Tag: review

Wagon Wheels Pt.2

Posted on by Austin

Headtube of my Diamondback Mason mountain bike

Brakes and rear Maxle on my Diamondback Mason hardtail 29er

Showing off the Easton Havoc handlebars on my hardtail Mason 29er build

Camelbak waterbottle squeezed into a King cage in the front triangle of my Mason

The Mason toptube logo and raw aluminum frame finish

The 1x10 crank and drivetrain and thick rear chainstays of the hardtail

Fizik Gobi XM saddle and Fox DOSS dropper post on my Mason with white cable housing

Full-length shot showing off the complete Mason 29er hardtail build and Easton wheels

A season of riding my Civilian Young Turk hooked me on the idea of 29ers. With parts from my Santa Cruz Heckler and the Young Turk, I was able to build this Diamondback Mason. I was attracted to this particular frame because of the slack head angle (66.5 deg), 12×142 rear axle, and dimensions that closely matched the fit of my Heckler. Thanks to Mr. Brian Bernard for the wrench time, the teachable moments in the shop, and a general beardiness.

Look for a mid-term review once I’m able to ride the Mason a little more. Bike Magazine posted a review here.

The Stats

For the stats nerds: this is a medium frame with 750mm bars, 70mm stem, a 140mm fork with 20mm thru axle, a 1×10 drivetrain, and one seriously long rear brake line.