ADVENTURE DOESN’T COME IN ONE SIZE

Adventures come in all shapes and sizes. But adventure bikes? Not as often as they should.

For any rider, selecting the right frame size is a critical part of choosing a bike that will carry you and your gear for the long haul. A well-made, well-equipped bicycle can never be the right machine for you if it doesn’t fit properly. On a long-distance tour, ultra race or serious endurance ride, correct fit is often the key factor in finding the comfort needed to keep riding for hours, days or even weeks.

Particularly tall or short riders too often find that mainstream bike brands struggle to cater for riders outside the average. And in an industry that too often designs primarily for men, women often struggle to really feel at home on a bike that truly works for them.

That’s why MASON endurance and gravel adventure bikes are available in eight sizes, from 48cm to 62cm. They always have been. Each size is designed individually: every tube and angle is assessed afresh, rather than simply scaling up or down from a single template.

Designer Dom Mason explains:

“Tall riders aren’t simply scaled up versions of average-sized riders. They place different loads on a frame. Simply sticking with longer versions of the same tubes presents the risk of a bike that might feel too flexible and vague. Instead, there are models and sizes where I’ve taken the decision to carefully increase key tubes in diameter and/or wall thickness to maintain the ride feel I want to offer that rider.

“It works the same way for short riders too. Crudely shrinking a 56cm design down to 48cm could create a frame that’s too stiff, harsh and heavy. For shorter riders, I review tube profiles, butting and wall thickness, changing tubes where needed. This way, I can ensure that a 48cm or 50cm frame delivers the same lively, comfortable ride as a 54cm or 56cm. In reality, when I design one frame, I’m actually designing eight.”

This same principle also applies to MASON’s off-road adventure bikes: the Macro, RAW and ISO. While their sizing draws from mountain bike fit conventions and uses a different size range, each frame is still engineered individually. A small RAW offers the same lively feel as its larger siblings, and an XL Macro retains the same assured confidence as any other size.

Sum of the parts

Correct sizing is the foundation of a well-chosen frameset, but it doesn’t end there. Components such as stems, handlebars, cranks and saddles complete the fit – particularly for riders at either end of the size spectrum, who are often let down by standardised specs.

We collaborate with every rider to fine tune their fit with careful choices that really work for them. We work with a choice of suppliers, so we’re able to draw on a huge choice of items like handlebars, stems, saddles and cranks. Even wheel sizes are up for fine-tuning. On MASON models like the Bokeh, Exposure and ISO, 650B wheels can be chosen in place of the more usual 700C. These smaller wheels enable wider tyre choices, and offer a ride feel often preferred by shorter riders.

Our sizing advice

(for all riders, but particularly if you’re very tall or very short)...

• Consider a bike fit

Time spent with a professional, independent bike fitter can really help you find a bicycle that suits your size and body shape. A fitting consultation can be a high value-for-money investment when planning a significant bike purchase. Tell your bike fitter which MASON model you’re considering, and ask them to consult our geometry charts. Share this bike fit information with us – or ask your bike fitter to speak directly to us. We’d like to work together to formulate the best approach for you.

• Come for a real test ride

Measurements and geometry charts are really useful, but there’s nothing like a test ride to really bring a bike to life, determine your sizing and help you find your fit. Sometimes, the most valuable question to ask is simply: “Does this bike feel right for me?” Our demo fleet in the South Downs National Park is here to satisfy your curiosity. Come to Sussex, take your time and ride our lanes and trails on multiple sizes.

• Check design details of very small or very large sizes

If you ride an unusual size, compare brands. Find out whether other companies’ frames are truly individually designed for each size, or whether tube profiles are simply specified as ‘one-size-fits-all’. Such models may not cater well for very tall or very short riders.

Whatever adventures you are planning, whatever your terrain, don’t cut corners when it comes to selecting a frame size and components to truly fit you. Whether you’re tall, short or somewhat average, your adventures are unique to you, and so should be your bike.

Alongside our firmly rider-focussed approach to sizing, we're here for all your adventures with our range of no fewer than 10 MASON models, infinite custom build options, and our immersive South Downs test ride experience. Our support will remain here for you whenever you need it, with ongoing advice on caring for your unique bicycle.

Your MASON will be with you for years of adventure. And so will we.