32-pocalypse is neigh: UCI steps back from regulating big(ger) wheels

While, it looks like the wheel size debate is about to be dragged from its grave once again. After the 27.5″, 29″, then 27.5″/29″ debates were resolved through thorough(bred) kicking, someone went and pulled out a giraffe. Now, UCI is giving that giraffe – that is, 32″ wheels – a chance to run. Cycling’s ever wise, and usually rules-obsessed, governing body is stepping back from regulating the new 32″ wheel size, I hesitate to call it a standard, out of existence.

That means we could see 32″ bikes on the start line when the World Cup resumes in 2026. Or earlier.

Monster-wheeled machines have already been spotted during practice sessions at cross country World Cups throughout 2025. A Canadian studio is even at the forefront of developing bikes to suit the super-sized hoops. But no one has yet dared to actually start a race on a 32″ bike.

Meet Big Ben: Faction Studio’s 32-inch wheel prototype

Initial rumours were that the often-reactive UCI would ban the new wheel size before it had a chance to spin up to speed. Now, according to reporting from Mountain Bike Action, it seems that won’t be the case.

Fabrice Tiano, Communications and Media Relations Senior Manager at UCI, told MBA that:

“The mountain bike commission always considered mountain bikes as the laboratory of cycling with very limited rules regarding equipment. That is the reason why 32-inch wheels will not be banned in mountain bikes.”

Game on.

Why it matters (beyond XC…)

There are two reasons why this matters. One for mountain bikers, the other for everyone else.

Mountain bikers

For mountain bikers, racing tech may seem remote but can herald a change in what consumer bikes will look like down the road. A quarter-century ago, 29″ wheels first ruffled feathers on cross country start lines. Initially, it was viewed as a race-only tech that would never spread. Waves of incredulity crashed out from XC to, eventually, downhill racing. Now almost every mountain bike has 29″ wheels, or at least one.

That doesn’t guarantee that 32 will have the same effect. It’s just as hard to imagine a 32″ downhill bike now as it was to imagine a 29″ downhill bike in 2005.

But the promised benefits of 32″ are quite similar to that 29″ delivered. That is, better roll-over, more momentum in rough terrain, better traction climbing technical stuff and more…