P.C.,
By your comments "...Americans used to buying complete bikes" and "Certainly it's easier to spec a bike from a factory list", I think you've missed a key element of my argument: These Masi/Colnago/Pogliaghi/DeRosa etc were rarely spec'd as full bikes from the factory. Masi did indeed offer fully spec'd bikes, but serious riders/racers never, ever bought a complete bike like this, and that is indeed what we're talking about here: racing bikes. Ease of purchase was the last thing on their mind, as they wanted a bike to perform as best as possible and that meant hand-picking components from various sources to get what fit their need.
I'll further this argument by saying that the components Masi offered on complete bikes were chosen, to some extent and maybe to a large extent, by what kind of a deal Masi received from the component manufacturers. For this reason, I guess I just don't view these "factory spec'd" components as the best for the intended application.
Now, I do certainly agree on your comment about getting out and riding.
Thanks for your comments & take care.
Dave Patrick Chelsea, Michigan
"P.C. Kohler" <kohl57@starpower.net> wrote: We've had this debate before. Not only "period correct" but "spec correct".? I must say I prefer spec correct for the simple reason. If you revere and value the marque, you should at least appreciate the choice of the maker when it came to componentry. That way you are riding what Masi or Raleigh or Peugeot intended.
I suspect this appeals more to Americans used to buying complete bikes than our British friends who seem to have usually bought framesets. Certainly it's easier to spec a bike from a factory list. And with panographed components... well who wouldn't want those?
Having said that, my ongoing Peugeot project runs slightly counter to this. I started with a good, solid '81 PXN-10 frame largely stripped of its original components. So I've decided to outfit her when possible with the choicer components of the PY-10 of the same year. I justify doing this since the PXN-10 frame was actually offered that year as a frameset only, the CFX-10.
"Correct"? Right or wrong? That's for others to say. But when this is all done, I won't be listening but out riding the thing. If it gets over 35 degs that is..
Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA