Dom Mason on the new RAW

"My roots are in off-road riding and I've had the idea of doing a MTB on the back burner since I started MASON in 2014. I wanted to develop an engaging, playful trail bike that would work properly for travelling, but the time had to be right. So now we are really established as the #FastFar Bicycle Co and have learned a lot from developing the mighty InSearchOf, now felt like the time."

"My thinking was also that many more riders are ready for this type of bike, having ventured further off road with gravel bikes and got the bike-packing and endurance racing bug. The RAW is a hardtail that still has the MASON DNA and is for travelling with a load, in comfort over a long distance, but the 120mm suspension fork and flat bars will let you tackle much rougher, steeper terrain that you encounter along the way."

Dom Mason.

Above image: MASON staff member and RAW development contributor, Matt Nightingale putting the RAW through its paces in Windermere for our press launch in November 2021.

For the development of each MASON model, we ride, modify, and then we ride it again, and again. This was no different for the RAW. As well as riding each frame ourselves, we collaborate and listen to the thoughts of others who we know can push the limits of prototypes. This not only helps to guide frame geometry, tubing type and shape but also real world riding practicalities like, gear attachment points, clearances and refined ride feel. All these factors combine and contribute to the spirit, ride quality and ultimate functionality of the bicycle that MASON customers will ride for many years.

We're excited to now have the RAW available for order! Check out our product category page to learn more here.