There is no question that 32″ wheels dominated much of the discussion around Sea Otter this year. But it wasn’t just the bikes themselves. We were wondering what the larger wheels would mean for bike transportation. Will it require all new racks? Adapters? Nothing at all?
After asking around at a few different rack brands, it became clear that it might not be that big of a deal in the long run. Many of the best hitch bike racks are already capable of carrying the larger wheels – at least with the current largest tire size of 32 x 2.4″. As a result, a few brand were already advertising their hitch racks as 32″ compatible, while at least one brand was offering a 32″ adapter.
1UP Racks
1UP USA was the only bike rack brand we saw at the show offering an adapter to make their current rack compatible with 32″ wheels. They slide onto the top of the wheel hoops, and appear to lock in place with quick-release pins.
Hollywood Racks
Over at Hollywood Racks, the answer was one that we’re seeing from a few different companies – any of their platform racks that clamp onto the frame instead of the wheels should be compatible. For Hollywood, that means the ‘Rider’ Series with the RV Rider, Sport Rider, and Trail Rider being 32″ wheel compatible for wheelbases up to 60″ long.
Hollywood just reached out to us to let us know that their CrossTrack rack is also 32″ compatible.
Kuat
However, Kuat says all of their Piston series are compatible without any adapters (as shown with the new Salsa Fargo 32″). That includes the Piston SR, Piston Pro, and Piston Pro X.
RockyMounts
At RockyMounts, we were surprised to hear that all of their racks with the exception of the Brass Knuckles, are 32″ wheel compatible with existing tires.
Saris
We’re still waiting on an official list from Saris, and while they didn’t have any 32″ bikes on display, but the new CycleOn is listed as 32″ compatible, given the frame anchor points rather than the wheels.
Thule
Thule was ahead of the game with ‘Fits 32″‘ hang tags for their bike racks that were also on display, holding a 32″ wheeled bike. According to Thule, the Vero, Epos, and Outpace are all 32″ compatible.
Yakima
Like Saris, we didn’t see any Yakima racks holding a 32″ bike at the show, but the brand has plenty of compatible options. That includes the new StepUp and StepUp Swing, plus the following list:
- HangTight
- StageTwo
- GateKeeper
- FullTilt
- RidgeBack
- LongHaul
- SpareMe
- HighSpeed
- ForkLift
- FullBack
- HangOut
- FullSwing
What Other Racks Are 32″ Compatible?
Like the Hitch racks that don’t anchor to the wheels, we’re assuming that other racks that use frame or fork mounts (like roof racks) will be compatible. That includes strap-on or hitch racks that support the bike by the frame tube, and fork-mount roof top racks.
It’s also likely that more racks will be added to the list in the near future, since we got the impression that many rack companies are just getting their hands on 32″ wheeled bikes to find out for themselves…
