Mason Macro32: A 32-Inch Hardtail With Geometry That Actually Makes Sense
Mason's Macro32 brings 32-inch wheels to a production hardtail with real geometry numbers, proven fork compatibility, and a 2027 release timeline.
Mason's new Macro32 isn't a concept exercise — it's a production-intent 32-inch hardtail scheduled for 2027 pre-orders, and the geometry numbers suggest they've actually thought through the wheel-size jump rather than just slapping bigger hoops on an existing frame.
The 455mm chainstays and 1212mm wheelbase (XL) keep the bike from becoming a bus. For context, plenty of 29er hardtails run 450–460mm chainstays already. Mason's BB drop of 93mm sits lower than you'd expect for a big-wheeled bike, which should help stability on long descents without making flat-pedal clearance a constant anxiety. The 67° head angle paired with a 76° seat tube keeps the rider centered for climbing — critical if you're grinding 1,460 kilometers through Turkey's Taurus Mountains, as testers Josh Ibbett and Angus Young will be doing this fall.
The real enabler here is Mason's existing HotShoe2 fork. Originally designed for 29 x 2.6" or 27.5 x 3.0" tires, it clears 32 x 2.4" without requiring a comically short head tube. That means the stack height stays reasonable (635mm on the XL) and you can swap in a short-travel suspension fork — up to 100mm — without wrecking the geometry. The fork's integrated Condenser rack also carries over, giving you a proven front-loading option without bolting on aftermarket solutions.
Hunt's developing a 32-inch carbon wheelset alongside the frame, and weight matters more at larger diameters where rim mass amplifies rotational inertia. No numbers yet on the Hunt Proven 32" wheels, which is worth watching — if they come in heavy, the theoretical rollover benefits of the bigger wheel get eaten by sluggish acceleration. Tailfin's also showing 32-inch adapters for their Speedpack, so the accessory ecosystem is building.
Three sizes only: M, L, XL. Mason says the small just works better as a 29er, which is honest but limits the audience. If you're under 5'8" or so, this bike probably isn't for you — a constraint most brands wouldn't admit upfront. The 2027 timeline means plenty can change, but the fact that race-proven riders are putting real kilometers on development frames suggests this isn't vaporware. For data-minded bikepackers who've been skeptical of the 32-inch hype, Mason's approach — reusing proven components, publishing actual geometry, and testing in brutal conditions — is the right way to prove the format.
