Mason SLR Launch Edition “A sublime ride”

Whether it’s an all-day (and night!) adventure or a quick lunchtime blast, the SLR is my go-to bike at the moment.

Since picking the bike up around 4 months ago, I’ve ridden almost 4,000km of Lincolnshire’s quiet (pothole-strewn) lanes on this bike. It’s certainly a bike that I look forward to riding, be it sunny or in the depths of winter!

I was lucky enough to pick up one of the Launch Edition Diffuser black metallic models. With some Hunt Aerodymanacist 44mm wheels and 38mm Rene Herse tyres, it really is a handsome-looking bike.

The exquisitely finished steel frame is the star of the show. The quality of the welds really is top quality. This frame, along with the 12-speed Ultegra Di2 and quality tyres sure make for a smooth ride.

As with all things “MASON”, the level of detail and finishing really is top-notch. The metallic paintwork really pops in the sunshine. With an extra bottle cage mount (like the Bokeh) and mounting points for full mudguards and rack systems, this bike is not going to stop you from going the distance!

I’ve done at least 1 200km ride per month every month for a while now. The last four 200’s have been on the SLR. While these haven’t quite been as fast as on my Definition 2, they have definitely been a little more comfortable and not far off the mark. The weather has been pretty miserable too, so looking forward to seeing what is possible come the spring/summer.

The geometry is a little more relaxed than the Definition, but not overly so. It can be a very efficient mile muncher, but certainly not lacking speed when you put the power down. I really don’t see the slight weight penalty of steel as a problem, unless riding Alpine length hills on a regular basis. The quality of the ride more than makes up for it.

Basically, I’m super impressed so far and looking forward to seeing where the SLR takes me in the future.