rob-chambo

I've always enjoyed listening to Leo (and even tried to convince him to give me a job!), I think he's very "to the point" which is my general experience of Finnish people and something I like. Having moved to the US from Europe I can also see how this can get taken the wrong way over here. I absolutely love my evolink and would have loved to buy a stamina but it was just too pricey for me. I do struggle a bit with the Voima looks, but I agree that performance is what bikes should be designed for. But the stamina was so damn pretty in reality! Leo, when you open up your PNW manufacturing facility, give me a call. ☺️

They still sell the evolinks which are made more traditionally, so I think he gets it. I think more credit should be given for people not speaking in their native language!

I know I've posted above knocking the price, but those thinking this is just an off the shelf frame with mason's branding are way off the mark. For context, I sold a ti road frame and replaced it with an alu Mason definition a few years ago. The ride quality, finish etc are sublime and unique.

@MasonCycles: Thanks guys. Reading my post back, it seems a bit more negative than I intended. I've always felt that Mason offered the best compromise between a custom frame and a more mainstream brand. I'm sure the combination of custom tubing and exquisite finishing will be present here as much as it is on the other bikes. I'm sure there are also aspects that are only obvious when seen in person (Their Aspect for example is fcking stunning in reality! And you can see where the money goes). What I meant to say is that the previous frames I've purchased filled that niche for me and offered me something I could justify to myself, I like nice things but in this scenario I'd choose a cotic. This is a premium product and I hope that there are enough people that will buy it (I'm sure there will be) and they will certainly enjoy it. A lot or people on here will treat a bike as a consumable and replace it every few years, but I would say most Mason owners will keep their bikes for a long, long time. Value is different for everyone.

Big fan of Mason and own two of their frames. Honestly, I struggle with this. I'm not sure what value you get over a cotic. However, most of their customers probably don't buy it because it's good value. Their previous bikes all offered something different when released and the ride quality is sublime. Just not sure how much difference that matters with fat tyres and sus fork....

Personally, I think it's too slopestyle. It's not that it's not impossibly impressive, but historically, some of the runs lower down the order seem more interesting and just cooler. I think it's for the rampage/slopestyle fans more than the average mtb'er. I think that's why people prefer a Brendan Fairclough type run to a lot of the slopestyle guys (Semenuk is excluded from this!). Or the rowdy'ness of Lacondeguy last time round. I know a lot of people that watch every DH World cup, but I am the only one that watches rampage. I think the PB guys (and Canadians?) are probably a bit biased towards freeride than others.

Interesting. Strikes me as an odd Collab as in my head pivot are super conservative with their geo

I may be making this up, but I think Shimano submitted a patent for a gearbox that was the same dimensions as their e-bike motors. Seems a good idea anyway! Same frame moulds, you just choose motor or not. Cheaper for everyone.

RE: Battery replacements... An e-bike battery is made with off the shelf cells, which are easy to replace. In theory it would not take much for someone to be able to take apart a battery and replace the cells. However, a brand could make it intentionally hard to take it apart. Prius batteries can also be replaced relatively cheaply (though, not by Toyota) and electric motors are inherently less complicated and required less maintenance than an engine that's igniting fuel at 9000 a minute. I think 3rd party batteries will definitely become a thing and there's no reason why they can't be exactly the same inside as the originals. Iphones are not a great comparison as Apple designs it's own batteries and makes them impossible to repair so you are forced to buy a new one.

I have to disagree with RC on Geometry. As an ex ski/snowboard bum, I got into MTB late without learning the skills a lot of people did at a young age. On my old bike (Spesh Enduro), I'd do a lot of crashing and had some big, painful accidents. I got a Pole last year, and man the difference in my riding and confidence is massive. Similarly, my wife got a new Slash this year and she started complaining about her brakes (which are now big, powerful 4 pots) which we then realised were because she got on and was instantly sooo much faster than before. If anything, modern geometry helps lower skill levels more than the experienced riders.