Mason Definition road bike

Brighton based Mason Cycles has let us loose with one half of its initial line up, the Definition. It's a four season long distance machine with the manners of a tourer and the temperament of race bike.

It's good. So bloody good it's been difficult trying to get into words just how a handful of alloy sticks welded together can leave you feeling so excited. You don't get a ride governed by angles and dimensions here; the Definition seems to mutate as the speed/gradient/direction changes leaving you wondering if you are still riding the same bike you were five minutes ago.

Sorted geometry equals sublime handling

With a wheelbase of 1010mm, room for full mudguards with 28mm tyres and a relaxed looking front end you'd be excused for thinking the Definition is some sort of audax-style winter trainer. What you get though is a frame that's mild mannered and easy to ride whether it's doing 16 or 60mph (okay 56.9mph, bloody HGV limiters) in the wet or dry.

The key to a good mile muncher is that you don't notice it. If you've tapped out a steady hundred miles and not once thought about the bike it's doing its job. The Definition can do this, miles and miles can go by and the bike will just roll on with little input through the steering.

But we all need a little bit of excitement in our lives and when you give the pedals a kick those Dedacciai tubes deliver a ride to challenge most race bikes.

As the bends start to tighten and the speed increases the tapered head tube and steerer combination comes into its own giving a sharpness and directness to the steering. Handling like its on rails may be a cliché but is totally apt here; point the handlebars at the line you want and the Definition nails it without compromise.

The bottom bracket height has been dropped a touch to counteract the larger volume tyres and alongside that meter long wheelbase the whole bike remains stable at high speed or under heavy braking. A rough road surface won't upset it either.

I thought I'd over-cooked it a couple of times entering roundabouts or bends on a country lane but the Definition just keeps leaning and holding that tight line. A squeeze of the hydraulic disc brakes just tightens the arc a touch if you need to without an unwelcome shift of body weight.

Long rides often see you travelling unfamiliar roads. The knowledge and confidence that the bike will get you out of a tricky situation is a nice feeling to have especially if the fatigue is kicking in and increasing the chances of you making a mistake.

It's not just how precisely it responds in the bends that makes the Definition so rewarding to ride, it's the fact that you can ride it however you are feeling at that particular time. Go steady or go eyeballs out and you'll get the same level of feedback and control.

The Aperture fork is designed specifically for Mason's two bikes, the Definition and the Resolution, and it's a beauty. The carbon layup means you get no chatter from the road surface even at extreme lean angles, despite the stiffness of the legs. It also provides perfect resistance to massive braking efforts.

Stiffness without harshness

Aluminium alloy frames have always had a reputation for being harsh but alloy tubing has had some real investment and technological advances over the last few years. Those tubes build into creating stiff frames without the bone shaking characteristics.

The Dedacciai tube set used on the Definition is testament to this, offering a beautifully smooth ride that shows hints of an almost steel like softness while retaining the stiff undertones of the 7000 series, T6 heat treated alloy.

Mason Cycles' eponymous designer and head honcho Dom Mason handpicked the tube set himself rather than just use an off the shelf selection to create the exact ride feel he was after both in terms of performance and comfort. As with the handling, this is apparent when the bike is being ridden at differing efforts.

Spinning it along easily it rides through the bumps absorbing the majority of the road buzz even with the tyres pumped up to 120psi. You can feel the stiffness of the frame through the pedals being linked to the meaty bottom bracket junction but up near your hands, at the top tube/head tube junction, things are a lot calmer. The feel is ever so slightly different, softer even.

The seatstays are curved which tames the rear end under hard acceleration and dulls the resonation of the road travelling up to the rider before it can reach the saddle.

When the red mist descends though the whole bike again feels like it transforms into a tighter, more nimble beast. The power goes through the down tube and bottom bracket without any feeling of loss as the Definition surges forward. It's not exactly a sprinter but the change of pace is instant and above all addictive, like it's goading you to push that little bit harder than you really need to.

This is true as well when you are in the hills. That bottom bracket area makes sure all of your effort goes to the rear wheel whether you're climbing seated or honking hard on the bars for the really steep bits. At 8.6kg (18.95lb) for this build the Definition climbs well. The Mason x Hunt 4Season wheels' low weight is really noticeable here compared to other disc wheels currently available.

On a 200km ride to Brighton to drop the Definition back to Mason HQ I stepped off the bike without a single ache or pain. Arms, wrists and neck are the usual places I suffer once I get past four or five hours on a stiff bike, but those aches and pains didn't appear. In fact I was fresh enough to ride back the next day on the steel Resolution.

Attention to detail

I'd still be a bike fanatic even if I didn't cycle. I just love the way a road bike looks especially metal ones with tubes and things which is why the Definition gives me such a buzz.

The curved seat and chain stays are a work of art as well as being functional. The longer wheelbase allows for plenty of heel clearance on the chain stays too considering the extra width of a disc hub.

The quality of the finish on the Definition is second to none, from the welding through to the paint and decals. To achieve this Mason has the frames shipped around Italy to the companies he has handpicked for the quality of their work. The photos just can't do the finish justice; it really needs to be seen in the flesh and preferably in the sun.

The welding is neat and tidy and thankfully left in its raw state. I prefer to see the joins rather than sanded for a smooth finish, it keeps the bike's engineered look and means there is no chance of the tube wall thickness being reduced through over-zealous sanding.

Mason offers a five year guarantee on the frame and fork plus two years on Mason components; that's an impressive testament to his confidence in its quality.

It's the little details that bring a completeness to the frame though, things like the MultiPort system that allows you use various nodules and blanking plates depending on which groupset you are running internally through the frame – electronic or mechanical. The positioning of these entry and exit points provide smooth cable rums for unrestricted shifting quality if you are running cables, removing tight bends and keeping things close to the frame and avoiding moisture collecting sumps. The MultiPorts used on the 48mm diameter downtube are staggered to create this kind of detail.

Continuing this tidy run is the unique thruBB bottom bracket shell which is oversized at 50mm diameter before stepping down to accept standard threaded BB cups. This allows clearance to run the cables and brake hose through the BB shell without the risk of pinching or restricting function plus a larger surface area for welding.

As I mentioned above the Definition frame is fully equipped with bosses for full mudguards and a rear rack and a few more discretely situated on the wheel side of the seatstays for tidy cable routing. Fittings are positioned underneath the redundant rear brake bridge and on the chain stay bridge too.

This level of detailing continues to the fork as well. Like I said earlier the fork has been completely designed by Mason to work with this frame. Perfecting the height, clearance and ride quality has allowed him to refine everything else too, like the internal cable/hose routing for the disc caliper and placing the mudguard bosses on the inside of the fork legs for a minimal look. The Aperture has traditional dropouts rather than a thru axle which is a sensible option at the moment while (if) the industry decides on a standard.

The full carbon steerer has an even taper, unlike some that are just straight down to a small section of larger diameter at the bottom. The Aperture steerer therefore has a larger surface area for stiffness.

Well specced finishing kit

The Definition is available in four build options plus a special order Dura-Ace Di2 so the Ultegra Di2 version we've got is the top off the shelf spec. You get the new hydro shifters to work with the Shimano hydraulic disc brakes and it's a match made in heaven. Being able to brake and change gear at the same time in total control is a massive confidence booster and you don't realise how much of a benefit it is until you switch back to mechanical.

It's a full groupset too with chainset and both mechs adding to that complete look you get when all of the components match. The shifting on Di2 has got much smoother over time and although the front mech is still on the large side the rear looks very little different from the mechanical version.

The braking from the latest generation Shimano hydraulics is phenomenal. The control from the levers is class-leading and while you can easily lock the rear wheel you soon get used to how much power you need to use.

The style of the braking perfectly matches the mannerisms of the Definition, aggressive and pin point accuracy when you want it, gentle inputs when you don't.

Running with the Italian theme the headset, handlebars and stem are all Deda items. The spec level increases with the build option/groupset you go for and on our model the upper level alloy components of the range suit the frame perfectly. They are stiff but thanks to slight shock absorbance of the frame not overly so.

The majority of the Deda bars have a shallow drop these days so they suit a larger selection of hand sizes and are very comfortable to ride. Descending in the drops is a real pleasure, being able to spread your weight out over the bike.

All the bikes and frames are shipped with a Mason seatpost made from UD carbon fibre. It's 27.2mm in diameter to allow some flex between frame and saddle. It's easy to set up for fore and aft or levelling the saddle.

Fabric provides both the saddle and bar tape and they're really good stuff. The Scoop saddle has a decent mix of stiffness and padding and is very supportive over long distances. The bike swap weekend I put in over fifteen hours on the bike and while I knew I'd done a big weekend I suffered no numbness or chafing at all from the saddle.

The tape is wipe clean which is a really huge bonus if you're running white like our test model was, that'll save you a few quid over the course of the year. The rubbery feel gives plenty of grip and a reasonable amount of padding though I did get the odd tingly finger if I wasn't wearing gloves.

Wheely, wheely good

Mason have gone down a collaboration route for the wheelset on the Definition with fledgling brand Hunt to create the 4seasons, and attention to detail is the defining factor here too.

The 27mm deep rims use a 23mm wide rim (17mm internal) which suits the profile of the 28mm wide Continental Grand Prix All Season tyres perfectly. The width increases grip and ride quality, and gives a little bit in the way of an aerodynamic boost too. They are tubeless ready if that takes your fancy.

They use a quality selection of components from the likes of EZO bearings from Japan and Pillar spokes with reinforced heads. This allows for a strong wheelset to be handbuilt without a weight penalty, they are a claimed 1585g. They roll smoothly and stayed true throughout the test period and are continuing to on the Resolution review bike so longevity isn't going to be an issue.

Additions like stainless hardwear on the skewers is a decent insight especially for a bike that is likely to be used in all weathers.

They are priced at £349 so absorb a decent chunk of the budget but it's where you want your money to go. We see lots of bikes of similar prices being let down by low-priced heavyweight wheels.

The Conti tyres offer really decent grip especially in the dry. They are surefooted and thanks to the profile allowed by the wheels you can really bank them over in the bends. Their resistance to cuts and punctures is second to none as well.

Defining the Definition

You can probably tell by the length of the review that the Mason Definition has tremendous depth to it with regards to the ride, the overall finish and detailing. It's a production bike but with that kind of custom finish to it.

The ride is amazing, pure and simple. The tubes, the geometry, the finishing kit all come together to create a package that is hard to fault. The way it seems to come alive as you put more and more effort into becomes like a drug to the point where I was rarely taking it steady anymore. I needed that hit.

The finish and the way it looks on the road just adds to the pleasure. I love the way the Mason logo faces you on the down tube and I think it tops the table with regards to head tube badges.

Overall the Definition manages to be an all-rounder without displaying any compromises.

Full details of specs and geometry can be found on www.masoncycles.cc

Verdict

Production bike with bespoke feel and wonderful, inspiring, addictive ride