Ok, so maybe it was me. Here is the '79 Masi Prestige I picked up about a month ago. She is cleaned and greased, and today was her maiden voyage after I assume many years. All I can say is wow! So now the dilemna. 1. She is all legs, which I normally love, but on the tall side. 2. I have the original tubular rims with campy record hubs, but tubular tires in Texas wont last long, do I buy some anyways just to keep her original. 3. Rewrap the bars, tried to hide the cables, but looks nicer if you dont. 4. Shimano front D, should be Campy. 5. Paint is showing its age. 6. Haven't found out what "alanen" is. Remove it or not? Anyways it has been fun to bring her back to life and an honor to ride.

Nice bike. Beauty. But I would un-wrap those brake cables. Too tight of curves in the cables. And yes, a Campy front derailleur would be nice. Lovely bike.

Beautiful! I agree those cables look awful. All I would recommend, beside a new FD is replacing the brake levers with the C-Rec era levers that you can run aero or traditional.

Pretty bicycle.

1. A guess here, but 62cm + seat tube, maybe the same on the top tube. Does the frameset fit you properly? Are you 6'2" +?

2. Leave the tubulars on the bicycle. Not so tough to change tires once you get the hang of it. Can't beat the ride of a decent tubular.

3. Nice try on bars, but they should be rewrapped pronto with the cables running on the rider side of the bars. We can post some pics to help you do this properly.

4. No biggie to put on a Campy derailleur when you get a chance. Ride the bike the way it is till you find one.

5 and 6. Don't touch the paint. Clean/protect the finish with Mother's products. That sun in Texas is tough business.

Overall, a fun bicycle. How do you know it is a 1979? Just wondering on your dating method.

...and don't forget to ask for help.

I used to live in north Texas. That's where I quit using tubulars, it's the thorns. (i'm back on tubulars now though). I feel your pain. I'd buy some nice clincher wheels and hold onto the tubulars for special days. Also, beautiful bike.

+1, as well as level the saddle, and you will be good to go. I've always loved Masi's, both Italy and USA made. You should be proud of it, it's beautiful!!!!

nice bike.

before you rewrap the bars to repair, lengthen and reroute the cables, you could also move the levers up so they would both be more comfy when riding atop the hoods and still be accessible from the drops.

Based on the saddle height, either the post is stuck or way too small for you...either way sell to me...

Yes 62 according to the stamp on the BB and consistent with what I have read on other sites. Also there is a 795 stamped in smaller font under the size stamp, and again according to the other sites, this frame was built in May of 1979.

Thanks for the feed back, I agree I blew it on the bar wrap, but I will fix that.

Congrats [MENTION=232454]VarVintg[/MENTION]! - A veritable grail-bike for many a C&V'er.
(Insofar as being "a little on the tall side" as you say, it looks like a good French fit to me. so just enjoy the ride.)

PS- I would research "alanen" very thoroughly before removing it.

No problem.

That Masi is well worth your time. As for the tubulars, you can decide if you have flatting issues.

I had a 1981 De Rosa that my sister purchased for me many years ago in Austin. It turned into my "stay at the parents' house" bike in the Hill country and I never had issues with flatting. Maybe I just caught a break? At any rate, I really preferred the Clements tubs that came with the bicycle.

I would definitely protect the finish with a high quality product like Mothers. You will be happy you did and so will the next owner someday.

Agreed.

It hurts nothing to stay on the bicycle. It's part of the package.

I hope you mean that you're not going to try taping down the brake cables at all. I think non-aero cable routing is graceful if done right. I'm not so good at it, I'm always afraid I'm going to cut it too short, and it always ends up too long and floppy.

That is a beautiful, beautiful bike. I'm not an Italian bike connoisseur, but that is beautiful. I would not remove the seat tube decaling. FWIW, the Shimano Z206 FD is a nice "touring/sport" derailleur that handles a double or triple quite well- it's not bad looking, but it's definitely not Campagnolo.

Congratulations!

Lovely bike. I've never seen an older Masi on the roads here.

Great looking bike for sure.

I would however dump the black wall tires when they wear out and get a proper set of tan walls for her. Just looks proper for her age. Yellow brake cables would also look good to match the bar tape, and if you aren't happy with the saddle, then go for something with some yellow in it to match the cables and bar tape. The Cinelli Unicanitor would be great for her, and it does come in yellow. I find it very comfortable.

Of course, this is just IMHO!

Thank You all for the nice comments, makes me feel good. I am going to re-do the bar tape and will keep the "Alanen" lettering. Great idea on the tan side wall tires, and additional yellow items. I think I will get a set of tubulars that I can mount on the original rims for "special ocassions". Happy Riding!
Sal

PS- I would research "alanen" very thoroughly before removing it.[/QUOTE]

Thanks Auchen,

I have run out of ideas on where to further "research" the name. I was hoping with all the experiences on this site, somebody would have some information. I recently e-mailed the master himself, Alberto Masi, and I am awaiting a response. Maybe he can point me in the right direction.

Sal

Personally I like the blackwall tires.
But when you get tired of the 'tallness" sell it on BikeForums.
I've got a Campy FD and love tubulars.

Wow. Beautiful. Welcome to the Masi family!

Maybe somebody said it already but I say keep the tubulars. Build yourself a set of high-end clincher wheels if you feel the need. For my GC I now have clinchers and tubulars with identical FWs so I can swap them to match the roads I intend to ride.

The black walls are on campy clincher rims, really a nice ride. The tubulars I think I'll get with the tan side walls. I picked her up cause she was just rusting away, didn't even consider the size at the time, so maybe one day I'll put her on BF.

Thank you. I fell in love with all the high lights, its just a beautiful piece of art. I'll keep the tubulars, but may not put too many miles on them. Around here "goat heads" or thorns are rampant and will puncture you
in a hurry.