If there’s one thing that defines Vince “Vinny” Moonen, it’s his love for airtime. Vinny has spent over a decade chasing the feeling that only freeride mountain biking can deliver: speed, flow, and that split second of weightlessness above a big jump.
“Hi! I’m Vinny, 29 years young from the south of the Netherlands. I’ve been riding my bike for the last 12 years and I’ve always been drawn to the freeride side of mountain biking – hitting big jumps, and riding fast and flowy trails, that’s what really keeps me stoked to ride!”
Chasing the Feeling: All About Airtime and Flow
For Vinny, freeride isn’t just a discipline, it’s a feeling he keeps coming back for. The freedom, the creativity, and the raw thrill of being in the air are what hooked him from the start, and continue to drive him today.
“What originally drew me to freeride mountain biking was the thrill of hitting big jumps. The best feeling for me is that split second in the air when you feel completely alive, even better when you throw a big whip and see your back wheel slide past you. What keeps me motivated is chasing that feeling, pushing my riding further, and exploring new trails with friends.”
That mindset: ride hard, progress naturally, and enjoy it with your crew, is something many riders can relate to, regardless of where or how they ride.
Custom Bike Graphics: Why Style Matters in Freeride Mountain Biking
For Vinny, performance is crucial, but style plays a big role too. A bike isn’t just a tool, it’s an extension of the rider. Every detail matters, and mismatched graphics can throw off the whole build.
“I’ve always loved for my bike to match from top to bottom, but standard fork stickers often don’t really fit the style or vibe of the build. That’s why I love Slik Graphics, they have so many choices and custom options that let me make every detail of my bike feel cohesive and unique.”
It’s that attention to detail that makes his bike instantly recognizable, without being over the top.
Photographer: Jean Paul Hendrix (instagram: @jphendrixx)
Vinny’s Freeride Bike Setup: Parts, Suspension & Custom Stickers
Vinny’s current build is a clean but aggressive freeride machine, dialed both visually and mechanically.
“I’m running a Marin Quake frame with matching silver and purple Hope and Reverse parts, paired with Öhlins suspension. I wasn’t a fan of the yellow stickers on the Öhlins fork, so Slik Graphics hooked me up with custom fork stickers in the same colour as the Marin logo on my frame. It’s amazing how just swapping the stickers can change the whole look of the bike.”
It’s a good reminder that sometimes small changes like custom graphics, can completely transform a bike’s character.
Advice for Riders
When it comes to personalising a bike, Vinny keeps it simple. No pressure, no rushing – just build it up over time.
“Don’t overthink it, just start small and customize your bike little by little. Swap some parts, add your personal touches, and of course, some Slik Graphics decals are a no-brainer, they’re a must-have to really make your bike stand out.”
Solid advice for anyone staring at their bike and wondering where to begin.
Looking Ahead
For the coming season, Vinny’s goals are refreshingly straightforward: ride more, explore more, and enjoy the process.
“My goals for the coming season are to ride as much as possible, go on trips, and discover new places with friends, while pushing my riding further, enjoying every moment on and off the bike.”
Sounds like a plan we can all get behind.
Follow Vinny on instagram: @vinny_mtb
Photographer: Jean Paul Hendrix (instagram: @jphendrixx)