Our Reader’s Rig of the week comes from Monumental Loop creator Matt Mason in New Mexico, who shares his brilliant rigid singlespeed from Mone Bikes. Learn more about Matt, his route, and his one-of-a-kind rig here…

Words by Matt Mason, photos by Miles Arbour

Hello, I’m Matt. After growing up in Iowa, I’ve been wandering around in the desert for 20 years. My early desert trips were mostly on foot, but when plus-sized tires came around, I started riding more.

Matt Mason

Currently, I live in Las Cruces, New Mexico, which is surrounded by millions of acres of public land, including the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. Nearly all of my rides start from my front door and take place on unpaved surfaces. Despite internet appearances, I’m not always far out in the desert, though. Many of my rides are family cruises to the park to play.

  • Matt Mason, Mone Bikes
  • Matt Mason, Mone Bikes
  • Matt Mason, Mone Bikes
  • Matt Mason, Mone Bikes
  • Matt Mason, Mone Bikes

I’ve been riding Surly bikes for a decade, trying nearly every model and running them all singlespeed. Those experiences delivered me to a point where I finally had a decent handle on what I prefer. Longer head tubes to start! Thankfully, while I was experimenting, Cjell Monē moved to Silver City. Buy Local. I’d long admired his work, so we chatted a bit, did a few rides, and then he went to work. The end result was my dream singlespeed that was nearly too visually stunning to thrash through the desert. Karl Artis and Collette Marie helped out on the finish without my knowledge, and it is amazing. I love having my animal friends along for every ride!

Matt Mason, Mone Bikes
  • Matt Mason, Mone Bikes
  • Matt Mason, Mone Bikes
  • Matt Mason, Mone Bikes
  • Frame Monē Custom
  • Fork Monē Tri-Plane
  • Rims Revel RW30
  • Hubs Industry 9 Hydra
  • Tires Bontrager XR4 (front) / XR 2 (rear)
  • Handlebars Ti OddMone
  • Headset Wolf Tooth
  • Crankset White Industries M30, 32T ring
  • Pedals Xpedo Spry
  • Cassette What do you need that for, Dude? 18T Boone Cog
  • Derailleur You mean Freedom Dangler?
  • Brakes TRP Quadiem G-SPEC
  • Shifter(s) No thanks
  • Saddle Brooks Team Pro
  • Seatpost Oddity Ti
  • Stem Paul Components
  • Front bags Porcelain Rocket Nigel
  • Frame bags Buckhorn
  • Rear bags Porcelain Rocket Mr. Fusion
  • Accessory bags Rogue Panda Alamogordo and Bismark Bottle Bucket(s)
  • Other accessories Ergon GP3 grips

I published the Monumental Loop route here on BIKEPACKING.com in 2016. It has been amazing to see the biking scene in Las Cruces change because of the Loop. Dirty riders on overloaded bikes are now a common sight around town. Locals have embraced the route too and use it regularly for short overnight trips and long day rides. The cycling scene here was always a funky, tight-knit, group but seeing the increased number of locals having fun in the dirt is rewarding. Oh, and if you’re wondering what bike to ride on the Loop, use these photos as a hint!

Matt Mason, Mone Bikes
  • Matt Mason, Mone Bikes
  • Matt Mason, Mone Bikes

See more from Matt on Instagram @bronco_tryhard.

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