Maestro, still recommended seller?

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bottecchia_eja

· #22 · Apr 20, 2017

I know that is a late response, but here it goes. Buy from Mike Perry, aka Maestro, and you will never regret it. The initial catch, obviously, are his low prices. But then, if you are a smart cyclist, you ask Mike for cycling advice and you start tapping into his seemingly bottomless reservoir of cycling knowledge. To me this a far better bargain than his low prices.

Mike is a former racer, mostly in the Belgian races. Upon his retirement he spinsored a racing team and his sons also raced. Having Mike as a resource is like having your very own team manager riding alongside you.

Mike is totally old school, but you know what, old school is great.

If you are in England and can visit him, do it. You will learn a lot more about cycling than you thought possible. If you are not in England call him or e-mail him, he will answer all your questions...just don't ask him to get you an Asian made frame!

I plan to visit him next year and absorb as much of his knowledge and wisdom as I can. A cup of espresso, with a spot of brandy, and Belgian cycling stories. Life does not get any better!

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pmf

· #23 · Apr 20, 2017

bottecchia_eja said:
just don't ask him to get you an Asian made frame!

Ask him if Cervelo makes good bikes

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gofast2wheeler

· #24 · Apr 20, 2017

I think Cervelo are nice bikes just bought one R5. What do you think pmf.

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pmf

· #25 · Apr 20, 2017

gofast2wheeler said:
I think Cervelo are nice bikes just bought one R5. What do you think pmf.

What does it matter what I think? If you're happy why do you care?

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gofast2wheeler

· #26 · Apr 20, 2017

Your comment seems unplaced but whatever. I actually bought my C59 from Mike very nice to deal with great guy. Was going to buy C60 from him but after riding both R5 and C60 decided the R5 suited me more for what I was looking for. Just say a picture of World Tour Team Sponsored by Colnago riding C60 with none other than direct mount brakes front and rear. When Colnago comes out with their new rides for 2018 I'm thinking direct mount will be the C60 upgrade plus different colors. I will at that time call Mike to place an order. Really like DM brakes.

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pmf

· #27 · Apr 21, 2017

gofast2wheeler said:
Your comment seems unplaced but whatever.

????

Someone else here said don't try to buy an Asian made frame from him, so you can probably guess what his opinion of them are. His son raced on a Cervelo (sponsor) recently.

I think I'd rather have a C59 than a C60. It's too bad they don't come with the cool paint jobs anymore.

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bottecchia_eja

· #28 · Apr 21, 2017

pmf said:
????

Someone else here said don't try to buy an Asian made frame from him, so you can probably guess what his opinion of them are. His son raced on a Cervelo (sponsor) recently.

I think I'd rather have a C59 than a C60. It's too bad they don't come with the cool paint jobs anymore.

I own both a C59 and a C60. Both are excellent bikes.

The purchase of the C60 was, admittedly, a "vanity" thing. I bought it last year, when I turned 60. When they come out with a C80, I will buy that too.

I like the C59 in the PR99 color scheme, very clean and simple.

The MHWH color scheme in my C60 is not exactly my favorite, but the paint job itself is great.

I do love the AD11 color scheme in the Master. Visually it is very attractive, like an old customized car. I often find myself staring at the little painted rider on the top tube.

Mike's principal beef about Asian-made bikes (including Colnago's) is that they are not very sturdy and are over-priced (for what they cost to make). Mike has been around for a very long time and I trust his judgment and opinions. He is not a "fan boy" spouting off; he is a seasoned professional with a deep knowledge and wide understanding of cycling and cycling equipment.

YMMV.

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bottecchia_eja

· #29 · Apr 21, 2017

pmf said:
Ask him if Cervelo makes good bikes

Why would I ask him? I have no interest in getting a Cervelo? I am sorry, but I missed your point.

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pmf

· #30 · Apr 21, 2017

He once told me that all Pinarellos are made in China -- who on earth would buy one? I think what he meant is why pay a premium price for a Colnago or Pinarello that's made in the Giant Bicycle factory in Taiwan when you can get the same thing with a different decal for half the price? I agree with that. To me, the only currently made Colnagos that are real Colnagos are the Master, Arabesque and the C60. I'm not saying good bikes aren't made at the Giant Bicycle factory, because they are. If it says Colnago on it, I want it to be made in Italy. It has that Italian panache. Kind of like the Eddy Merckx Corsa 01 I have. Made by craftsmen in Belgium. Sadly, that is going away, and that's what I resent about most bikes being churned out in big Asian factories.

Hey Bot -- I was thinking about getting a C60 from Mike, but read that it has a proprietary BB type bottom bracket -- I hate those things. What's your experience? Is that true. Does it squeak? For that reason alone, I'd prefer a C59 (is there really much difference?). BTW -- my wife has an art decor C40, and I like the hand pumping rider on the top tube. I got one in OOF which I kind of regret. Wish I'd gone Mapei or Geo.

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bottecchia_eja

· #31 · Apr 28, 2017

pmf said:
He once told me that all Pinarellos are made in China -- who on earth would buy one? I think what he meant is why pay a premium price for a Colnago or Pinarello that's made in the Giant Bicycle factory in Taiwan when you can get the same thing with a different decal for half the price? I agree with that. To me, the only currently made Colnagos that are real Colnagos are the Master, Arabesque and the C60. I'm not saying good bikes aren't made at the Giant Bicycle factory, because they are. If it says Colnago on it, I want it to be made in Italy. It has that Italian panache. Kind of like the Eddy Merckx Corsa 01 I have. Made by craftsmen in Belgium. Sadly, that is going away, and that's what I resent about most bikes being churned out in big Asian factories.

Hey Bot -- I was thinking about getting a C60 from Mike, but read that it has a proprietary BB type bottom bracket -- I hate those things. What's your experience? Is that true. Does it squeak? For that reason alone, I'd prefer a C59 (is there really much difference?). BTW -- my wife has an art decor C40, and I like the hand pumping rider on the top tube. I got one in OOF which I kind of regret. Wish I'd gone Mapei or Geo.

I am not a very "accomplished" rider. At 61 years young, my best riding days are behind me. But I do ride a lot, so here it goes.

The C59 is a great bike. It is a good climber and responds quickly to acceleration. The handling is secure and never twitchy, even when going fast downhill.

The C59 is a solid bike. Last year I crashed against a wall during a ride in the rain. I broke my right hand small finger in several places. The C59 was not even scratched.

The C60 is just more of the same. The big, fat BB is very responsive during stand on the pedals sprints or hill climbing. The C60, like the C59, is stable and steady during fast descents.

Both bikes are extremely fun to ride.

I understand your concerns about the propietary BB, for me it is not a big issue. The BB in the C60 does not squeak or make other noises. Proper installation is the key I guess.

The Master is a LOT of fun to ride. It climbs well and it accelerates almost as quickly as the C59 or the C60. In an interesting note, even though the Bottecchia and the Master are both old school steel frame bike, the Master feels more agile. Give credit to Ernesto's "black magic" frame design and building.

The color scheme in the Master is gorgeous. That little rider on the top tube is "inspirational."

One day I would like to add a C40 to my riding stable.

Hope this answered your question. :thumbsup:

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pmf

· #32 · Apr 28, 2017

2

Thanks. I figured that the C-59 and C-60 are pretty similar. I just refurbished my C-40 (see my post in this sub forum). Everything new except the seat post/saddle and the pedals. I had the frame clear coated and blemishes removed. It looks and rides like a new bike.

I was riding a carbon bike back when 'steel is real'. In 1992, I bought a Kestrel 200 Sci. It was considered an exotic bike and/or laughed at as a 'plastic' bike. Pro riders would never consider riding such a flexy bike frame material. I'm sure all those 'experts', if they still ride bikes, are riding carbon bikes.

In 2011, on a lark, I bought a used Eddy Merckx 01 Corsa that had been newly repainted. I put silver Campy Athena on it to give it that retro look. It has an incredible ride. Last year I bought a Colnago Arabesque frame from Maestro. Drop dead gorgeous. I've been riding the Arabesque a lot this year and it handles just as you say (it's basically a Master with fancy lug work). That Merckx has magic in it too. Merckx and Colnago worked together earlier in Eddyy Merckx's career, and I think they had the same ideas about bike frame geometry. I like to think Maybe Eddy touched it at the factory. It was one of the last steel frames (1996) to come out of his factory in Belgium. Sadly, craftsmanship like this will soon be relegated to niche builders.

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Devastazione

· #33 · May 2, 2017

pmf said:
He told me that Giant owns 40% of Colnago, and when Ernesto dies, his relatives will sell off the rest of the company "and that'll be it". .

Somebody in the high ranks at Colnago HQ here in italy told me this is completely false. Your LBS is a complete moron and I would drop it right away. The usual american way to conduct business....

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bottecchia_eja

· #34 · May 2, 2017

Devastazione said:
Somebody in the high ranks at Colnago HQ here in italy told me this is completely false. Your LBS is a complete moron and I would drop it right away. The usual american way to conduct business....

That information DID NOT come from an LBS nor from an American. I am not going to comment on your anti-American bias. I will let it stand for its obvious nature.

I will, however, ask you to identify the source of your "high ranks" information at Colnago. As Americans like to say, put up or shut up.

Grazie.

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pmf

· #35 · May 2, 2017

Devastazione said:
Somebody in the high ranks at Colnago HQ here in italy told me this is completely false. Your LBS is a complete moron and I would drop it right away. The usual american way to conduct business....

I'm just relaying what Mike at Maestro told me. He's been in the bike business selling Colnagos for decades. Unfortunately, not my LBS being he's on the other side of the Atlantic (in the UK) from me. Most of their production is in Taiwan at the Giant bicycle factory (ask your high ranking source after he gets done cleaning the bathrooms). I could see all their production going there -- which for me would be kind of a shame. The usual American way to conduct business? WTF does that mean?

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Devastazione

· #36 · May 2, 2017

pmf said:
I'm just relaying what Mike at Maestro told me. He's been in the bike business selling Colnagos for decades. Unfortunately, not my LBS being he's on the other side of the Atlantic (in the UK) from me. Most of their production is in Taiwan at the Giant bicycle factory (ask your high ranking source after he gets done cleaning the bathrooms). I could see all their production going there -- which for me would be kind of a shame. The usual American way to conduct business? WTF does that mean?

Well,look like this forum is 99% american,therefore my immediate *****ing. I've been there often while living in the USA, "it doesn't matter what it takes,just sell it at whatever cost" mentality. If the LBS we're talking about is not US based I do apologize. That said,the 49% Colnago owned by Giant is total bs...

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pmf

· #37 · May 2, 2017

Devastazione said:
Well,look like this forum is 99% american,therefore my immediate *****ing. I've been there often while living in the USA, "it doesn't matter what it takes,just sell it at whatever cost" mentality. If the LBS we're talking about is not US based I do apologize. That said,the 49% Colnago owned by Giant is total bs...

Here's his web site -- Colnago Racing Cycles | Road Bike Frames | Maestro UK

It's in the UK. Maybe in the future, you should read an entire post to avoid making a fool of yourself. How's that old American saying go -- better to keep your mouth shut and be assumed to be an idiot, then to open it and remove all doubt.

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bottecchia_eja

· #38 · May 2, 2017

pmf said:
I'm just relaying what Mike at Maestro told me. He's been in the bike business selling Colnagos for decades. Unfortunately, not my LBS being he's on the other side of the Atlantic (in the UK) from me. Most of their production is in Taiwan at the Giant bicycle factory (ask your high ranking source after he gets done cleaning the bathrooms). I could see all their production going there -- which for me would be kind of a shame. The usual American way to conduct business? WTF does that mean?

Good one. :thumbsup:

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bottecchia_eja

· #39 · May 2, 2017

Devastazione said:
Well,look like this forum is 99% american,therefore my immediate *****ing. I've been there often while living in the USA, "it doesn't matter what it takes,just sell it at whatever cost" mentality. If the LBS we're talking about is not US based I do apologize. That said,the 49% Colnago owned by Giant is total bs...

I love how many of you Europeans are always trashing the USA; except, of course, when it comes time to ask for USA help in bailing you out.

I have MANY friends in Europe, Italy included; they are like brothers to me. I love Italian bikes (see my "stable" below. Hell I love most Italian things, including their women.

But it makes me wonder when I see generalized, idiotic comments like you made about the American business mentality. It is not like you Italianos can lay claim to the high road when doing business.

Next time stick to facts and forget the generalizations, unless, of course, you have concrete facts to prove 'em.

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Devastazione

· #40 · May 2, 2017

bottecchia_eja said:
I love how many of you Europeans are always trashing the USA; except, of course, when it comes time to ask for USA help in bailing you out.

I have MANY friends in Europe, Italy included; they are like brothers to me. I love Italian bikes (see my "stable" below. Hell I love most Italian things, including their women.

But it makes me wonder when I see generalized, idiotic comments like you made about the American business mentality. It is not like you Italianos can lay claim to the high road when doing business.

Next time stick to facts and forget the generalizations, unless, of course, you have concrete facts to prove 'em.

Right,the bailing out story. STFU,will you ? Coglione..

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