SOC16: Masi cyclocross bikes get racier, add carbon fiber models; plus concepts & steel tourers

In the past, Masi had just a single cyclocross bike called the CXR Comp. It was an alloy disc brake bike, and now it’s been completely updated and the line expanded to include carbon models. There’ll be two spec levels for each frame material, and each material gets it’s own carbon fork with different features for different uses.

The carbon bikes get an all-new full carbon fork with stealth eyelets for thread-in fender mounts (not for racks). The bend in the legs is designed to reduce vibrations, but gives the bike a subtly different look. Check out the full line, plus new steel touring adventure bikes and a couple nice concepts, below…

There’s room for 700×40 tires without fenders, and the bikes use modern standards like flat mount brakes and 12mm thru axles front and rear.

Carbon CXR’s use a BB86 bottom bracket, and spec across the entire range is heavy on Praxis, including cranks, chainrings and BBs running Enduro bearings. The Praxis crank arms vary between models, using either the 2D forged Alba or higher end hollow forged alloy Zayante (check our Eurobike coverage for more details on those).

This one’s the entry level CXR Carbon Comp and gets a Shimano 105 group with TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes (and arguably the better paint job) for $2,400. Frame weight is claimed at ~1,000g. Note the removable fender mounts just above the dropout.

Above that is the Carbon Expert at $3,200.

It’s gets a SRAM Force 1 build with Zayanta cranks and a full Ritchey cockpit with custom black on black graphics and EVO Max flared drop bar.

While they don’t have rack mounts, fender mounts on the carbon bikes make us happy.

Front derailleur mounts with a bolt-on braze-on tab, but there’s this pretty cover for hiding it when running a 1x.

Praxis makes a range of 1x chainring sizes for their Zayante, letting you customize the gearing. Bikes here are preproduction and not shown with 100% accurate spec. Example, the Expert will have the higher end wheels, not these Stan’s Radler ZTR rims, which are sleeved and pinned versions of the Grail.

Just for fun, they showed off three concept builds and paint schemes for the new CXR Carbon. This one-off gravel build with Lauf Grit micro-suspension fork will be raced at Dirty Kanza.

This army beige bike takes the look to the next level by matching bar tape, tire sidewalls…

…stem…

…and even Pioneer power meter cap.

This one belongs to their PM and gets a purple glitter paint that is matched to a special finish chain from KMC. When we spoke to KMC about their new 1x chain design, they said if there’s enough OEM demand, they’ll produce the chain.

The alloy CXR bikes get more than just new spec. They’re also a completely new bike, receiving a more race oriented geometry, well shaped top tube and a new fork. The Fork has carbon legs with an alloy steerer and a 12mm thru axle.

The alloy bikes do get full rack and fender mounts on the frames, fender mounts on the fork. They also switch to a threaded BB.

Flat mount brakes all around.

The CXR Expert gets SRAM Rival 1 and gets the rear thru axle standard. It’s meant as a race bike for those on a budget.

Spec includes a Praxis Zayante crankset wth 1x ring and new KMC X11-1 chain for $1,700. Claimed frame weight is 1300-1400g depending on paint.

The CXR Comp uses a Shimano 105 2×11 group with TRP Spyre brakes and FSA Gossamer cranks for $1,300. Again, the lower level bike got the better paint scheme, but black is usually the lightest weight color. The Comp will ship with a standard quick release rear wheel and dropout, but they use a switch chip dropout system that lets you upgrade to thru axles.

Not shown, the the Vivo disc brake fondo road bike has been in production and comes stock with 700×28 Clement tires. It has a ~1,000g frame. The Evoluzione race bike uses direct mount rim brakes but still clears a 28mm tire. The 2016 model dropped about 200g off prior year frame, coming in at 840g for 56.

All cyclocross bikes should start shipping in June.

The Masi Speciale Giramondo ($1,099) carries over mostly unchanged with a double butted chromoly frame and full chromoly fork. They didn’t have it on hand, but they’re adding 27.5 x 2.3 tire drop bar bikepacking option as a complete build.

The Speciale Randonneur ($1,299) gets a similar frame, but uses a curved fork blade. This latest version goes with a standard crown rather than the prior model’s lugged fork crown. That change, plus frame updates, opened up room for the massive new WTB Horizon 650 x 47 “road plus” tires while still fitting full coverage fenders. That tire size is now the official spec, there’s no more 700c wheel offering on this model, but the effective diameter is about the same as a 700 x 32.

Rack, fender and accessory mounts abound on both, with extra fork leg mounts on the Giramondo.

These new Speciale bikes should start shipping by September.

MasiBikes.com