We’ve got some more 32″ wheel news for you guys. Rene Herse Cycles, which is arguably the maker of the original all-road tire, has announced that it’s jumping into the 32-inch wheel game with a new tire. Introducing the Indiana Pass, a 32 x 2.2″ (55 mm) tire. This new tire will come in four models across four casings. That means riders can pick their own balance of speed and puncture protection. Note: All photos in the article are of prototype tires.
The name for the new tire comes from the highest point on the Tour Divide route. A peak that summits 11,958 feet. It’s also a nod to Meaghan Hackinen, who won the 2026 race and set a new FKT (fastest known time) in just over 14 days over 2,700 miles. For 2027, she’s exploring 32-inch wheels with Salsa, one of the early adopters of the wheel size.
Rene Herse’s Jan Heine is, as always, refreshingly honest about the whole thing. He says the jury is still out on whether 32s roll faster, but he’s confident they change how a bike steers, climbs, and sprints out of the saddle.
Tall, strong riders like Ted King and 2024 U.S. Gravel National Champion Brennan Wertz are curious about the size, but they’re not interested in giving up the supple semi-slicks they already trust. Hence the Indiana Pass tire.
Borrowing Tread Patterns
Rene Herse says the Indiana Pass borrows its tread and casings from the 700C x 48 Oracle Ridge. That’s the same tire Ted King rode to an FKT at the Arkansas High Country Race two weeks ago.
Herse also says you should be able to expect the same speed, traction, and durability, just wider and on a much bigger hoop. The patented semi-slick tread blends smoothly from a slick center to side knobs, and Rene Herse says the large tread radius puts more rubber down in corners. That means the 55mm tire will corner like a much wider tire.
The Four Casing Choices
- Standard: This casing combines comfort and speed with an affordable price.
- Extralight: This is Rene Herse’s most supple casing for ultimate speed.
- Endurance: This is a high-TPI casing with the same ultra-fine threads as the Extralight, but with extra
protection against punctures and cuts. - Endurance Plus: Rene Herse says this is one of the toughest performance tires available today.
The new Indiana Pass tires will be available starting in April 2027, in all four models. Rene Herse wanted to say that they will obviously not be abandoning other tire sizes. In fact, they hinted at some new developments in the 650b realm, so that’s exciting.
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