MASI Gran Criterium, Campagnolo Nuovo Record, 59cm (1971/72) – SOLD

Faliero Masi and  his son Alberto Masi, are legendary icons of the Italian bike handscrafting. They have been prefered builder for many stars in the pro-cycling peloton. Faliero Masi was handcrafting frames at the Vigorelli Velodrome in Milan in the 1950s, after a career as a professional racer and team mechanic. Alberto Masi was born June 3rd 1943 in Sesto Fiorentino, Italy. At age 16, he was Fausto Coppi’s mechanic at the Giro d’Italia. In 1973 Alberto took over the Vigorelli shop, while Faliero and two assistants went to the US and began production at a new facility in Carlsbad, California. A few years later, Faliero returned back to Italy.

The Gran Criterium is one of the most appreciated Italian bikes, launched in 1970, handmade in Masi’s famous workshop at the Vigorelli velodrome in Milan, Italy. Like all Masi’s frames also this one shows extraordinray details like cut-outs, fork crowns and lugs which were carefully filled and customized for highest performance. It’s even more desirable when it comes with the iconic double plates fork crown, a trully work of art.

Proudly presenting one of the most beautiful bikes in our store, the MASI Gran Criterium. This highly collectible jewel dates back to 1971 and is one very earlier Gran Criteriums. Extraordinary details of lugs, tubes and cut-outs makes you understand why most of the top cyclist in 1960s/70s were racing with bikes made by ”The Tailor”. The frame shines in champagne gold color, very likely made of Columbus SL tubing (Masi never told exactly what tubes he used), fully built with Campagnolo Nuovo Record groupset, 3ttt stem and handlebar, 3ttt saddle and NiSi wheels. The trandescent beauty of this steel icon remains unrivalled.

A real jewel. L’Eroica ready.

Frame & Fork: Masi Gran Criterium 1971/72 (Columbus SL)

Size:

-seat tube (c-t): 59 cm

-top tube (c-c): 57.5 cm

-headset tube: 15.8 cm

-standover: 83.5 cm

Crankset: Campagnolo Nuovo Record

Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record

Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record (PAT.72)

Headset: Campagnolo Nuovo Record

Shifters: Campagnolo Nuovo Record

Brake Levers: Campagnolo Nuovo Record

Brakes: Campagnolo Nuovo Record

Handlebar: 3ttt Mod Competizione

Stem: 3ttt (115 mm)

Hubs: Campagnolo Nuovo Record

Freewheel: Regina (5s)

Seatpost: Campagnolo Nuovo Record (27,2mm)

Seat: 3ttt

Pedals: Campagnolo Nuovo Record

Toe cage: Christophe

Leather straps: Christophe

Handlebar Tape: biege, cotton

Condition: Used, but good condition. New paint and decals. No cracks, no dents, not bent. Some signs of normal use, some tiny touch-ups. Groupset is in good condition. All parts are working fine.

Year: 1971-72

Price: SOLD (July 2023)