Product Description
1975 Masi Gran Criterium Bike: 56cm (58cm) - Twin Plate - Carlsbad - Original Paint/Parts - (Near Mint+ LOW MILES)
This is an exceptionally clean & unrestored 1975 Masi Gran Criterium (frame number 670 / MC58) built in the Carlsbad, California facility. The frame has the legendary twin plate fork crown that carried over from the Masi Italy days. This is one of the last frames with this crown, there are only two later ones on the Masi USA registry. The original paint and decals are in brilliant condition! The components are choice pieces, all date to around 1973-1975 (it was quite common to have date codes a few years old on a new bike back then). There's the expected Campagnolo Nuovo Record gruppo with RD & crank date codes being 1973, round cable holes on levers, flat QR on brakes, etc. The chain is a top shelf Regina Superleggera with drilled pins. 3ttt Superleggero race level bars, Cinelli Unicanitor #2 suede, Martano tubulars, etc. It's a top tier L'Eroica bike or show winner that will get attention.
Masi bases their size off seat tube center to top of seat lug, and this is labeled a 58cm. With traditional sizing, it's a 56cm top tube.
Condition
Near mint with very few miles! Fully original paint and decals are overall super glossy and look amazing. It passes for new old stock from 2 feet away! It has been a wall hanger most of it's life and it shows. Frame is straight, and free of rust. The only significant imperfection to note is three pea-sized or smaller dings on the driveside of the top tube—two are directly behind the middle cable clip and another barely perceptible one is between the 1st and 2nd clips. There's also some light marks on that same area from leaning against a wall. Other marks include a small spot of paint wear on the non-drive seat stay just below cluster, a few tiny chips bottom of stays & bb shell, slightest beginnings of pitting marks on crown, and a smattering of other tiny imperfections not worth noting.
The components largely are in near mint to mint shape corresponding to the same small amount of use the frame has. I don't see any significant wear, just random little marks on some parts. Wheels are arrow straight and buttery. Tires don't look like they've seen any miles and the tan sidewalls are in great shape, but the black parts of the sidewall/furthest edge of tread have some cracking.
Frame details
- Frame numbers on BB shell: Serial number of 670 & size marking MC58
- Reynolds 531 lugged steel (likely)
- Top tube: 56cm
- Seat tube: 56cm (c-t), 58cm center to top of seat lug
- Head tube: 152mm
Components
- Wheels: Martano Leggero tubular, Nuovo Record low flange
- Campagnolo Nuovo Record gruppo: crankset/BB, derailleurs, hubs, shifters, seatpost, brakes/levers, headset, cable clips
- Crankset: NR, 170mm, 53/42t, dated 1973
- Brake levers: NR, round cable hole
- Rear derailleur: Patent 73
- Tires: D'Allesandro Nuovo Pro Servizo Corse
- Saddle: Cinelli Unicanitor #2 suede
- Stem/bars: 3ttt Record, 3ttt Superleggero
- Chain: Regina Extra Superleggera SL, drilled pins
- Freewheel: Regina 5 speed 14-19t
