Let's take a quick look back: when the first 29ers appeared, people thought they were only for marathon riders and sitting giants. Then came the first trail and enduro 29ers - and suddenly the big bike was standard. It was a similar story with e-mountainbikes: initially ridiculed, today it's impossible to imagine off-road riding without them.

And now? 32 inches

On paper, this sounds like the next logical step. Even more rollover behavior. Even smoother running. Even more "I'll just iron over this". Anyone who is tall - let's say from 1.80 m upwards - could actually benefit from this wheel size. The proportions fit better, the bike looks more harmonious and the ride feels more natural. No compromise between reach, stack and wheelbase just so that the front wheel doesn't drag on your toes

But: 32 inches is not an upgrade for everyone

For smaller riders, the design is difficult. A real challenge for frame builders. A risk for the industry. Because a trend only becomes hype when it is suitable for the masses. 29-inch has prevailed because at some point it worked from S to XL. The E-MTB has caught on because it has opened up new target groups - not just larger ones. 

32 inches, on the other hand, remains a special solution - at least for the time being. And special solutions are rarely revolutions. 

Does that mean 32 inches is garbage? Not at all. Innovation thrives on trial and error. We may soon see the first production bikes, perhaps even exciting mixed concepts. It will probably become a real weapon in the cross-country and perhaps gravity sector. But the really big breakthrough? That requires more than impressive figures on the dial gauge. In the end, it's not the wheel diameter that matters to the average mountain biker - but the grin on their face.