Canyon Grizl custom-built for LeBron James: The basketball star’s gravel bike rides on 32-inch wheels

Analysis by Max Fuchs, BIKE editor

32-inch wheels are currently a hot topic in cycling circles. Are these large wheels really the next logical step in the sport’s development – or just a short-lived trend? LeBron James doesn’t need to spend long debating the matter. The 206-centimetre-tall basketball star is already riding a bespoke version of the Grizl CF through his hometown of Akron. Canyon has practically tailor-made the gravel bike for him. And if anyone stands to benefit from the XXL wheel size, it’s an XXL character like LeBron James.

However, it wasn’t enough simply to make the existing frame a few sizes larger and fit a 32-inch wheel into it. Canyon developed the bike from scratch and specifically tailored the carbon lay-up, axles and other components to withstand the stresses placed on it by a rider of James’ calibre.

For the time being, the result remains a one-off. It is therefore not sufficient proof of the general superiority of 32-inch wheels.

But what do you think about this? Do only very tall people benefit from 32-inch wheels, or do you think the new size is suitable for the general public? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. We look forward to your feedback!

32 inches is 2.06 metres

A 28-inch wheel size is still considered the established standard for gravel bikes. For LeBron James, however, such benchmarks fall short. At 206 centimetres tall, the proportions feel like a world apart – and so do the requirements for a suitable bike.

That is why Canyon has opted for 32-inch wheels on the Custom-Grizl. The larger diameter better balances the dimensions of the basketball star and the bike, whilst also offering advantages in terms of roll behaviour, traction and comfort.

Just scale everything up? Not a chance

It wouldn’t have been enough for Canyon simply to inflate a standard frame to XXL size just to fit larger wheels. With every centimetre increase in height, the forces acting on the frame, wheels and other components also increase.

Canyon therefore developed the 32-Grizl from scratch for LeBron. The carbon frame features a specially tuned lay-up designed to withstand the higher forces. The manufacturer also broke new ground with the axles: the thru-axles are CNC-machined, bespoke components with extra-wide Boost mounting dimensions.

Even the seatpost clamp was designed as a bespoke component. This shows quite clearly that a larger wheel circumference alone does not make for an XXL bike.

A Canyon Grizl on steroids

As a base model, the Grizl is certainly well suited to the project. Canyon markets the model as a versatile adventure gravel bike for tarmac, gravel and longer bikepacking tours. Even in its standard form, the Grizl offers plenty of tyre clearance and numerous options for carrying extra luggage.

For James, the basic concept of the Grizl remains the same. It is only the dimensions that go well beyond what Canyon normally produces in series. However much development work has gone into the details, visually the result looks less like a completely new bike and more like a Grizl on growth hormones.

Ongoing development project

For Canyon, the project does not end with a spectacular one-off bike for a basketball superstar. The development also served as a testing ground for new design and manufacturing processes relating to the new wheel size. According to Canyon, the insights gained from the project will also be incorporated into future developments.

This is precisely where such special projects can be particularly valuable. A driver at either end of the size and strength spectrum has different requirements to the average customer – and thus highlights problems that might not even arise in the traditional series production development process.

LeBron doesn’t just drive for the camera

The new Grizl comes at just the right time for LeBron James. Even as a teenager in his hometown of Akron, he used his bike as a means of transport – to get to training, to visit friends and to get around town. Since 2022, he has also been an investor in Canyon through his company, LRMR Ventures.

James collected his custom Grizl in Akron and set off on a tour with some of his former high school teammates. His first impression: for the first time, says James, he didn’t feel as though he had to adapt to the bike.

What are the real benefits of 32-inch wheels?

Editorial context

For Canyon, the XXL-Grizl serves as a rolling prototype. How do the frame, wheels and components perform at this scale? Which design solutions work? And how might this eventually lead to a production-ready 32-inch bike? It’s precisely these kinds of questions that can be explored effectively through a one-off project, without having to develop an entire model range straight away.

The fact that LeBron James, of all people, is being given this test model seems like a rather clever PR move. The basketball star not only boasts an extraordinary height but also enormous media reach, and on top of that, he’s a Canyon investor. This allows Canyon to showcase the 32-inch concept to an audience that extends far beyond the comparatively small gravel scene. LeBron gets a bike, Canyon gets some attention – and, as a bonus, the company gathers valuable data for its own development. A rather elegant win-win situation.

What are your thoughts on 32-inch wheels? Do only very tall people benefit from 32-inch wheels, or do you think this new size is suitable for the general public? Please feel free to share your views in the comments section. We look forward to your feedback!