First Look video: Mason Definition2

Dom wrote:

Just a few things that aren't quite right in the first look text;

- The frame hasn't quite stayed the same, the original had a round down tube the latest are ovalised at the BB for even greater stability. We have also made some detail changes, one being moving the MultiPort for the rear brake hose to the inside of the stay because we noticed that in very wet conditions the rotor could throw water into insert! It also aligns much more cleanly with modern flat-mount brakes. We toyed with a slightly shorter rear-centre but after lots of consideration decided against it because tyre sizes have actually got larger since the V1 in '14 and we didn't want to compromise clearance in favour of a slightly sportier feel through bends. The last change is a new colour! ElementGrey is new for the Definition2.

- Flat-mount/thru-axle dropouts: We developed them in conjunction with our Italian frame maker because we didn't want to dumb down the refined handling and compromise ride feel and comfort of the original by simply buying an underdeveloped, 'off the shelf' product that didn't work properly with our stay design. It took a lot longer this way but we are very happy with the results.

- Ø50mm BB shell: It's the dia. not the width that is 50mm. The width is 68mm and it's BSA threaded. The oversize 50mm shell does two important things, 1. It gives a huge weld area for the large DT, meaning it is very stable and tough at that crucial point, minimising wastage of rider input. 2. It allows us space to run the brake hose and rear mech cable internally past the axle and out through the stays.

- Tyres: The tyres are both the same width! The Definition2 uses Schwalbe G1 30mm front and rear as standard.

- The frames are not made by Dedacciai, they are the tubing gurus who produce our custom tubes but they don't weld bike frames. Our Alu frames are made in a small workshop in the Venice region of Italy, working closely with a very small team to produce the outstanding weld quality.

We work very hard on this stuff, so I just wanted to let you know : ]

 

Dom.

 

Thanks for the clairification Dom, hope the barns not too cold for you at the moment!

philhubbard wrote:

Dom wrote:

Just a few things that aren't quite right in the first look text;

- The frame hasn't quite stayed the same, the original had a round down tube the latest are ovalised at the BB for even greater stability. We have also made some detail changes, one being moving the MultiPort for the rear brake hose to the inside of the stay because we noticed that in very wet conditions the rotor could throw water into insert! It also aligns much more cleanly with modern flat-mount brakes. We toyed with a slightly shorter rear-centre but after lots of consideration decided against it because tyre sizes have actually got larger since the V1 in '14 and we didn't want to compromise clearance in favour of a slightly sportier feel through bends. The last change is a new colour! ElementGrey is new for the Definition2.

- Flat-mount/thru-axle dropouts: We developed them in conjunction with our Italian frame maker because we didn't want to dumb down the refined handling and compromise ride feel and comfort of the original by simply buying an underdeveloped, 'off the shelf' product that didn't work properly with our stay design. It took a lot longer this way but we are very happy with the results.

- Ø50mm BB shell: It's the dia. not the width that is 50mm. The width is 68mm and it's BSA threaded. The oversize 50mm shell does two important things, 1. It gives a huge weld area for the large DT, meaning it is very stable and tough at that crucial point, minimising wastage of rider input. 2. It allows us space to run the brake hose and rear mech cable internally past the axle and out through the stays.

- Tyres: The tyres are both the same width! The Definition2 uses Schwalbe G1 30mm front and rear as standard.

- The frames are not made by Dedacciai, they are the tubing gurus who produce our custom tubes but they don't weld bike frames. Our Alu frames are made in a small workshop in the Venice region of Italy, working closely with a very small team to produce the outstanding weld quality.

We work very hard on this stuff, so I just wanted to let you know : ]

 

Dom.

 

 

Thanks for the clairification Dom, hope the barns not too cold for you at the moment!

Thanks Phil, no problem. The barn? It's flippin freeeezing!

Dom.

Jack Sexty wrote:

philhubbard wrote:

Dom wrote:

Just a few things that aren't quite right in the first look text;

- The frame hasn't quite stayed the same, the original had a round down tube the latest are ovalised at the BB for even greater stability. We have also made some detail changes, one being moving the MultiPort for the rear brake hose to the inside of the stay because we noticed that in very wet conditions the rotor could throw water into insert! It also aligns much more cleanly with modern flat-mount brakes. We toyed with a slightly shorter rear-centre but after lots of consideration decided against it because tyre sizes have actually got larger since the V1 in '14 and we didn't want to compromise clearance in favour of a slightly sportier feel through bends. The last change is a new colour! ElementGrey is new for the Definition2.

- Flat-mount/thru-axle dropouts: We developed them in conjunction with our Italian frame maker because we didn't want to dumb down the refined handling and compromise ride feel and comfort of the original by simply buying an underdeveloped, 'off the shelf' product that didn't work properly with our stay design. It took a lot longer this way but we are very happy with the results.

- Ø50mm BB shell: It's the dia. not the width that is 50mm. The width is 68mm and it's BSA threaded. The oversize 50mm shell does two important things, 1. It gives a huge weld area for the large DT, meaning it is very stable and tough at that crucial point, minimising wastage of rider input. 2. It allows us space to run the brake hose and rear mech cable internally past the axle and out through the stays.

- Tyres: The tyres are both the same width! The Definition2 uses Schwalbe G1 30mm front and rear as standard.

- The frames are not made by Dedacciai, they are the tubing gurus who produce our custom tubes but they don't weld bike frames. Our Alu frames are made in a small workshop in the Venice region of Italy, working closely with a very small team to produce the outstanding weld quality.

We work very hard on this stuff, so I just wanted to let you know : ]

 

Dom.

 

 

Thanks for the clarification Dom, hope the barns not too cold for you at the moment!

Thanks Dom for the clarifications - we weren't aware of the tweaks to the frame and some of the info didn't get through to us at the office. Be sure everything will be checked and checked again when we're ready to publish an in-depth review. 

Thanks Jack! Give us a shout if you need to know more on all the details. Or, maybe we should hook up at road.cc towers and talk it all through? I could come and grab the bike when you've finished and talk then if that works?

Cheers,

Dom.

peted76 wrote:

@drosco I guess we'll see when the review gets published...

The CAAD12 is no doubt the best mass production alloy frame out there from a value for money perspective, road.cc gave it a glowing review as have most other reviewers. If you want a no nonsense inexpensive frame to blast about on the sunday club run then I personally don't think you'll find a better way to spend your cash. 

The Mason isn't the same.

If you DO have 3 grand to spend on a bike then the Mason should be a consideration.

I went through a lot of procrastination recently before opting for a Mason. I wanted a bike to do everything that my TCR doesn't do, for long rides and also a bit of gravely cross rides, a bike to take me on the National Cycle Network without having to worry if the next turning was going to be road, mud or gravel. I looked at all sorts of bikes, if I was buying with my head I'd have brought a Kinesis 4S Disc, On One Pickenflick or as I very nearly did a Reilly Gradient.. but I brought a Mason instead and so far I'm very pleased with the decision, it will do what I want it to do and it'll do it in style. I also hope it'll last me longer than other bikes.

People who rides one seem to agree it's has some compliance within the tubes and a lower BB which make for a more comfortable ride (more in the bike than on the bike..?), it's fully specced up for mudguards and panniers, takes up to a 35mm tyre, it's planted not skittish and yet fast at the same time. 

Thanks peted76, very glad you are enjoying your Mason and thanks for your very valid points.

The CAAD12 is an excellent bike but we are making something very different here. Some of the below points help to explain why are bikes a bit special. We don't design down to a price point, we design up to a performance specification;

Our tubes are almost entirely custom profile or bends or both, many parts are entirely bespoke for the Mason frames, for example the BB shells and forks which are made from our tooling specifically for each model. The European tubesets by Dedacciai are much more expensive than tubes from Asia but they are the heart of our frames and a very important part of the special ride qualities. The frames are produced in a small workshop in Italy, only one welder fabricates the frame, his weld quality is incredible and unlike mass-production, he learns from every single frame he makes. We don't sand back or fill the welds, they are left exactly as they are. We are very proud of them and don't want to compromise tube wall thickness with a sander!

I chose the best painter and finisher that I could find in Italy. The detailing and finish quality is vastly superior than the finish that we could achieve in Taiwan. It not only looks better but is tougher, much longer lasting and more protective than standard paint.

We don't use 'open-mould' or aftermarket forks because it's such an incredibly important component when it comes to ride quality and performance. In fact, our frame design starts from the fork and works backwards! It is much more expensive and time consuming to develop produce our own forks, but it is absolutely worth it. Only Mason bicycles use our forks.

We also work closely with HUNT Wheels to produce Mason x Hunt wheelsets which are designed to our requirements to compliment and enhance the performance of each model.

Yes, we are small so we get nowhere near the bulk-discount for components that the big guys get. Also, when we say 'Ultegra' you are getting just that, full Ultegra - BB, chain, both mechs, brakes etc...not a mix of component levels or brands to meet a price point.

Yes, our bikes are more expensive, but I hope it is clear to see why this is. We are doing things the hard way and we are devoted to working with small European makers to produce the absolutely highest possible quality in finish, detailing and ride quality.

Our bikes are an investment, they are designed to last a long time and adapt with you as your riding needs change. All the details are designed to make your riding life easier, more practical and more enjoyable. We want your Mason to stay with you for many years and become your riding friend : ]

Lastly, we have hardly advertised since we started in 2014, our reputation has been built on reviews and real rider reccomendations, on social media and out in the real world.

Apologies for the very long reply here but we really are passionate about what we are doing and I hope this also helps to answer a few of the points from the posts above.

Thanks for reading and have a very happy Christmas and many riding adventures in 2018.

Dom | Mason Cycles.

mtbtomo wrote:

Isn't the CAAD 12 intended for a slightly different purpose?

Pick any mainstream disc brake road bike and the Mason will likely seem expensive.

But that's not the point is it???!

Well if you don't have 3 grand to throw at a bike then that's entirely the point. It would have to offer something significantly better than a paint job and a logo on a downtube if your main concern was riding it.

drosco wrote:

That's a LOT more money than a CAAD 12 with Ultegra. Aside from the prestige factor of having something a bit different, is it a significantly better bike?

Cannondale's manufacturing costs are probably less (Taiwan vs Italy), their buying power for groupsets is bigger, they spec a lot of their own brand equipment.  All has it's bearing on the overall retail cost.