What a sweet ride... always like to see those Canadian bikes getting around as they are so nicely made.

I actually found mine on this forum in the classifieds, just searched and then looked through every thread then PM'd anyone who had one no matter how old the thread was and finally someone bit.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6235/...254a555792.jpg
_MG_0437 by mw189no2, on Flickr

The frame rides phenomenally well. I bought the frame/fork off of Craigslist (for really cheap) when I lived in Calgary, and sent the frameset to Marinoni's factory/workshop in Montreal for some work (re-paint, custom brazing / braze removals). According to the folks there, mr. Guiseppi did some of the work on the frame himself.

The geometry is more relaxed than most "Special" models that I've seen - it rides beautifully.

I'll be bidding the fair bicycle "adieu" soon, as I am in a position of significantly downsizing and will be down to a single "do all" bike. An artisan framed road bike is a luxury rather than a necessity, so the Marinoni will be put up on the auction block pretty soon...

It was a really fun project!

While in Calgary, I think I saw at least one "nishiki era" Norco road bike daily, at least five CCM's and the odd Miele or 'noni.

Marinoni builds a masterfully builtl bicycle and their customer service is second to none... my friend owned the shop here that dealt in them and believe he owns the last lugged frame Marinoni produced and this was built as a special order and thank you for his years of work with them.

When you call them up the odds are good you will be talking to family.

Aww! Finally I am getting my laptop off my back! Here's my new commuter:

http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/5376/pannfull.jpg

Nothing fancy. Needs to handle short commute in Chicago winters. I also wanted a cross bike for single trail when possible. So this is dual purpose. I just got the bags today. I've never had any kind of pannier before, only a trunk bag. I'm thrilled about getting my work computer off my back. I've been lugging about 20 pounds in a backpack and it's really been getting to me.

Originally had this setup as a single speed with a tensioner but I was not happy with how it turned out. Plus, I broke the tensioner so I returned it and pulled a triple group out of the parts bin. Smarter choice anyway.

This is the bike it essentially replaced:
http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/2576/img0042zd.jpg

This is my 20 year old mountain bike recently converted to a commuter. I replaced the front shock with the original fork, then had to replace the front brake cable to work with the T-Bone stem (I always wondered why the stem had a hole in it!). The components are Deore DX which continue to be great. The cardboard disk over the chainrings is an experiment that so far works very well at keeping my pant leg clean.

More updates to the Dew
 

Well, my 2011 Kona Dew is 200 miles in but now I feel like it is finally set up the way I want for the commute, at least for now. Most recent updates from just a few days ago: Cateye Enduro 8 computer, Nite Rider Mako 2-watt headlight, and a Nite Rider Cherrybomb 1-watt rear flasher (my first lights). I am really enjoying this new found obsession of mine, especially now that I can ride 24 hours a day :thumb:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...ataillight.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...aheadlight.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...nacomputer.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...nabackyard.jpg

I am really starting to enjoy the brooks B17 saddle, even though it still has a long way to be broken in.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...ookssaddle.jpg

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=226734A little unusual I know, she does double duty as a fast tourer on rough roads and can handle some gravel etc.http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=226733

my commuter, done around a 1000 miles so far, frequently breaks down but i love repairing it. i removed the fenders to reduce the weight but it rained the next day and i soon learned that i'm better of with them...

bought it new for around the $50 US. bargain.http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=226803http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=226801

http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5836414_n.jpg
Old frame new parts. payed $150 for it put about $70 into it. I put about 850 miles on it this year and 600 last year.

I like it.

+1. The stickers, mismatched parts, and rainbow chain come together in a fun, eclectic style. I'd ride it. :thumb:

Finally got to test the new winter ride in an inch of fresh snow and roads that had turned into a skating rink... was nice to watch pick up driving rednecks get stuck on hills while I rode away like I was riding on dry pavement and we are calling this Cyclist Revenge Day 2011".

:)

My fiancé (girlfriend at the time) used to live in a neighborhood where one of the exits was up a short little 12% grade hill (we measured after a discussion as to the steepness of said hill). I used to love passing motorists as they spun out trying to climb the hill on wickedly icy days, and my ability to do so was one of the factors in convincing the lady that studded tired bikes are a viable form of winter transportation. It's all about the traction to weight ratio.

I bizarrely lust after this thing. It just looks fun

How is the Sirrus for commuting? I'm planning on getting the '12 Sirrus Comp, or maybe even the limited, or my daily commute to work and anywhere else around central florida.

To answer your question: Excellent!

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=227147

Che bella!
I bought this for FG winter commuting, but I like it so much I used it all summer too.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-r...0/PC130026.JPG

Here's pics of my commuters. Picked the Univega up cheap off of CL a couple years ago and put the racks, fenders, and trekking bars on it. It's has been used for grocery shopping/commuting, errands and such since that time. Came with all XT components.
I've had the Koga for several years and it came to me set up with a Sachs 7x3 rear hub and triple rings up front. Way to many gears, but a great riding, fun, and useful bike that I love riding. Been car free for about sixteen months now.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=227152http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=227151

Love the Speciale Commuter. It's a pity that Masi stopped making it! I don't see one in their 2012 lineup that compares: http://www.masibikes.com/bikes/fixed

I named this bicycle Scorcher since I can't find the real brand or model when I got it.
I had this bicycle fitted with new parts and modified part of the frame. I just found out that this bicycle falls under the high wheeler category.

[IMG]http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6109/6342507708_0f121d5379.jpg[/IMG ]

Very interesting.

You know it really is. My objective was a long wheelbase bike with horizontal dropouts for fixed gear, room for big tires and fenders, regular road bars with room for lights, sensible brakes, etc... nothing else out there even came close in a complete bike package - and this bike was really inexpensive... $500 for the complete bike. Kona had one but with track ends, Surly LHT had the geometry, but with vertical dropouts. Still don't see anything similar short of a custom ... I didn't even like Rivendell's SS frame.

Oh well, it was a niche market and I was lucky to be in the market when it was available.

So were all the Speciale SS's the same frame/fork or did the commuter have different features, mounts, etc?