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Old 09-29-22, 08:56 AM
  #141  
embankmentlb
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Bikes: 3Rensho-Aerodynamics, Bernard Hinault Look - 1986 tour winner, Guerciotti, Various Klein's & Panasonic's

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Originally Posted by repechage
ok, but I would call the villain Bill Recht.
Mario wanted to go independent
he was expensive
the staff had almost a handle on things save the jig set ups.
The pro bike biz was deflating.
right when "something new" was needed.
there were new entries into the American Market.
New is often considered better.
having sold bikes at a Masi dealer, the staff rode them, but it was a harder to sell them as they were not the "latest thing"
so a drop ominous demand, scattering of talent- a bad harmonic.
there was a regroup but it did not take many to get the jobs done.
the Breaking Away movie helped demand.
there were updates to the bike incrementally.
1983 brought revised lug designs and geometry- actually I think they should have updated the model name.
Italy had the 3V - took a while to bring that model to the USA in numbers.
I think wanting to toss the whole lot overboard is a mistake.
there was a lack of strategic planning on both sides of the Atlantic.
some was reactionary- there was a pride in Masi America, then that was ditched. Later it was quite confused as to where constructed.
later came subordinate models.
quite an adventure.
would have been interesting if Mario had started building for Masi again in 1979. Would have been a different trajectory definitely.
I do feel for Mario and wish things had gone better for him. He was such a great craftsman.
The story would be great and inspirational had they overcome the struggle to come out the other side. Certainly lots of lessons to be learned but they mostly involve negative people resulting in negative outcomes.
Regarding American frame building there are many positive people and positive outcomes.
I think I will focus my energy on them.
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