Testimonial for today;

Michael Klasmeir is the Operations Manger for City Bikes (Washington, DC and Chevy Chase, MD) and can get his hands onto virtually any bike he would like to... and most of them for free due to the amount of business this chain of stores does. However, Mike paid for the Gran Criterium frame in the below pictures and then built up his own sweet ride.

Here's what he had to say about the bike after having the chance to finally ride it;
"Good looking bike/wheels... This is the new baby for now. I'm trying to justify the wheelset (clinchers) and after just one ride on them, I'm going to have a hard time saying 'no'.

I've got nothing but good things to say about this Masi. I'm a steel guy at heart and I think this bike has given me a transplant. Getting off the old Bontrager (yes, he made bikes) and onto this Masi has made a HUGE difference in my riding. I've been tooling around during lunch for the last few months on S-Works Roubaix, Six13 Team, Merckx MXM, Merckx Premium, Merckx Race, Cannondale Synapse carbon and nothing feels better than this bike. This thing is in the big leagues without the big league price (except for the way I have it built up).
Oh, like I need to tell you guys: Campy Record rocks..."

Yes, Mike and I get along pretty well, but he paid for this thing before I could even get my hands on something to give him for free, so his comments are ones he paid for, not me. Obviously, I'm very glad he likes the bike and even happier he sells the bikes. So if you're in Chevy Chase, MD or Washington, DC and you're looking for a Masi, go see City Bikes.

Thanks Mike,

Tim

And a view from the rear... 

Klasmeier's bike from the front... 

Michael Klasmeier's new Gran Criterium custom bike. 

Randomly rolling along...

So the Giro was incredible this year! Man, oh man, that was a good one. My favorite since Hampsten's win in '88. Savoldelli rode a smart race and defended very well with a limited supply of support. Basso was superb, if unlucky, and proved that he is a legitimate threat to win any 3 week race he chooses to enter. Selle Italia proved that a wild card team can enliven the race and be a part of the action. Between Parra and Rujano, they were the little team that could... and did. Di Luca was never even mentioned as a contender for a 3 week race and he rode as bravely and strongly as a Merckx or Hinault. He is another Campione to watch.

The little princess turns 4 today, so the weekend was a birthday festival of fun, excitement and sugar comas. Two birthday parties with the two sets of Grandparents and aunts and uncles showering her with gifts. The princess even let her loyal subject, "Daddy", feed her some cake. He was duly gracious for the generosity. However, she changed her mind and didn't want to go for a bike ride in her trailer, since it would mess up her hair and new dress. So instead, I got to sneak off for a 60 mile ride with my best friend and we cruised along the coast on a gorgeous morning before heading inland for some climbing "fun". Rode the Speciale Carbon steel bike and really enjoyed finally putting it to the test. What a great riding bike! I still stick to my previous comments that it is my favorite of our current frames. That steel and carbon make for such a great riding bike.

There is a little mention of Taliah Lempert and Michael Gamstetter on Just Riding Along. Links to both of them showcase their artistic talents. What great artists they both are. When I was writing and editing for the currently-defunct magazine, iheartbikes, I got to see Taliah's paintings and read her words about her work. I was truly impressed by her and encourage you to look at her work some time. Michael Gamstetter is part of the brain trust at Bicycle Retailer and I really had no idea he was so artistically talented and was very impressed by his gallery of work. His portraits are really amazing and well worth taking a look at (now I have to become important enough in the industry that he will need to do a portrait of me too... that would be cool).

Tim

What a week... what a day.

This has been a whirlwind week, so I'm really looking forward to the coming 3-day weekend. Lots of stuff happening and progress being made. I really can't tell you how excited I am about the new bikes we've been working so hard on. From the least expensive to the most expensive, it has been an experience. Worked on color and graphics for the carbon bikes. Selected saddle and bar tape colors. Tweaked components. Lots of stuff.

Had a nice long conversation with Chris Lesser at Bicycle Retailer about a piece they are working on about blogging in the bike industry. That should turn into quite an article and I can't wait to read it. Also started contributing to the Just Riding Along blog of Jonathan Maus (http://just-riding-along.blogspot.com/). I am really looking forward to collaborating with him to produce a forum of useful information for the bicycle industry. His blog has provided me with information that I have been able to use and I hope that will happen for others as well.

My daughter is turning four and so it is a 3-day birthday weekend for the little Princess. Daddy will be in complete servant mode for the weekend. She has already requested a bike ride in her trailer at the beach, so some of the work will actually be fun. Towing her around in her trailer is a fantastic workout, so I'll be trashed by the time the weekend is done and will need to come back to work to get some rest.

I will try to add some posts over the weekend because I have a lot of stuff running around in my head that I can't quite catch right now. In case I don't "speak to you" over the weekend... enjoy!

Tim

How 'bout that Giro?

Is this shaping up to be one of the best Giri in a long, long time or what? What a refreshing change from some of the previous editions that were "good" but not "great". This one has been a blast and the blasting ain't over yet and that's the best part of all.

Races like this show that the sport is healthy and not dominated by one person to make things exciting and worth watching. Ultimately, that is good for both the sport and the industry. Don't get me wrong, I'm supremely impressed by what Lance has done and done for the sport and business. However, he is going to retire and then what? Then what happens to interest in the US? Danielson and Landis are both great riders, but how likely is it that they are going to win 6 (or 7) Tours? Not very. American cycling is better than ever, no doubt. But an exciting sport as a whole will hopefully do more to keep the American public interested in watching and learning. This industry can't afford for everybody to turn around and look the other way when Lance rides into the proverbial sunset of retirement. I wasn't a big fan of the Pro Tour format and still have reservations, since it will likely mean the end to some great smaller races and teams, but if the Pro Tour is going to yield this kind of racing then it is worth it in the end. A healthier sport means a healthier industry built around it and we'll hopefully see continued growth instead of an immediate decline.

Soon, very soon, I'll have some cool spy shots of the new full carbon frame we will be doing. This is going to be a really sweet riding bike and I can't wait to get on it. Spy shots of the new track frame soon too.

Tim

Not to be the bad guy here, but...

I don't want to sound like a big, bad Corporate Demon trying to squash anybody, but I have to post a warning to potential consumers shopping on eBay for a new Masi.

There are currently a few Masi bikes, brand new 2005 models still in the box, being sold on eBay. Please note that the bikes currently listed do not come from an authorized Masi dealer and therefore do not have any warranty. These bikes were purchased, from what we can tell, "grey market" from a shop that was closing and going out of business and are now being sold on eBay. These are great bikes and are being sold at a good price, but please be aware of the situation.

Here's the story; we adamantly support our dealers and do all that we can to protect them. We have signed dealer agreements with our retailers so that they know their rights and we have recourse if a dealer is doing something wrong. It is a protection for both parties and the ultimate goal is to make sure that our retail partners are serving consumers the best way possible.

So there you have it. The internet and eBay have been a mixed blessing for all of us who sell "stuff". Great deals are out there to be had- I have certainly taken advantage of many myself. Just know what you are buying, who you are buying from and the history behind the scenes.

Here ends my Public Service Announcement for the day. Honestly, this is offered as a protection to potential buyers.

Tim

Will Mahler of Ed's Bike and Ski in York, PA manning the Tech Booth at the White Rose Circuit Race. Check out those pretty Masi bikes in there... the other bikes are ok too... but look at those Masis (2nd {Vincere Premio} and 3rd {Vincere} from the left)! These guys are brand new Masi dealers and two of the bikes from their first order sold within a week of hitting the sales floor... nice start. 

Message to "unknown"...

I know who you are!

Ok, I don't really, but I do have an answer to your question about the track bike; yes. Yes, it will almost definitely have a flip-flop rear hub. Fixed or free will be your choice!

Tim