Customs questions: The most important questions and answers about 32-inch gravel bikes

Where can you buy a 32-inch gravel bike?

Not at the moment, because so far only prototypes exist. This applies to frames as well as tyres and wheels. However, as several manufacturers have already expressed an interest in serving the trend, things could move quickly in the coming year: With Schwalbe, Maxxis and Vittoria, major tyre manufacturers have already shown their own models. On the wheel front, DT Swiss, Newmen and Bike Ahead, among others, presented suitable products. The frames are still predominantly one-offs from small frame builders. Scott recently equipped two sponsored athletes with two 32-inch carbon prototypes at the prestigious Unbound gravel race, with Robin Gemperle winning the XL version 2026 over 563 kilometres. This is likely to be perceived in the industry as the starting signal.

What are the advantages of 32-inch wheels?

The rollover behaviour is cited as the most important argument: Larger wheels roll over obstacles more easily. This is logical with large boulders: a larger wheel is more likely to roll over them, a smaller one more likely to roll against them. But the wheels also offer advantages over smaller obstacles such as gravel stones on smooth tracks: they are less easily upset and less prone to tearing the handlebars on sudden impacts. The greater gyroscopic forces also stabilise the ride at high speeds. Racers expect this to give them more speed on rough tracks.

Are there any disadvantages?

Absolutely: First and foremost, the higher weight, which, depending on the quality, is likely to be between 500 and 1000 grams for the wheelset with tyres, mainly as a rotating mass. This makes the wheels more sluggish when accelerating and less agile when cornering, making the bike more difficult to control on rough terrain. The wheels become mechanically more unstable because greater leverage forces act, at least if the rim width is not increased at the same time. There are also geometric problems, especially with small people or frames. The large wheels are also likely to be disadvantageous in aerodynamic terms.

What consequences would this have for the components?

The wheel size changes the conditions for many components, basically a wheel has to be completely rethought. In addition to tyres, rims and spokes, the entire frame set and its geometry must be changed. Due to the larger rolling circumference, different gear ratios are required; in theory, the brake discs would also have to grow to achieve the same deceleration. In order to lower the handlebars, downward-pointing stems are required.

Is that also possible on a road racing bike?

Very unlikely. For one thing, the advantages of larger wheels are not in demand for use on the road (or even on smooth gravel paths) and the disadvantages clearly outweigh the advantages. In road racing, the wheel size is also capped by the UCI regulations. 32 inch wheels are not allowed to be used in racing. Experience has shown that this also hinders a relevant distribution on the market.

How does a gravel bike with larger wheels ride?

Our test drivers found this out in a direct duel: