It could be the next big development in mountain bike technology. The new 32-inch wheel size is currently on everyone's lips and if you ask industry insiders, it is only a matter of time before the first 32-inch bikes are ready for series production. While the scene is still heatedly discussing the new standard, the Würzburg-based carbon manufacturer Bike Ahead is already presenting a ready-to-ride prototype with the extra-large wheels.
In the meantime, we have already been able to test a 32-inch fully - on the trail and in the lab. You can read the exciting findings HERE in our big test with the Stoll 32er-Fully. And there is also news from the world of racing. The UCI has officially approved the new wheel size for mountain bike races. You can find all the details in this link.
The bike, christened "Project 32-inch - Experimental Prototype", will be on display at Bespoked in Dresden. The world's largest handmade bike show takes place from 10 to 12 October and offers the perfect stage for exclusive bikes and accessories such as this extraordinary hardtail from Bike Ahead.
From the idea to the prototype
The central question behind the 32-inch bike project: Do larger wheels actually offer advantages, or is it just a new marketing idea to replace the established 29-inch wheels? As a manufacturer, Bike Ahead was able to react quickly to this potential trend. It took just under two months from the initial idea to the realisation of the ready-to-ride prototype. The company wanted to supplement the theoretical discussion with practical experience, because ultimately the question of the advantages of larger wheels can only be answered on the trail.
The pro arguments in favour of 32-inch wheels are better rollover behaviour and a potential increase in grip. On the other hand, there is a higher weight and poorer acceleration due to the higher wheel inertia. Stiffness aspects also raise doubts among critics. The discussion is strongly reminiscent of the debate about 26-inch versus 29-inch wheels a few years ago - the outcome of which is well known, but this does not mean that the development of 32-inch wheels will necessarily follow the same path.
Technical challenges
For the 32-inch project, Bike Ahead analysed all the parameters of the new wheel size. The geometry played a central role in this. The company's own hardtail frame, The Frame, which is particularly light at 794 grams in size M, served as the starting point. To make room for the large wheels, the rear triangle had to be lengthened. The Freiburg-based suspension manufacturer Intend contributed a suitable upside-down fork with 100 millimetres of suspension travel, which offers sufficient tyre clearance for the 32-inch tyres.
The higher front end of a 32-inch mountain bike posed a particular challenge. To compensate for this, the Bavarian component manufacturer Radoxx milled a specially designed stem with an extreme angle of -40 degrees. At the heart of the bike are the 32-inch Bike Ahead Biturbo wheels. Although the striking six-spoke look has been the label's trademark for years, the 32-inch version is a completely new development with a special layup. Despite the numerous technical modifications and the larger wheels, the total weight of the bike was limited to an impressive 9.6 kilograms in size L.
Exclusive components
The 32-inch hardtail from Bike Ahead was built with exceptional attention to detail. Almost all of the components were handcrafted by artisans. The frame itself is a one-piece monocoque, manufactured in one piece. The frame is laminated and baked at Carbon Team in Portugal, while the finishing process takes place at Bike Ahead in Würzburg. For the 32-inch project, the rear triangle was extended with specially laminated carbon dropouts to accommodate the larger wheels.
The Samurai XC upside-down fork from Intend Bicycle Components offers an adjustable suspension travel of 90 to 120 millimetres, with 100 millimetres being considered ideal for the 32-inch project. The tyres used were Maxxis Aspen 32x2.4 - a model that is not yet officially available. However, Maxxis provided the pre-series version for the project, which could already be admired at this year's Eurobike.
High-end equipment down to the last detail
The brakes on the 32-inch Dreambuild prototype also come from Intend. The Trinity TR is one of the most exclusive mountain bike brakes on the market. For the gears, Bike Ahead relies on a Sram XX SL with Hopp Carbon tuning. The brand new carbon ceramic pulley cage with oversize pulleys is super light and is designed to guarantee precise gear changes. The individual components are made of durable high-end carbon, and the derailleur cage and pulleys are manufactured in Germany.
The gear lever of the prototype with 32-inch wheels is also innovative: The wireless Zirbel Twister AXS from Switzerland is a fully integrated gear lever solution. The tiny cartridge with the electronics and battery is located in the handlebar end. The Wonderbar handlebar from Bike Ahead is specially optimised for integrated cable routing and the Zirbel shifter. It has cable guides on both sides and the handlebar ends have a special seat for the Zirbel cartridge.
Bike Ahead also relies on high-quality parts from specialised manufacturers for the other components. The Resolve Dropper Post rev2 seatpost from US manufacturer Wolf Tooth is lightweight and offers 125 millimetres of travel. The Bike Ahead The Hypersaddle saddle is an example of functional lightweight construction in the seating zone. The carbon saddle, handmade in Würzburg, weighs just 75 grams and is designed to offer a great deal of comfort with its extra-flexible saddle cover. No compromises were even made when it came to the small parts. The disc bolts, the seatpost clamp and the tubeless valves come from Wolf Tooth. The SPD-compatible CTRL Trail pedals from Wolf Tooth are brand new, weigh just 328 grams and are making their Bespoked debut.
First driving impressions
According to Bike Ahead, the first ride impressions with the prototype are promising and show the potential of larger wheels. As with the changeover from 26 to 29 inches, improved rollover behaviour can also be observed here. According to the company's own test riders, the larger wheels roll over obstacles more easily and offer more traction. At the same time, however, it must be taken into account that the larger dimensions also lead to a higher weight and somewhat slower acceleration.
Whether 32-inch wheels will actually establish themselves as the new standard remains to be seen. With the prototype, however, Bike Ahead has taken an exciting step towards gaining practical experience and backing up the theoretical discussion with real data. Interested visitors can see the bike up close at Bespoked in Dresden and get an idea of the proportions and exclusive features for themselves.
Technical specifications
Bike Ahead The Frame 32 inch prototype
- Weight: 9.6 kilogrammes (size L)
- Wheel size: 32 inch
- Suspension travel: 100 millimetres
Frame
- Model: Bike Ahead The Frame
- Construction: One-piece monocoque
- Weight: 794 grams (size M, standard frame)
- Manufacturing: Lamination at Carbon Team (Portugal), finishing at Bike Ahead (Würzburg)
- Special feature: Extended rear triangle with specially laminated carbon dropouts
Fork
- Model: Intend Bicycle Components Samurai XC
- Construction method: Upside-down
- Suspension travel: Adjustable 90-120 millimetres, for project to 100 millimetres
- Special feature: Specially designed for 32-inch wheels
Impellers
- Model: Bike Ahead Biturbo in 32-inch
- Construction: Six-spokes monocoque
- Special feature: Special layup for 32-inch dimension
- Hub technology: DT-Swiss
Tyres
- Model: Maxxis Aspen
- Dimension: 32" x 2.4"
- Status: Pre-series version, not yet officially available
Brakes
- Model: Intend Bicycle Components Trinity TR
- Technology: Four-piston system
Drive
- Crank: Sram XX SL with Wolf Tooth chainring
- Rear derailleur: Sram XX SL with Hopp carbon tuning
- Shift lever: Zirbel Twister AXS (wireless)
Cockpit
- Handlebars: Bike Ahead THE WONDERBAR
- Stem: RadoxX Components, single piece, 50 millimetres, -40 degree angle, 109 grams
- Grips: Wolf Tooth Fat Paw Lock on, 36 millimetre diameter
- Headset: Wolf Tooth
Seating area
- Seatpost: Wolf Tooth Resolve Dropper Post rev2, 125 millimetre stroke
- Saddle: Bike Ahead THE HYPERSADDLE, 75 grams
- Seatpost clamp: Wolf Tooth
Pedals
- Model: Wolf Tooth CTRL Trail
- Weight: 328 grammes
- Special feature: Adjustable Q-factor, SPD-compatible
Small parts
- Disc bolts: Wolf Tooth
- Tubeless valves: Wolf Tooth
Jan Timmermann
Editor
