The 32-Inch Wheel Debate – Innovation or Overkill?

Episode 9: The 32-Inch Wheel Debate – Innovation or Overkill?In this episode of Suspension Sessions, Glen and Robbie sit down with Valentin Wendel from BMC to unpack one of the most talked-about developments in modern mountain biking: 32-inch wheels.After seeing the prototype unveiled at a World Cup event, the discussion dives into why the industry is exploring bigger wheels, what the real performance gains might be, and the trade-offs that come with scaling everything up.From improved rollover and smoother cornering to increased weight, stiffness challenges, geometry changes, gearing implications, and frame design constraints — this episode explores the engineering realities behind the hype.The team also debates who 32-inch wheels are really for, whether they could make more sense in other bike categories, and how innovation in the industry has historically been received — from 26” to 29” and beyond.If you’re curious about where bike design is heading, and what it actually takes to bring a concept like this to market, this is a thoughtful, balanced look at the future of wheel size.🎧 Suspension Sessions is powered by RBC — specialists in suspension servicing, setup, and performance.