Masi Caffe Solo
 

I did a search and haven't seen any talk of this bike.

http://www.masibikes.com/metroitalia/caffe-racer-solo/

I admit there's something "sexy" about the Masi name. (Although I'm guessing the frame on this one is probably Asian in origin.) I like the double crank and the 105 RD. I don't suppose anyone has ridden one of these?

There's a couple of Masi dealers near me, but I'm almost certain I'd have to special order this particular model.

I read an article on a current production Masi in Bicycle Times magazine (Issue 004). The reviewer said it rode great and was very comfortable. On the down-side was that Masi didn't make the frame wide enough to properly fit fenders and racks using the eyelets built into the frame. Masi has promised to fix this problem in the next model.

While this was on their Randonneur model that's built for touring with racks and panniers - I'd check the Masi you are contemplating out thoroughly before committing to buy. Other than these small complaints - the reviewer liked the bike very much. Check the Bicycle Times website and see if you can get a copy of Issue 004. And give Masi a shout and ask them about problems that have been reported. The reviewer did, and Masi was straight-forward and honest with her.

i am in love with this bike.....
and that other guys felt.....
anyone wanna send me cash for one?

You are right about one thing - that is one gorgeous bike!

Will it take bigger tires? 35s or 40s, perhaps?

Looks like a lot of bike for the money......

I forgot to mention: I like these new Masi machines, too! If I didn't already have a full stable - a Masi would be a top contender.

Roll Away the Dew....

Straight blade alloy fork? No thank you. If your roads are smooth and your wrists are good,then YMMV.

^^^ Yeah, the Doppio has a carbon fork and a 10 speed cassette as well but of course...more money. I love that color though.

Well, if anyone's in the Bay Area, there's one on Craigslist.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1516535661.html

Masi makes a great bike and they used to have production in LA, if memory serves, and when Masi US closed up some builders started up Medici (just posted my conversion in the FG/SS pics thread.

My boss used to race a 3vc carbon, which he just replaced with a Jamis Xenith SL. I'd say, find one simular to test for size comparison, then order and share in the love.

Aren't Masi's just re-badged Haro's?

Well, I think they come from the same distributer, which means that they may be owned by the same company or parts of the same. But I couldn't say for sure. I'll have to look into that.

Different divisions of the same parent. Dunno who the parent is though.

Atleast its not owned by these guys http://www.dorel.com/marques.htm. How long 'till we see Cannondale in "wally world"?

That bike is a beauty!

Before you jump out of your shoes, may I suggest to, ate least, read what scant there are written by other reviewers. http://www.bicycletimesmag.com/

Excellent publication just starting up.

According to my LBS owner who carrys them, Masi is now owned by Haro. Hardly a rebadge though. Haro's more interested in mountain bikes and Masi...well, they don't even make one.

:eek: That's depressing...:(

This is the most insidious part of corporate comglomeratization. Numerous "brands" presenting the appearance of actual product differentation, only to find that they are often no different in reality.
Some corps do a better job of maintaining brand and product identity, and with others it's just homogenation and rebadging the same product.
There is nothing unusual about supposedly competing products on the shelf all coming out of the same factory. With "offshoring," this trend is only accelerating as everything is just shopped out to the same group of contract manufacturers.
Unless you know where the factory is and who the owners are, the whole PR image of some guy building something unique and lovingly handcrafted is just a bunch of hooey.

Don't know. The Haro Roscoe looks pretty similar to the Caffe.

That looks like a re-badged Masi!! They're all made in Taiwan anyway...Haro is by far the larger company but 95% of their sales are bmx. If any rebadging is going on, it's probably on their part. :innocent: Like I said, they're all made in Taiwan anyway...a flat bar road bike is a flat bar road bike. The main difference will be in the components. It's like Nascar is now...they're all the same just some say ford and some say chevy. If they wern't badged, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference.

I couldn't determine if Haro and Masi are one in the same. However the Masi appears to be well worth the extra $200 in upgrades. Having a road derailuer and cassette, it is more of a flat bared road bike than the Haro with its mtb derailuer accomidating a wider gearing.

Thinking about pulling the trigger on the 2010 version at my LBS for $675. Test drove one the other day and really liked how it had a relaxed geometry, but still felt quick and sporty. I'm thinking I'd use it for grocery runs and longer or hilly rides that I wouldn't want to ride my fixed on. Might give it a shot on my commute every once and a while to (I do that on my fixie as well)

Thoughts?