Masi History: A Timeline of Key Frame-Building and Racing Events

4 minute read

Since the dawn of competitive bicycle racing, Italian frame builders have produced some of the world’s most painstakingly crafted machines, and of all the Italian brands desired by bicycle aficionados, vintage Masi bicycles turn up high or even highest on the list. Born beneath the stands of Milan’s Vigorelli velodrome and carried to California by Faliero Masi and his son Alberto Masi, the marque’s story is one of hand craftsmanship, transatlantic ambition and a design contribution, the 3V Volumetrica, that stood decades ahead of its time.

Here is a chronological timeline of key frame-building and racing events at Masi, spanning from 1919 to the 1990s, based on the sources used for an accompanying Ebykr article on its history, “The Mystique of Masi.”

1919

Racing Milestone

Howard S. “Howdy” Wilcox‘s father won the Indianapolis 500, the race that would later inspire his son to create a bicycle event patterned after it.

1930s

Racing Career

Faliero Masi raced professionally in the Giro d’Italia and Milan San Remo races, competitive experience that later helped him intuit what racers wanted in their ideal bike.

just before the Second World War

Apprenticeship

Faliero Masi spent a few years sharpening his skills at Gloria.

1940s

Early Career

Faliero Masi worked on various professional cycling teams as a mechanic, frequently building riders’ bikes to individual and often scrupulously detailed specifications.

1946

Surviving Example

An early Masi “Speciale Corsa” pista model from this year survives as a pristine and extremely rare example, according to SDBicycleGarage.

Early 1950

Company Established

Cicli Masi was located below the Vigorelli velodrome in Milan, Italy and producing frames for some of the most legendary bicycle racers in history.

1951

Race Founding

The Little 500 bicycle race began at Indiana University as a fundraiser for scholarship money for working students, created by Howard S. “Howdy” Wilcox.

1950s and 1960s

Model Naming

Following the Speciale Corsa, all Masis of this era were named “Special,” built with either Reynolds 531 tubing or Columbus double butted steel with French and Swiss lugs.

until the early 1960s

Production Method

All Masis were hand made by Faliero Masi himself, making frames of this era the most collectible.

1970

Model Introduced

The Gran Criterium model was originally introduced, according to the article’s account of Dave Stoller‘s 1978 machine.

1972

Company Expansion

Masi expanded his enterprise to the United States, moving to Carlsbad, California, accompanied by Roberto and Verona-based sub-contractor and master frame builder Mario Confente; Faliero Masi sold the Cicli Masi name and trademark to a group of American investors.

1970s

California Production

The California-built Masi bikes of this decade are regarded by Masi collectors, or “Masiphiles,” as some of the finest in company history, built by master American builders including Brian Baylis, Jim Cunningham, Albert Eisentraut, Mike Howard and David Tesch.

mid to late 1970s

Production

Alberto Masi built Gran Criterium frames in Milan, though the California-built models were regarded by many as higher quality.

1975

Model Introduced

Alberto Masi introduced the Prestige model as a modernized version of the Gran Criterium, featuring micro-fusion investment cast lugs and imported to the United States only in small numbers by special order through Masi Worldwide/High Country Imports.

1978

Notable Frame

Dave Stoller‘s Ferrari red Masi Gran Criterium appeared in the Oscar-winning film Breaking Away; a Masi Prestige example from this year is also shown by Cicli Berlinetta.

1979

Film Release

Breaking Away, the coming-of-age cycling film that fixed the romance of European road racing in the American imagination, was released.

late 1970s

Company Rift

Prior to his retirement, Faliero Masi became disenchanted with the American lifestyle and returned to Italy, and a well publicized and heated breakup occurred between the Italian and American counterparts of the company.

By 1980

Perceived Decline

Many thought the “golden era” was over for Masi.

1981

Technical Innovation

Alberto Masi introduced the 3V Volumetrica, the first frame to feature internal lugs and oversize tubing on a steel frame, described as perhaps the most significant contribution to era framebuilding.

1984 to 1987

Import Period

Masi 3V Volumetricas were imported into the U.S. market through Masi Worldwide as bonafide Masi 3Vs in name.

From 1988 onward

Production Change

Joe Starck built 3Vs in the United States bearing the Milano 3V name badge to commemorate the city in which Cicli Masi had originated.

late 1980s

Press Coverage

Bicycle Guide published a road test of the Volumetrica, later hosted by Classic Rendezvous.

’90s

Production Continuation

Small numbers of US 3Vs continued to be built by Ted Kirkbride, according to Masiphile Bob Hovey.

a full 25 years after its introduction

Model Longevity

The 3V Volumetrica model was so successful it was still offered by Alberto Masi and company this many years after its debut.

1973

Model Introduced

The Gran Criterium model was introduced, according to the article’s closing note on the model’s enduring popularity (the article elsewhere also states the Gran Criterium was originally introduced in 1970).

Join the Masi Heritage Discussion!

If you own a California-built or Milano-built Masi, join the discussion on frame variations, from the hand-built Special and Gran Criterium models to the internal-lug 3V Volumetrica.

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