Mario Confente's Personal Masi
11-25-13, 06:37 PM
#76
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Not many!
Aaron, you kind of surprise me on this. This is BF's c&v. You know, the place where if it's not a cheap bike most will nay say it. Where most of the high end stuff, is look down apron, and the cheap low end gas pipe bikes that are found and put together with junk....errr....older parts are held in such high standing. Example, your DeRosas go 2 or 3 pages. While a Schwinn or some other 531 frame found at the dump or in the thrash pile will go 20 pages at times. Both are bikes that can be made to ride. So in that regard they are the same. Besides cost. Just more cheap skates on this forum than others.
Me I'll take the DeRosa, Confente, or high end others. But of course,YMMV
Aaron, you kind of surprise me on this. This is BF's c&v. You know, the place where if it's not a cheap bike most will nay say it. Where most of the high end stuff, is look down apron, and the cheap low end gas pipe bikes that are found and put together with junk....errr....older parts are held in such high standing. Example, your DeRosas go 2 or 3 pages. While a Schwinn or some other 531 frame found at the dump or in the thrash pile will go 20 pages at times. Both are bikes that can be made to ride. So in that regard they are the same. Besides cost. Just more cheap skates on this forum than others.
Me I'll take the DeRosa, Confente, or high end others. But of course,YMMV
Ill take a midrange bike with some effort put into it vs. a purely cash exchange any day of the week. The ones with good stories/personality are the ones that go 20 pages.
My non US made trek is 531/tange and fits me better than my earlier, 531 us made one does. I keep the non US one because it fit, and is of a quality worth riding and putting money into...As a collectable, not so much.
Here are some examples:
So I was at my LBS today, and I was chatting with the owner. I was asking him if he knew of any Vintage high end bikes through the grapevine. He told me that his uncle was a Masi dealer, and he has as near as makes no difference, a zero mile confente built GC. He gave me his number, and after negotiation, I purchased this masi you see below (we dont mention price, its rude. Plus, I dont want to tell so no one brings it up when I flip it in a few years)
Insert mediocre Canon 5DmkII photo here. Nds of course.
Insert mediocre Canon 5DmkII photo here. Nds of course.
I found my dads '68 Raleigh Super Course in the shed at my grandmothers house after granddad passed away. My mother didn't even know he had it! People always say that when he was younger I look just like him, and it turns out we are the same size. The bike has some scuffs and dings here and there, but the paint is respectable from 5 feet, the chrome still shines, and the nervex professional lugs have this really neat outlining that lasted all these years. Whoever built the bike that day in Worksop took their time.
Insert respectable point and shoot photo here.
X
X
X
Notice The Typical file marks arent present
X
Its still got the original carlton hoods, and theyre pretty clean.
X
The brooks looks perfect. Good amount of patina. The leather is crack free!
I cant wait to get it home. I have some plans for this one, and they involve tweed
Just kidding. Im going to repack the bearings, check for wear, and maybe upgrade the crank. Maybe put on a later, non delrin simplex or a suntour. Keep the originals in a box marked "Dads Parts." Its really bittersweet owning this bike. I just wish I could ask him about it. Heres to you dad.
Insert respectable point and shoot photo here.
X
X
X
Notice The Typical file marks arent present
X
Its still got the original carlton hoods, and theyre pretty clean.
X
The brooks looks perfect. Good amount of patina. The leather is crack free!
I cant wait to get it home. I have some plans for this one, and they involve tweed
Just kidding. Im going to repack the bearings, check for wear, and maybe upgrade the crank. Maybe put on a later, non delrin simplex or a suntour. Keep the originals in a box marked "Dads Parts." Its really bittersweet owning this bike. I just wish I could ask him about it. Heres to you dad.
The moral of the story is, snobbery is to be expected, but when you become unable to appreciate bicycles for what they are, it becomes a weird obsession with fetish items instead of a passion for craftsmanship. Its like 911 owners who are unable to admit that any other car is nearly as good, whereas a car enthusiast can respect, covet and accept the 911 for what it is while enjoying other cars as well.
Last edited by lord_athlon; 11-25-13 at 06:50 PM.
11-25-13, 06:51 PM
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I walked on a ti-merckx with chorus that I was $100 off from seller. Stupid stupid stupid.
Who knows why we pass on bicycles.
I passed on a project 1974 Masi GC.
That was a mistake, especially as I had everything on the shelf to turn it into a very nice rider.
The seller and I were only $100 apart when I took the "stupid" pill.
I keep looking at the pics I took that fateful day.
Oh well.
I passed on a project 1974 Masi GC.
That was a mistake, especially as I had everything on the shelf to turn it into a very nice rider.
The seller and I were only $100 apart when I took the "stupid" pill.
I keep looking at the pics I took that fateful day.
Oh well.
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1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
11-25-13, 07:19 PM
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Perhaps I should have been a little clearer about my use of the word "hype": I was referring to the general air of myth and mystery surrounding Confente, particularly near the end. My usage had nothing whatsoever to do regarding the auction or the seller.
I subscribe to the Baylis and not the Cunningham school of thought when it comes to Confente for reasons I'll not go into here. I respect Confente as a builder of very finely crafted bikes, but that's about it. I mean, let's face it: I will never, ever, ever get the chance to ride one; that right there is why I can only appreciate half the story, you know?
If I offended anyone here with my remarks I sincerely apologize - that was, of course, never my intention!
DD
I subscribe to the Baylis and not the Cunningham school of thought when it comes to Confente for reasons I'll not go into here. I respect Confente as a builder of very finely crafted bikes, but that's about it. I mean, let's face it: I will never, ever, ever get the chance to ride one; that right there is why I can only appreciate half the story, you know?
If I offended anyone here with my remarks I sincerely apologize - that was, of course, never my intention!
DD
11-25-13, 07:37 PM
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Perhaps I should have been a little clearer about my use of the word "hype": I was referring to the general air of myth and mystery surrounding Confente, particularly near the end. My usage had nothing whatsoever to do regarding the auction or the seller.
I subscribe to the Baylis and not the Cunningham school of thought when it comes to Confente for reasons I'll not go into here. I respect Confente as a builder of very finely crafted bikes, but that's about it. I mean, let's face it: I will never, ever, ever get the chance to ride one; that right there is why I can only appreciate half the story, you know?
If I offended anyone here with my remarks I sincerely apologize - that was, of course, never my intention!
DD
I subscribe to the Baylis and not the Cunningham school of thought when it comes to Confente for reasons I'll not go into here. I respect Confente as a builder of very finely crafted bikes, but that's about it. I mean, let's face it: I will never, ever, ever get the chance to ride one; that right there is why I can only appreciate half the story, you know?
If I offended anyone here with my remarks I sincerely apologize - that was, of course, never my intention!
DD
11-25-13, 07:38 PM
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11-25-13, 08:52 PM
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11-25-13, 08:59 PM
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11-25-13, 09:02 PM
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...I was just talking with my friend, Jack, over the evening ride beer on the deck
downtown about bikes we either had and sold or passed on.
He just sold a pretty much original as built up by Palo Alto Bike Shop a '67
Cinelli with Spence Wolf wheels. It went to a friend of both of us at 1200 bucks,
and I had right of first refusal. Just couldn't get excited enough about another
project overhaul. He was still kicking himself about a local E-bay sale on a Singer
that went for 1500 bucks, but he just couldn't pull the trigger.
Who really knows why we end up riding what we end up riding ? Not me.
downtown about bikes we either had and sold or passed on.
He just sold a pretty much original as built up by Palo Alto Bike Shop a '67
Cinelli with Spence Wolf wheels. It went to a friend of both of us at 1200 bucks,
and I had right of first refusal. Just couldn't get excited enough about another
project overhaul. He was still kicking himself about a local E-bay sale on a Singer
that went for 1500 bucks, but he just couldn't pull the trigger.
Who really knows why we end up riding what we end up riding ? Not me.
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11-25-13, 09:06 PM
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I'm not a Bianchiphile, but my '54 is one of my favorite bikes, and is a permanent part of the collection. Great ride, and it's become mine as I've put it together...
I kind of want to dislike Colnagos (and do dislike most after the mid '70s), but my '74 is a blast to ride, and it's a keeper.
I don't have Confentemania, and most certainly realized that hype/mojo/lore/romance/nostalgia account for much of any collectable bike's value. Confentes are extreme examples of that reality.
That being said, most of us will never have the chance to own a Confente. So, if one comes along in your size at a price that you can reasonably afford, you have to give it some serious conideration, as it may never happen again. 20k is a fortune to most of us, but a pittance to some... It's all relative.
Heck, even if a possibly early counterfeit Confente came along in your size at a very reasonable price, you'd have to give it some serious thought. There were only supposed to be two that were made with Confente's frame features, which is a lot fewer than 135
I kind of want to dislike Colnagos (and do dislike most after the mid '70s), but my '74 is a blast to ride, and it's a keeper.
I don't have Confentemania, and most certainly realized that hype/mojo/lore/romance/nostalgia account for much of any collectable bike's value. Confentes are extreme examples of that reality.
That being said, most of us will never have the chance to own a Confente. So, if one comes along in your size at a price that you can reasonably afford, you have to give it some serious conideration, as it may never happen again. 20k is a fortune to most of us, but a pittance to some... It's all relative.
Heck, even if a possibly early counterfeit Confente came along in your size at a very reasonable price, you'd have to give it some serious thought. There were only supposed to be two that were made with Confente's frame features, which is a lot fewer than 135
11-25-13, 09:10 PM
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Not as nice. I'm still a little uncertain as to its origin.
The one that's a rider is one of those 70's gunmetal grey ones with the yellow graphics...
I got a deal on it because some dumbass had filed off the original DT braze ons when
he went to bar ends. Sometimes you see stuff that just makes you want to weep.
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11-25-13, 09:12 PM
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I'm not a Bianchiphile, but my '54 is one of my favorite bikes, and is a permanent part of the collection. Great ride, and it's become mine as I've put it together...
I kind of want to dislike Colnagos (and do dislike most after the mid '70s), but my '74 is a blast to ride, and it's a keeper.
I don't have Confentemania, and most certainly realized that hype/mojo/lore/romance/nostalgia account for much of any collectable bike's value. Confentes are extreme examples of that reality.
That being said, most of us will never have the chance to own a Confente. So, if one comes along in your size at a price that you can reasonably afford, you have to give it some serious conideration, as it may never happen again. 20k is a fortune to most of us, but a pittance to some... It's all relative.
Heck, even if a possibly early counterfeit Confente came along in your size at a very reasonable price, you'd have to give it some serious thought. There were only supposed to be two that were made with Confente's frame features, which is a lot fewer than 135
I kind of want to dislike Colnagos (and do dislike most after the mid '70s), but my '74 is a blast to ride, and it's a keeper.
I don't have Confentemania, and most certainly realized that hype/mojo/lore/romance/nostalgia account for much of any collectable bike's value. Confentes are extreme examples of that reality.
That being said, most of us will never have the chance to own a Confente. So, if one comes along in your size at a price that you can reasonably afford, you have to give it some serious conideration, as it may never happen again. 20k is a fortune to most of us, but a pittance to some... It's all relative.
Heck, even if a possibly early counterfeit Confente came along in your size at a very reasonable price, you'd have to give it some serious thought. There were only supposed to be two that were made with Confente's frame features, which is a lot fewer than 135
Last edited by KonAaron Snake; 11-25-13 at 09:26 PM.
11-25-13, 09:35 PM
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https://www.skrivanbicycles.com/the-bicycles.html
In the CR list soap opera, Bayliss mentioned that he was aware of two...
11-25-13, 10:00 PM
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That being said, most of us will never have the chance to own a Confente. So, if one comes along in your size at a price that you can reasonably afford, you have to give it some serious conideration, as it may never happen again. 20k is a fortune to most of us, but a pittance to some... It's all relative.
11-25-13, 10:07 PM
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Confente.......the James Dean of frame builders.
j
j
11-25-13, 10:11 PM
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There are at least a half dozen framesets on his site that are really exceptional to my eyes.
That platinum metallic "do it all" dirt road bike and the yellow "Fango" are standouts.
But ultimately, I am not the one to tell someone how to spend their money.
I certainly resist when I am told what to do, that's certain.
11-25-13, 10:17 PM
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But,
1) I can turn down a Wages frame today, and then change my mind tomorrow. Harder to find another Confente.
2) You can't turn around and sell a Wages for the price of a Confente.
We're not talking about comparative quality here. We're talking about comparative scarcity, demand, mythology, history, and financial value.
James Dean is always the comparison that I draw as well. Many other better actors, but he was in the right place at the right time, and then died at the right place at the right time.
11-25-13, 10:29 PM
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We're fortunate to have so many quality builders available to us. I guess I'm a little weird because I have bikes I ride and I have some fetish objects that I ride rarely, if at all. I appreciate both, though the bikes I like most are the ones I enjoy riding. Some bikes with fancy pedigrees don't do much for me and some production bikes do. Generally the bikes I like most are the ones I want to ride - like gmg's Kvale, scooper's Waterford, photo's tandems (pick one) and fender's Ritchey. I really want to throw a leg over a Jack Taylor...and that Singer that's been getting posted screams ride me.
If I were dropping 20k on a wall hanger, I'd probably want something a little different - like a high quality 1880s high wheeler. I know the bikes I've spent the most on are the ones I ride the most...most of the wall hangers were bikes I got because they were great deals that I couldn't pass up, but haven't had the heart to sell either. Eventually I will because I just don't have the emotional bond with them...but I'm not ready yet. I generally spend the real money on the stuff I use. I won't EVER pay anything approaching retail for a bike I'm not planning on riding, but I'll overpay for ones I really want to ride.
I would LOVE to own the Confente Masi at $5,000...I could show it off for a few years and make some money when the time came. I think it's a great bike, it's just not worth retail (or anything close to retail) to me.
If I were dropping 20k on a wall hanger, I'd probably want something a little different - like a high quality 1880s high wheeler. I know the bikes I've spent the most on are the ones I ride the most...most of the wall hangers were bikes I got because they were great deals that I couldn't pass up, but haven't had the heart to sell either. Eventually I will because I just don't have the emotional bond with them...but I'm not ready yet. I generally spend the real money on the stuff I use. I won't EVER pay anything approaching retail for a bike I'm not planning on riding, but I'll overpay for ones I really want to ride.
I would LOVE to own the Confente Masi at $5,000...I could show it off for a few years and make some money when the time came. I think it's a great bike, it's just not worth retail (or anything close to retail) to me.
Last edited by KonAaron Snake; 11-25-13 at 10:33 PM.
11-25-13, 11:01 PM
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We're fortunate to have so many quality builders available to us. I guess I'm a little weird because I have bikes I ride and I have some fetish objects that I ride rarely, if at all. I appreciate both, though the bikes I like most are the ones I enjoy riding. Some bikes with fancy pedigrees don't do much for me and some production bikes do. Generally the bikes I like most are the ones I want to ride - like gmg's Kvale, scooper's Waterford, photo's tandems (pick one) and fender's Ritchey. I really want to throw a leg over a Jack Taylor...and that Singer that's been getting posted screams ride me.
If I were dropping 20k on a wall hanger, I'd probably want something a little different - like a high quality 1880s high wheeler. I know the bikes I've spent the most on are the ones I ride the most...most of the wall hangers were bikes I got because they were great deals that I couldn't pass up, but haven't had the heart to sell either. Eventually I will because I just don't have the emotional bond with them...but I'm not ready yet. I generally spend the real money on the stuff I use. I won't EVER pay anything approaching retail for a bike I'm not planning on riding, but I'll overpay for ones I really want to ride.
I would LOVE to own the Confente Masi at $5,000...I could show it off for a few years and make some money when the time came. I think it's a great bike, it's just not worth retail (or anything close to retail) to me.
If I were dropping 20k on a wall hanger, I'd probably want something a little different - like a high quality 1880s high wheeler. I know the bikes I've spent the most on are the ones I ride the most...most of the wall hangers were bikes I got because they were great deals that I couldn't pass up, but haven't had the heart to sell either. Eventually I will because I just don't have the emotional bond with them...but I'm not ready yet. I generally spend the real money on the stuff I use. I won't EVER pay anything approaching retail for a bike I'm not planning on riding, but I'll overpay for ones I really want to ride.
I would LOVE to own the Confente Masi at $5,000...I could show it off for a few years and make some money when the time came. I think it's a great bike, it's just not worth retail (or anything close to retail) to me.
I'm on your level thought wise.
11-25-13, 11:16 PM
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11-25-13, 11:22 PM
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How many Confente made bikes are still out there unaccounted for? I'm seriously thinking of finding one (in black with all NR) along with a Cinelli SC at a garage sale! :-) Hopefully, I'll still be looking for them when I'm in my 80's, and having fun doing it as I do now! :-)
Flash
Flash
11-26-13, 07:23 AM
#98
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.I don't doubt that for a second. And, I'm certain that there are many others.
But,
1) I can turn down a Wages frame today, and then change my mind tomorrow. Harder to find another Confente.
2) You can't turn around and sell a Wages for the price of a Confente.
We're not talking about comparative quality here. We're talking about comparative scarcity, demand, mythology, history, and financial value.
James Dean is always the comparison that I draw as well. Many other better actors, but he was in the right place at the right time, and then died at the right place at the right time.
But,
1) I can turn down a Wages frame today, and then change my mind tomorrow. Harder to find another Confente.
2) You can't turn around and sell a Wages for the price of a Confente.
We're not talking about comparative quality here. We're talking about comparative scarcity, demand, mythology, history, and financial value.
James Dean is always the comparison that I draw as well. Many other better actors, but he was in the right place at the right time, and then died at the right place at the right time.
All of the other attributes you listed, for fear of bringing the wrath of roadfan, is hype. Please don't take that as a derogatory. Take it in a Public Enemy sort of way. It is about passion. I don't get caught up in it about a bike.
11-26-13, 07:25 AM
#99
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Regarding the two page derosa vs a 20 page RB-1 thread...It depends on the personality of the poster and the build. I only have quality bikes, but quality is subjective to an extent. Most of my bikes tick the right boxes as far as materials and quality, but lack the cache from country of origin or marque.
Ill take a midrange bike with some effort put into it vs. a purely cash exchange any day of the week. The ones with good stories/personality are the ones that go 20 pages.
My non US made trek is 531/tange and fits me better than my earlier, 531 us made one does. I keep the non US one because it fit, and is of a quality worth riding and putting money into...As a collectable, not so much.
Here are some examples:
VS
The moral of the story is, snobbery is to be expected, but when you become unable to appreciate bicycles for what they are, it becomes a weird obsession with fetish items instead of a passion for craftsmanship. Its like 911 owners who are unable to admit that any other car is nearly as good, whereas a car enthusiast can respect, covet and accept the 911 for what it is while enjoying other cars as well.
Ill take a midrange bike with some effort put into it vs. a purely cash exchange any day of the week. The ones with good stories/personality are the ones that go 20 pages.
My non US made trek is 531/tange and fits me better than my earlier, 531 us made one does. I keep the non US one because it fit, and is of a quality worth riding and putting money into...As a collectable, not so much.
Here are some examples:
VS
The moral of the story is, snobbery is to be expected, but when you become unable to appreciate bicycles for what they are, it becomes a weird obsession with fetish items instead of a passion for craftsmanship. Its like 911 owners who are unable to admit that any other car is nearly as good, whereas a car enthusiast can respect, covet and accept the 911 for what it is while enjoying other cars as well.
It's alright, I fully understand that not everyone can afford a (high end) bike, and everyone has their likes and dislikes. I get it. But to run down this bike, for just the price tag is plain silly. And most of the posters doing it IMO have no idea what it's like to ride a Dave Wages dream, or a custom Spectrum, of god forbid a Sachs, or any of many,many other makers. Aaron's bikes come to mind, except the triple. I find it funny, because the ride is NOT the same.
But, if it makes you happy to fix these bike boom bikes, by all means please do so. The more people riding is always better than not riding.
11-26-13, 07:58 AM
#100
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
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Bikes: Two wheeled ones
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No you miss the point. There are MANY, MANY more bicycle enthusiast on this sub-forum that are VERY cheap, and will find reasons to claim that their Schwinn Le Tours and Fuji Royales are as good as (insert high end brand here) good. It's not being a snob, it's just a fact. Nothing wrong with it. Just the way it is. BUT, the high end bikes posted here, or the high end bikes that are posted for sale at a high end price are put down and made fun of, by posters that have never rode one that fit. That sings to you when you turn the cranks, unlike any, or most of the bike boom bikes.
It's alright, I fully understand that not everyone can afford a (high end) bike, and everyone has their likes and dislikes. I get it. But to run down this bike, for just the price tag is plain silly. And most of the posters doing it IMO have no idea what it's like to ride a Dave Wages dream, or a custom Spectrum, of god forbid a Sachs, or any of many,many other makers. Aaron's bikes come to mind, except the triple. I find it funny, because the ride is NOT the same.
But, if it makes you happy to fix these bike boom bikes, by all means please do so. The more people riding is always better than not riding.
It's alright, I fully understand that not everyone can afford a (high end) bike, and everyone has their likes and dislikes. I get it. But to run down this bike, for just the price tag is plain silly. And most of the posters doing it IMO have no idea what it's like to ride a Dave Wages dream, or a custom Spectrum, of god forbid a Sachs, or any of many,many other makers. Aaron's bikes come to mind, except the triple. I find it funny, because the ride is NOT the same.
But, if it makes you happy to fix these bike boom bikes, by all means please do so. The more people riding is always better than not riding.
I think some of what you're talking about has really died down, and it's nice.