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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Oct 27, 2020 5:28:54 GMT
It can be very dangerous to visit the LBS. On Saturday I sold my Reynolds 531 Trek to the son of a friend. I let him borrow it for a ride and they became inseparable. It was the fourth bike I sold this year and one of my favorites. The sale left me feeling bike lonely. Today I peeked in the window of our struggling LBS as he had a Trek 970 on consignment. I looked it over but it was too big for me (rats). Next to it they had a little Medici (57 cm CTC) which fits. I pulled it off the rack and realized that it had barely been ridden. It was like a new, 34 year old bike. The paint is perfect and very nicely done; it has one tiny chip by the seatpost binder bolt, otherwise it is perfect. The lugwork is very nice as well. Have I been mislead by rumors of inconsistent Medici workmanship? If not, I suppose it is one of the good ones. It has wonderfully pantographed 3TTT stem and handlebars. Of course I liked it. The rims are Campy which seems a bit odd but, I think original (everything else is). The rest of the components are Shimano 600 (6400 series) tricolor. I don't like the grey look of the brakes, but nothing is perfect. Yes, I bought it. After years building up and restoring old bikes that needed a home, I bought one that is ready to go; well almost. This bike is for riding and I am old; I must at least change the gearing. Not to mention the saddle, handlebar and stem. I can keep the original parts in a box and save them for someday. Speaking of parts in a box. I have a Campy Veloce group just sitting in a box. It might look nice on the Medici. Is this a sickness or what?
Jim |
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Post by wheelson on Oct 27, 2020 13:34:59 GMT
Jim,
Congratulations on the new addition, the Medici's are awesome bikes, and I've been admiring them for years.
I know exactly what you're going through with this "bike lonely" illness. I've been resisting adding to my home for wayward bikes by trying to make the existing ones multipurpose (road, rail trail, hybrid, camping . . . ). No matter what I do, I can't seem to pare down the count, I end up with too many duplicates. They're like old friends, how can you decrease the number of those unless one of them expires - and old bikes seem to never die. And how can you limit your number of friends and exclude a new one??!! There, I've justified an unlimited number of new-to-me bikes. Somehow, I don't think my wife will buy into that one.
Best,
John "wheelson"
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Post by triitout on Oct 27, 2020 13:47:49 GMT
There are so many bikes that I too would love to take home but only so much room. Jim and John, I'd say it's about passion, not a sickness. At our ages, we've earned the right to follow our passions so carry on!
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ks1u
Viscount
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Post by ks1u on Oct 27, 2020 14:29:59 GMT
Very nice bike and I'm glad to hear you are no longer "bike lonely".
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Jem
Viscount
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Post by Jem on Oct 27, 2020 18:40:07 GMT
I have plenty enough bikes , but doubt I could walk away from a classic bike at a good price.
At least you're not in denial Jim, you realise that you're in the grip of a bike addiction! Plenty of worse things to be addicted to I'd say!
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Post by franco on Oct 27, 2020 21:19:47 GMT
Stunning looking bike Jim, well done  |
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Post by triitout on Oct 28, 2020 1:25:56 GMT
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Oct 28, 2020 3:42:55 GMT
Yes that is very interesting, I have read the comments; Medici had a colorful history (Masi partner to failed company). My bike is a bit later than the time period written about. I wish I had information after 1984. Medici transitioned from Columbus SL/SP to Tange Prestige sometime after 1984. My bike is a 1986 Tange Prestige frame (shown by having 86 T on the BB shell). Frame and paint quality seems dependent upon who was working for them when the frame was built. What was not mentioned is the strange story of the frame builder, Michael Howard, who apparently was the infamous LA "Hair Bandit." He was convicted of cutting women's hair while they walked down the street LA Times Hair Bandit Story
After Medici closed its' doors Howard and his long time partner Gian Simonetti, started building Simonetti and later (with Baylis) Wizard custom bicycle frames.
Mike Howard and Baylis today |
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