Confentes go here
01-14-19, 07:59 PM
#26
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,786
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista Vitus 979
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3131 Post(s)
Liked 6,813 Times
in
3,897 Posts
Mario Confente
Mario Confente was a graduate of the Leonardo da Vinci School of Engineering in Verona, Italy, and competition cyclist for the famous Dillettanti Bencini Team. He became a artisan bicycle frame builder with Grandis and said to have been a sub-contractor to famous brands. He was employed by Faliero Masi to head up the new California Masi factory on October 12, 1973.
After some years of managing the Masi operation, Mario struck out on his own. using the playing card "spade" as his signature logo, engraved and printed in various places on his frames.
Tragically, at the age of 34, Mario died on March 8, 1979. He had made 135 frames bearing his name. Confente frames are now eagerly sought by bicycling aficionado
Mario Confente was a graduate of the Leonardo da Vinci School of Engineering in Verona, Italy, and competition cyclist for the famous Dillettanti Bencini Team. He became a artisan bicycle frame builder with Grandis and said to have been a sub-contractor to famous brands. He was employed by Faliero Masi to head up the new California Masi factory on October 12, 1973.
After some years of managing the Masi operation, Mario struck out on his own. using the playing card "spade" as his signature logo, engraved and printed in various places on his frames.
Tragically, at the age of 34, Mario died on March 8, 1979. He had made 135 frames bearing his name. Confente frames are now eagerly sought by bicycling aficionado
01-14-19, 10:49 PM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,314
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3467 Post(s)
Liked 2,843 Times
in
2,004 Posts
most with his name on them, yes. Two locations, Los Angeles and near Carmel.
a few Italian produced Confente transferred bikes have shown up. At least two made it across the Atlantic, and about the same number the other way that I have seen.
the bikes are not “magic”. You still have to pedal. I like mine very much. The Sprint bike does not get much use, I don’t invision selling it. I can best describe that from the “get go” it was terrific, you could do what you wanted to and the bike responded “ no problem, need anything else?” Provided a heaping dose of confidence. One could argue that the road bikes are a Masi+, Mario did integrate what Masi did and also departed from that. The bikes at the extreme sizes while he was at Masi in Carlsbad are subtlety different that what Masi brought with him and documented in the jig frames.
a few Italian produced Confente transferred bikes have shown up. At least two made it across the Atlantic, and about the same number the other way that I have seen.
the bikes are not “magic”. You still have to pedal. I like mine very much. The Sprint bike does not get much use, I don’t invision selling it. I can best describe that from the “get go” it was terrific, you could do what you wanted to and the bike responded “ no problem, need anything else?” Provided a heaping dose of confidence. One could argue that the road bikes are a Masi+, Mario did integrate what Masi did and also departed from that. The bikes at the extreme sizes while he was at Masi in Carlsbad are subtlety different that what Masi brought with him and documented in the jig frames.
01-14-19, 11:44 PM
#28
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 425 Times
in
284 Posts
Disclosure: The following gem is not mine and its highly probable never will own one. Spotted in the crowd - for sale.
Last edited by crank_addict; 01-14-19 at 11:54 PM.
01-15-19, 03:03 PM
#29
Banned.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: PAZ
Posts: 12,294
Mentioned: 256 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2588 Post(s)
Liked 4,827 Times
in
1,709 Posts
^ Those painted brake calipers are cool! Got me thinking now...
DD
DD
01-15-19, 03:28 PM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,239
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 271 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4568 Post(s)
Liked 6,553 Times
in
3,761 Posts
01-15-19, 03:34 PM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,239
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 271 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4568 Post(s)
Liked 6,553 Times
in
3,761 Posts
just to keep with the general theme... let me offer an article from Bicycling magazine back in 1975. They did a "road" test of some great track bikes. One of these was a Masi built by Confente. Not nearly enough photos for modern tastes, but the shot of the fork crown is certainly appreciated!
Steve in Peoria
Steve in Peoria
Masi $575, Miyata $500, should have bought a dozen Masi's
01-15-19, 03:35 PM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 3,702
Bikes: Puch Marco Polo, Saint Tropez, Masi Gran Criterium
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1175 Post(s)
Liked 454 Times
in
323 Posts
All the Confente’s shown so far are really large !
I consider my size 61 Gran Criterium to be really large but back on the day I thought it was the correct size. That’s how they sold them. Seeing those “spoon” scalloped seatstays reminds me of my 1978 Gran Criterium.
Not sure if you can see the scalloped seatstay here or not...
I consider my size 61 Gran Criterium to be really large but back on the day I thought it was the correct size. That’s how they sold them. Seeing those “spoon” scalloped seatstays reminds me of my 1978 Gran Criterium.
Not sure if you can see the scalloped seatstay here or not...
Likes For masi61:
01-15-19, 03:39 PM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,239
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 271 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4568 Post(s)
Liked 6,553 Times
in
3,761 Posts
01-15-19, 03:42 PM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,239
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 271 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4568 Post(s)
Liked 6,553 Times
in
3,761 Posts
01-15-19, 04:43 PM
#35
Senior Member
All the Confente’s shown so far are really large !
I consider my size 61 Gran Criterium to be really large but back on the day I thought it was the correct size. That’s how they sold them. Seeing those “spoon” scalloped seatstays reminds me of my 1978 Gran Criterium.
Not sure if you can see the scalloped seatstay here or not...
I consider my size 61 Gran Criterium to be really large but back on the day I thought it was the correct size. That’s how they sold them. Seeing those “spoon” scalloped seatstays reminds me of my 1978 Gran Criterium.
Not sure if you can see the scalloped seatstay here or not...
Is yours Columbus tubed? There are no obvious indications, except you'll see the Columbus dove on the steer tube if you pull the fork. We very briefly discussed these last month. Limited run, built by Lippy. Columbus tubes. Dura Ace instead of Record gruppo. Or I suppose you could simply have a black 78.
01-15-19, 05:51 PM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,314
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3467 Post(s)
Liked 2,843 Times
in
2,004 Posts
Regarding the "no flags" Masi bikes.
the track bikes were that way from Carlsbad.
a few road bikes- Peter Gilbert owns one now- from 1975. There were two others I saw back in the day.
specials and employee bikes.
I ordered one that way in 1976 - after Mario left.
Carlsbad shut down in 1977. After that curious things happened. A whole string of bikes were built without "flags" best guess '78 and '79 builds show up this way. Non standard colors- the breaking away bike had white fill- the two bikes used in the film had different chain stay type colors- different fork crowns too. One the Cinelli MC. Which took hold in 1980. The Fischer crown was a time suck to clean up- they were running out or out if the IC crowns.
rimor was back then they were using up damaged transfers and went without flags or had trouble manipulating the big transfer.
in1980 things got addressed and the flags returned but the Masi and gran criteeium went all yellow.
the track bikes were that way from Carlsbad.
a few road bikes- Peter Gilbert owns one now- from 1975. There were two others I saw back in the day.
specials and employee bikes.
I ordered one that way in 1976 - after Mario left.
Carlsbad shut down in 1977. After that curious things happened. A whole string of bikes were built without "flags" best guess '78 and '79 builds show up this way. Non standard colors- the breaking away bike had white fill- the two bikes used in the film had different chain stay type colors- different fork crowns too. One the Cinelli MC. Which took hold in 1980. The Fischer crown was a time suck to clean up- they were running out or out if the IC crowns.
rimor was back then they were using up damaged transfers and went without flags or had trouble manipulating the big transfer.
in1980 things got addressed and the flags returned but the Masi and gran criteeium went all yellow.
01-15-19, 06:23 PM
#37
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 425 Times
in
284 Posts
Sorry, I have no clue but the owner is fairly easy to locate (note place card). He also showed two other 'spectacular' bikes. Raleigh Longfellow and Exxon Graftek. The Graftek currently on ebay. All are his typical large frame size.
I get that its kind of hard not to bring up value when a Confente is the subject, but its way out of my arena. To me, its quite a treat to see one. Terrific when owners share the appreciation and opinions.
I get that its kind of hard not to bring up value when a Confente is the subject, but its way out of my arena. To me, its quite a treat to see one. Terrific when owners share the appreciation and opinions.
01-15-19, 07:34 PM
#39
my name is Jim
For various reasons my Confente never really "grabbed" me. I don't like bar end shifters and this bike required them. It rode fine but I never really rode it and I can't say the ride was above and beyond (maybe not even better) than a number of other bikes I have. I got to feeling I was owning it just for the bragging rights of owning a Confente. I sold it at a substantial profit from what I had in it.
__________________
Flickr Albums
ebay: cicloclassico
70 Pogliaghi ItalCorse, 72 De Rosa, 72 Masi Gran Criterium, 75 Masi Gran Criterium, 77 Melton, 79 Bianchi Super Leggera, 79 Gios Super Record, 81 Picchio Special, 82 Guerciotti Super Record, 82 Colnago Profil CX, 83 Colnago Superissimo, 84 Fuso
Flickr Albums
ebay: cicloclassico
70 Pogliaghi ItalCorse, 72 De Rosa, 72 Masi Gran Criterium, 75 Masi Gran Criterium, 77 Melton, 79 Bianchi Super Leggera, 79 Gios Super Record, 81 Picchio Special, 82 Guerciotti Super Record, 82 Colnago Profil CX, 83 Colnago Superissimo, 84 Fuso
01-15-19, 09:50 PM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,314
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3467 Post(s)
Liked 2,843 Times
in
2,004 Posts
Is it not all about being part of The Club? 
01-16-19, 07:48 AM
#41
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 27,992
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2970 Post(s)
Liked 3,075 Times
in
1,564 Posts
Mario Confente
Mario Confente was a graduate of the Leonardo da Vinci School of Engineering in Verona, Italy, and competition cyclist for the famous Dillettanti Bencini Team. He became a artisan bicycle frame builder with Grandis and said to have been a sub-contractor to famous brands. He was employed by Faliero Masi to head up the new California Masi factory on October 12, 1973.
After some years of managing the Masi operation, Mario struck out on his own. using the playing card "spade" as his signature logo, engraved and printed in various places on his frames.
Tragically, at the age of 34, Mario died on March 8, 1979. He had made 135 frames bearing his name. Confente frames are now eagerly sought by bicycling aficionado
Mario Confente was a graduate of the Leonardo da Vinci School of Engineering in Verona, Italy, and competition cyclist for the famous Dillettanti Bencini Team. He became a artisan bicycle frame builder with Grandis and said to have been a sub-contractor to famous brands. He was employed by Faliero Masi to head up the new California Masi factory on October 12, 1973.
After some years of managing the Masi operation, Mario struck out on his own. using the playing card "spade" as his signature logo, engraved and printed in various places on his frames.
Tragically, at the age of 34, Mario died on March 8, 1979. He had made 135 frames bearing his name. Confente frames are now eagerly sought by bicycling aficionado
Is there a connection between Confente and Wizard? years or even decades ago Cyclyst Magazine, remember that great old rag? OOOPs I derailed the magazine had a semi regular feature on old bikes and in one issue featured both a Confente and Wizard. Both were stunning examples of attention to detail and beautiful finish work, but I can't remember what if any connection there was.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
01-16-19, 11:08 AM
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 4,528
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1846 Post(s)
Liked 3,484 Times
in
1,616 Posts
.......
Is there a connection between Confente and Wizard? years or even decades ago Cyclyst Magazine, remember that great old rag? OOOPs I derailed the magazine had a semi regular feature on old bikes and in one issue featured both a Confente and Wizard. Both were stunning examples of attention to detail and beautiful finish work, but I can't remember what if any connection there was.
Is there a connection between Confente and Wizard? years or even decades ago Cyclyst Magazine, remember that great old rag? OOOPs I derailed the magazine had a semi regular feature on old bikes and in one issue featured both a Confente and Wizard. Both were stunning examples of attention to detail and beautiful finish work, but I can't remember what if any connection there was.
(well, once in a while....)
as far as connections between Wizard and Confente... many Wizard bikes were built by Brian Baylis... Both Brian and Mario spent some time working at Masi California, so there is definitely a connection between them.
an update.... Brian and Mike Howard worked at Wizard....
Wizard Cycles
Steve in Peoria
Likes For steelbikeguy:
01-16-19, 11:25 AM
#43
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 425 Times
in
284 Posts
ask and you shall receive!
(well, once in a while....)
as far as connections between Wizard and Confente... many Wizard bikes were built by Brian Baylis... Both Brian and Mario spent some time working at Masi California, so there is definitely a connection between them.
an update.... Brian and Mike Howard worked at Wizard....
Wizard Cycles
Steve in Peoria
(well, once in a while....)
as far as connections between Wizard and Confente... many Wizard bikes were built by Brian Baylis... Both Brian and Mario spent some time working at Masi California, so there is definitely a connection between them.
an update.... Brian and Mike Howard worked at Wizard....
Wizard Cycles
Steve in Peoria
There's another thread here banging on someone's Raleigh about brake cable routing. I was watching some vintage racing vids the other night and its quite apparent that others routed the cables front of the bars.
Then theres some high zoot numbers at the Pro's Closet collection, one of which was at Eroica. Yep, cables inderfronte.
Last edited by crank_addict; 01-16-19 at 11:28 AM.
01-16-19, 11:39 AM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 4,528
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1846 Post(s)
Liked 3,484 Times
in
1,616 Posts
Note the Confente brake cables. His 'personal' bike.
There's another thread here banging on someone's Raleigh about brake cable routing. I was watching some vintage racing vids the other night and its quite apparent that others routed the cables front of the bars.
Then theres some high zoot numbers at the Pro's Closet collection, one of which was at Eroica. Yep, cables inderfronte.
There's another thread here banging on someone's Raleigh about brake cable routing. I was watching some vintage racing vids the other night and its quite apparent that others routed the cables front of the bars.
Then theres some high zoot numbers at the Pro's Closet collection, one of which was at Eroica. Yep, cables inderfronte.
Personally, I think it just indicates that Mario was a flawed human, as are we all.
Steve in Peoria
01-16-19, 11:49 AM
#45
Senior Member
That said, pretty sure this bike has had it's cabling redone. The reason being, I can't imagine an Italian running a left hand front brake. Italians generally use right hand front brakes.
01-16-19, 12:20 PM
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, East bay
Posts: 7,768
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1639 Post(s)
Liked 2,742 Times
in
1,274 Posts
01-16-19, 01:12 PM
#47
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 27,992
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2970 Post(s)
Liked 3,075 Times
in
1,564 Posts
ask and you shall receive!
(well, once in a while....)
as far as connections between Wizard and Confente... many Wizard bikes were built by Brian Baylis... Both Brian and Mario spent some time working at Masi California, so there is definitely a connection between them.
an update.... Brian and Mike Howard worked at Wizard....
Wizard Cycles
Steve in Peoria
(well, once in a while....)
as far as connections between Wizard and Confente... many Wizard bikes were built by Brian Baylis... Both Brian and Mario spent some time working at Masi California, so there is definitely a connection between them.
an update.... Brian and Mike Howard worked at Wizard....
Wizard Cycles
Steve in Peoria
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
01-16-19, 03:36 PM
#48
my name is Jim
Well Howard went to prison for awhile (he was the "hair bandit") so that may have contributed. 
__________________
Flickr Albums
ebay: cicloclassico
70 Pogliaghi ItalCorse, 72 De Rosa, 72 Masi Gran Criterium, 75 Masi Gran Criterium, 77 Melton, 79 Bianchi Super Leggera, 79 Gios Super Record, 81 Picchio Special, 82 Guerciotti Super Record, 82 Colnago Profil CX, 83 Colnago Superissimo, 84 Fuso
Flickr Albums
ebay: cicloclassico
70 Pogliaghi ItalCorse, 72 De Rosa, 72 Masi Gran Criterium, 75 Masi Gran Criterium, 77 Melton, 79 Bianchi Super Leggera, 79 Gios Super Record, 81 Picchio Special, 82 Guerciotti Super Record, 82 Colnago Profil CX, 83 Colnago Superissimo, 84 Fuso
01-16-19, 03:43 PM
#49
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 27,992
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2970 Post(s)
Liked 3,075 Times
in
1,564 Posts
^ 
I know a guy from Quincy Mass who lost his shop, not sure if he did time, but he got selling more coke out the back than bikes out the front.
I know a guy from Quincy Mass who lost his shop, not sure if he did time, but he got selling more coke out the back than bikes out the front.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
01-16-19, 04:30 PM
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, East bay
Posts: 7,768
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1639 Post(s)
Liked 2,742 Times
in
1,274 Posts