him if it had a name on it, he said "it just has some letters on it, it's an M-A-S-I." I managed to keep my composure and got to the seller's place in about 20 minutes, but I realized it was a fake after I took a close look. It was a frankenbike of the highest order, but the frame looked pretty nice and it fits me, so I bought it anyway.

It has some interesting details, but nothing that I can see that clearly identifies the manufacturer. Bottom bracket shell measures 70mm, which suggests Italian. The seat post clamp is an odd size - 26mm (the post that was in it was a 25.8, but I managed to spread out the slot to its correct size.) No engraving on the brake bridge, seat stay caps, or fork crown, and no internal rifling. Fork is nicely chromed, but may be a replacement. I couldn't see any signs of impact trauma, but I'm pretty sure it's been repainted.

If anyone has any ideas about who made this frame, I'd love to hear them. It does ride beautifully, but I know it's not an M-A-S-I. I suspect the decal on the chainstay protector is actually much closer to the truth than the other decals, it very well may be a Raul Mesa...

Raul Mesa Cycles 5665 SW 137 Ave Miami 33183 305.387.3880

Thanks, I called that number earlier today but there was no answer. I'll try again tomorrow, but searching for the phone number suggests that it's a check cashing store now.

Nice looking bike...

https://www.google.com/#hl=en&cp=28&...w=1146&bih=573

That frame is not junk man. The paint job looks like made with a brush but the frame is well made. Campagnolo rear dropouts, or maybe columbus ones. Brake bridge is not bad at all. Sadly no s/n

That's a really nice frame, I'm interested in finding out what it is.

Frame details indicate a nice level of workmanship and the seat tube decals are Masi decals or very good copies.

Realize that Alberta Masi does not own the rights to sell Masi bicycles in the U.S. and the current owners of the name are Haro so this could be one of theirs as Alberto's bicycles that are sold in the US are now called Milano 3V.

It's got some nice touches and even for $100 it was a deal. The lugs look like they never even got filed though as they look really thick. I would of still bought it for $100 though.

Chris, the bike looks very nice. For 100 or less, it is definitely a great score! Beautiful lugwork! Have you visited the guy in the Fort Lauderdale/Plantation/Hollywood are that places his ads on CL calling his bike business the "bike farm"? He seems to have a few nice ones, but may be overpriced. Take care my amigo!

Flash

Thanks for the comments. I agree that it's got some signs of a quality frame, and the paint is actually better than it looks in the photos (at least it's not a rattle can job.) There is a lengthy serial number (9 or 10 characters,) which does suggest a large production shop. I don't think there's any connection to the newer Masis, this one has details that look 80's-ish to me, and it's not nearly as nice as an earlier Masi.

Coincidentally, I spotted a low-end Raul Mesa MTB at a local shop a few months ago, and I took a photo of the only branding on it to research it later. I never got around to doing that, and I only remembered it this afternoon

Thanks flash! No, I don't deal with that guy.

That was my reaction too. Looks like a nice mid-level production bike, but looks nothing like a Masi.

Other than the frame I have has some "B" & "Bertoni" pantographing, the construction looks a lot like my 1986 Bertoni Professionale...even up to the Campy dropouts...

Not a Masi, but I can see why someone placed those on. The lugs are similar. The transfers are from Italy, I have only seen them before application. There was a bike on the appraisal thread that I think should have these transfers.
They appear to be as the person who tried to apply them did so as waterslides, they are not. I have seen other attempts to affix varnish fix transfers yield similar results.

For the price I think it is a terrific deal.

I'm going to remove the transfers (and maybe repaint) eventually, but I'm certainly going to ride it with them intact on a few group rides first In the meantime, I've got some inquiries out about the possibility of it being a Mesa, and will speak to a coworker who rode heavily in Colombia.

Is that right rear dropout cracked, or is it the paint?

-Kurt

Or is it the grease?

The dropout is worth checking.

Neither, it's just a smudge of grease.

What is the black thing around the head tube that looks like a headset cup?

For under $100 you did REALLY well regardless, and I don't think I've ever seen those DOs on a POS.

It's the plastic trim that covers the lower race on the 105 headset. It's been split and somehow ended up on the head tube. Those are the "before" images, and I'm hoping to have more impressive photos for "after."

Thanks Aaron!