Sea Otter Europe: These are the 32-inch bikes from Girona

At first glance, the proportions of a 32-inch bike seem strangely off-kilip. But when you actually stand in front of the bike, you get used to the look surprisingly quickly. Afterwards, even classic 700C gravel bikes seemed odd to me. Regardless of the look: 32-inch wheels are on their way. This is evident from the efforts of numerous manufacturers, particularly when it comes to wheels and tyres. The only question is: when. - Adrian Kaether, Test & Technology Editor

Avona Callis – a newcomer from Germany

At the Sea Otter Europe event, visitors were even able to test ride a 32-inch gravel bike from German newcomer Avona. The Rhineland-Palatinate-based company had a handful of test bikes on display at the festival for test rides, including a really small size for riders under 1.70 metres tall. It comes as little surprise that the bike itself already looks very much ready for production. The aerodynamic-looking shapes – for example on the fork and head tube – are particularly striking. Alongside high-profile wheels from Newmen, we also spotted Avona bikes at the stand fitted with what appeared to be the brand’s own Faserwerk carbon wheels in 32-inch size. The tyres are from Schwalbe.

>> Comment on 32 inches: Start thinking in terms of dimensions at last!

Megamo Silk – Home match in Girona

The Sea Otter Europe Festival in Girona is a home game for Megamo. The brand hails from the immediate vicinity and, as such, presents itself with confidence. The centrepiece of the Megamo exhibition was the new 32-inch Silk gravel bike. The bike is fitted with Vittoria tyres bearing a ‘prototype’ label, but also appears to have an aerodynamic design. Together with the name of the ‘Silk’ race gravel bike, this suggests that Megamo, too, is clearly aiming for racing and performance with its 32-inch bike. With high-profile rims from DT Swiss, it seems another major wheel manufacturer is poised to enter the 32-inch market.

>> 32-inch gravel bikes put to the test: the attack of the cart wheels

Berria and Forestal: More of a study than a series

The 32-inch prototypes from Berria and Forestal looked even more unrefined. Berria showcased a bike that appeared to be welded from titanium, with a very short head tube and a carbon fork. Unlike Megamo and Avona, which position the seat tube well ahead of the bottom bracket, Berria achieves sufficient tyre clearance at the rear via a sharply curved seat tube. The tyres are also from Vittoria.

The small Andorran manufacturer Forestal also had a 32-inch bike on display, though it clearly still has the character of a concept bike. The 32-inch Reynolds wheels with Schwalbe tyres are likely to be suitable for everyday use. However, the frame with its storage compartment is apparently still just a prototype.

32-inch mountain bikes: KTM, BMC, Dirtysixer

As well as gravel bikes, a number of 32-inch mountain bikes were also on display at the Sea Otter Festival. Amongst others, the 32-inch Scarp marathon full-suspension bike from KTM – on which Andreas Seewald had just become marathon world champion – was spotted twice. Megamo also showcased a 32-inch XC concept bike. We spotted the 32-inch BMC prototype “Project Fahrenheit” at the stand of wheel builder Duke. The French custom brand Dirtysixer has been working with large wheels for tall riders for some time now. Currently in the pipeline: a 32-inch full-suspension enduro bike.

Not pictured: Scott’s RC Gravel 32-inch

Incidentally, Scott’s 32-inch RC Gravel bike was nowhere to be seen, even though the brand had a major presence at Sea Otter Girona. The RC Gravel 32 had already made headlines with Robin Gemperle’s victory at Unbound Gravel – but it was only afterwards that the latest Addict Gravel bike was unveiled. This is consistent with Scott’s own statement that the RC Gravel 32 was never intended to go into production. However, it’s almost impossible to imagine that the manufacturer will now shelve the 32-inch concept for good.