Masi · Columbus SL · 1973 to about 1977 at Carlsbad (US Gran Criteriums to 1990)
In July 1973 Faliero Masi arrived in San Diego to start American production, and a building on Avenida Encinas in Carlsbad became the factory. Mario Confente came in October to run the brazing, and the first 25 frames, all 57 cm, were done in November. They copied the Italian twin-plate Gran Criterium so closely they even wore the same decals. Faliero went home after about 18 months and Confente left in 1975, but the shop gave Brian Baylis and other American builders their start. By 1977 Masi had its own investment-cast lugs, and production moved to Rancho Santa Fe and then San Marcos. The red Gran Criterium in Breaking Away came out of California in 1978. Unlike the Italian bikes, nearly every one carries a serial number.
Frame check
Original parts to look for
Hard to find if missing
Check the listing photos against these lists, and ask the seller about anything you can’t see. Swapped or missing original parts should come off the price if originality matters to you. For replacements, see our vintage components guide.
Many Carlsbad bikes have been resprayed, often by Baylis or Cyclart, so original paint and decals are the exception. Otherwise expect old tubulars, chrome wear and a stuck stem or seatpost.
New to old steel? Spotting frame damage in listing photos covers lugs, dropouts and rust, and seller red flags covers wrong sizes, swapped parts and repaints sold as original.
Buying guide
On a California Masi, the bottom bracket stamps tell you the year, and a serial with a leading zero means a later frame. Only a few are up. The early-80s bike at $1,493 delivered is the safe buy, and the 1989 at $830 is good value if you can collect it. Skip the circa-1976 framesets, two sellers using one title.
$1,493.07est. delivered
Of the complete bikes you can have shipped, this one costs least, from a 100% seller. Early-80s frames came from San Marcos with SMC serials, so the stamps should match.
Early 80s masi Gran criterium California Made
$1,493.07est. delivered
The one complete bike here that ships at a fair price. Plenty of these were resprayed, so check the fork crown and decals against the serial.
Early 80s masi Gran criterium California Made
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 19, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 19, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$1,493.07est. delivered
$1,200.00 + $293.07 shipping
Buy It Now$1,200.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Early 80s, California made.
Seller: larry_ravioli
100% positive
Used$830.00+ shipping
$830.00 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$830.00
Our take
1989, California built. Pickup only.
Seller: buttcap
100% positive
Used$859.00est. delivered
$789.00 + $70.00 shipping
Buy It Now$789.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Same title as another seller's frameset. Get the serial photo.
Seller: bicycleclassics
99.5% positive
Used$889.99est. delivered
$789.99 + $100.00 shipping
Buy It Now$789.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
A second copy of that frameset title. Get the serial photo.
Seller: bajajohn1959*
100% positive
Used$2,939.34est. delivered
$2,650.00 + $289.34 shipping
Buy It Now$2,650.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
No year or serial, and about twice the going rate.
Seller: goldenvelomarketplace
100% positive
Used$7,400.00+ shipping
$7,400.00 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$7,400.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
Serial 0175, a leading-zero later frame. Pickup only.
Seller: montereybayfinds247
100% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 19, 2026.
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