Masi Randoneur thoughts
 

I am looking to buy a used bike to use for commuting, although I would like something that could also handle some light touring - preferably a steel frame bike with rack mounts. I've been looking on Craigslist for quite a while now, and I think I might get this 2010 Masi Randoneur that is for sale (http://knoxville.craigslist.org/bik/3662430864.html). Just thought I would see if others had any thoughts on whether or not this is a good deal. Thanks for your input!

Great bike for good price if you are 5'7" - 5'9" 'ish.
Classy, Versatile.
Ride.

Looks like a nice bike for a good price, if it fits you. No bike is a good deal if it's the wrong size, however.

A 53cm? Maybe if that 5'7"-5'9" person has really short arms.

I'm 5'7", and that's my size (33 inch sleeve in dress shirt). Think I should make a road trip? ;)

You are probably right. I had another tab open on craigslist/austin w/ a listing for a Masi Speciale CX, 53cm. Just smaller than what I like in a cyclocross frame. Usually ride a cyclocross frame around 2cm smaller than touring/rec road frame. Forgot/cornfused that OP stated masi randoneur, not special cx, I had been looking at. Bikes look pretty similarly visually, btw.....

Anyway, yes.......and ride the bike and only buy if it fits and feels good...
Body geometries, stated frame sizes, frame geometries, all vary......

That came out a little snarkier than I intended... just felt like it might be on the small side for the average 5'8" person, so the OP ought to at least try out that beautiful bike before committing to buy. :thumb:

I think its a great bike--go look at it! :thumb:

I have the sister of that bike, the Masi Speciale Commuter. I think the only difference was the brakes. I am 5' 8" and I ride the 56. I had the 53 for a year and it was just too small. The 56 has a 55.5 top tube, so not really a 56. I loved this bike so much I bought a second one. Of all the bikes I have owned and I have owned many, this is the nicest bike I have ever had.

I did see the bike you are looking at and I think it is a great bike, if it fits it would be a great acquisition. I think the Masi's are quite undervalued right now. They have great steel frames and it is amazing how comfortable the bike is. I wouldn't have any hesitation buying that bike.

Um... I'm 5'10 and ride a 53 cm 80s road bike. You need to figure out top tube length before you say the bike is too small.

As well, you can always swap out for a longer stem if need be.

That's a pretty nice bike at a nice price. I'd be out there right now trying it out with some cash in my pocket.

Thanks for all your replies. Hopefully I will get to see the bike soon. 53 cm is my best guess at a good fit for me. I'm 5'9" but I have really short legs. So I have a slim margin of bikes that I can stand over without feeling overly cramped. In fact, I think this bike might actually have some contact when I stand over it, but I don't want to go any smaller. I think the best for me might be something like this, and swap the stem if I need a few inches extra of TT length.

I found a geometry chart for that bike and the 53 has an effective top tube length of 53.5.

On a good day, I'm 5'9" and ride bikes with a total reach of ~65cm, so usually my top tubes are 54 and I use 110mm stems. Any longer than that an I feel too stretched out. For reference, my cycling inseam is 31.75 inches.

Like gerv, I would be looking at that one.

I said "might"! ;)

Interestingly, I use the same amount of total reach as megalowatt, I just use a larger frame with a shorter stem...

Win. Snap it up before someone beats you to it.

Great bike. Price is OK, for very lightly used. IF it fits, go for it.

Is that before or after the vasectomy? :lol:

x2. BTW, there are many ways to measure fit on a bike, but for me, the top tube length is the most important (standover is nowhere near as important...). I'm 5'10 or so, and am quite comfy on a 54cm or 55cm road bikes with a 110mm or 100cm stem (my current bike has a true top tube length of 54.8cm). If I were a couple inches shorter, I would not hesitate to try a 53cm bike...

I saw and rode one of those in Rapid City over the summer..... lot of bike for the price, I almost brought it home with me. But my son looked at me and said I had enough bikes.

It's funny. I do Sunday rides with a friend who is exactly the same height as me. He rides a 58 and can't go smaller. I find a 58 too large.

For older bikes, you often had a choice between a 21 and a 23 inch. I chose the 21 with the longer stem.

Great bike! If it fits you, grab it!

Of course, as you can already tell, nobody really knows what the heck they're talkin' about when it comes to fit and frame size over the NET, so I'm afraid that you'll just have to test-ride it for yourself! :D

IMO, discussing relative frame sizes is like talking about god. Nobody really knows for certain. Many of us claim knowledge, which only amounts to faith. Most of us have absolutely no idea what the heck we're talking about on the matter. And some of us, don't give a damn, as long as we feel no pain when cycling and we don't cycle into harms way.

However, just like god, frame sizes do exist, and you should never doubt that fact...

That sure is a nice picture -- is that marketing content from Masi, or is this seller some kind of pro photographer? I'd be prepared for the bike not to look quite so nice.

Also, I'm confused about what's going on in the shifter department; no downtube levers, no STI, so it must be that stuff piled on top of the brake levers but the pic is too small to see clearly -- what is that?

RubeRad you're right. I think they are supposed to be bar-end shifters on that bike but the picture doesn't show any at all.

It does have STI's you can see the cables come out from the side of the shifters. But after looking at the bike again, I don't believe it is the Speciale Randonneur but Masi's Speciale CX which is cyclocross bike. Cantilever brakes, top tube cable mounting, that clearly is their cross bike.

Still a great bike but I suspect shorter stays than the Randonneur and a slightly higher bottom bracket. It would make a great commuter bike.

Let us know if you buy it.

Unless I'm missing something, the picture shows STIs.

Yes I see the shift cables, which means the shifting mechanism must be up there somewhere, but I see no STI inner return-levers. Probably what I failed to consider is the possibility that these are Sora brifters, that use a thumb-button for return-shifting, and that little button is just not visible in the pic.

Have the same Masi Speciale Commuter (singlespeed) in 53, which appears to be the exact same bike (frame) in that picture. Even the bar tape looks exactly what my bike came with. The bike rides great and feels really comfortable, it's my everyday commuter. Just love the bike.

I'm 5'8" with an 30.125 inseam, the bike fit is perfect. You could always change the stem as already suggested. I wouldn't be concerned about stand over height, on a road bike, the top tube length is more important for proper bike fit.

Another plus, at least on my bike, is the longer chainstays, this provides more clearance for panniers.

If the bike, wheels and components are all in good shape, you should seriously consider buying this bike.

Thanks again for all the replies. I have talked to the guy and set up a time to go see the bike. I am glad to see that many people think it is a good value.

As far as fit, I will obviously try it out and see how it feels, but since I am new to biking, I'm not sure how much I will be able to figure out in a few minutes in a parking lot. I know that stand over height is not as important as top tube length, but with a short inseam (less than 30 in), there will probably be some actual contact. I'm not too worried about that though, as long as it's not too severe.

The photo is definitely not taken by the guy who owns the bike - it is just a promo photo. He said he didn't have a working camera to take pics, so I will just have to see the bike in person - I realize it won't be as pristine as the picture. As for shifters, Bikepedia says it comes with bar end shifters - the picture must be of the single speed.

If I end up buying it, I will try to put up a picture.

No, the picture definitely shows shifter cables popping out from above the brake levers, and front and rear derailleurs. Maybe the pic is a glamour shot of somebody's custom setup. And assuming the bike does not look as beautiful as that one, hopefully you can decide on the spot between minor issues of tuning and things you can fix (low/flat/worn tires, small wheel wobbles, brake rub, worn brake pads, imprecise shifting) vs things that might make you reconsider (bent/cracked frame components, seriously warped wheels)

Anyways, good luck test riding, try to put aside the excitement of sitting on a new bike, and just think about whether you feel comfortable. You should be able to adjust the seat height so at least your pedal strokes are comfortable, but do you feel stretched out or cramped in the forward direction (a lot or a little? If just a little, it could probably be resolved with a different stem). Do you feel like the handlebars are too wide and put your arms in an awkward position? Or they are too narrow and turning feels twitchy? How do your hands and arms feel in all the various grip positions (tops, hoods, drops).

it's a beautiful bike, I say buy it even if it doesn't fit (just to be contrarian)

It should be close, by the looks/sounds of thing. Sit on the bike, pedal in a comfy position (after you've adjusted the seat height), and then look down at the stem/bar intersection. If they "cover" the front axle when you look down, or come close to covering it, you're definitely in the ball park. Remember that the frame size seems optimally close, and if that is in fact the case, stems and set-back posts are relatively inexpensive replacement items. Look for the obvious as stated above (cracks, taco'd wheels [hold front of bike up, spin wheel, and see if it weaves in and out in relation to the brake pad--do the same for the rear], proper shifting, etc.). Then, as Arsprod says, just do it. :) My .02.