1984 Medici Pro-Strada
Part Diary, Part Technical Manual, Part Tips & Tricks

The original owner bought this bike from Kings Bicycle Store when the shop was still at its orignal location at 1209 South Pacifc, San Pedro, CA in 1984 for use it in a triathalon. The first time he rode it, he crashed in his driveway and the bike has since hung in his garage.

Fast forward 24 years later, the owner's son brought the wheels to Alameda Bicycles to get some new tires installed. The mechanic noticed they were Campagnolo Record hubs on vintage Mavic wheels and inquired about the bike. The son said it was a Medici and that he planned on fixing it up and posting it on craigslist. Instead, the mechanic bought it. The mechanic, Kevin, is 6'1" and the frame was too small for him. After riding it for about 40 miles, he realized this would not work out, so he placed an ad on craigslist, looking for the best offer. Note that it was advertised as a 1981, but I am now pretty certain it is a 1984, based on the date codes of the components.

My good friend Armen used to ride a Medici, so I always knew they were high quality bicycles of Masi California descent. Also, pictures of a Medici from Ray Dobbin's wonderful website only furthered that impression. So when I saw the ad, I called Kevin the next day and chatted briefly about the bike. The next day, I went to Alameda Bicycles to check out the bike and take a quick test ride. Since I already have six bicycles, I really didn't NEED another bike. I thought to myself, unless the bike is REALLY special, I'm not going to buy it. After seeing it in person, I realized this was a rare opportunity to own a practically NOS Medici with a full Campagnolo Super Record gruppo, which was also my exact size. The chrome was all shiny and the black paint was flawless. It even came with two yellow Medici waterbottles! It was just too nice to pass up, so on March 3, 2008, I was the proud owner of a Medici and the first bike I've owned with Campagnolo components.

After one ride and only three weeks later, I sold this bike. It was just a little too pristine for me to be racking up miles on. Besides, the old Campy parts, the best there was at that time, was pretty inferior to any modern gruppo - except for the bearings, the bearings were phenomenally smooth. Funny thing is I sold it to a fellow in New York, who bought it for his girlfriend, who is an actual decendent of the Medici family. Weird!

Here are the specs:

Frame: 1984 Medici Pro-Strada, 55cm CTC, Columbus double butted SP tubing, Italian bottom bracket. Serial Number: 55 02033. Black frame with full chrome seat and chain stay and Campagnolo drop outs, 126mm spacing.
Fork: Medici, Columbus SL, fully chrome with Campagnolo drop outs.
Wheels: Mavic G40 with hard anodized finish.
Front Hub: Campagnolo Record, small flange.
Rear Hub: Campagnolo Record, small flange, English thread.
Skewers: Campagnolo Record.
Tires: Vittoria Diamante Pro, 700 x 23C, yellow.
Freewheel: Maeda Industries (Suntour) 6spd 13-15-17-20-23-26T.
Cranks: Campagnolo Super Record 52x42, Strada 170mm, 144 BCD. Drive side Square 11 (1985), left side Circle 4 (1984).
Bottom Bracket: Campagnolo Super Record, square taper, Italian thread.
Front Derailer: Campagnolo Super Record, braze-on.
Rear Derailer: Campagnolo Super Record. Pat.84 (1984).
Shifters: Campagnolo Record braze-on. The shifter cables are unique as they are specially coated in yellow, the color of Medici.
Headset: Campagnolo Super Record.
Chain: Sedis.
Stem: 3TTT 1" quill, 70mm with Medici pantograph.
Handlebar: Italanubri (ITM) Model Italia Competition, 415mm width.
Brakes: Campagnolo Super Record.
Levers: Campagnolo Super Record.
Pedal: Forte Campus. Yes, this may be a bit strange, but with the black cages, it looks more like the original Campagnolo Superlight pedals than a modern road pedal. Besides, I have a very stringent SPD-only policy, I only own one pair of cycling shoes.
Seatpost: Campagnolo Nuovo Super Record, 27.2mm, 180mm length.
Saddle: Selle San Marcos Rolls, dark brown, made in 1983.
Water Bottle: Ale, yellow with Medici logo (2).
Water Bottle Cage: Specialized, steel. Black (2).

The bike currently weighs 22lbs 5oz as shown.