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Mason Bokeh vs. Fairlight Secan a.k.a. aluminium vs. steel
Hi everyone!
After years and years of mtbiking and starting to be in situation where one bike is not enough, I am looking for my second bike that should be an universal commuting and gravel/long-distance bike. After tons of reading I ended up with these two, mason bokeh and fairlight secan. Both will be probably bought as a frameset and then build with force 1x , 700c carbon wheels on some 35-40mm tyres (650B for more gravelish ride later). So, no matter what bike I will buy, probably it will be almost exactly the same builds, just frame different. I am preffering more comfy position than a race one, so with my 180cm I can go only for 56cm Bokeh or 56T(tall) Secan, which should be best for my heigh and riding preference.
I think there is almost zero chance that I'll find someone who rode on both of them and can compare, but I would like to start a discussion and read some pros and cons from you.
Cheers.
Jakub
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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25 comments
I've got the Hunt 30 CAD wheels on my Strael, they're brilliant. Beautiful looking, tough and SO light weight
.
(And yes, I went for the matching orange Hope headset and seat collar. I also bought the orange Hope skewers
).
That sounds like a fantastic bike and nice plan for your build!
56T would be my frame size as well and I’m super jealous because i’d Love any one of the three bikes that Fairlight make!
hope you enjoy your bike when you get it!
John
Good call Jakub, I'm sure you'll be absolutely thrilled with it. Btw, If you get the white and purple colour schemed one, I will be extremely jealous and will probably never talk to you again
.
You mean grey and purple.
And yes, thats the one I am going to take, with Hunt 30 carbon wheels, force 1x group and purple hope headset and stuff around. Jealous?
Hi Jakub,
Following what has been said about sending Fairlight your bike fit data if worst case scenario you don’t have any the Fairlight website can help you.
One of the things about Fairlight is that they offer both regular and tall versions of their frames and so it’s more likely that you’ll be able to get a frame that fits you according to your body type and riding style.
I’m currently on my phone and so it’s not so easy to post the right links but if you go on their website and read about the ‘Fit, Form, Function’ principals and also watch their video on this it explains all.
Then if you’re go on their website you can put into the site measurements such as your height and it will recommend frames to you according to riding style. I’m not sure if this functionality is up & running for the Secan yet but if it isn’t (and my apologies if i’ve got this wrong) but at some point I thought I could remember it being said that you could use the Strael calculator for the Secan as well.
happy bike hunting to you!
John
Thanks John! I do not have fit data unfortunately, but when I was talking to Fairlight, we assumed that 56T will fit me the best. Another vote for Secan, I think I have decided already.
Is steel real? 6 things you didn't know about steel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhX8nIuczXE
Mike Burrows - What's the best material to make a bike from?
http://www.madegood.com/mike-burrows/#one
(Edit : whilst the old GCN video does deal with some of the myths of steel, or any other material, this is a nice overview IMO)
I will go most probably for 700C x 38 g-one tyres for everyday riding and maybe later some 650B for longer traveling.
Looks like its a way to go for Secan
Steel all the way for smoother and comfy compliance over alloy.
It's not quite as simple as that; I have a Kinesis T3 for commuting duties (made from aluminium) which is far comfier than the Van Nicholas titanium and Genesis steel bikes that preceded it. The Genesis in particular was like riding a farm gate, which surprised me, as I went for steel based on comments I'd read online about how comfortable it is, and I went for titanium after it based on comments I'd read online about how comfortable it is.
I've got a stainless steel Bowman Layhams. It somehow manages to be super-stiff (I'm well north of 120kgs and there is no discernible flex even mashing away out of the saddle) and super-comfy. Even running 25mm tyres on what passes for tarmac roads around here. I've had a number of aluminium bikes and it is by far the most comfortable bike I've ever owned. You won't notice much difference on smooth tarmac or gravel but in my experience as soon as the tarmac has been dressed or had a couple of hard winters the road buzz creeps in with aluminium frames.
Of course, if you're intending running big tyres frame comfort plays less of a role. Once you're up in the low 30s, particularly on lower pressure tubeless tyres, I'd suggest that frame compliance doesn't affect comfort that much.
I don't doubt it, but that has very little to do with the fact that it's made from steel and is thanks to the tube selection, construction and geometry.
Of course, but these are not independent of the metal used.
Often they are, e.g. generally narrower steel tubes due to the mass, but I think the point being made is that idea of one type of metal, or a bike made from one type, being necessarily 'comfortable' or being 'harsh' is a fallacy. That's certainly the point I was alluding to, aplogies to srchar if it wasn't theirs.
No need to apologise - that was indeed my point.
Don't be silly - material choice is largely irrelevent in that regard.
They're quite different bikes geo-wise. The 56T Secan stack is a substantial 3cm higher than the 56mm Bokeh for similar reach, so that's significantly more relaxed and upright. You'll definitely notice the difference.
Do you have known-good road bike fit measurements available? Certainly in my experience if you give Dom from Fairlight your fit data he'll find the right size frame for you.
Of course your final position can be tuned with stem length, flipping stems, that sort of thing. The Fairlight bikes have plenty of exposed steerer tube for you to find the right height.
You won't regret getting the Secan, Fairlight bikes are beautiful to ride
.
Hi Wizik,
They're both lovely bikes and which ever you get I'm sure that you'll enjoy it!
If it were me I'd take the steel Secan but it's all persoanl choice and in the eye of the beholder as to which one will win out.
Can you get anywhere to try them?
I think that Swift Cycles near Liverpool Street in London have Fairlight Cycles bikes
https://www.swiftcycles.co.uk
And this is a question more than anything but can you try Mason bikes if you go to their barn HQ?
Enjoy making your decision and enjoy which ever bike you end up buying.
John
John, unfotunately no chance for me to try either of bikes, as I am from central Europe.
I am leaning forward more to steel bike, so Secan, but want to make the best possible decision. Anyway, thanks a lot for your opinion, appreciate it!
I am also not very good in "reading" geometry and don't get when someone is saying "omg, this is so much race geometry" or whatever else. Which one of these bikes will be more "comfy traveler"? Both bikes are + - in the same price range, so I can't even go for the much cheaper one.
I realy don't like aluminium bikes and own a Strael so I'm going to say 'Secan all day long' but I'm sure tons of people are going to like aluminium...