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I'm looking at replacing my Grade with something that'll take 650b wheels + horizons. I'd love a Mason Bokeh but I can't face stumping up the money for a new frame and they're pretty rare second hand as you'd expect.
Ideally around £800 would be great, I know there's the Space Chicken from On-one but the paint is horrific and I wasn't super impressed with my last carbon frame from them.
Any ideas?
Probably not what you want to hear but save the extra money and buy the Bokeh.
I've tried a Tripster, a Diverge and a Kite Disc and the Bokeh knocks spots off them all. It's a fantastic bike and well worth the extra money.
Interesting... had a Kite Disc and a Bokeh on a shortlist... @notmyrealname, would really welcome any insights on how the 2 compare?
Would also be interested - can I ask where you notice the benefits of the Bokeh over the others you've tried?
Cheers Chunky and the right size too. I did drop him a line but I'm guessing he only wants to sell the complete bike which is understandable.
I suppose a Bokeh is cheaper than the Open Up or 3t exploro, maybe I should just nut up and buy it!
I’ve just bought one and plan to run with 650b with WTB Byways
The Kite was a nice bike when I built it up but the something about it just didn't feel right. I don't think that it helped that I was between a medium and a large size. While it was pretty good fun to ride I find the Bokeh much more enjoyable and easier to throw around when you're off road. It also rides much better with 'proper' road tyres fitted.
I wouldn't be surprised if the weight played a part in this, the Kite being steel was a good bit heavier than the aluminium Bokeh.
If you're anywhere near them I'd give Mason a call and arrange a demo of the Bokeh, I don't think you'd be disappointed with it.
I like my Bokeh - I didn't test ride any other bikes, mostly because there weren't any other bikes that did what the Bokeh does. I've ridden mine a bit since building it up in early April and it rides well - based on owning a series of road and CX bikes including a 6Al/4V Merlin, a bespoke 853 road bike, and a bespoke 753 CX bike. I've done 2-3,000 miles on it including Paris-Roubaix, Gravel Dash, Exmouth Exodus and Tuscany Road.
The Bokeh is well thought through, and looks good too!
The only thing to be careful of is that there may not be enough port plugs if you're not running wired gears and the front disc Centrelock bolt needs to be the low profile version. I didn't get on with their seat post so changed it to a fi'zik carbon post which has been reliable since then.
That bike for sale ^^ is pretty good value.
I have been doing my very best to ignore the Bokeh, but I rarely/if ever see a bad word said about it. Would be the next purchase.
Anyone know if it is due an update or changes for 2018? A bright orange bike would be hard to hide in the garage, but I think it would be worth it.
Get a grey one.
I have had a Bokeh for about a year now (nearly 5000 miles). I rarely ride anything else any more. My SC Highball is mothballed and my road bike only comes out now and then.
I tried it with 650b (USE Carbon) but didn't get on with it in that configuration. The wheels have been mothballed too.
The Bokeh was probably the best money I have ever spent on a bike. I'm lusting after their Ti version though.......
fudge - a few years ago I bought a Vaya and didn't get on with it at all. Felt massively dead to ride on the road, however I know some people love them. Different strokes for different folks I suppose
G’wan!
Since I got mine last year, not ridden any of the other bikes.
I'd at least look at a Tripster - love mine, on and off road. Fair few about 2nd hand now too.
Or the alu version? Wouldn't lose much IMHO, I got Ti because I wanted too and it was all that was around in those days (other manufacturers weren't doing road/cross/gravel cross overs really).
Oohhh - Alu tripster isn't a bad shout at all. Will pop off and have a look
Think it will either be that or the Bokeh, just don't want buyers remorse if I buy the Kenesis!
NS RAG+? not as nice as a Bokeh but has 700 / 650 compatibility. Cable routing is only for 1x drivetrain though.
Was going to suggest Tripster AT - does it take 650b?
Thats cool, I'm only running 1x11 anyway so that suits me. Added to the list!
also Rondo Ruut - which is a slightly fancier RAG+ from what I can tell
In a similar boat...would love a bokeh but can’t justify the cost. Probably going to go for an arkose personally, takes 650b and you can get a frameset for £400 (£450 for the Di2 routing one). Seem well reviewed (at least in the very extensive thread on here)!
Ridley X-Trail Alloy is worth a look. 2018 frameset option is bolt thru ft/rr and has loads of clearance for 650x50 tyres.
Genuine question, esp to those who have had custom steel, nice Ti and other boutique bikes.
The Bokeh looks like a reasonably standard geometry aluminium frame, with nice forks and big clearances.
Why is it so good?
Is everybody running them with large tyres, so nuances of the frame are lost slightly due to the cushion of the tyres?
Space Chicken from On-one
its a chinese catalogue frame. plenty of other colours available direct. thread on LFGSS about it.
The Bokeh looks like a reasonably standard geometry aluminium frame, with nice forks and big clearances.Why is it so good?
The same could be said about the Definition (apart from the clearances). All I can say is it rides beautifully and puts a smile on my face every time.
Genuine question, esp to those who have had custom steel, nice Ti and other boutique bikes.The Bokeh looks like a reasonably standard geometry aluminium frame, with nice forks and big clearances.
Why is it so good?
Is everybody running them with large tyres, so nuances of the frame are lost slightly due to the cushion of the tyres?
It's a fair point. I got the Tripster as it covered more-than-good-enough road bike, touring bike and cross races in one package. And just because it was Ti. I suspect it would be equally good in Alu for my ability, or something very similar in carbon .. the material is not massively important - and bike for life is balls as I'm already considering a cheap dedicated 1x cross bike for next season, and I'm more likely to get bored or hit a tree than wear it out somehow.
EDIT: But - I smile every time I look at it and ride it.
Where are these Tripster for sale?
The Bokeh looks like a reasonably standard geometry aluminium frame, with nice forks and big clearances.Why is it so good?
I can honestly say that I've got no idea.
I don't profess to be one of the people that can tell the difference between half a degree of head angle here or there or for that matter feel the alleged "springiness" or whatever that say you get with a steel frame but I know when I like a particular bike.
The Bokeh just feels nicer to ride than any of the other similar bikes I've tried. Even using it on the road fir a week in the Alps it felt nicer to ride than my previous Domane road bike.
Maybe it's just a psychological thing but I've absolutely no idea, I just know that it's great fun, comfortable and despite being a bit on the expensive side it was worth every penny!
Been coveting a Bokeh for a while now and wanted to know how it rode as a road bike, so thanks for that, i have a Salsa Fargo for bikepacking which is heavy and Specialized Roubaix disc which is a getting tired now, so wondered about selling both and getting a Bokeh.
What kind of build weight are they with 700c road wheels?
How low is the front end on them, is it quite a racy position? It would need to be a good road bike for 12-24 hour events, where i like comfort over speed i guess?
I don’t find the front end to be particularly and I’m very inflexible and struggle with more racy positions.
Personally I’d be happy to use it for a 12h event but I guess it’s horses for courses.
Sonder Camino is an oblivious alternative...
I’m about to get measured up for s Reilly Gradient...lovely looking thing and gets good reviews toobut maybe not that many about so not as much hype?
Reilly Gradient is on my shortlist too, but quite like the idea of a Bokeh 650b, as I already have some nice 700 disc wheels that can be swapped for 12mm
.......bokeh
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Bokeh riders - what size are you on / how tall are you?
I'm on a Resolution in large(56) & it feels ever so slightly too big (90mm stem)at 5'11" although I'm right in the middle of the size guide.
This is nice until you get to the price.
[url= http://road.cc/content/tech-news/234750-sneak-peek-vielo-v1-road-plus-bike ]Vielo V+1[/url]
Have you looked at a Sonder Camino? They look lovely in the flesh and very reasonably priced for the Ti frameset.
I had a poke around the Sonder showroom at the Alpkit shop in Hathersage and could have bought at least 4 bikes in there. I have no idea if they ride well but the whole range looks lovely.
Sonder Camino . Ti is a great bike, sure they have demo bikes available
As above
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/sonder-camino-al-thoughts-feelings-emotions-pictures
Bokeh riders - what size are you on / how tall are you?I'm on a Resolution in large(56) & it feels ever so slightly too big (90mm stem)at 5'11" although I'm right in the middle of the size guide.
5'11" on a 56cm here with a 100mm stem.
My ns rag+ with 650x2.1 tyres.
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Bokeh bike - hadn't heard of them until this thread. Look good. On the list when I finally decide my old On One ticross needs retiring (or is too many standards behind that I feel I'm missing out) along with a bunch of other mentioned above.
Their website was all in focus though - not what I expected.
Bokeh bike
you mean Mason, Bokeh is the model. And all their models names are taken from a photographic theme (also Definition, Resolution)
Their website was all in focus though - not what I expected.
badum, tish.
The NS Rag+ was one of the few bikes to grab me at last year's NEC, however the few reviews of the frame-only on CRC are reminiscent of the PX London Road quality control saga.
I haven't experienced any of those problems with my RAG+ but it looks like they are hard to get hold of now anyway... And a bit over priced at RRP (I got one on sale)
Now that they've got rid of the grim grey/blue colourscheme the Camino looks a load better, especially at £300
Ditto, my rag+ has been great, but the camino’s are q/r, when change the colour scheme should have gone 15mm front and 142x12 rear
Bokeh riders - what size are you on / how tall are you?
I'm on a Resolution in large(56) & it feels ever so slightly too big (90mm stem)at 5'11" although I'm right in the middle of the size guide.
FWIW, 6’ on a 56cm with a 110mm stem, but like it large, as I chose a 58 Roubaix over a 56.
The RAG is indeed a slightly less posh Rondo Ruut, you lose the adjustable fork but still get a decent fixed position one, and the cable routing is external. The Ruut is also available in steel and carbon that meant I could upgrade my RAG to a posh carbon Ruut, both have been really nice! The RAG has become our staff go-to bike, we are all team rag. Except me. I have a posh carbon Rondo 😆
At my shop we have a couple of RAG framesets left, one medium and one large and I have just updated stock and reduced the price - [url= http://pedalsbikecare.co.uk/shop/2017-ns-rag-frameset/ ]Pedals Bike Care Rag+ Frameset[/url] Saturday web updates funtimes.
Early in the year NS suffered some QC issues with a few frames coming few wonky/dropped or scratched in the factory etc. We check every frame and bike that comes in (regardless of brand) and both the RAG frames we have left have been signed off as good. Later in the year things got much better, in fact our last delivery not a single one was rejected, and the Rondos (NS sister company) have all been spot on.