Hi all,
Currently having a tough time deciding one way or the other so hoping for some wisdom from someone or experience with either bike.
I know one is carbon and one alloy but I’m not biased toward either material and the geo is very similar. My hesitations are the Vitus looks mega and in my mind is ‘fancier’ (sucker for that red colour) but I have a feeling the Mason may be the better buy - it seems to me it might better to go for the UK brand, external BB over press fit and what I hope would be better long term support.
Should I have any concerns around pressfit (never had a bike with one) and support from Vitus? Or do I go for the Mason and be done with it. Might be worth adding my kinda gravel riding is faster gravel and smooth forest stuff, nothing chunky.
Cheers!
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/p/vitus-venon-evo-gr-force-axs-gravel-bike
https://masoncycles.cc/products/bokeh-3-rival-xplr
Aren't they very different things? The Vitus is much more at the road bike end of the spectrum, for fast gravel riding and a focus more at the road end of the spectrum, while the Mason is a bit more burly, has all the zits for loading it up with crap and is more bike touring and off road focussed? If you've reduced it down to those two bikes then you'll need to pick what sort of riding you prefer. For me, it would be the Vitus.
It does sound like the Vitus might be more aligned with your riding (I've ridden neither, obvs).
It's only in XL and 2XL on that link BTW, but if you're one of those - why not take advantage of their current 30-day trial scheme?
The 'fancy' one is the one that is made from expensive pipes in Italy
On the other hand, that's a lot of carbon wireless bling on the Vitus, a similarly speced bokeh would be ££££££
Wouldn't worry about press fit.
Support from Vitus OK but not as good as Mason.
Riding faster/smooth gravel would not put me off the Bokeh, Mason will fit tyres/wheels for that if you ask.
I have a vitus CX bike and really rate it. I'm looking at the Venons but can't really comment. Press fit hasn't been an issue for me.
Not sure I could bear to drop 3k and still end up with a vitus!!!
For me is was between a bokeh a fairlight secan (steel)? Or a clearance enigma escape(ti). That just about covers all options.
In the end built an escape with grx 820 and some nice bits for about 3200. Seems pretty versatile to me.
They both look awesome.
I'd chose the red one and suggest you chose the one you like the look of most.
They both look fit for purpose 😃
How about a Diverge - mine is so smooth!!
Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon Road Bike in Blue (cycle-revolution.net)
Its states road but its a gravel bike. 47% off (£85/m @0% over 3 yrs)
I have a mason bokeh 2. I love it! Easy to ride. Fast with 700c slicks, comfy with 650b 48mm offroad tyres. Bokeh 3 has more clearance so prob even better.
If it makes a difference, buying the Mason means you are supporting a small UK business that has thought hard about the geometry and design, uses Italian frame builders and is finished to a very high standard.
I'm sure the vitus is good too, but it's a mass market frame from Taiwan so not really comparable
Personally I’d go with the Mason, in part because I really like steel bikes but also because you can swap out components during the order so don’t end up with a stock build but then spending more on swapping out bars, tyres and so on.
I’d go with the Mason, in part because I really like steel bikes
It's aluminium.
I ride a steel gravel bike and love it, but I reckon the OP will be better served with alu or carbon if they're prioritising speed.
What did you got for OP?
My bad. I’d still pick the Mason though.
Mason looks much better IMO.
Not sure if it's the same for the carbon but the aluminium Vitus gravel bikes come up small so size up.
I'm biased because I have a Mason Bokeh V2, and love it. So pick that one. In blue.