California-based Masi Bicycles has been around the block, in terms of the ebb and flow of the cycling industry. Its 90-year path started with racing bikes, and the trajectory of the past few years brings it back to its roots.
The Masi CXRC carbon 'cross is in the running for our best cyclocross bikes feature and, if the “unicorn’s blood” paint scheme is any indicator, it should be a wild ride.
- The best cyclocross bikes we've tested this year
- Cyclocross: what it is and how to get into it
- 6 reasons you should get into cyclocross
2018 Masi CXRC highlights
- Frame: Dirt Tuned MC9 Carbon (flatmount, 12x142)
- Fork: Dirt Tuned MC9 Full Carbon (flatmount, 12x100)
- Drivetrain: SRAM Force 1
- Bottom bracket: BB30
- Wheels: Stan’s GRAIL
- Tires: Kenda Kommando XPro 33mm
- Saddle: Prologo Nago EVO
- Size options: 49, 52, 55, 57, 60
- Weight (size 55): 8.67kg / 19.11lbs
- Price: $3,639 / £TBD
Dirt-tuned and bold looking
Masi claims its CXRC is dirt-tuned, but because it looks so good it’s hard to imagine getting this bike dirty. This bike was first spotted at Sea Otter, where the product manager referred to the paint scheme as "unicorn’s blood."
Call it what you will, when the sun hits the paint, this bike is a looker.
The flatmount disc-equipped frame has a couple of tricks up its sleeve, including fender mounts and a removable front derailleur braze-on mount. While those aren’t exclusive features, the execution is clean.
The CXRC Expert model cockpit comes with a 3T Ergoterra carbon bar and alloy stem with a Prologo saddle atop a two-bolt carbon post in back.
Did I mention the paint scheme?
Since 40mm tires fit front and back, 33mm tires with mud won’t be a problem. After all, it is a ‘cross racing bike and 33mm is the UCI limit.
Masi worked some nice internal cable management in to the frame. The fork brake housing routing is laterally placed, but it doesn’t hit the down tube or prevent the bar from turning.
Of all the bikes we are testing for our best cyclocross list, the Masi CXRC is the only one with a rear seatstay bridge, with a massive junction of the seat tube, top tube and seatstays.
Like many other models on test, the Masi CXRC is flatmount caliper with 100/142mm thru-axle spacing with a press-fit 30mm bottom bracket. In short, it checks all the boxes for a CX bike’s must-haves.
Stay tuned for a complete review.
Pricing and availability
The 2018 Masi CXRC Expert, and other CX models, are currently available from Masi retailers worldwide.
The US price is $3,639 and the UK price is not yet specified.