Masi 3V, Tre Volumetrica differences
bd...@lehigh.edu
Hello,
Can anyone tell me the differences between teh 3V and Tre Volumetrica
frames? I've heard that one is made in the US, one in Italy. If so, what
are the geometry differences, tubing differences, QUALITY
differences....etc. thanks,
brian
ck...@cts.com
bd...@Lehigh.EDU (who?) writes:
>Can anyone tell me the differences between the 3V and
>Tre Volumetrica frames?
Actually, "3V" is an abbreviation for "Tre Volumetrica".
My 1990 model says "3Volumetrica" on the downtube decal,
"Milano" at the bottom of the seat tube decal, and both
"USA" and "Milano" on the head "badge" decal. The bike
was made in the California factory. The bike also has
the "Faliero Masi" signature decal on the top tube...
These frames slowly evolved over the years (different tubing
types), but they have always been oversized steel tubing
with internal lugs. Maybe someone else here has more details
regarding model year and tubing types...
-- Carl
Leonard Caplan
Masi's have not been made in the US for quite a while....probably about
8 years.
The various people that have owned the Masi name for the past 20 years
or so have had the Masi frames subcontracted out to various frame
builders both in the US and elsewhere. Most of the Masi frames you see
now are built by Mondonoco in Italy.
Falierio Masi's son Alberto is still building what is probably the
closest to the traditional Masi frames in Milan, and markets them in the
US under the Milano name. He cannot use or advertise the Masi marque, at
leat here in the US from what I understand.
The "real" Masi Gran Criteriums were all made from Reynolds 531. The
Gran Criteriums made now are made by Mondonoco from Columbus Neuron
tubing.
There has not been a "real" Masi frame, liniage to Falerio Masi,
Confente, etc. since the mid 70's when the Masi name was sold.
As far as the differences between the Team 3V, and the Tre Volumetrica:
They both use the same technology.....braised frame with oversize steel
tubing, and internal lugs. There are various models of the Tre
Volumetrica frame made at present, and by different people....it is
quite confusing. They have the classic Masi flat top fork crown and
seatstays, with internal cable routing. The geometry is the same as the
Gran Criterium.
The Team 3V is a slightly less expensive version, with fastback
seatstays, not as beautiful a paint job, but is pretty much the same
otherwise.
They, along with all of the upper end Masi's are quality frames with a
super ride.
Len
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Len Caplan '72 Masi Gran Criterium _~@ __@
Marion Robbins '78 Masi Gran Criterium _,\=\=\-\_
'56 Bob Jackson (*)/===/'(*)
Jericho, NY '70 Raleigh "Twenty" Folder
516 681-0883 '91 Burley Duet Tandem <double TROUBLE>
'96 Marin Bear Valley SE
***********Riding on Long Island's beautiful North Shore**************
Tim McNamara
In article <6nahd5$f...@bgtnsc02.worldnet.att.net>,
lencap...@worldnet.att.net wrote:
>Masi's have not been made in the US for quite a while....probably about
>8 years.
>
>The various people that have owned the Masi name for the past 20 years
>or so have had the Masi frames subcontracted out to various frame
>builders both in the US and elsewhere. Most of the Masi frames you see
>now are built by Mondonoco in Italy.
Per the interview with Joe Starck in the _Rivendell Reader_ #12 (Starck
built Masis in California from 1984-1990), the Cal-Masi's were built to
Italy-Masi's design specs but were (in his opinion) finished better than
the Italian-built ones. Gran Criteriums were brass-brazed with lugs made
by Henry James to Masi design specs out of (mostly) Columbus SLX/SPX.
3V's were silver brazed with internal Henry James lugs designed by Alberto
Masi out of custom-drawn True Temper tubing. HJ's lugs were supposedly of
better quality than Italy-Masi's own. Other builders mentioned in the
interview included Dave Tesch, Rob Roberson and Dave Gramont. Cal-Masi
was owned by Ted Kirkbride. Finish work in the 80's was done by three
cousins from Mexico- Raul, Gregoria and Antonio.
Is Cal-Masi out of business? And for how long?
--
You who choose to lead must follow,
but if you fall you will fall alone.
-Robert Hunter
Leonard Caplan
Tim McNamara wrote:
>
> Per the interview with Joe Starck in the _Rivendell Reader_ #12 (Starck
> built Masis in California from 1984-1990), the Cal-Masi's were built to
> Italy-Masi's design specs but were (in his opinion) finished better than
> the Italian-built ones.
The reason that the finish on the Masi frames was better on the one's
built here were finished so beautifully is because of the frame
painters. When they were first made here, Jim Allen, now of
CycleSmiths, and Jim Cunningham, now of CycleArt were doing the
painting. Jim Allen of Cyclesmiths is still painting whatever frames
Torelli is bringing into the US.
Jim has been doing the repaints of my Masi frames, and does about as
good a job as I have ever seen on a bike....at at a really reasonable
price, including original Vintage decals.
> Gran Criteriums were brass-brazed with lugs made
> by Henry James to Masi design specs out of (mostly) Columbus SLX/SPX.
Up until the time that Mondonico started making the Gran Criterium
frames not too long ago, they were made from Reynolds 531. The later
Gran Criterium frames were brass braised, but the older one's that were
made in Italy until about '71, were silver braised.
> 3V's were silver brazed with internal Henry James lugs designed by Alberto
> Masi out of custom-drawn True Temper tubing. HJ's lugs were supposedly of
> better quality than Italy-Masi's own. Other builders mentioned in the
> interview included Dave Tesch, Rob Roberson and Dave Gramont. Cal-Masi
> was owned by Ted Kirkbride.
The first person to purchase the rights to make the Masi's from Falreio
Masi was Robert Sahm. He was actually the one who was making the frames
in California, and closed down the operation in '78. At this point, the
rights were bought by Ted Kirkbbride. After that the frames were made
by a multitude of frame makers, including Eisentraut (sp), who made 50
of them.
> Finish work in the 80's was done by three
> cousins from Mexico- Raul, Gregoria and Antonio.
When the California operation closed down, all of the frames were
painted by Jim Allen.
Len