Is Mason's new Macro the most versatile hardtail ever? Plus OneUp Components' wavey pedals and new gear from Hunt, Fox + TRP
This week's Five Cool Things round-up features a super customisable new rig from Mason, plus we're rounding up all the best stories of the week
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The coolest things to drop into the off.road.cc office this week come from all corners of the mountain bike universe. We've got Mason's new Macro, a super configurable, bikepacking-focused hardtail, plus Fox's updated clipless shoes, and OneUp Components' market-upsetting flat pedals. On top of that, Hunt makes an appearance with its trail-ready carbon hoops, and we've got TRP's newest brakeset.
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After last weekend's gravel action at the Traka in Spain, we noticed a clear separation forming between UCI-style events and those like the Traka and Unbound. So with gravel racing starting to split in different directions, our Steve asks the question: is that for better or worse? He dives into what makes each style special, and which features define these events.
2023 World Champs, Fort William, Downhill 3, by Red Bull Content Pool
On the subject of racing, 2025's Whoop UCI Downhill World Series looks set to be one of the most exciting seasons we've ever seen. Not only have there been a bunch of team movements with riders such as Danny Hart moving to Norco, as well as big changes in registration fees, but there's one overlying theme - Gates' Belted Purse prize. The latter has driven a handful of teams to build bikes around belt drives and gearboxes in a bid to win a €100k prize for winning an event on a belt drive bike.
2025 haibike allmtn trniq motor close.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Speaking of belt drives, it's all been going on in the world of mtb tech news with Haibike unveiling the AllMtn CF TRN/IQ - a bike with a belt drive, gearbox and e-mountain bike motor in one. It comes with 12 gears and promises a maintenance-free ride up to 10,000km. That's all built into Pinion's MGU motor system that then knocks out a huge 160Nm of torque.
Elsewhere, SRAM brought a GX AXS upgrade kit, allowing Eagle 90 and Eagle 70 users to upgrade to the brand's wireless T-Type tech.
As for reviews, it's been all about touch points and traction as our crack team of expert bike nerds have delivered their verdicts on products like PNW Components' Loam Stem, DMR's Deathgrip2 grips, Michelin's Wild Enduro Racing Line Rear tyre, and Title's Form Carbon 35 handlebar. On with those Five Cool Things...
Mason Macro SRAM
£3,850
2025 mason macro 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Those with interests in long-distance off-road riding will likely know all about Mason's Macro. It's been seen underneath Josh Ibbett and Angus Young (nope, not THAT Angus Young) during some of the world's longest and most gruelling events, such as the Silk Road Mountain Race and the Atlas Mountain Race. It's safe to say that it's already proven itself as a serious bikepacking machine.
With that, it's built to be super configurable. Although we've got it in its fully rigid guise with Mason's carbon Hotshoe2 fork, the Dedacciai-tubed frame can run rigid or with a suspension fork, and it can come with up to 28 eyelets over eight mounting points, allowing bikepackers tonnes of adjustability in how they carry their load.
With prices starting at £3,300, our test bike will set you back £3,850, which grants the rider SRAM's latest Eagle 90 drivetrain, as well as upgraded Hunt Proven wheels. However, Mason is set to be very accommodating with its specifications as the brand invites customers to kit out their bikes however they like, and Mason will calculate a price.
Wrapping up with the Macro's geometry, the large frame we're reviewing benefits from a 466mm reach, a 67.5-degree head tube angle, and a 432mm chainstay. There's then a 75.2-degree effective seat tube angle with a 780mm saddle height.
OneUp Components Wave Pedals
£150
2025 oneup wave pedals 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Whether it's a compliant handlebar, EDC tool or the V3 Dropper Post, OneUp Components isn't a brand known for following the status quo. Rather, it breaks from the mould in interesting and mildly out-of-the-box ways to improve the whole mountain biking experience. Case in point: the brand's latest Wave Pedals.
As the name suggests, the Wave Pedals use a concave and a convex profile, which results in a wave shape. The idea behind this is to promote a heels-down riding position that's ever so important when riding flat pedals, or any pedals, in fact. The brand also claims that these pedals provide a more natural pedal stroke when seated.
With that cool wave shape, OneUp hasn't skimped on the internals. The forged and CNC-machined 6061 aluminium body rotates on a chromoly steel axle that gets an inboard igus bushing and three outboard cartridge bearings. Back to the platform, and 10 M4 hollow pins per side have been chosen for their self-cleaning properties.
Hunt Proven Carbon Trail H_Core MTB wheelset
£1,200
2025 hunt proven carbon trail wheels 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
A reasonably fresh addition to Hunt's Proven range is the Proven Carbon Trail, which brings the strength-boosting H_Core technology found on the recent Proven Enduro wheelset to a lighter and more trail-friendly package. Using an asymmetric rim profile, the Proven Trail is hand laced with specific spoke gauges for the front and rear wheel to promote compliance up front and improve strength at the rear.
Hunt's H_Core tech is an interesting method of upping the wheels' strength. It comprises a pair of carbon fibre slivers that are moulded into the rim just under the hooks. This adds lightweight reinforcement between the rim bed and the sidewall. Additionally, the rims feature a 4mm rim bead at the rear to protect against pinch punctures.
As for the freehub, that's Hunt's S_Rapid Engage hub that is said to shed weight without knocking durability. It uses a 3x2 pawl layout with a 90-tooth drive ring, which promises a quick two-degree engagement. Oh, and all of that is claimed to weigh 1,732g, which is on the money for a durable carbon, trail-focussed wheelset.
Fox Union Boa Clipless shoes
£220
2025 fox union clip boa 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
We're already fans of Fox's shoe offering, but for 2025, the brand has brought updates to its top-of-the-range Union Boa. Of course, these kicks don a pair of Boa Li2 dials, but there's a new outsole that brings a D3O insert into the mix for vibration and impact reduction. These shoes also get a new upper that's constructed of a TPU toe with a ripstop cuff. That toe cap is moulded too in a bid to add protection.
Elsewhere, the Union Boa Clipless gets all of the things we liked about the Union Clipless, such as high and low arch support inserts, an Ultratac rubber outsole and an internal plate that's tuned to balance stiffness with walking flex.
TRP EVO-X brakes
£150 per brake
2025 trp evo x brakes.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The latest addition to TRP's braking lineup is the EVO-X. Built with a two-piston caliper, it's designed to appease those who like their mountain biking cross-country and down-country flavoured. Tested with the brand's XC athletes, TRP has aimed to provide power, feel and reliability in a lightweight package.
As for features, the EVO-X gets a tooled reach adjust and a redesigned reservoir which sits closer to the bar, much like Shimano's recent CUES brakes, and SRAM's Stealth design. Reducing weight further is a slew of titanium hardware, and it comes in two colours, black and TRP's classic gold.
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