Another sneak peek at Bespoked, UK adventure bike maker Mason is stepping up to 32″ wheels for the first time with a rigid Macro 32 mountain bike prototype they’ve built for Josh Ibbet to take on the Taurus Mountain Race in Türkiye in a month’s time. We’ve written about Josh’s adventure-ready Macros for a couple years – Mason’s lightweight aluminum adventure mountain bike, built to tackle the toughest backcountry bikepacking races. But now, it ratchets it up a notch, swapping in 32″ wheels for better rollover and higher speeds.
Mason Macro 32″ alloy flat bar adventure mountain bike
Mason Progressive Cycles describes their new Macro 32 hardtail prototype as a “premium aluminium adventure & bikepacking hardtail”. Once of the first to hit the scene as a production-ready, high-performance alloy 32″ bike manufactured in Europe, Mason’s new Macro 32 looks ready to lead a trend towards versatile 32″ hardtail mountain bike frames.
Leaning hard on more than a decade of 29er adventure bike experience, Mason intends to produce a reasonably-priced 32″ hardtail platform that can be configured for everything from marathon riding to backcountry adventure bikepacking. It’s built around the same suspension-corrected HotShoe 2 rigid carbon fork as its 29er analogue, with the same unique Condenser mini-rack or Shutter load-ready fender.
Or you can still run a short-travel 32″ suspension fork. Think; up to 100mm travel before you start messing with the Macro 32’s geo.
Prototype Hunt x Mason Proven 32″ carbon MTB wheels
Mason has been at the forefront of working with Hunt to develop new wheels for more than a decade. First, if was the Mason x Hunt 4 Season Disc before gravel was really a thing back in 2014. Then, it was the Mason x Hunt Adventure Sport Disc 650b when road plus became a thing, and then dynamo versions. Now, it’s a lightweight 32″ Hunt Proven carbon MTB rim matched to boost hubs for an adventure-ready gravel or MTB wheelset for the new, bugger wheel standard. Larger diameters mean rim weight makes a bigger impact. So, we’re curious to see how light Hunt has gone for 32″ wheels, and whether we can feel the difference.
Prototype Tailfin for 32″ bikes?
No secret anymore, this new Mason Macro 32 introduces a Tailfin setup tailored for 32″ bikes. Mason describes the solution as new 32” adaptors for the Tailfin Speedpack. It’s the first time we’ve seen the adapters, but it looks like a simple retrofit that can make any of their rear racks 32-compatible.
Josh’s Macro 32 Tech Details
- custom-butted Dedacciai aluminum Mason Macro 32 frameset in XL size
- in-development geometry, tailored to ultra-distance racer Josh Ibbett
67º head angle, 76° seat angle, 455mm chainstays, 93mm BB drop, 635mm Stack, 482mm Reach - Mason Macro 32 will likely be limited to M, L & XL sizes. S works best at a 29er.
- existing full carbon Hot Shoe 2 carbon fork (485.6 a-c; originally designed and suspension corrected for 29″ wheels)
- existing Mason Condenser 2 crown-mounted fork mini rack
- prototype Hunt Proven 32″ carbon MTB wheelset
- 32×2.4″ Schwalbe Rick Race Pro Speed tires
- Ritchey Switch alloy stem & carbon Superlogic handlebar
- Shimano XTR Di2 drivetrain with 28t chainring and 10/52t cassette
- unreleased Tailfin Speedpack with 32″ extensions
Mason Macro 32 prototype – Next Steps & Availability
Josh’s prototype Mason Macro 32 is being shown now at the Bespoked custom bike show in Dresden, Germany. It features a new to Mason glossy Process White paint job, which is also now available for the existing 29″Macro, too. His complete bike as shown, with pedals and front rack (but without the Tailfin rack) weighs a claimed 11.5kg.
For now, just two Mason-sponsored riders get the 32″ Macro – Josh Ibbett and Angus Young. But, it’s not just a ‘concept’ bike.
The plan is for Mason to flesh out the details in the upcoming 1460km Taurus Mountain Race in Turkey. The last race of the Mountain Race series this year sets the stage, slated to be rough, the perfect development platform to dial in geometry and adventure-specific details. Then ideally, a refined Mason Macro 32 will open pre-orders, and enter regular small-batch production in Italy, in early 2027.
