Like it or not, 32-inch wheels and tires have very slowly but steadily been gaining (and maintaining, ha!) momentum in the off-road cycling world. While it is often small and super nimble brands that work with manufacturers to create odd-sized or prototype tires, we really took note when Maxxis started showing off its 32-inch Aspen prototype tires at the Taipei bike show earlier this year. Fast forward a few months to Eurobike, and Maxxis has a prototype 32-inch full suspension mountain bike on display in its booth. The prototype bike, aptly named Project Big Ben, was crafted by Quebec-based Faction Bike Studio and reportedly made in the short period of time between Sea Otter and Eurobike.
Creating a prototype full-suspension mountain bike is no small feat, and doing it in just a few months is quite remarkable. This showcases Faction Bike Studio’s ability to rapid prototype for their clients, something they’ve been doing for a while now. In fact, we got to see some of this firsthand when we visited Faction for our handlebar compliance testing project a couple years ago. At that time, Faction was working with Neko Mullaly on his Frameworks prototype bikes, using lugs designed in-house and aluminum tubes to quickly create bonded frames for testing. Call us crazy, but we think the raw, industrial look of the bonded frames is pretty awesome.
And while Faction’s work is usually behind the scenes, they and Maxxis are showing it off here at Eurobike. But it takes more than just a concept frame for a 32-inch mountain bike to come together. Fortunately, they were able to get Intend to make them a custom 32-inch inverted suspension fork to go along with the 120 mm travel frame. So, this is essentially a completely custom, and allegedly rideable, proof of concept bike, but it leads us to believe that perhaps the industry is getting on board.
In fact, we’ve heard rumors around the show that some of the major suspension companies have dedicated 32-inch forks in the works. On top of that, it’s also rumored that Maxxis now has three tread patterns for the 32-inch tire size. We’ll be quick to point out that we haven’t heard official news on new 32-inch forks or tires, but the rumor mill is certainly spinning.
Until now, DirtySixer is one of the main brands that’s been leading the big wheel charge, but with a limited selection of forks, rims, and tires to choose from, it has been slow going so far. However, they recently announced a production 32-inch hardtail that is coming soon. But if Maxxis is on board and major suspension companies are following suit, that certainly opens the door for more frame manufacturers to experiment with their own 32-inch bikes.
What that looks like remains to be seen. Bikes for tall riders, cross-country, and gravel seem like the obvious applications. Who knows, maybe 32-inch mullet bikes with 29-inch rear wheels are in our future?
Whatever the future holds for 32-inch wheels, Faction’s prototype full suspension bike in the Maxxis booth means we’re probably one step closer to finding out.
