32-inch wheels are currently one of the biggest trends in the mountain bike sector. So it's no wonder that some eye-catching bikes with the new wheel size were on show at the Cyclingworld trade fair in Düsseldorf. Even gravel bikes are now following suit and the first manufacturers are showing 32 mm concepts. The bottleneck remains the availability of parts for 32-inch bikes. But our finds at Cyclingworld give the first signs of where the journey is heading.
Gravel bikes on 32"
1st MiTech Gravel 32
Mitech has been building bikes for particularly tall riders in Sauerland for some time now and is quick to jump on the 32-inch bandwagon. The Gravel 32 has an aluminium frame and can be tuned down to 9.1 kilos. The first production bikes are already on sale.
2. chiru veldt
At Cyclingworld, Chiru is presenting its first production gravel bike with a titanium frame. The combination of classic tubes and 3D printed parts gives the frame of the brand new Veldt an extremely organic look. The small French label also manufactures the fork itself. Chiru mastermind Pierre sees the advantages of the large wheels above all in better rolling behaviour and sees a great future for gravel bikes. The frameset starts at 3910 euros and should be available from the summer.
3. project Size Matters
The carbon experts at Bike Ahead Composites presented a rideable mountain bike prototype with 32-inch wheels back in autumn 2025. The test rides with the extra-large six-spoke Bike Ahead Biturbo X 32 Safewing wheels and Maxxis Aspen 32 x 2.4 tyres led to the "Size Matters" project. The gravel bike was created as a dream build for Cyclingworld in cooperation with Bikeshop Räderei Bautzen. The aim was to experiment with the new standard and, at the same time, to showcase craftsmanship and a passion for technology in a one-off gravel bike. The Leipzig custom forge Rotor produced the frame. Owner Johannes Hundhammer first welded a complete frame from Columbus Zona tubes. The main tubes were then cut out and replaced with carbon segments. Chemnitz-based carbon specialist Ingo Barthel produced the segments with a special forged carbon look and marble effect. Artist Johnny Steinert from XS Design Chemnitz painted the frame, wheels, seat post and saddle with a transparent surface.
4th True Love / Swallow
Tyre manufacturer Schwalbe is also exhibiting a 32-inch gravel bike. The concept bike was created together with the frame construction artist from True Love and naturally wears Schwalbe blue. The first 32-inch G-One RX gravel tyres can be seen on the show bike at Cyclingworld.
(E)-Mountainbikes on 32"
1st Sour Pasta Party 32"
Sour shows its steel hardtail manufactured in Dresden with the new wheel size. Particularly exciting: 32-inch aluminium wheels from Reynolds and Schwalbe's interpretation of an XC tyre according to the new standard. Only ten of the Manitou prototype suspension forks have been produced worldwide to date.
2nd Alutech E-Pelmo 32 Mega-Mullet
Alutech shows how 32-inch wheels can be combined with plenty of suspension travel. The E-Pelmo 32 combines the new wheel size on the front wheel with a small 27.5 inch rear wheel. The thrust is provided by a Gobao motor that Alutech developed together with the Chinese. Also exciting: the prototype tyre from Maxxis on the front wheel. Will 32-inch tyres soon conquer the Enduro?
3rd Bike Ahead The Frame 32
The Ahead The Frame bike won a prestigious BIKE test victory among the high-end cross-country hardtails. Now the Würzburg-based carbon manufacturer is launching a special 32-inch version. Initially conceived as a prototype project, The Frame 32 has now been given a customised frame and is available for sale in a small series. The show bike avoids compatibility problems on the fork with a Cannondale Lefty Ocho.
4th MiTech scenario E MGU
The German custom frame manufacturer Mitech brings the new wheel size to the e-mountainbike. The Szenario E MGU 32 model relies on a motor-gearbox unit from Pinion and up to 170 millimetres of suspension travel. The 13,500 euro show bike weighs 24.3 kilos. The biggest bottleneck remains the 32-inch tyres and forks. Visitors to Cyclingworld have already been able to test ride the 32-inch e-bike.
Conclusion
The first 32-inch bikes are still prototypes and one-offs. The major manufacturers are not yet showing their cards, but this could soon change. The introduction of the new wheel size in the gravel bike segment is particularly exciting. Here too, 32 inches could bring certain advantages. Our finds at Cyclingworld are certainly just the beginning. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
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Jan Timmermann
Editor
