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TECH NEWS
Exclusive sneak peek: First frames from Mason Cycles
Here are the sneakiest of sneaky snaps of the first frames from Mason Cycles, the brand that’s just been set up by Dom Mason, formerly of Kinesis UK.
Dom is playing his cards close to his chest ahead of a full launch planned for February 2015 – hence the lack of pictures of the entire frames – but he has been willing to share a couple of pics and a few details with road.cc. Here’s what we know.
Mason Cycles – or Mason Progressive Cycles, if you want to be formal – are launching two metal frames: one alloy, called the Definition, and one steel, called the Resolution.
Both bikes have been designed by Dom for disc brakes, they come with internal cable routing, and they are made in Italy.
“If I was just making alloy frames in Taiwan, I’d be up and running by now, but I needed a change and wanted to be in touch with the makers and get my fingernails dirty,” says Dom.
“I wanted to make something really different and I wanted to do it within Europe, and I’ve always really admired Italian frames. It has been a hard process and like starting from scratch again in many ways, but it has been really interesting and the bikes look great.”
“They have just arrived today and I’m really pleased. Usually I focus on the things that aren’t quite as I intended, but I am very happy this time.”
This detail here is unique, as far as we know. It’s a convertible hose routing port that Dom developed with the frame makers for the steel Resolution frame.
“It uses existing parts for a carbon frame but we’ve developed this little oval stainless steel part in conjunction with the makers, that brazes to the frame. This allows us to bring proper adaptable cable routing to steel frames of this type. Also the way it adapts and blanks-off is very neat and a bit different. I call it MultiPort.”
An alloy part is bonded into that, and there’s a flip/flop alloy insert that can be changed to work with all gear/brake options. So, you can run a wire through there for a Di2 electronic gear change system, run a split outer mech cable, a full outer cable/hose, or blank ports off when running electronic shifting.
Both the Resolution and Definition frames have clearance for 28mm tyres and full mudguards, and they also have rack mounts. All the eyelets are discrete.
“A performance steel frame with disc brakes, convertible routing, Di2, mudguards, and clearance for 28s is unique,” says Dom. “I’ve spent a lot of time on the cable runs to ensure the best shifting quality and also the avoidance of any ‘sumps’ where moisture collects. Options for full outer and hydro brakes make a lot of sense on this type of bike.”
The Definition frame is made from Dedacciai triple butted alloy, with custom stays and a post mount made especially for Mason. It also uses the MultiPort system. The bottom bracket shell is also custom made and unique, allowing a threaded bottom bracket to be used with clearance for internal routing.
The 365g ‘Aperture’ carbon fork – Dom is using a photography/camera-themed naming convention that he intends to continue as the brand develops – with a tapered steerer, post disc-mount attachment, internal routing, discrete eyelets and proper clearance for a mudguard has been made especially for these frames. Dom has invested in his own tooling here so no other brand has this fork.
“We’ve been through three versions of the steel frame and two-and-a-half versions of the alloy one,” says Dom. “These are final production versions with all the tubing, the features and the paint correct. We’ve done a great deal of test riding with many riders and have refined the geometry, which I’m now very happy with.
“We are also collaborating with a new company to make wheels especially for these bikes, because I didn't feel there was anything available that was suitable performance-wise.”
The bikes will be available in six standard sizes: 50cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm and 60cm. And eventually, as the brand gets established, there will also be two special order sizes available at either end of the scale: 48cm and 62cm.
Both the Resolution and the Definition will be available as frame and forks as well as in five complete builds. The most affordable option will be the Definition (the alloy frame) in a Shimano 105 build with TRP Spyre cable-operated disc brakes.
The top model in the range will be Resolution in a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 build with hydraulic disc brakes. Prices have yet to be finalised. Each bike will be built up to order.
“I’m pushing the button on production this week and the plan is to have everything up and running by February, which is ambitious because I’m doing this thing on my own, but that’s the goal!”
The Mason Cycles website has just been updated and we’ll have more details, including a first look at the completed frame and full bike build, on road.cc after Christmas.
Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.
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37 comments
Does anyone know if this is still on track for a launch this month?
I'm in the market for a new disc bike now, and would consider this, but don't want to wait around if its unlikely to launch soon.
Just finishing a First Look article now, Kadinkski. Dom came in to visit us and show us the bikes on Monday.
We'll have an article up on that in the next couple of days.
Dom says that he is now aiming at getting everything ready to go in March, probably towards the end of the month.
Awesome - looking forward to it. Thanks
Just finishing a First Look article now, Kadinkski. Dom came in to visit us and show us the bikes on Monday.
We'll have an article up on that in the next couple of days.
Dom says that he is now aiming at getting everything ready to go in March, probably towards the end of the month.
Thanks all for your nice comments and positivity towards the M∆SON brand, it's really encouraging to read your comments and I'll reply individually where poss.
My goal with these first products is to produce spirited and engaging bike with ultimate 4Season performance. As always, rider input is extremely important so I'm always interested to hear your views and will take them on board where possible.
Lots more to come in 2015, you'll see it here first.
Have a fantastic Christmas and New Year,
Love the concept. I'm in the market for an all-weather bike with discs, di2 integration & subtle mudguard fittings, and there doesn't seem to be much about. Seems odd given the recent fuss about discs and their obvious wet-weather benefits.
The absence of a bracket for a front mech seems strange given the focus on detail and integrated cables. Any plans to include it in the production versions?
Good luck with the venture & chapeau for branching out on your own.
Thanks, so glad you are into the concept. Agreed, I really don't think there is anyone doing it exactly right at the moment, discs are perfect for a bike of this type and give real performance and handling advantages through the seasons. All-out stopping power isn't really the main goal.
Front mech braze-on: Because this bike doesn't have a fixed use and because various owners will want to run a large range of ring sizes, it's tricky to get the braze-on in exactly the right place. It just makes more sense to use a band-on mech where all adjustments are easier and versatility is widened.
Thanks so much for your interest and good wishes for the brand. Have a great Christmas and New Year!
I was told a while back by an insider (not Dom) that a GfTi Disc version was in the pipeline.
Really looking forward to seeing what Dom comes up with though - these look beautiful
Thanks very much, more soon : ]
As they come with eyelets for 'guards I hope they'll produce some custom, colour matched mudguards with stays cut to length and some nice fixings. It would be so much nicer than a set of silver sks's on those frames.
Now, that is a REALLY nice idea and something that I would love to do. I don't think I'll be able to cope with it in yr1, but it's certainly something I'm keen to look at for yr2.
The frame colours and decals do lend themselves rather nicely to some cool 'guards. Hmmm...
Disc first and one steel one alu makes sense, giving that they are effectively going to be competing with Kinesis and Genesis. Kinesis don't do road alu disc (only ti) and neither do Genesis, so an open goal there. Nearest competitor is Whyte for something that will actually suit Uk (ie guards) in Alu, but he should be able to do better than them given his experience with cracking Alu bikes.
I believe Kinesis will be bringing out an alu disc frame early in the new year, but you're right: it's a limited market.
I'm intrigued to know what kind of frames to expect: do-it-alls like the Equilibrium or something a little cooler? Can't wait to see. So far so pretty.
What's uncool about a versatile bike?
Very interesting. I've been holding off building up a disc road bike waiting for a few more frame options to appear and the alu frame could be a contender if the price is in my range.
On that topic, where did you hear about a new frame from kinesis?
It was a forum post at bike radar, I think. Hardly the most assured information, but I can believe it, as I emailed Kinesis to ask if a disc GF Ti was in the offing and they said it was for January.
OK cheers. Was rather hoping for something more like a disc 4S, likely to be more affordable.
No, I think that's the plan. A disc 4S and a disc GF ti.
The steel Mason could be just the job for me, but it depends on what it ends up being and at what price.
Hi Jonny, these won't be 'do-it-alls' in the traditional sense. They are designed to be spirited performance bikes for 4Season use, rather than a bike to do everything but in a rather lacklustre way. Not that I'm saying the Equilibrium falls into that bracket!
Really glad you like the way they look, they are designed to have a bit of an edge to them, both in looks and performance.
More soon.
Re " they are effectively....competing with Kinesis and Genesis" I doubt the price points will be anywhere near a Kinesis or Genesis bike, but then these are "artisan" bikes. And as of yet, Mason don't do "road alu disc" either, these are proto frames for next year. I imagine the Kinesis and Genesis guys are already at the same point (or further given their lifespan) as Mason in terms of development for 2015.
Thanks for your kind words alotronic, I decided to launch with these two models because I really think there isn't enough development in this area.
These will be made in much smaller batches and with very high quality tubing and many unique features, so I'm not competing directly with other brands with these first designs.
That looks/sounds lush. I wonder if he'll be doing (or feel the need to do) fast wheels and do-it-all wheels? I'd be tempted build one up with two sides to it, fully dressed for winter with guards, fat tyres etc, and head off down the towpaths, then strip it down for summer.
We were finalising the wheels today actually. They will be 'fast all-season' wheels! So, they will be built for performance and durability but won't be your typical, sluggish 'do-it-all' bike wheels.
The type of riding you describe is exactly in the spirit of the design for both bikes and wheel-sets.
Sounds like they might be disc only (which is a shame)?
These first two bikes/frame-sets will be, because disc brakes make so much sense on a bike of this type.
I'll be growing the range though and very keen to design a fire breathing road machine! [I've even got the name for it lined up].
So proud of you Dom. Really glad you went for it. The frames look TOTALLY my bag and now N+1 is rolling around inside my head again. DO ITTTTT!! X
Thanks Nick! And thanks for your words of encouragement early on. Really looking forward to showing you the finished product : ]
One of each please! even from these small photos I'm very much liking them.
I love the attention to detail Dom puts into his designs, I hope they look as good in the full photos as they sound.
Thanks Rob, really glad you like what you see here. The detailing is really important to me and I've spent a long time and many versions getting the important little things right with these first frame-sets.
The full photo's will be out soon, I'm really really happy with the way they are looking.
Looking forward to these bikes. Specs are the business, though Di2? In my dreams. Now, reviews and price... hope Road.cc is on that testing short list....
Thanks, glad you are liking the concept. I'll be visiting road.cc early in 2015 with a couple of built bikes and some frame sets, so have a look out for more details then.
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