Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

feature

Mason unveils Definition 3.0: new features sit alongside time-proven geometry on updated all-season bike

The genre-defining long-distance bike has had a makeover for 2024. Find out what has changed…

Mason has launched the Definition 3.0, its long-distance all-road bike that we first saw a few weeks ago when Transcontinental Race winner Josh Ibbett rode it in the 2,700km Japanese Odyssey endurance cycling event. At the time, we had the pictures but Mason was keeping shtum about the update. That has all changed with the official unveiling. 

2024 Mason Definition - 40.jpeg

We’ve been huge fans of the Mason Definition since its launch in 2015. Back then, we described it as “a four-season long-distance machine with the manners of a tourer and the temperament of a race bike”, and that pretty much sums it up.

The Definition shares a geometry with the Mason’s Resolution, made from Columbus steel, but it’s designed to offer a sportier feel while retaining long-distance comfort.

> Read our review of the Mason Resolution Force AXS

It’s built from Dedacciai aluminium alloy tubes with Mason’s customary attention to detail. If you ever chat with brand founder Dom Mason, you’ll soon recognise that he’s definitely the sort of bloke who sweats the small stuff. He’s meticulous-going-on-obsessive about the minutiae of bike design.

2024 Mason Definition - 41.jpeg

What has always set the Definition apart, though, is the ride quality. The Definition rides beautifully with sublime handling. 

When we last reviewed a Mason Definition in 2022, reviewer Stu Kerton said, “The way this thing rides is a masterclass in bike design and engineering.”

Mason has updated the Definition for 2024.

“This time around, the Definition has received some changes and new features to optimise and refine for the long-distance and all-season riding that it already excels at,” says Mason. “With our ‘Ride Driven Design’ mantra as a firm guideline, we have learned a great deal from our riders and customers since its launch in 2015 and there have been many running changes, updates and new versions as our journey has progressed.”

2024 Mason Definition - 4.jpeg

So what has changed? Well, first, we’ll tell you what hasn’t. The geometry remains the same as ever, and that’s a good thing because it allows you to ride all day in comfort. If you want to put some figures on it, the 56cm frameset comes with a 560mm seat tube (centre of bottom bracket to top of seat tube), a 561.1mm effective top tube, and a 170mm head tube. 

In our 2022 review we said, “The geometry is spot on, with a balance of angles and tube lengths that sits towards the endurance end of the market. The front end isn't as razor-sharp as the raciest of race bikes, but it’s very close, and the slightly slacker head angle – plus a wheelbase a few millimetres longer to accept full mudguards – means handling that's a little bit less frantic. It really allows you to ride the Mason quickly over long distances.”

That’s the whole idea of this bike. The Definition comes in eight different sizes from 48cm up to 62cm, catering to the vast majority of riders out there.

2024 Mason Definition - 12.jpeg

Mason hasn’t messed with the clearances on the Definition 3.0 either. You can still fit 32mm tyres with mudguards and 35mm without, so there’s plenty of practicality here. 

What has changed is the brake hose and gear cable routing. Mason says that the popularity of electronic shifting and the increased use of 1x [single chainring] systems has allowed it clean things up. All cables and hoses now run through the down tube and out through the chain stays via a special bottom bracket shell.

2024 Mason Definition - 3.jpeg

Mason uses the space freed up by the new cable routing to add dedicated dynamo cable routing ports to the top tube for those who want dynamo lighting and charging.

“This important revision means that the cable is more easily routed between front and rear lights and gives alternative mounting points, either at the seat clamp or dropout, depending on rack and bag setup and requirements,” Mason says.

2024 Mason Definition - 5.jpeg

Larger frame sizes now come with oversized seat tubes “to keep ride response and durability consistent throughout the size range and maximise power transfer for larger, more powerful riders”. 

Smaller frame sizes get a 27.2mm carbon seatpost that’s designed to add comfort for riders at the lower end of the height/weight range. On the other hand, taller and generally heavier riders now get a 31.6mm diameter seatpost.

2024 Mason Definition - 11.jpeg

Something that you might not notice is that Mason has also worked on improving longevity. 

“Improved durability is achieved through uprated tubing treatment and accessory eyelets, ensuring resistance to harsh conditions,” says Mason.

2024 Mason Definition ShutterBlack - 1.jpeg

There are new colours too, Mason having transferred SensorBlue (main pic) over from elsewhere in its range and introduced a new metallic ShutterBlack finish (above). The existing Vela option (below) remains.

2024 Mason Definition Vela - 1 (1).jpeg

The Definition is available in Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo builds.

Has the old Definition magic been retained? Luckily, we won’t have to wait too long to find out because our tech writer Suvi Loponen has been riding the new model for the past couple of weeks. Stay tuned for a review on road.cc soon.

Get more info from masoncycles.cc.

Check out loads more Bikes at Bedtime here. 

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. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. 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.

Add new comment

8 comments

Avatar
Babychaos | 6 days ago
0 likes

I've been lucky enough to have the new model for a week or so (ordered over Christmas, and was sent the new model in Sensor Blue)

It's a beautiful bike, rides incredibly well. Built up as a proper winter bike for faster club rides. Easiest frame I've ever worked on as well.

Avatar
open_roads | 1 week ago
0 likes

Absolutely beautiful bikes but the geometry rules them out for me - too low and long for the mid-life cyclist.

Pearson Cycles have recognised this with their new sizing - based on thousands of bike fits they've sized the frames so a huge stack of spacers isn't required at the front.

Avatar
Velophaart_95 replied to open_roads | 1 week ago
0 likes

open_roads wrote:

Absolutely beautiful bikes but the geometry rules them out for me - too low and long for the mid-life cyclist.

Pearson Cycles have recognised this with their new sizing - based on thousands of bike fits they've sized the frames so a huge stack of spacers isn't required at the front.

Fairlight are also worth a look; they have two fits per size....

Avatar
Secret_squirrel replied to Velophaart_95 | 1 week ago
0 likes

Fairlight are always worth a look. Sublime bikes and undercut Mason by quite a bit. 

Avatar
nicdoye replied to Secret_squirrel | 6 days ago
0 likes

I believe Fairlight make their frames in the far east, which explains some of the difference. 

Avatar
quiff | 1 week ago
0 likes

road.cc wrote:

What has changed is the brake hose and gear cable routing. Mason says that the popularity of electronic shifting and the increased use of 1x [single chainring] systems has allowed it clean things up. All cables and hoses now run through the down tube and out through the chain stays via a special bottom bracket shell.

Bit confused how this is different, at least on the outside of the frame. I have a 2017 (v1.5?) Definition, and all the cables and hoses ran through the down tube and chain stays via a special bottom bracket shell then. On closer inspection, looks like they have reduced from 3 separate cable ports on the dowtube to 2. 

Avatar
LMA | 1 week ago
0 likes

Is there any indication that the Resolution is approaching a revamp?

It's one of two contenders I'm looking at and it would be frustrating to buy just ahead of an update.

Avatar
jaymack | 1 week ago
1 like

....please take the bank's money from me!

Latest Comments