32" gravel bikes: Wheel trend meets gravel trend - 4 models at Cyclingworld

32-inch wheels are currently one of the biggest trends in the mountain bike sector and have now also reached the gravel bike scene. The first manufacturers are showing their 32-inch concepts at Cyclingworld in Düsseldorf. The availability of parts for 32-inch bikes remains a bottleneck. But our finds at the trade fair give the first signs of where the journey is heading.

32 inch gravel bikes

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 being sold.

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 the better rolling behaviour and sees a great future for gravel bikes. The frameset starts at 3910 euros and should be available from the summer.

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.

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. A first draft of a 32-inch G-One RX gravel tyre can be seen on the show bike at Cyclingworld.

Conclusion on the first 32" gravel bikes

The arrival 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, Editor

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You can read all the news from the Cyclingworld trade fair in our live blog: