Name: Mike Mastroni
Age: 22
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 158 lbs.
Location: Long Beach, California
Sponsors: Volume Bikes, OSS, The Garden
Mike Mastroni, a true freestyler...
Frame: Volume Drifter 20.8”
Fork: Volume Black Mamba
Bars: Volume Cougar Bars
Stem: Demolition Keystone
Grips: Demolition
Barends: Demolition Plastic
Headset: Impact?
Clamp: Integrated
Seatpost: Demolition
Seat: Demolition Slim
Cranks: Demolition Revolt 175mm
Sprocket: Proper 25-tooth
Chain: Shadow
Front Tire: Eastern Curb Monkey 2.3”
Front Wheel: Proper hub laced to Demolition Zero Rim
Rear Tire: Animal 2.25”
Rear Wheel: Proper 9-tooth LHD laced to Demolition Zero Rim
Pedals: Demolition Plastic
Hub Guard: Proper
Pegs: Animal OG
I gotta ask…why the cow paint job?
[Laughs] Well, I’m always doing different paint jobs on my bike, so I thought it would be funny do a cow bike in relation to my cow-to-cow gap in the first OSS DVD, Football. Ever since the video came out I’ve had numerous funny exchanges while meeting people where they may or may not have known my name, but will just come at me straight-away with, “Ayyy…cow to cowwww!” It has happened so many times now that the cow jokes have become a funny thing between my friends and I. So yeah, I guess that’s the history there [laughs]…that, and I think it looks pretty cool.
How did you do it? There’s even a Volume logo made from cow spots…
I simply painted the bike black, then took a bunch of random stickers I had laying around and drew blob-like cow shapes and letters, cut them out, then lightly stuck them on the frame and forks, and then sprayed it all white.
Which parts do you go through the most?
To tell you the truth I rarely ever break anything or damage too much on my bike besides scratches and scuffs…maybe grips? Since trying to film one handlebar grind or something similar will ruin them pretty quickly.
How many gallons of milk do go through a week?
I actually probably drink less than one gallon of milk in an entire year.
Describe your bike setup and how you like your bike to feel…
I like a somewhat short rear end, bars on the higher side, and everything to feel comfy, responsive, tight, not too much air pressure, soft grips, etc… But everyone who rides my bike always says it feels like a giant sponge.
Describe the best cow related punch line/joke you’ve heard in reference to your new paint job?
[Laughs] There are entirely too many to name or remember the best one. When I was trying that thing the other day I think I heard you do easily 50 that could be worthy of being the best one.
Thanks. Well, I think I milked the cow jokes enough, so what is the weirdest part you’ve managed to grind on your bike?
Probably stem or frame. The stem grind setup was basically one of those complete portable entry ramps to California school buildings tipped over on it’s side, so there was essentially a floating rail with no uprights giving my front wheel clearance. I rode parallel to it, turned 90 degrees and pushed the bars to grind the underside of my stem on the top surface of the rail, then came out fakie. The frame grind was on a long, mellow, skinny pole jam. I basically rode up to it and hopped sideways into what would normally be something similar to a crankarm position, but on my rear foot side and a little higher up on the downtube so my feet/cranks wouldn’t interfere with the frame contact.
What suffers the most on your bike when you come up with these unique ideas you’re known for? And if you could design a bike part or a feature that catered to your style of riding, what would it be?
Overall, just unusual scratches and scuffs, or water getting into my hubs and bearings, maybe? Hmmm…a square downtube or a bayonet-style peg jutting out from the stem? [Laughs] Nah, but really I think any sort of serious modifications for a certain trick like that would just take the novelty right out of it, and that’s the most fun part for me.
Mike, fresh frame, pre new paint job. Click the photo to see the rest...
How do you juggle filming and riding? Is it ever difficult for you to do both to the best of your ability?
Yeah, it’s hard, especially when there are a lot of people around who want to get stuff done. It’s all good, though, because nine times out of ten times when I find something I’d like to try, or come up with an idea, I kinda just sit on it for a while then come back at a specific time with the intent of getting it done. Also, I certainly always have time to pick up my bike and cruise around a bit during a session—even if I’m on camera duty.
Tell me about your side job as a mover…
Well, I needed a way to make some money, and since I have a big van, I started posting on Craigslist advertising myself as a moving service. I get at least a few jobs every week from local moves, to distance drives, to storage clean-outs, etc., and I get to meet some pretty interesting characters, too. It’s a lot of fun, actually, and it certainly doesn’t feel like a real job at all. Plus, it’s a really great way to see different areas and inevitably stumble upon some new spots.
What projects are you working on? Both in being the camera and in front, too?
Behind the camera my main project this year is doing the next OSS DVD which is gonna be a mix video with some full parts. Right now I am working on a Sean Morr Madera edit, a Liam Zinbergs Colony edit, and a couple other things here and there. In front of the camera, I’m just finishing up my Volume edit, which should hopefully be out by the time you read this, and just stacking clips from here on out for the OSS DVD.
Do you want to pat some people on the back…
For sure! Big “thank yous” to Adam Grandmaison for being a silver back gorilla, Gucci Bear for being a dog, Brian Castillo for keeping the cow fed, Chris Long for never leaving the couch, Zach Krejmas for helping me out with filming a bunch, Devin Feil and Jeff Z. for always being down to shoot photos, and my girlfriend for being awesome and exceptionally down with what I do.
