The versatile Masi Vivo Tre can go long almost anywhere, and with such quality parts, you’re getting an incredible value.
What kind of bike do most road riders need?
For the majority of us, the answer is not a climbing bike, an aero bike, a gravel bike, or any of the various thinly sliced permutations of road bikes. Those are fine tools, exceptionally suited for one purpose but to the exclusion or near negation of others.
Most of us need bikes that serve far broader use. Also, said bikes should be reasonably affordable. And should fit and ride comfortably without requiring major parts changes. Finally, they should not become obsolete in three seasons. Which brings us to the 2017 Masi Vivo Tre.
The Vivo Tre
James Winchester, senior product manager for Masi, describes the Vivo, with the Tre at the apex of the series, as “a road bike that won’t hold you back at the end of the (paved) road.” The carbon frame has endurance geometry, with a longer wheelbase, tall head tube, and slightly relaxed head angle and trail numbers, for a more upright position and stable handling.
The component mix is a tremendous value: Shimano’s 11-speed 105 drivetrain (including the crankset) and RS505 hydraulic disc brakes. There’s a Ritchey cockpit and fat-but-fast-rolling Clement Strada LGG 28mm tires.
Even as bike technology races ahead, Masi has future-proofed the Vivo as best it can by using standards that are likely to endure: BB86 integrated bottom bracket (Shimano’s chosen preference), flat-mount disc brakes, and 12mm thru-axles.
The cable stops allow for easy internal routing of electronic shifting wires or even Rotor’s new hydraulic shifting lines. All of this is important, because while it’s fashionable to talk about bikes that are worthy of upgrading, none of that makes a difference if, in three years, your bike’s standards are obsolete. And the Vivo Tre is a bike to grow with.
Any bike with 28mm-wide rubber is going to feel great on the road, but the Vivo also rolls comfortably on dirt, where it seems ideally suited because of the geometry and wide tires. The 24mm-wide Stan’s Radler rims, while strong and durable, are weighty enough to notice, but the bike still climbs ably, in part thanks to the 34/32 low gear.
The carbon-fiber frame is stiff under pedal load whether you are seated or standing, and when you’re descending aggressively. The geometry requires a bit more rider input for cornering than a race-style bike, but the trade-off is a stable, sure feel that’s particularly welcome off pavement, where an overly quick front end can feel skittish.
The frame has fender eyelets and will clear 34mm knobbies, much more than most road bikes. The handling is a well-tuned middle ground that works well across a variety of uses from group rides to exploring light singletrack. This makes the Vivo Tre essentially three bikes—a road bike, an adventure bike, and a commuter—at a price that doesn’t require a “but it’s three bikes in one!” justification.
For the past few years, I’ve been building (in my head) that fabled, mystical “one bike” I could use for almost any kind of road-ish riding I would do. While such a thing might not exist in real life—any bike spread out too broadly will be dulled for very high-level use at one thing—it’s remarkable how similar my vision looks, at this price, to the Masi Vivo Tre.
A Quick Look at the Tech Specs:
– Frame: Comfort Tuned Carbon MC9
– BB86, Full Internal Cable Routing
– Fork: Masi CTC MC9 tapered full carbon fork with 12mm thru-axle
– Brakes: Shimano flat-mount disc brake mounts
– Crankset: Shimano 105 50/34t with BB86 press-fit BB
– Shifters: Shimano RS505 11 Speed Shifters
– Front and Rear Derailleurs: Shimano 105
– Wide-Ratio 105 11-32t Cassette
– Custom Ritchey EvoCurve Comp oversized bar and 4-Axis stem
– Stans NoTubes Radler disc-specific rims
– Custom Ritchey 2-Bolt Alloy Seatpost
– Clement Strada LGG 28mm tires
– Shimano RS505 Hydraulic Disc Brake for Flat Mount, 140mm F&R Rotors
Price: $2,400
Weight: 19.8 lbs (Medium)
Sizes Available: XS, S, M, M/L, L, XL
Conclusion
The Vivo Tre represents the cream of our “All Road” offering. Less aggressive geometry suits the endurance rider and makes this model ideal for those long challenge rides and Gran Fondos. Equipped with RS505 hydraulic disc brakes and a Shimano 105 group set, the Vivo Tre Utilizes our MC9 Comfort Tuned Carbon fiber frame and tapered fork to assure you have a great day in the saddle and look forward to the next one.
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