As the new wheel size standard, 32 inches promises many advantages, particularly for marathon riders. Advantages that many professionals are clearly already keen to capitalise on. Last week, from 19 to 23 August, the legendary Swiss Epic took place in the Swiss Alps. This multi-day race is regarded as one of the toughest tests in the European marathon scene, and the starting line-up is packed with the sport’s biggest names. In the home country of Swiss carbon specialist Stoll, keen observers spotted numerous P32s – the world’s first production full-suspension bike featuring the new wheel standard. The KTM team riders, too, had a new 32-inch prototype in their kit.
Conclusion
I’ve already tried out 32-inch wheels over marathon distances and can see clear advantages for endurance races on proper mountain-bike terrain. It works really well when the bike is lightweight. That’s why the equipment used by marathon pros isn’t yet suitable for everyone. It’s exciting to see that KTM is also bringing 32-inch full-suspension bikes onto the scene. – Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
KTM goes 32 inches
At the Swiss Epic event, the Austrian bicycle manufacturer KTM unveiled a new prototype featuring 32-inch wheels – its most ambitious project to date in this field. Unlike KTM’s 32-inch hardtail – which was unveiled last year and developed in collaboration with Mavic – the new bike features a carbon frame and full suspension. Visually, the design is strongly reminiscent of the current top-of-the-range XCO model, the KTM Scarp EVO III. However, KTM has not yet released any specific details regarding travel, geometry or weight. To accommodate the significantly larger wheels, the chainstays, front end and riding position clearly had to be adjusted. The 32-inch prototype was put through its paces on the 430-kilometre Swiss Epic route, with 11,000 metres of elevation gain, by the Italian brother duo Nicolas and Lorenzo Samparsi from Team KTM Spada powered by Brenta Brakes.
32 inches on the marathon podium
Marc Pritzen and Felix Stehli from Team Honeycomp 226ers won the second stage of the Swiss Epic 2026 on their 32-inch full-suspension bikes from Stoll. With this first victory on the new wheel size, they have written their names into the event’s history books. “I think as soon as the 32s get rolling, they really are an advantage,” summarised South African marathon champion Pritzen. The duo’s bikes are also available to non-professionals. Weighing in at just 10.2 kilos, the Stoll P32 impresses even the most discerning marathon riders. The Honeycomp 226ers team relies on Intend Samurai suspension forks, classically built wheels and brakes from Trickstuff. In the end, the fastest team on 32-inch wheels finished in fifth place. 29-inch marathon bikes still dominate.
What do you think: could 32-inch mountain bikes also make their mark in other disciplines next year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Jan Timmermann
Editor
