Masi bicycles 90th anniversary

Originally a bicycle brand from Italy, Masi bicycles are now owned by the Haro brand in the US.

The brand has an interesting history that commenced in the 1950's in Italy. Faliero Masi, who was a professional bicycle racer and bicycle mechanic, turned his hand to building bicycles that were outstanding in their day. The Masi brand was later taken to the US by Faliero, whilst his son Alberto continued to build bicycles in Italy.

The year 2016 marks the 90th anniversary of the Masi brand so they held a celebratory screening of the movie 'Breaking Away' which is a cycling flick made in 1979. 

The movie is significant to the Masi brand as it follows the life of a young cyclist named Dave Stoller (played by Dennis Christopher) who became obsessed with cycling after winning a Masi bicycle. The bicycle he won and raced was the Gran Criterium model which has long been the flagship model of the brand.

At the same event Masi released a book to commemorate the event called 'Ninety Years of Masi' by Dominic Phipps. The book is for sale on the Masi Bikes website - a must have for any Masi enthusiast!

On display during the event were some classic Masi bicycles pictured below that were well appreciated by die hard Masi fans.

An edition of the steel framed Masi Gran Criterium is still released each and every year. Masi have just announced that the 2017 Gran Criterium will come in a choice of two colours, silvery blue or classic red.

An image of the silvery blue 2017 edition Gran Criterium is pictured below. They'll be released in the near future and can be purchased directly from the Masi website here or from the Adrenaline Bikes website here 

Adrenaline Bikes are based in Orange County, California, and are famous for specialising in new steel framed bicycles from a large number of Italian bicycle manufactures such as Bianchi, Cinelli, De Rosa, and Colnago. Their website is well worth a look.

The 2017 Gran Criterium

The Gran Criterium can be purchased as a complete bicycle or an individual frame. The complete bicycles are fitted with the new Campagnolo 11 speed Potenza groupset. 

The new Campagnolo Potenza gruppo replaces the old Athena series. It's unusual four arm crank has not been particularly well received by those cyclists wanting a more traditional looking crank for a new steel frame. Oh well, thats progress! 

    

Safe riding,

James @ PVC

1974 Masi Gran Criterium

I love Masi bicycles and after you see these images you'll probably get where I'm coming from. 

First of all there is little doubt that the sexiest bikes and bicycle components come from Italy. Italian products have always focused on style and design and this love of 'attractive' things is also reflected in their cycling industry. 

Campagnolo components are typical of Italian style and design. I notice that the 80th Anniversary Campag components have just been released, do yourself a favour and have a look. Just beautiful!

The history of Masi bicycles is quite interesting. In brief the legendary Faliero Masi (pictured below) started producing bicycles in Milan, Italy, in 1949. He built custom bicycles for the greats such as Fausto Coppi, Felice Gimondi, and Eddy Merckx.

Faliero Masi in the workshop.

In 1972 the Masi brand was sold to an American company that was known as Masi USA. Although the brand changed hands it still produced beautifully crafted machines in the US.

Even though the Masi brand was sold Faliero Masi continued to build bicycles after 1972 in Italy. Whilst doing so he passed his skills of bicycle craftmanship to his son Alberto, who continued in his fathers footsteps. Unfortunately Faliero passed away in 2000. Alberto still continues to make high quality bicycles in Milan, Italy, under the Milano nameplate.

Here are some images of a 1974 Gran Criterium road bicycle built by Faliero. A beautifully restored bicycle with an interesting history. 

This 1974 Gran Criterium is typical of the era and carries the distinctly recognisable styling of Faliero Masi. If you're into all things 'E'roica' you'll certainly appreciate this bike and others built by the famous Masi brand.

It was custom built for Franco Cortinovis who was an Italian Junior cycling champion in 1968. The bike has been lovingly restored by Eroica Cicli, Italy. There are some more mouth watering images at http://www.eroicacicli.com/forsale/bicycles/masi-gran-criterium-franco-cortinovis/

The website also has other lovingly restored bicycles of the era. Well worth a look at http://www.eroicacicli.com/category/forsale/bicycles/

Until next time safe riding.

James @ PVC