This is a 3V Volumetrica road racing frame and fork by Alberto Masi. We have had the paintwiork refreshed by our master bicycle frame artisan, and it is now resplendent in bright silver metallic with contrasting navy blue panels, with crisply executed diagonal fading stripes. The two tone colours scheme is further enhanced by a fresh set of decals with bright yellow lettering, ornate heraldic crests and furling stripes with the UCI World Championship colours as well as those of the Italian national flag.
Despite all this eye-catching graphic bling, this frame and matching fork justifiably gives the impression of being highly functional rather than merely flamboyant. The keener eye will immediately notice the lack of pointed and filed external lug work. That’s because Masi‘s ground breaking 3V concept utilized larger diameter tubes which slipped over the reinforced sections of the special lug and bottom bracket castings. The resulting aesthetic is pared right down to the essentials, and shows off the very precise tube cutting talents of the highly skilled craftsmen who brazed these beauties together.
The matching fork features a sloping crown with the Masi name on either side. Twice here, once on the lower head lug casting and across the top of the rear brake bridge, the revered Masi name has been picked out in black enamel. The rear brake cable is guided along the inside of the top tube from beneath, emerging at the upper rear next to a decal of Alberto Masi‘s signature. There is provision for a pair of water bottles, and the front derailleur attaches to a brazed on fitting.
We sincerely hope the next lucky owner allows us to assemble this charming little frame and fork into a period correct racing machine. We can’t wait to see it built up with the right selection of the best in Italian racing components.
Brand: Masi
Material: Steel
Frame Size/Seat tube: 51.5 cm ct. – ct. (53 cm top tube)
Top tube Length: 53 cm
Head tube: 115 mm
Fork: 1″ Threaded
Fork Shaft: 155 mm
Wheelbase: 98.5cm
Rear spacing: 130mm
Seatpost diameter: 27.2mm
Weight: 2360g
