mason bokeh gravel bike

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Another change to provide easier internal routing of the rear brake hose and electronic shift cable is an oversized 56mm diameter shell around a 68mm threaded bottom bracket. The decals are up to Mason's usual impeccable standards and give the Bokeh 2 a sense of pedigree. Direction changes come quickly, too, when you're hurtling through the woods. The carbon monocoque 'Parallax' fork has been developed in conjunction with our Italian frame builders, it uses a 12mm thru-axle, flat-mount and internally routed hose and weighs just 465g. New Ah, cool. Speed comes more easily when sprinting out of corners. Geometry-wise, the Bokeh is well in keeping with current trends in the gravel world, albeit with a slight bent toward the more sporting end of the spectrum. Like this site?

With higher-volume 700c tires, the Bokeh is appropriately stable and forgiving, happy to let the wheels slide underneath you without fear that the ends will unexpectedly trade places on you. The Sendero tyres are capable in loose gravel and deep slippery mud, finding traction when you're on the edge of toppling over. Once there, it carries its momentum well on flat terrain and through corners. By becoming a supporter of GRAN FONDO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. The only compromise here is its lack of long distance comfort, which ultimately costs Mason the test victory. But while a wider 650b setup gets you the air volume and footprint you want on looser ground, the smaller overall diameter also comes with quicker handling and a slightly lower bottom bracket. The slack head agile, longer fork trail and stretched wheelbase compared to a road bike, as is common with many gravel bikes, prevents the Bokeh 2 from feeling too edgy or nervous. There, the semi-aggressive position and efficient feel still encourage you to push hard, but the larger-volume tires add in a ride comfort element thats occasionally missing when the Bokeh is wearing narrower rubber. We've had one of the wettest autumns in a long while and slick gravel tyres aren't much use if you want to go off-road here in the Cotswolds, I can tell you! I dont need to point out that Ive ridden dedicated road bikes that are faster than the Bokeh on tarmac, nor that Ive ridden fat-tired adventure bikes that offer a more forgiving ride or more appropriate handling. Youll feel confident aboard the Mason the moment you swing your leg over the saddle. For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best bikepacking bike in review. Seatpost Syncros Duncan SL Brakes Shimano GRX RX810 160/160 mmDrivetrain Shimano GRX RX810 48/31 (1134)Stem Zipp Service Course SL 90 mmHandlebar Deda GRAVEL100 460 mmWheelset MASON X HUNT 650B Adventure Sport DiscTires Panaracer GravelKing SK 48B, Size 50 52 54 56 58 60 62Weight 9.94 kgWheelsize 650B, bosses on the fork, 3 per sidebosses underneath the down tuberack and fender eyeletsSON hub dynamo and Sinewave light. And it feels quick on the road, the frame doing a good job of transferring power when you're gunning for the top of a climb. Prices for the bare framesets start at 1,250 (including headset, thru-axles), while the current flagship build (with Shimano GRX Di2) tops out at 3,995.

Sporty! He is a serial offender. Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork? It can certainly handle it, but it doesnt seem as much at home there. And once again, the Bokeh took it all in its stride. As with the frames, there is a full compliment of discreetly sited fender eyelets and an extra one at the front for a Dynamo light. Most of my previous observations still stand.

We have started from the ground up with the Bokeh geometry the clearance is increased to take up to 650b x 50mm or 700c x 45mm, I think anything larger is MTB territory. Anyone whos been keeping up to date with the ultra-endurance bikepacking scene will have heard the name Josh Ibett and of a brand called Mason. The ergonomics of the hoods are excellent and increase control in tricky situations, with the brake levers easier and nicer to operate. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. Become a GRAN FONDO supporter and lets shape the bike scene together and make GRAN FONDO even better! The one exception is the largest 62cm size, which uses a 31.6mm seatpost. You could also get a carbon fibre bike in the shape of the Vitus Substance CRX, which costs 1,799 with a SRAM Rival 1 groupset and 650B wheels and tyres. Mason offer a wide range of components to choose from in their online configurator, allowing you to tailor the Bokeh to your specific needs. Theres even a dedicated mounting point on the front of the fork crown for a dynamo-powered light, and the seatstay bridge is elegantly curved so as to closely follow the arc of a fender if you decide to use one. How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size? Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork? The oversized down tube has a U-shaped profile that allows for more weld surface contact with the bottom bracket shell, for example, while the top tube is ovalized horizontally to help increase front-triangle torsional stiffness. Braking performance is first class too. The componentry is good and can be configured to suit your preferences. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes. The carbon fork has been updated and now features internal dynamo routing and three rack mounts compatible with Anything accessories, so you could add extra bottles or load storage. Tell us briefly about the cheaper options and the more expensive options. You can easily fit some fat slick tyres and, gearing aside, keep up with faster roadies on a club run or smash out the commute. The bulge in the threaded bottom bracket shell has gotten larger so the internally routed cables can more easily clear 30mm-diameter spindles, some of the cable routing ports have been moved for better compatibility with frame bags, and the new Parallax 2 carbon fork now has so-called anything mounts on each leg and internal routing for the optional dynamo wire. Despite its premium pricing, the Bokeh has earned a bit of a cult following, and after several months of riding one on- and off-road, I can see why. Look elsewhere. The aluminium handlebar has a nice amount of flare to the drops, 12-degree flare to be precise, without being excessive, enabling more control over the direction that the bike takes on the descents, while the top section is slightly ovalised, lending more comfort when cruising. Unlike carbon fiber, whose mechanical properties can be dramatically altered independently of shape by changing the underlying fiber lay-up, aluminum is an isotropic material, meaning it essentially behaves the same in every direction. BMC Unrestricted URS 2020 first-ride review: Gravel bike or MTB? But then again, you dont buy a bike like the Bokeh to only ride on tarmac. Our mission is to bring you all the news thats relevant to you as a cyclist, independent reviews, impartial buying advice and more. Top performance, looks and capability from Mason's updated gravel bike, If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website. Ribble's CGR AL, for example, costs 1,839 for a complete bike when custom specced with Shimano GRX 800 and WTB Nano tyres. The overall score is not just You can read a review of it here. While the Mason is relatively comfortable for an aluminum frame, there are other bikes in the test field that offer significantly more compliance. Saddle Fabric Scoop, Shallow, Mason Custom. Use this box to explain your overall score. It's more expensive than many other aluminium gravel bikes, as listed in the review body. Chainset Shimano GRX-810 1x (42T) / 2x (48/31), Cassette Shimano M8000 11-42. Tyres Choice of Schwalbe, Panaracer, WTB. Are you with us? If you want wider, you'd be better served by Mason's ISO. Those clearances are ample for many people buying gravel bikes who will want a bike that offers good speed on a wide variety of surfaces, from road to woodland tracks and pure gravel. I wouldn't rush to change anything on this build. Fork Mason Parallax2 full carbon Thru-Axle fork. Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? And if you go through the trouble of fitting more purpose-built tires 28mm Schwalbe Pro One tubeless clinchers, as I ran here for a while the Bokeh is more than happy ticking off scores of fast road miles. Around 4x as many people are killed/head of population in road crashes in the US than in the UK.

The Bokeh 2 is more agile and easier to carve through tight corners with the 650B wheels. > Buyer's Guide: 22 of the best gravel and adventure bikes. Where does this model sit in the range? The Bokeh bikes and framesets are AdventureSport machines for fast 'Continent Crushing' rides and they can use either 650b x 50mm or 700c, with up to 45mm tyres. VAT is included in the quoted UK prices, but international buyers arent subject to the same surcharge and effectively get up to a 20% discount, depending on local taxes and fees. Mason hails from the UK, and so its no surprise to see that fender mounts are present and accounted for at both ends, while the rear is equipped with proper rack mounts as well. Tuning tips: Cane Creek eeSilk seat post for added long-distance comfort | save up for longer and take a look at the less stiff titanium version. Dedacciai custom formed, triple-butted performance aluminium frame with Mason Parallax full carbon thru-axle fork. There's also 650B compatibility with up to a 50mm tyre catered for. This is still a highly capable bike that's just as at home cruising along country lanes as it is splashing through hub-deep puddles, skidding around corners and dive-bombing down rutted descents. What do the manufacturers say about it? If that's not posh enough for you, switch to the Bokeh Ti and you can spend 6,195. Cable routing has been revised, still using the same modular system that ensures compatibility with all groupsets and 1x or 2x, but the rear gear cable port has been repositioned to reduce top tube pack interference. The bike does exactly what you tell it to and never throws you any curveballs even when youre pushing its limits, striking a good balance between composure and agility. This is important when youre heading out on an epic adventure or want to push your limits. How was the bike in terms of height and reach? The geometry remains unchanged from the original. Tell us how you felt about the ride quality. Tyre clearance has been increased by a useful amount, up from 41 to 45mm on a 700C wheel. Terms and conditions of use. Theyre also dropped slightly to prevent chain slap. Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork? The test bike with Shimano GRX 800 costs 3,175. would you recommend any changes? Sections of trail that I normally deem soporifically tame for a proper mountain bike suddenly became new and entertaining again on the 650b-equipped Bokeh, almost as if I were re-discovering old stomping ground all over again. . Complete builds start from 2,795 with SRAM Rival 1 or Shimano 105, rising to 3,995 with Shimano GRX Di2. Wheels HUNT Four Season Gravel Disc / Mason X HUNT 650B AdventureSport Disc. In photography, the term bokeh refers to how the background of an image is pleasantly blurry so as to highlight the subject and after riding the Mason Bokeh, I find it to be a somewhat curious moniker for a bike that is so clearly adept at a wide range of uses, not one that is keenly focused on a singular task.

The braking force and delivery of the power feel the same as Shimano's road bike groupsets; it provides easy one-finger braking, which gives you more control over the handlebar when the tyres are sliding around struggling for grip. Other models available. The only downside to the smaller wheels is the impact it has on the bottom bracket height and a slightly increased risk of pedal strike. List the components used to build up the bike. It even features internal cable routing for the lights. Was the bike comfortable to ride? The Bokeh underwent yet another transformation as winter approached here in Colorado, going back to the 700c Schwalbe G-Ones and gaining full-coverage fenders for use in less-than-ideal weather conditions. Each Bokeh frame is made of triple-butted Dedacciai aluminum tubing that is custom-shaped to Masons specifications. There are also three standard bottle mounts on the frame, with two inside the main triangle and the third on the underside of the down tube. The comfortable, fast, long-distance nature of the bikes really worked for this type of riding and larger volume tyres and disc brakes gave comfort, confidence and predictable handling and braking in all conditionsour mantra 'FastFar' was born. The frameset basically has everything that competitive gravel riders, globetrotters and beginners are looking for. The frames relatively high stiffness ensures that its handling isnt affected by a heavy payload. If you dont want to subscribe, please turn your ad blocker off. Canyon Grail gravel bike first-ride review, Trek Checkpoint dives headfirst into the red-hot gravel bike market, Specialized second-generation Diverge Comp review. Frame Dedacciai custom-shaped performance Aluminium.

The Bokeh 2 is made in Italy from triple-butted Dedacciai 7000 series aluminium. If so was it a problem? Headset DEDA Low profile integrated headset. Tech, reviews: tech [at] road.cc You have to look closely to spot the other changes because they're subtle. Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible? Read the new issue of GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine now. I also tried the Bokeh 2 with some 40mm Panaracer Gravel King tyres on 700C wheels, and I still personally think bigger wheels are the outright faster choice. Josh Ibbetts incredible Transcontinental 2015 win, riding a virtually standard Mason Definition really inspired me and helped strengthen my resolve to design a bike that was a 'continent crusher', capable of being ridden fast on many surfaces and varied terrain, for a long way in as much comfort as possible.

Paired with the high-quality Sinewave Cycles Beacon headlight and LED Supernova E3 Tail Light 2 on the rear, you can keep on riding long after sunset. It's a little slab-sided ugly but it's at least functional and serves a purpose. Colours Element Grey. The 3,175 Bokeh GRX on test is the pick of the range in my opinion. First review: SCOTT Foil RC Ultimate 2023 aero bike New star in the aero sky? But when looking at the Bokeh through the lens of a single machine that you can call on to do just about anything (within reason), the case becomes much clearer tack-sharp in the center of the frame, with maybe a little vignetting out at the edges. In addition to the seven aluminium frame sizes, the Bokeh is also in titanium. Tel 01225 588855. I primarily rode the bike with the 650B Hunt wheels and 47mm WTB Sendero tyres it came with, a combination that proved excellent in the muddy conditions I had for testing. Bike companies often like to tout some of their newer drop-bar bikes as being equally adept at everything from tarmac to singletrack. The only visually mundane member of the frame is the seat tube: its basically a straight and round (but still butted) pipe that terminates in a 27.2mm-diameter seatpost up top to provide some welcome flex. Take into account subjective things like the Italian manufacturing, the design, finish and attention to detail and the price becomes more acceptable but you are paying more for the frame when comparing complete bikes to some rivals in this category. The frames classic lines are sensibly combined with modern details to form a coherent overall concept. How did the bike feel overall? Ill be sorry to see you go. Whereas some dedicated gravel bikes seem almost overly composed and stable, the Bokeh seems to retain more of its cyclocross DNA more play than plow. It's expensive for aluminium, but it's an extremely lovely looking bike that packs a great ride and loads of capability and versatility that shines on all terrain. I went the DIY route on this one, outfitting my 52cm test frameset with a SRAM Red eTap AXS 212 wireless electronic groupset (including a Quarq power meter), Zipp 303 Firecrest carbon clinchers (in both 650b and 700c variants), and a mix of Zipp, WTB, and Fizik. Subtle suspension sytem doesn't detract from the ride feel, but the high weight does, A bike of two halves, comfortable at the rear, but a touch muted at the front, Very good versatile bike whose tyre clearance and geometry mean it isn't just limited to the road, A Capable, comfortable and fast gravel machine with huge tyre clearances and competitive pricing, Editorial, general: info [at] road.cc If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. Its handling is always predictable and extremely balanced through corners. Its compatible with 1x and 2x groupsets, offers numerous bosses for bottle and gear cages as well as eyelets for mudguards. In the case of the Bokeh, its fantastic as a mixed-conditions machine up to Grade 3, perhaps where you might occasionally do a ride exclusively on tarmac, but are primarily on the road mostly as a means to get to local dirt and gravel. Many customers specify 2 sets of wheels, a quick swap dials the Bokeh perfectly to your chosen terrain or adventure. With the Bokeh GRX, Mason have kept their promise, having designed and built a thoroughbred adventure machine. Its a lot of fun to ride! The main issue is ensuring you don't run an overworn chain on a cassette - or chain rings. Prefer the look of a NASCAR race car? Use our 'Configure' tool to build your perfect Bokeh. Mason doesnt set fixed retail prices outside of the UK, leaving them to fluctuate with standard exchange rates. Did it feel efficient? Without batting an eyelid, the Mason quickly gets up to cruising speed and turns out to be one of the most efficient bikes on test.

Finishing kit is a combination of Mason branded carbon seatpost and seat clamp, a Deda Gravel100 handlebar and Superzero stem, and Fabric Scoop Shallow saddle with matching Hex bar tape. It's a sporty and engaging bike with decent stability at higher speeds. Specialized Pathfinder Pro tubeless clinchers, Cannondale Topstone Carbon long-term review: A superb ride, a few quirks, Cervelo Aspero first-ride review: The go-fast gravel bike. And with narrower tires fitted, its a surprisingly good rig for fast group rides and the like. Frame weight is a claimed 1,730g for a 56cm frame, with the Parallax 2 carbon fork adding 465g. If youve enjoyed this article, then please consider subscribing to road.cc from as little as 1.99. Digital & free: First review: New Cervlo S5 Ultegra Di2 2023 The greatest aero bike of all First review: Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TLR The next level of tire technology? There's an extra size as well: a 62cm frame, increasing the range to seven.

We have again collaborated with our friends at Hunt Bike Wheels to develop a Mason x Hunt 'AdventureSport' 650b wheelset for the Bokeh bikes. The same 50mm rake is used across the complete size range. Tire clearance is similarly generous up front. When all is said and done, it may not be perfect, but its still a beautiful image overall. It works reliably in all conditions too even when the entire bike is caked with mud, there's no reluctance from the rear mech. Total weight in 700c trim with 35mm-wide Schwalbe G-One Allround tubeless tires was 8.53kg (18.80lb) without pedals. The seatstays bow outward up top for tire clearance, before taking a downward arc toward the custom forged 142x12mm thru-axle dropouts to provide more space for the chainstay-mounted flat-mount disc-brake caliper. The wheelbase is longer and angles a little slacker, with the fork using a 50mm offset to keep the trail dimension under control. You can buy a 'rolling chassis' for 1,598, which includes Hunt wheels in a choice of 650B or 700C size, and a carbon fibre seatpost. The Bokeh is one of the most versatile bikes in the British brands portfolio and designed for tires up to 650 x 50B or 700 x 45C. It's certainly a pricey proposition for an aluminium frame, but not all aluminium frames are designed with as much care and attention to detail as the Mason clearly is. I tested the original Bokeh when it first launched, and I've ridden a hell of a lot of gravel and adventure bikes in the intervening years, so I was keen to have a go on the updated Bokeh 2 and see if it still lived up to the plaudits I handed it in that original review. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price. We started to see the Definitions and Resolutions being used in ways that we hadn't envisioned when they were designed, more and more riders were fitting lightweight packs in the frame and on the bars and behind the seat and heading off on huge adventures.

As an N+1 gravel bike for those with deep pockets, yes, you can do better. They've been canted forward for more clearance. The eye-catching green paint is new for the Bokeh 2 and an easy way to spot one in the wild, but the original orange and grey colour choices are still available too. 2008present unless otherwise stated. The bigger shell not only provides space for the hose and wires to pass around the bottom bracket, it also provides more real estate for welding the chainstays lower, for better cable routing and more tyre clearance. A worn chain puts load on a single tooth and tends to Perhaps you should have stopped him and given him a nudge about it, I'm sure he'd be appreciative. The revenue from adverts helps to fund our site. The US has a very poor record for road safety. If you care more about function than flash and are maybe a little carbon-averse the Mason Bokeh is a great option for a do-it-all gravel machine that wont totally break the bank.

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. The 650B Hunt wheels are stiff and responsive and proved reliable during my test, and the tyres are grippy in the mud and not draggy on the road. Yes. On the surface, the Mason Bokeh comes across as a fairly straightforward aluminum gravel frame; its only when looking closer that you notice how much thought has actually gone into it. A square card of carbon fiber can be very hard to bend in one direction, for example, but very flexible in another, while a similar card made of aluminum will bend the same way no matter which way you hold it. Wide tyres at low pressures obviously help a lot when it comes to comfort. The Mason X HUNT 650B Adventure Dynamo disc wheelset featuring the SONdelux hub dynamo and aluminum rims is a result of cooperation between Mason and HUNT and it suits the bike perfectly. As expected in that configuration, the Bokeh ate up rougher rocks and roots with aplomb, equally happy crawling over technical sections at low speed or blowing through sections of sharp-edged scree. How did the bike transfer power? And as it turns out, thats likely where most of us are spending our time these days, anyway. I've been riding for: 10-20 yearsI ride: Every dayI would class myself as: Expert, I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, mountain biking. Would you recommend the bike to a friend? But for blatting around the woods, focusing on having fun and getting a faceful of mud, 650B with Sendero tyres getmy vote. Its obviously not quite as sharp, light, or aerodynamically efficient as a full-blown racer nor does the aluminum frame provide as cushy a ride as a good carbon frame but riders that predominantly do their road riding solo wont find much to complain about.

The Bokeh 2 frameset costs 1,250, a 100 increase since we tested the original in 2017. All material FarrellyAtkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA11JB. All of that is joined with tidy TIG welds that arent quite sanded perfectly smooth, but are still visually tidy, especially when covered in one of the Bokehs three available paint hues. Excellent quality, up with the best you'll see on a bike. Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad. View our media pack.

an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value with value determined by how a product Much of that versatility is due to the way it readily accepts multiple wheel and tire sizes. Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. Filter Green. Read on to find out whether this is the formula for the perfect bikepacking bike. How would you describe the steering? In terms of performance and handling it's still top class and essentially unchanged from the original it's still a bike that is very happy mixing up road and off-road riding but you are paying a premium over aluminium alternatives. Advertising, commercial: sales [at] road.cc You can even charge your electronic devices via the USB interface on the back of the Beacon headlight. There's also the excellent Canyon Grail AL 7.0, which offers very good value for money, though the finish of the frame clearly isn't on the same level as the Bokeh 2. On tarmac, the chassis offers up an efficient feel under power and a superb riding position that I never found to be either overly upright or too aggressive; with the stem slammed atop the included Dedacciai headset cover, I felt right at home. A 211 Shimano GRX RX810 groupset and Panaracer Gravelking SK tires complete the 4,400 package (stock builds start at 3,600). Click here to learn more. Trail figures range from 62 to 75mm, depending on size (with smaller sizes being more stable, and larger sizes being more agile). Was it lively neutral or unresponsive?

It hasn't lost any of its appeal. A good winter pick. If you want a British designed and British made gravel bike, your choices are limited. Tell us some more about the handling. If I was doing a long-distance gravel adventure that would be my preference. Smaller wheels equal more fun too. Become a supporter now! In fact, Mason doesnt actually refer to the Bokeh as a gravel bike, but rather calls it an AdventureSport machine designed to cover ground quickly a subtle distinction, perhaps, but one worth noting nonetheless. It adds weight and complexity, yes, but it also allows riders to explicitly correct for the geometry changes that come with 700c/650b wheel swaps, and itd be nice to see Mason follow this path moving forward. The gravel and adventure riding scene has come a long way since Mason Cycles first launched its Bokeh in 2016, and for 2019 the model has been updated, increasing its capability. Visually, Mason seems to be going for a classy and elegant aesthetic here. Your subscription will help us to do more. / CS800 11-34. We don't intentionally Did it do particular things well or badly? Farewell, little bike. The stack height is very similar to the Definition and Resolution, we didn't want overly long head tubes because these are fast bikes and they need to accelerate and climb well. But at the other end of the spectrum, the Bokeh starts to feel a little more out of its element, even with a wider 650b setup. The shifting quality is flawless; each push of the gear lever results in a smooth, quiet and quick gear change.

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mason bokeh gravel bike

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