Ventum is going all in for mountain bikes, and it seems they aren’t messing around with “old tech”; they appear to be leading with very large wheels and a very aggressive silhouette.
But what does a company that has mainly produced drop-bar TT, road, and gravel bikes know about off-road racing? Maybe more than we think!
Ventum 32″ Mountain Bike? 32/29 MX?
Ahead of this weekend’s Leadville Trail 100 MTB, Ventum Racing teased what appears to be a 32-inch full-suspension prototype through its social channels. The sneak peek was met with excitement, trepidation, and chuckles, but that’s a good thing, as we all know, social media rewards drama.
To be fair, we don’t know for sure that this is a 32″ bike. But the choice of an inverted fork, the prototype tires, and the general angles with a very low, negative drop stem all point towards the larger platform. Given the split image, it’s hard to tell, but it almost looks as if this is a mega MX bike with a 32″ wheel up front and a 29″ wheel out back. That would make it easier to package the rear end and suspension travel while providing the benefits of the larger 32″ wheel up front.
Why? In its 11-year history, Ventum has never produced a mountain bike. But it seems each year the brand offers more tire clearance and more off-road-friendly designs.
Plus, now that 32″ looks to be the wave of the future for Life Time Grand Prix (or at least some of them), why not give it a go? They have a seat at the very front of the 32″ race bike launches, and it will keep their athletes from racing other brands for the MTB Life Time Grand Prix races.
What Are We Looking At?
From the teaser images, the bike in question looks ready to roll, and like it has already been ridden. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Ventum athlete on this during the Leadville 100 race.
From what is visible, the Ventum prototype looks more like a marathon or XC race bike than a trail bike. The flex-stay layout makes sense for keeping weight down, and it’s proven for lightweight XC work. The FSA wheels are for sure new, but now that we can expect more 32″ production bikes, OEM gear will follow.
The inverted fork choice also fits the current state of 32-inch development. Fork availability is still one of the harder pieces of the 32″ puzzle, but maybe not for long. The tires are a mystery, but damn if they don’t look WTB in some way to me… but I’ve been way off before.
Why Leadville?
If there is a place where a 32-inch mountain bike makes sense, Leadville is high on the list. The race is long, fast, and more marathon XC than technical World Cup track. Yes, there is a huge climb on the course that will most definitely be a drawback for anyone on a heavier bike with big wheels. But Leadville rewards momentum, staying on top of the gear, and general plowing through the course. The long gravel sections, doubletrack, and long descents will be a little check mark in the 32″ wheels corner.
Why 32″ Wheel Again?
The basic pitch is a lower angle of attack, smoother rollover, and possibly less fatigue from repeated bumps. We’ve heard it all at this point except for X amount of watts saved. However, that does not mean 32-inch wheels are automatically faster. But it does mean Leadville is a great way to get some real-world testing done, chum the water, and do it on a course that might fit the bike’s style.
For now, this is still a teaser. But man, it is a good one. Ventum may be new to mountain bikes, but choosing Leadville as the first public proving ground for a 32-inch full-suspension prototype is a great bit of marketing know-how. If the goal is to show that big wheels can carry speed, smooth rough ground, and make sense over 100 miles, Leadville is a pretty honest place to try it.
