32 inches for early adopters: You can already buy these twelve 32-inch bikes

Spotting a trend early on and adapting to it can bring many opportunities. Whilst others are still experimenting and trying to solve problems, so-called ‘early adopters’ can already be using a technology to their advantage. Insiders predict a major surge in new 32-inch bikes in 2027. Gravel and mountain bikers who want to ride the new wheel trend before the big wave hits already have the opportunity to do so.

Conclusion

Anyone looking to buy a 32-inch gravel bike or mountain bike today has at least twelve frame options to choose from. Things get interesting when it comes to the components, however, as a comparable range of suspension forks, wheelsets and tyres has yet to materialise. As things stand, 32-inch mountain bikes in particular require a deep pocket and the odd DIY solution. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor

1. Actofive

Actofive was the first manufacturer to offer a 32-inch frame designed for trail riding. The frame of the Actofive I-Train 32 is meticulously CNC-machined in Dresden from 7075-T6 aluminium and weighs around 250 grams more than the comparable 29-inch model. The geometry has been fully adapted to the requirements of the new wheel size, whilst allowing for numerous adjustments such as the head angle and anti-squat.

• Intended use: Trail
• Suspension travel: 12–140 / 120–140 mm
• Frame material: aluminium
• Weight of the complete bike: approx. 14 kilos
• Price of frame set: 6,900 euros
• Special features: Mullet option (32/29”), flip-chip, head angle and anti-squat adjustment, proprietary stem, tool mount, made in Germany

​2. Bike Ahead

Bike Ahead not only manufactures the first production 32-inch wheelset, but also the matching hardtail frame. The Frame 32 is a modified version of the super-light standard carbon frame. It is manufactured near Würzburg as a monocoque in small batches and enables the complete bike to weigh well under ten kilos. As with so many current 32-inch bikes, the complete bike features an Intend suspension fork integrated into the head tube.

• Intended use: Cross-country / Marathon
• Suspension travel: 90–120 mm
• Frame material: carbon
• Frame weight: approx. 794 g
• Weight of the complete bike: approx. 9.6 kg
• Price of frame set: 2,999 euros
• Special features: made in Portugal

3. Chiru

The Chiru Veldt was one of the first 32-inch gravel bikes to be unveiled to the world. This small French brand specialises in high-quality titanium frames and has poured a great deal of expertise into this gravel bike with its giant wheels. Some frame details, as well as the entire titanium rigid fork, are produced using a 3D printer.

• ​Intended use: gravel bike
• Frame material: titanium
• Frame set weight: approx. 1.75 kg
• Weight of the complete bike: approx. 9 kg
• Price of frame set: from 3,910 euros
• Special features: 3D-printed parts

4. Dead Rabbit

With its retro look, raised chainstays and special paint finish, the Dead Rabbit XCO32 is definitely a head-turner. This small Swiss brand has made a name for itself in prototype construction. However, the 32-inch full-suspension bike is already available to order from Dead Rabbit. A specially developed handlebar stop limiter protects the aluminium frame from the extra-flat cockpit. The show bike is fitted with an upside-down suspension fork from Bright Racing Shocks.

• Intended use: Cross-country / Marathon
• Suspension travel: 100 / 100 mm
• Frame material: aluminium
• Price of frame set: from approx. 2,760 euros
• Price of the complete bike: from approx. 6,660 euros
• Special features: made in Switzerland

5. Quarry

​It’s not just the name of the Quarry Rage Bait 32 that immediately catches the eye – this hardtail from the small US manufacturer also looks the part. The Quarry certainly piques your curiosity about how the flexible steel rear triangle, the generous front suspension travel and the large wheels will feel on the trail. Particularly exciting is the enormous variety of possible geometry set-ups. This debut model features an upside-down Fox Podium suspension fork.

• ​Intended use:​ Trail
• Suspension travel: 12–140 mm
• Frame material: steel
• Price of frame set: approx. 2,120 euros
• Special features: 16 frame sizes, made in the USA

6. Leovelo

In Leovelo Frameworks’ frame-building courses, individualists build their own 32-inch steel frames every week. Course participants are free to design and create every detail themselves. The result is exclusive, one-off bikes tailored to the new wheel size. The hardtail shown here belongs to BIKE editor Jan Timmermann; it is named ‘Goliath’ and combines a 64-degree head angle with 439-millimetre chainstays.

• ​Intended use:​ Marathon / Trail
• Suspension travel: 100 mm
• Frame material: steel
• Weight of complete bike: 11.5 kg
• Price of frame set: from 1,500 euros (course fee) + from 500 euros (material costs)
• Special features: Customised geometry, made in Switzerland

7. Mitech

At the Cyclingworld trade fair, Mitech surprised visitors with no fewer than two 32-inch bikes ready for series production. One of them is a gravel bike, the other a radical e-enduro featuring a motor-gear unit from Pinion and a Gates belt drive. The German custom frame builder has fitted the €13,500 show version of the Szenario E MGU 32 with wheels from Bike Ahead and Intend suspension. The frame is made of aluminium, and Mitech also offers sizes for particularly tall cyclists.

• ​Intended use:​ E-MTB
• Suspension travel: 170 / 170 mm
• Frame material: aluminium
• Weight of complete bike: approx. 24.3 kg
• Price of the complete bike: from 9,199 euros
• Special features: motor-gearbox unit, belt drive, custom-built frame

8. Neuhaus

Neuhaus Metalworks, based in Novato, California, specialises in the manufacture of bespoke frames. The new Hummingbird 32 hardtail is available with both steel and titanium frames. In addition to the standard range, bespoke frames are also available. The first Hummingbird Ti32 is fitted with an upside-down fork from Bright Racing Shoks. The frame is constructed from quad-butted titanium tubes, precisely cut to size according to the rider’s measurements.

• ​Intended use:​ Cross-country / Marathon
• Suspension travel: 100 mm
• Frame material: steel / titanium
• Price of frame set: from 2,638.95 euros
• Special features: Made in the USA

9. Rotor

In collaboration with Bike Ahead and the Räderei Bautzen bike shop, Rotor unveiled its 32-inch ‘Size Matters’ project earlier this year. The German frame builder specialises in high-quality bespoke builds and also caters for specific custom requests. For the 32-inch gravel bike, a steel frame was built from scratch, which was then cut to size and fitted with carbon tubes. You can already place an order for a 32-inch frame with Rotor. Rotor offers a pre-configured gravel frame for the new wheel size under the name Elcano 32.

• ​Intended use:​ Gravel bike
• Frame material: steel / carbon
• Price of frame set: from 1,950 euros
• Special features: Made in Germany

10. Salsa

Salsa recently unveiled its classic bikepacking model, the Fargo, featuring a frame and fork set specifically designed for 32-inch wheels. One of the first production 32-inch bikes in this category is available with either a steel or titanium frame. What’s particularly exciting is that even small frame sizes are already fitted with these giant wheels. Salsa promises superior rolling performance even for riders as short as 157 centimetres tall.

• ​Intended use:​ Gravel bike / bike packing
• Frame material: steel / titanium
• Weight of frame set: approx. 3.9 kg
• Price of frame set: from approx. 1,550 euros
• Special features: adjustable dropouts, numerous mounting points

​11. Sour

The German steel frame builder was one of the first to mass-produce a 32-inch hardtail. The Pasta Party 32 is built in Dresden, yet remains attractively priced. Thanks to three bottle-cage mounts, the bike is also ideal for bikepacking. Thanks to an eccentric bottom bracket, the bike can also be ridden in a single-speed configuration. The show bike is fitted with a prototype suspension fork from Manitou.

• ​Intended use:​ Cross-country / Marathon
• Suspension travel: 100–120 mm
• Frame material: steel
• Frame weight: approx. 2,490 g
• Price of frame set: from 1,299 euros
• Special features: eccentric bottom bracket, made in Germany

12. Stoll

Stoll was the first manufacturer to offer a 32-inch full-suspension bike for sale. The P32’s carbon frame is made in Germany and is exceptionally lightweight. Riding the new wheel standard, Stoll has already won a stage of the Cape Epic marathon prestige event. The wheelsets are either from Bike Ahead or a combination of Pi-Rope and Duke.

• ​Area of application:​
• Suspension travel: 100–120 / 100–120 mm
• Frame material: carbon
• Frame weight: from 1,750 g
• Weight of complete bike: from approx. 10.2 kg
• Price of the frame set: approx. 5,300 euros
• Price of the complete bike: from approx. 10,100 euros
• Special features: Optional frame storage compartment, made in Germany