32 inches instead of 29 inches: what until recently sounded like an experimental trade fair project is now becoming a reality at Revel. With the El Jefe Grande, the US brand is unveiling a titanium hardtail that has been designed from the ground up around the giant version of the mountain bike wheel.
There are mountain bikes that follow trends. And there are mountain bikes that consistently defy the mainstream. Revel Bikes’ titanium hardtails have belonged to the second category for years. Whilst the majority of the industry is developing carbon full-suspension bikes with ever-increasing travel, electronics and integration, the small brand from Carbondale, Colorado, remains true to its passion for timeless titanium frames. Its roots go back to the sister brand Why Cycles, from which today’s Revel titanium models originated. In 2023, the two brands were merged, and since 2025, company founder Adam Miller has been vigorously driving the titanium division forward once again.
Models such as the El Jefe and the Tirade have earned a reputation within the cycling community as bikes for individualists: modern in their geometry, classic in their materials and uncompromisingly designed for long-lasting riding pleasure. Rather than following short-lived trends, Revel relies on cold-formed titanium tubes, intricate CNC-machined components and a design intended to last a lifetime.
This makes the next step seem all the more fitting. After all, if any brand has the courage to challenge the established 29-inch standard, it’s surely Revel. With their new 32-inch titanium frame, the Americans are unveiling one of the most unusual mountain bike projects of recent years. Larger wheels, better roll-over performance, more traction, more momentum. The idea sounds as fascinating as it does mad. That is precisely why the bike is likely to set the hearts of all those racing who see mountain bikes not just as sports equipment, but also as a rolling feat of engineering.
3D printing solves a design problem
Perhaps the most exciting technical solution is not to be found in the wheels, but in the head tube.
Large wheels call for long forks. At the same time, the head tubes on modern hardtails need to be kept as short as possible. This leads to a significant increase in the forces acting on the front end. Revel is therefore the first to use a 3D-printed titanium head tube on a production bike, which is welded to the top and down tubes. The designers expect this to deliver greater stiffness and durability. At the same time, the design opens up new possibilities for particularly tidy internal cable routing.
Titanium hardtail for trail riding and bikepacking
Despite its unusual wheel size, the El Jefe Grande does not take an uncompromising racing approach. Rather, it is designed to be a versatile hardtail for long tours, trail rides and bikepacking adventures.
The adjustable dropouts, with a 17-millimetre adjustment range, are ideal for this, as are the numerous mounting points. The frame offers five bottle or accessory mounts in every size. Handy for those who like to customise their bike: the UDH-compatible dropouts also allow the bike to be set up as a singlespeed.
Interesting: Compact size with a mullet design
Whilst sizes M to XL feature 32-inch wheels at the front and rear, Revel takes a different approach with size S. Here, the manufacturer combines a 32-inch front wheel with a 29-inch rear wheel.
In this way, Revel gets round one of the biggest problems with large-wheeled bikes: it is virtually impossible to achieve a chainstay length in size S that is comfortable to ride with a 32-inch rear wheel. At the same time, the design is likely to provide a little more freedom of movement behind the saddle.
An exotic car with a surprisingly low weight
For a titanium frame with 32-inch wheels, the weight figures are remarkably low. Revel states that the frame in size L weighs 2.16 kilograms. The fully assembled bike is said to weigh just under 11.3 kilograms.
The frame is designed to accommodate a 100-millimetre fork and is available exclusively as a frameset.
Technical specifications: Revel El Jefe Grande
| Frame material | Titanium |
| Distinctive feature | 3D-printed titanium head tube |
| Suspension travel | 100 mm |
| Training wheels | 32"/32" (MD–XL), 32"/29" (SM) |
| Sizes | S, M, L, XL |
| Failures | Sliding dropouts, UDH-compatible |
| Bottom bracket | BSA 73 mm |
| Ground clearance | up to 32 x 2.4 inches |
| Bottle holder mounts | 5 |
| Frame weight | 2.16 kg (size L) |
| Price Range | 3,499 US dollars |
The frame is now available for pre-order. According to Revel, the first deliveries are due to begin in December.
It is precisely the combination of titanium, 3D printing and 32-inch wheels that makes the El Jefe Grande one of the most unusual hardtails of the year. Whether this wheel size will catch on in the long term remains to be seen. It is interesting, however, that more and more manufacturers are no longer just showcasing the idea at trade fairs, but are actually putting it into production.
Stefan Frey
Editor