MASI BICYCLES RELEASES UPDATED 2017 ROAD AND ‘CROSS COLLECTION
California-based Masi Bicycles has revamped its road and cyclocross range with no less than three all-new platforms released this year. Headlining the road collection is the Evoluzione carbon road racer, which sports a bigger lower half and slimmed-down upper half with the aim of boosting drivetrain efficiency while simultaneously making the frame more comfortable as well. The top two models also gain advanced TeXtreme carbon fibre for claimed frame weights of just 830g (56cm, unpainted).
Other features include direct-mount rim brakes, convertible internal routing for mechanical and electronic drivetrains, and oversized BB386 press-fit bottom bracket shells for near-universal crankset compatibility. Despite being aimed at competitive riders, official tyre clearance is rated at 28mm — which means wider ones will likely fit, depending on one’s risk tolerance.
Regardless, prices are impressive across the board with even the flagship model costing less than US$6,000 with a Shimano Dura-Ace mechanical transmission, Rotor cranks, Ritchey WCS alloy cockpit components, and Mercury M5 carbon clincher wheels.
Riders looking for similar value with more of an endurance-minded focus can instead look to the company’s more progressive Vivo. The Vivo’s carbon fibre frame features the usual relaxed riding position, 12mm front and rear thru-axles, dual flat-mount disc brakes, wide-range gearing, hidden fender mounts, and fatter tyres (up to 38mm without fenders, or 32mm with fenders) mounted on tubeless-compatible Stan’s NoTubes Grail aluminium wheelsets. Good value is once again a theme with the Shimano 105-equipped model (with hydraulic disc brakes) coming in at a reasonable US$2,400.
Perhaps the most intriguing model in the company’s road range is the steel Legacy Gran Criterium. TIG-welded in the United States with oversized Columbus Life tubing, it evokes the spirit of the old Masi 3V Volumetrica. With a claimed frame weight of 1.8kg (56cm, unpainted), the Legacy Gran Criterium isn’t particularly light, but it’s quite the looker with its classic paneled paint scheme and traditional proportions. Retail price is US$2,300 with a finished-to-match Enve 2.0 tapered carbon road fork and Chris King InSet headset — and a paint job by Jim Allen, the same man who painted those 3Vs back in the 1980s.
Finally, last year’s aluminium cyclocross bikes are now joined by a carbon fibre family called CXRc. Two models — one with SRAM Force 1, the other with Shimano 105 — will feature the same composite frame and S-bend full-carbon fork, both with 12mm thru-axles, flat-mount disc brakes, internal cable routing, room for 40mm-wide tires, and modern ‘cross racing geometry with 425mm-long chainstays, 71-71° head tube angles, and 68mm of bottom bracket drop. Retail price ranges from US$2400-3200 and refreshingly, Masi plans to have bikes in stores no later than June.
The hose is routed internally for the flat-mount caliper. Add-ons for the front fender attach to tidy fittings in the back of fork legs.
Masi's revamped Evoluzione carbon road racer looks to be a very good performance value
Masi's product manager has done a nice job of color-coordinating the ancillary kit on the new Evoluzione
Stock on the top-spec Masi Evoluzione model are Mercury Cycling's S5 carbon clinchers.
Masi equips the flagship Evoluzione model with a Rotor 3D+ crankset and Shimano Dura-Ace groupset.
Masi's new Vivo endurance range features a new carbon fibre frame and fork, disc brakes, and clearance for tyres up to 38mm-wide.
In keeping with the segment, the Masi Vivo's head tube is slightly extended for a more upright riding position.
28mm-wide Clement Strada LGG tyres come stock on the Masi Vivo but the frameset has clearance for 38mm-wide rubber.
The hose is routed internally for the flat-mount calliper. Add-ons for the front fender attach to tidy fittings in the back of fork legs.
Most of Masi's premium range is made of carbon fibre but this USA-made Legacy Gran Criterium is arguably the gem of the line.
Each Masi Legacy Gran Criterium frame will be individually numbered.
Steel bikes may not look all that different from ones produced decades ago but the tubing is substantially better than it once was.
Masi has jumped on the 'road plus' bandwagon with its new Speciale Randonneur.
'Road Plus' advocates say the 650b x 47mm tyres have essentially the same rollout as a 700c x 32mm but with a much larger air volume for a smoother ride and better traction.
Alloy Masi CXR cyclocross framesets get updated with front and rear thru-axles as well as flat-mount brake calliper interfaces.
Internal routing keeps the lines free of mud and grime.
New for this season on the Masi CXR alloy 'cross frame are flat-mount disc brakes and interchangeable rear dropout inserts for use with thru-axle or quick-release wheels.
The wide-set fork can easily swallow tyres bigger than the stock 33mm Clements.
New from Masi is a carbon fibre 'cross racer that will land in stores no later than June - refreshingly early for a new cyclocross model.
Masi product manager James Winchester claims the S-bend fork blades attenuate vibration better than a straight-legged fork.
Masi will offer the CXRc with either a 2x or 1x drivetrain, depending on the model.
Instead of just being content with a removable derailleur mount, Masi went the extra step of having a custom cover plate moulded for a cleaner look.
Masi officially says the new CXRc carbon 'cross frameset will swallow tyres up to 40mm-wide.
Hidden fender mounts are neatly tucked in above the brake calliper. If you'd rather go fender-free, just remove the eyelets and cap the holes.
Internal routing, natch.
Check out the new Trek Domane SLR
FOCUS UPDATES 2017 CYCLOCROSS RANGE
Just two years after introducing the revamped Mares range, Focus has given its cyclocross line a modest refresh for this coming season. Carrying over are the basic carbon fibre frame shapes, trick RAT thru-axle design, molded-in ISCG chain guide tabs, and refined handling. However, the current version’s post mount tabs are now replaced with flat-mount disc brake interfaces across the board, while the all-new fork now uses internal hose routing for a cleaner look.
Also worth mention are the new paint schemes, which add a bit more colour and flare without going too over the top. Single-chainring drivetrains are more prominently featured as well.
The 2017 range of Focus bikes has been mildly refreshed for the upcoming season.
The frame is essentially unchanged, which in this case, is a very good thing.
The new fork features a flat-mount disc calliper interface plus internal routing.
Single-chainring drivetrains are featured more prominently on Focus's 2017 cyclocross range.
The new flat-mount calliper interface is notably cleaner-looking than the old post-mount one. More importantly, it's more likely to stay current in upcoming years.
The updated flat-mount rear end looks better but is also easier to service with bolt heads that are more readily accessible from below the chainstay.
THE LIMITED-EDITION COLNAGO C60 TRICOLORE
The Colnago C60 debuted just two years ago, yet some might say it was already behind the times. Its carbon fiber lugs and tubes are bonded together with glue, the dropouts are made of metal, it’s somewhat heavy (with a claimed frame weight of 1,050g), and its true made-in-Italy pedigree puffs its cost up to a jaw-dropping US$6,000. And that’s just for the frameset! For others, however, there’s no need to justify the C60’s appeal — and therefore, no need to explain the latest C60 Tricolore edition, of which only 100 will be made worldwide.
The C60 Tricolore is functionally identical to the standard C60 but with an eye-catching gold-accented paint scheme highlighted with the colors of the Italian flag. Colnago will only sell the C60 Tricolore as a complete bike, built with a Campagnolo Super Record groupset finished to match and Campagnolo Bora Ultra carbon wheels. The price? Well, if you have to ask…
Colnago will only make 100 samples of its stunning C60 Tricolore.
Gold, red, white, and green have never looked so good.
The tricolore theme is carried through to the Campagnolo Super Record componentry as well.
Some may consider the gold a little overdone but for the Colnago faithful, there will be no explanations needed.
It'd be best to keep this bike upright - or at the very least, make sure to crash on the non-driveside.
The handlebar and stem are finished to match.
The Colnago logo graces the Selle Italia SLR saddle as well.
The gold paint job highlights the C60 Tricolore's lugged construction. Colnago has also outfitted this frame with their own ThreadFit 82.5 bottom bracket, which uses a threaded shell and interchangeable aluminium cups that adapt to most available bearing systems.
MARIN BRINGS ADVENTURE RIDING TO THE MASSES
It seems there’s no shortage of high-end options to satiate the growing curiosity with adventure and gravel riding. With the promise of long in the wilderness, new roads to discover, and blissful hours off the grid and away from traffic, what’s not to like, right? Well, in some instances, the price tag — particularly for those who are just “gravel curious.”
Enter Marin’s $769 Nicasio ‘Beyond Road’ bike. It’s built around a durable double-butted chromoly frame and matching steel fork, outfitted with a Shimano Claris 2×8 transmission, FSA Tempo compact crankset, and Tektro cable actuated disc brakes. The stock Schwalbe Spicer tyres may ‘only’ be 30mm-wide but Marin says tires up to 40mm-wide will fit nicely.
Is the Nicasio heavy? Almost certainly, yes. But at well under $1000, it’s also a reasonably easy way to dip your toe into the (gravel) road less traveled.
Curious about adventure or gravel riding? Marin’s new Nicasio will help you do some exploring without breaking the bank.
The included build kit is quite modest and as you'd expect given the price tag, the Marin Nicasio is rather heavy. But there's room for 40mm tires and a full complement of braze-ons - just add bags and head off into the sunset.
FRANCO BICYCLES GETS GRIMY WITH THE GRIMES DISC
Franco Bicycles cut their teeth on carbon fiber road racers, but the most interesting bike in the range is arguably the Grimes Disc — a bike first previewed at last year’s Sea Otter Classic, but only recently available to prospective buyers. Franco bills the Grimes Disc as a do-all adventure/cyclocross/gravel bike built in Portland, Oregon, with double-butted True Temper chromoly tubing, interchangeable PolyDrop dropouts from Paragon Machine Works for quick-release or thru-axle compatibility, and an oversized 44mm-diameter head tube for straight or tapered steerers.
Those versatility claims are backed with an enormous range of options, too. Buyers can choose from four different forks, nine build kits, and two stock paint jobs, plus an additional option for custom finishes. Don’t get your heart set on the one Franco had on display at this year’s Sea Otter Classic, though. That special one-off collaboration with the folks at Bicycle Crumbs is apt to cost a pretty penny.
Franco Bicycles showed off its latest Grimes adventure/gravel/cyclocross bike, resplendant in a custom paint job by the folks at Bicycle Crumbs.
Sadly, Franco Bicycles don’t offer this paint job to the public.
The finished-to-match stem and handlebar nicely finish the package.
Internal wire routing is an option on the Franco Grimes but in this case, there’s no routing required at all thanks to SRAM’s wireless Red eTap groupset.
The painted-to-match fenders are a nice touch.
Franco Bicycles builds the Grimes Disc with PolyDrop dropouts from Paragon Machine Works. The interchangeable inserts will work with thru-axle and quick-release wheels as well a wide range of disc brake calliper types.
The Franco Bicycles Grimes Disc is welded in Portland, Oregon using US-made True Temper double-butted chromoly tubing.
This article was originally published on our sister site cyclingtips.com
