< Back to situations

Monitor this situation.

[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [SPORTS]

2 clusters · 5 sources · 30 days · First seen · Last updated

Mountain bike industry 32-inch wheel adoption

Overview

The mountain bike industry is transitioning toward the adoption of 32-inch wheel configurations, particularly for cross-country (XC) racing. Initial developments included Trek unveiling its first full-suspension 32-inch model featuring a RockShox SID 32-inch fork, supported by specialized components such as Bontrager carbon rims and Pirelli Scorpion RH tires.

Following competitive demonstrations, such as the use of a 32-inch Stoll bike during the 2026 Cape Epic, the technology has moved from experimental prototypes and R&D projects to commercial availability. Manufacturers are implementing various configurations, including the Alutech E-Enduro 32”, which utilizes a mullet setup with a 32-inch front wheel and a 29-inch rear wheel, as well as models from Bike Ahead Composites, BMC, Dead Rabbit, and KTM.

Entities

KTM · BMC · SRAM · Fox · Bontrager

Timeline

  1. [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    Mountain bike market sees rise in 32-inch wheels and high-spec carbon models

    The MTB market is evolving with the introduction of consumer-ready 32-inch wheel models and high-performance, lightweight carbon hardtails like the Cube Reaction C:68X SLX.

  2. [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Trek and RockShox debut new 32-inch wheel mountain bike components

    Trek, RockShox, and Pirelli are advancing the development of 32-inch wheel components and bikes for the cross-country mountain biking market.

Sources

esmtb.com · mountainbike.es · mtbpro.es · mundodeportivo.com · vojomag.com