[CR]Re: Cinelli production/ the Masi invasion

(Example: Framebuilding:Brazing Technique)

Date: Thu, 10 May 2007 10:15:47 -0700
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Donald A. Martinich" <dutchm@dcn.org>
Subject: [CR]Re: Cinelli production/ the Masi invasion

>
>
>In 1972 I was in Milan and went to all the builders looking to
>purchase a bike. Cinelli was my first stop. Not sure who I talked
>with, but it was a female that spoke English well. I was told no
>bikes or frames were available as it was an Olympic year and they
>were sold out. She suggested that I talk with Masi, Rossin and
>others to acquire a bike. Also, it might be noted what Mr. Yoshi
>Konno, 3Rensho, did with Cinelli frames after the Olympics that he
>competed in. Mr. Yoshi Konno began his building career by unbrazing
>Cinellis acquired after the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. I understand that
>in those years Cinelli frame production was around 350-400 frames a
>year .
>
> Mark Poore
> Slatyfork, WV USA

This reminds me of an anecdote I heard in the 60's from a Californian who was in Milan. He tried to buy a Cinelli and was told that since he lived in California he would have to make the purchase through Cupertino Bike Shop. This rings true given the importance of Spence as a Cinelli retailer and Cino's marketing strategy.

Re: Masi popularity- I remember my first Masi sighting when I went over to Berkeley to check out Peter Rich's Velo-Sport Cyclery. This would have been about '63 or '64. (Local fast guy, Tim Kelley, was working there at the time.) Peter was then sole Masi dealer for the USA. They were great looking bikes and they caught on fast in Northern California racing circles, if I remember correctly.

Don Martinich
Davis, CA