The 32” wheel size has quietly been around for years, but the hype train has gotten much louder in the past year or so. More 32” frames, wheels, and tires are hitting the market seemingly every other week, and it seems highly likely that will continue for the foreseeable future. In anticipation of this big-wheeled future, Continental just gave us a preview of the 32” Dubnital, its first 32” tire model. The Dubnital has already proven itself to be a fast-rolling all-rounder popular with XC and gravel riders alike, making it a sensible choice for the brand’s first 32” offering.
“The growing interest in 32” wheels is clear, and our priority is ensuring riders have immediate access to Continental’s flagship tire technologies as new wheel sizes emerge. Choosing the Dubnital as our first 32” release allows us to support evolving setup preferences and frame designs right out of the gate.”
-Alexander Haenke, Product Manager for MTB & Gravel at Continental Tires
32” Dubnital
While Continental hasn’t shared all of the details, including width options or pricing information, they have told us a few things about their first 32” tire. The brand says they’ve scaled the tread design to the larger diameter, and this “maximizes momentum retention, improves obstacle rollover, and increases overall traction and stability.”
They also told us it will be available in the lightweight Race Casing with the fast-rolling Rapid Compound, which aligns well with the Dubnital’s intended use. According to the brand, this combination is “engineered to boost rolling efficiency, while reducing rider fatigue on longer rides and rough terrain.”
That’s pretty much all of the information Continental has shared with us so far, but we expect they’ll be cooking up some more 32” tires soon. In fact, they said, “As frame geometry and rider demands shift, we’re dedicated to building out specialized tire options that allow riders to get the absolute most of this new, and increasingly upcoming format.”
In the meantime, Continental says we can expect the 32” Dubnital Race Rapid to be available in April of 2027. We’ll let you know when we know more.
