Early this past winter we saw Mason’s original aluminum, large volume tire disc brake Definition2 all-road bike get updated to flat mounts, thru-axles & more. Now the premium Columbus steel Resolution2 gets many similar updates by way of a precision UK-machined set of Bear dropouts, plus more new features.
Mason Resolution2 premium steel disc brake all-road bike
At £1495 for the frameset, the modern oversized steel Resolution is Mason’s premium road bike, still capable of fitting high-volume 30+ mm road tires and always running disc brakes. While it was a relatively easy solution to design & produce a set of chunky flat-mount, thru-axle dropouts for the alloy Definition2, the steel bike needed a softer touch. The new Aperture2 fork updated the front end of the bikes back in 2016, but now after two years in development a new Mason x Bear, UK designed & machined steel dropout brings updates to the long-awaited Resolution2.
The thing that made a steel dropout solution tough for the Resolution2 is actually the use of premium thin Columbus tubing, thin tapered seatstays, and a refined ride feel that Mason didn’t want to botch by simply welding on a heavy dropout solution.
New Mason x Bear machined steel dropouts
Mason designed their new exclusive, asymmetric steel dropouts with UK machine shop Bear Frame Supplies specifically to work with the handpicked oversized road tubing that their Italian bike building team welds into frames. The new Mason x Bear dropouts allow the frames to maintain most of the chainstay taper on both sides, while keeping good heel clearance.
On the non-driveside the flat dropout section is kept short again, and the direct mount posts are as minimal as possible. They are actually each machined separately and then brazed together for a light setup which limits the effect on ride feel.
The new dropout also gets a precisely machined, removable aluminum derailleur hanger that slots into place from the inside of the steel drop. A single stainless bolt keeps it in place, together with a stainless outer plate that clamps the steel dropout.
Then a new SwitchLever thru-axle threads in to lock it all firmly together. The SwitchLever includes a removable tensioning lever so you can pull it off for a clean bolt-on look.
Besides the axle & brake mount updates, the new dropouts also cleanly integrate a new set of rack mounts. Of course brake hose routing gets updated to work with the new flat mounts, and Mason has given the driveside a revised star-reinforced Di2 routing port as well.
Resolution2 frameset & complete bike build updates
In addition to new dropouts refining the rear end, the new Resolution2 gets more options on how you can pick one up. The £1495 frameset is the most flexible option, providing the Resolution2 steel frame, Aperture2 carbon fork & integrated headset.
The frameset with its 68mm threaded BB, 27.2mm seatpost & modular internal cable routing is available in three finishes – shutter black, lens blue, or element gray.
The bikes are available in a stock six size range (50-60cm), plus a couple of expanded range sizes or 48 & 62cm that can be made-to-order.
Complete bikes are now offered starting at £2745 for 105 with mechanical brakes, to £3140 for 105 hydraulic, to £3395 for Ultegra hydraulic, or £4395 for Ultegra Di2 hydraulic.
A top of the line Dura-Ace Di2 hydraulic bike is also available. All complete bikes come spec’ed with tubeless ready Mason x Hunt 4Season aluminum disc brake wheels, and most offer the ability to spec either Schwalbe 30mm G-One or 28mm Pro-One tubeless tires.
