Opinions are divided on the new 32-inch mountain bikes. Some see them as an unnecessary new standard introduced at a bad time for the cycling industry, others as yet another bike with a tractor-like feel, and still others as a powerhouse for elite athletes and trail riders. This tension was also the focus of the high-profile panel discussion at Cycle Week in Zurich. The debate is now available as a replay video.

The hype surrounding the new 32-inch wheel size is primarily focused on racing. If the large wheels really are faster than 29ers, things will get tough for shorter riders who ride cross-country. In his blog, Balz Weber ponders whether this design-related obstacle could lead to a two-tier society, similar to what happens in basketball: No matter how much talent you have, if you’re too short, you’ll never make it.

The mountain bike industry has its sights set on the next diameter: 32 inches. Bigger, faster, somehow futuristic. For riders who are around 1.80 or taller, this could make a lot of sense. But it is precisely this target group that could prevent 32 inches from becoming the next big thing - just like the e-mountainbike has become.

The bike world is working on a new wheel size. But hardly anyone has dared to go public with 32-inch wheels. Now Stoll Bikes is entering the arena with its own 32-inch prototype. But how do such large wheels ride, sluggish and boring or perhaps even fast and fun? Ride was given the opportunity to take an exclusive test ride with Thomas Stoll.

Focus once led the bike scene to believe on April 1st that 36 inches was the new wheel size. The current development is not far removed from this, as BMC recently appeared at the World Cup with a 32-inch prototype. The first bikes with the "new" wheel size are likely to be rolling around the cross-country courses before the end of this World Cup season.