Hot on the heels of another 32″ gravel bike dropping with availability in the US, we recently got an up-close look at some 32″ DT Swiss prototypes fitted to this EU-market aluminum Superior XR GR gravel bike. Apparently already in the later stages of development, the Czech bike maker plans to include this big-wheeled gravel bike part of their regular offering for next year. And it’s likely not the only 32″ model they have coming, since we just spotted a multi-world champ mountain biker on an XC version, as well…
The next generation of bigger and bigger wheels continues to heat up.
Superior XR GR 32″ aluminum gravel bike prototype
Superior has built its brand on affordable, high-value bikes. They were also a fairly early adopter of 29″ wheels for XC bikes, too, making that big-wheeled switch back in 2004. And the brand has really upped their performance game in the past few years with some top-tier full-suspension XC, eMTB, all-road & gravel bikes that don’t break the bank.
Now, they are leveraging their aluminum bike design experience to build what could be one of the most affordable ways for consumers to try out the unavoidable new wheelsize.
When it comes to 32″ wheels, it does feel like gravel bikes are a pretty good place to start.
Without the need for suspension forks, bike makers have more flexibility with geometry and frame sizing to fit more riders with fewer compromises. Plus, they don’t have to wait for the big suspension manufacturers to develop all new fork platforms. In fact, looking at this bike, it appears that bike makers can even repurpose rigid carbon forks that had been designed for 29″ mountain bikes, but with suspension-correct axle-to-crown lengths.
With a bunch of outside variables out of the equation, bikemakers can just focus on the details to make a new frame work well…
Into the details
Superior explains that this 32″ XR GR prototype essentially uses the same core materials and construction details you will find on their current production 700c gravel bike. Of course, scaled up to fit larger diameter wheels, bigger tires, different forces at play from the longer stays, and revised geometry to deliver good fit & handling.
Otherwise, you get the same seattube with lower half cutout and thin, flattened seatstays for comfort. The same tall S-bend & dimpled chainstays for stiffness and big chainring clearance. UDH-ready dropouts with mounts for full-coverage fenders. A reinforced 1.5″ headset for fully integrated internal cable routing, plus versatile modular routing ports that will work with 1x & 2x setups and both mechanical or electronic drivetrains. Plus, a simple PressFit bottom bracket, round 27.2 seatpost with external clamp, flat mount disc brakes, and MTB Boost spacing to offer better bracing angle for the longer spokes.
Not a final official spec, but interesting nonetheless…
Did anyone else know that a 12-speed Shimano GRX Di2 derailleur would shift well on a SRAM Eagle cassette? Superior thinks it works well enough for this prototype they were happy to let people test ride.
…maybe 32″ DT Swiss XR 1700 Spline aluminum cross-country wheels?
Yes, these not-yet-production DT Swiss wheels were one of the first things I noticed on the 32″ prototype Superior XR GR bike.
Very finished XR1700 labels, even down to the note on them being 28mm hooked tubeless, plus 350 Spline series centerlock hubs with 24 straightpull spokes front & rear. But DT Swiss later confirmed that, as finished as they look, these XR 1700 Spline cross-country mountain bike wheels still weren’t a done deal. DT all but confirmed that they will provide 32″ wheels across multiple disciplines and price points for OEM customers in 2027, including to Superior. But final rim, hub, spacing, and complete wheel build spec selection is still totally in development. So, in all likelihood we’ll see similar wheels like these on complete bikes next season, but their naming & spec is still subject to change.
As for the tires, Schwalbe already confirmed 32″ tires were coming to complete bikes and the aftermarket in 2027. We’ve seen quite a lot of these 32″ x 50mm G-One RX Pro gravel tires, a great race-ready mixed-conditions tire already in the 700c version that I tested. We’ve also seen plenty of 32 x 2.4″ Rick Race Pro cross-country tires for those looking for more volume and still fast-rolling tread.
32″ Superior XR GR gravel bike – Pricing & availability
Officially, we only know that the new 32″ Superior XR GR will not hit the market until next year. With rumor that will mean late winter/early spring 2027 availability.
We don’t know exact pricing either. But Superior has suggested that the alloy 32″ bike won’t cost much more than a similarly spec’d alloy 700c gravel bike. And that’s what makes this so interesting. The current aluminum XR GR gravel bike starts at just 1659€ complete with a mechanical Cues 1×11 LinkGlide setup or just 1900€ with mechanical GRX 1×12.
So, a 32″ aluminum Superior gravel bike should still be possible under two thousand euros if they give it a mechanical groupset. We’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for an affordable European entry into 32″ gravel, as soon as it will be available!
32″ Superior XP aluminum cross-country bike prototype, too!
And, as for the mountain bike side of things…
Just last week, London Olympic, XC Worlds & Marathon Worlds Champ Jaroslav Kulhavý shared a photo of himself on Instagram testing an aluminum prototype 32″ Superior XC hardtail. From afar, the XC frame looks very similar to the gravel prototype I photographed above. So, it’s possible Superior just rebuilt the frame with a suspension fork, flat bar, and 2.4″ Schwalbe Rick Race tires to see how it rides off-road. Or it very much could be a similar prototype with MTB-tuned geometry. In any case, Superior are clearly looking to develop a production-ready 32″ mountain bike hardtail, as well.
And let’s leave you with this question… Is that a 32″ RockShox SID fork?
We’ve heard plenty of rumors of RockShox developing a 32″ XC fork, but haven’t seen it up close, yet. The machined crown on Kulhavý’s bike looks very much like a SID Ultimate, as do the relieved bracing at the axle offset. The arch maybe looks thinner and more curvy, though. And it’s certainly not the new 32″ Manitou, XFusion, SR Suntour, Fox, or DT forks we’ve already spotted.
