My 32 cents on 32 inch wheels

I haven't posted in a long time, but I thought I'd come out of hibernation to share my thoughts on the 32" revolution that's definitely, maybe, probably coming soon. A month ago, I got my hands on a pair of Velocity Blunt 35 from Jorrit at Munro Wheels together with some custom length Sapim spokes, I laced the wheels to some DT swiss 350 hubs (Boost 110mm in the front and SuperBoost 157mm in the back) and found some Maxxis 32x2.4 tires on R2-Bike. Wheels were the prerequisite, the rest followed.

I decided from the get-go that I wouldn't even try to get a suspension fork, I love a simple bike and suspensions are something I'd like to do without. A few years back, I built a 26x4" fat bike and the big volume tires provided some plush, I loved the BMX resemblance, the big grip, monster truck feeling but the Q-factor and the heavy/sluggish steering of the fat wheels sort of killed the fun.

When I came across the 32" wheels, it triggered that idea again. What if those bigger wheels (also used on stagecoaches before tires and suspensions were available), could soften the ride enough to go rigid again. I was skeptical but also very curious to try it out.

I built a complete bike, I took it for a few rides on my local trails and there is definitely something to it. To sum it up, what I most like about the 32" wheels is that:

• There is a real rollover benefit, the wheels simply do not get stuck on roots or in rock gardens, they just roll
• The lower BB noticeably improves stability with a center of gravity closer to the wheel axles, giving you a feeling of being tucked between the two wheels
• My doubts about the handling and "playfulness" of the bike - due to a greater gyroscopic effect - quickly vanished with the use of a slightly shorter stem and a wider bar (780mm compared to my usual 740mm), the steering is not slower or heavier in any disturbing way
• My general feeling is that this wheel is great for the taller riders (>1,80m) who value improved rolling properties and enjoy the flow when riding singletracks, you can do away with any suspension and enjoy a naturally dampened feel for the ground rolling under your wheels.
• There is a "back to the roots" feeling about riding a fully rigid bike without getting a beating or getting stuck on roots and rocks and simply enjoying the flow of the trail
• This is not a revolution, just an evolution for those who are curious to experience something else. It's a chance to go back to a fully MTB rigid setup, great for adventure rides, singletracks weekend warriors or rougher gravel mountain roads