MASON Bokeh Ti (RRP: $4400, From: masoncycles.cc)

The Bokeh is a bike that British-based Mason Cycles claim can ‘crush a continent’ and follows on from the company’s award-winning Definition and Resolution models. As well as the Ti (titanium) there is also an Alu (aluminum) version of the Bokeh, both of which use entire custom tube sets made by Dedacciai in Italy, with the European company also supplying unique chain stays and seat stays that are designed to allow clearance and give comfort for long days in the saddle. The Ti frame uses a unique blend of Dedacciai, Rewel and Reynolds tubing and also features 3D printed dropouts from Reynolds. After being made in a small workshop in northern Italy, the Ti frames are then sent to Venice to be painted – in either Flare Orange or Element Grey. Both the Ti and Alu are designed to use either 650b x 50mm, or 700c x 41mm tyres, while the fork uses a 50mm offset to keep the trail dimension under control. Sizes range from 50cm up to 60cm, with the Ti frameset coming with fork, headset, seat clamp, MultiPort inserts, F-Stop thru-axles and all bolts.

3T Exploro Team (RRP: $4499 (frame set), From: echelonsports.com.au)

Italian company 3T claim the Exploro’s speed comes from a specially designed aero downtube that is wide enough to catch the airflow coming off the front tyre, but with a squared off tail – calling this shape the Sqaero. The frame has been optimised for water bottles, always needed on long, epic rides, and was also tested for performance while covered in mud. The short 415mm chainstays are designed to provide acceleration and grip on loose dirt as well as asphalt, while designer Gerard Vroomen created a so-called ‘Hang Loose’ rear derailleur hanger to make rear wheel changes even easier. The Exploro – available in Team and LTD versions - is designed to fit road, cross and mountain bike tyres following the GravelPlus standard.