Early last year I got a few bucks in a legal settlement after being hit by a car. I decided it was time to buy something nice instead of just watching auctions and reading CR correspondence. I made a short list of bikes that I wanted. I reasoned that I would never have a large collection, so it made sense to find a big name bike. I wanted a bike that rode well, but I also wanted a bike with some prestige; a bike that I would not have to explain.
After a few close calls and experiences getting sniped, I found a '74 Carlsbad Masi on a Yahoo group list. At first I did not realize how desireable it was, but Bob Hovey and Tom Sanders enlightened me, and I bought it. This bike had been used a lot. It was scratched and a bit rusty. The only original parts were the Hunt-Wild handlebar plugs and the Silca pump with Masi painted on it. Fortunately I had a bike that wasn't really my size that was able to serve as a parts donor.
As I cleaned and touched up the frame, I was impressed with the workmanship. Every edge where metal touched metal had been thinned--not just the lugs, but even little areas like the chainstay bridge. The twin plate fork crown was a cool design. The lugs were nicely done. I especially liked the extra point on the seat lug that goes down the seat tube. I liked the "M" cutout in the BB.
I can't explain why, but I have never built up a bike that went together so easily. The gears and brakes almost adjusted themselves. This bike made me feel like a better mechanic than I really am.
Someone else wrote about wanting a bike that put a smile on his face. When I test rode the bike on a cold Chicago afternoon, I knew it was going to be good. Riding it again after I rebuilt it, has only confirmed how right this bike is for me. I feel fast on it, yet it is comfortable to ride for hours. It goes where I want it to go. It is not twitchy, and is easy to ride no hands.
Finally, it has been gratifying to have a bike that grants instant credibility. Within this small universe, everyone knows what a Masi is. Many know what a twin plate Masi is. This would not have been enough by itself. I have owned a few other well-regarded frames, but nothing has worked for me like the Masi.
I am not saying that my Masi is better than your PX-10, or Cinelli, or (your bike here), just that I love this bike. If it appreciates in the market, that will be a bonus. Every other bike I have owned has gone the other way.
Marcus Helman
Detroit, MI