If for no other reason, I like Masi Speciale Strada because of the Dura-Ace shifters. Always wanted DA stuff, but never had any because I'm a cheapskate.

What I don't like about the bike is the (easily fixed) faux pas of misrouting the brake cables. To be period-correct, they need to go behind the handlebar, not in front. Sure, they will work fine where they are now. But really, if you play the 1970/80s nostalgia marketing card ("your father's bike"), do it right.

 

If the Masi Speciale Fixed is any indication, that Masi should ride very nicely. The Fixed has been the single most popular bike among our shop employees - 4 so far.

And, yes, the cable routing is easily fixed.

 

Couple of years ago, I had a spasm of going through all the available shifters. Having ridden Shimano STI 9 and 10 speed since re-starting riding semi-seriously, I tried both SRAM - problems solved by EBAy - and Campag - would have loved to switched, but just too many comfort and equipment issues.

Also unearthed an ancient pair of DT shifters with a friction setting and rode them on my Gunnar Sport for months. It was kinda fun, but Spousal Unit, who also rides a fair bit, pointed out it was ancient and I did have some 'proper' shifters in a box at home. She can be a snob at times.

After all, I once took this cycling thing very seriously some years ago, and was never slowed up by friction DT shifters that I can recall...

Idle thoughts that may be useful to the OP?

Make sure your brake levers are comfortable to hold - after all, you spend a lot of every moment on your bike holding them. If you don't like the ones that come with your 'bike in a box' selection, they are cheaper to swap makes than with 'brifters' and attendant derailleurs, etc, but there's not much choice around now for just plain old brake levers.

Brake cables can be re-routed easily. Taking off the bar tape, shuffling the cables around to suit you and re-taping is not rocket science. If dubious on re-taping, go look it up on Park Tools and remember to keep the sticky side to the handlebar Shimano post their equipment manuals on their website, if there's other issues.

D-A shifters would be neat. Assume they index to 10 speed rear? That gives you lots of choice if you need different cassettes for different terrain. When I was riding DT, I used friction setting - they were indexed for seven speed - with Campag derailleurs and Shimano cassettes!

All those bikes look good - retro, but with modern kit, bearings and stuff. Choice should be down to geometry that suits you, then paint. The Masi does look good though.

Think lots, research plenty, spend at the end of it all, don't buy on impulse. No, I don't care what advertising and marketing want me to do

Dereck

 

Brake cables can be re-routed easily. Taking off the bar tape, shuffling the cables around to suit you and re-taping is not rocket science.

The cable routing that needs fixing is on the Masi, so it doesn't involve the bar tape at all. Would take about 5 minutes, if that.

 

I doubt if you would notice much difference in ride quality since they are both steel, tig-welded bikes. Make your selection based on geometry -- that is, which one would fit you better. You might also consider some of the Soma and Salsa steel frames.

I had a comparable bike built up several years ago with new-old-stock De Bernardi frame that had hung in a bike shop for a long while. I built it with Dura-Ace down-tube shifters and a mix of Ultegra parts that I had around, plus some Open Pro wheels. It's my favorite bike to just ride, but the DT shifters make it more challenging on group rides. Total cost for my bike was about $1,000 including build cost from my LBS.

 

I like all three. The Bianchi and Masi lose points to the Specialized for not having a horizontal top tube -- but then I'm probably a little biased, since I own a steel '93 Allez that is the grandpappy of the one linked to. And all three bikes lose points for not having quill stems.

That's nit-picking, though. I'd be happy to own and ride any or all of the three. The Masi would be my choice if I could only have one.

 

but then I'm probably a little biased, since I own a steel '93 Allez that is the grandpappy of the one linked to. And all three bikes lose points for not having quill stems.

My '86 Allez is offended! :cryin: :cryin:

Nah, just kidding. It does look like Specialized loosened up the steel Allez geometry up front. The 72 degree-ish seat tube angle is still there in the 61cm, but the front end is softer. It was around 74 degrees, but now is in the mid 73 degree range. They also lengthened the top tube. I'm guessing they were looking more for a stable bike as opposed to the somewhat quicker handling bike the Allez once was. It was always stable and relaxed, just not this much! I'm glad they kept the traditional top tube, though. This is one good looking bike, and in American Flyers red, too!