We just saw 32er mountain bikes make their World Cup debut in Lenzerheide today [Updated]

Despite the buzz around 32-inch wheels, no one has raced one at the World Cup until today. Not only that, a 32er made the podium.
By Jeff Barber
   Last Updated:
  2 comments
Singletracks may earn commissions from affiliate links and/or receive products from manufacturers for review. Read our editorial guidelines here.

Though there’s been a lot of talk about the advantages of the 32-inch wheel size for cross-country mountain biking, we haven’t seen one at a World Cup start line yet. But that changed this weekend in Lenzerheide, Switzerland.

Swiss pro team Thömus Maxon had two athletes — Alessandra Keller and Mathias Flückiger — on 32-inch wheels in the short track cross-country (XCC) race. Keller ultimately took third place in the women’s elite race, while Flückiger finished 32nd in the men’s elite race. Both will race on 32ers in the cross-country Olympic (XCO) race on Sunday.

Ahead of the race, Mathias Flückiger was shown in videos riding around the pit area and on the course.

In an interview with Josh Carlson, posted on the official UCI MTB World Series Instagram channel, Flückiger said the Maxon team is still testing the bigger wheel size to see if there’s an advantage.

“If it’s faster, we actually don’t know. We are testing and we will find out soon. But hard to say,” he said. “We will see if it’s [an] advantage.”

The Thömus bike Flückiger is seen riding is set up with Schwalbe Rick 32×2.4″ tires and a DT Swiss fork. We spotted a number of 32-inch suspension forks at Sea Otter this year, though the DT Swiss fork was not among them.

Flückiger is set to race in the short track competition in just a few hours. His tenth start position places him in the top quartile, so the team will need to consider if it’s worth taking a risk on an unproven bike.

Carlson asked Flückiger directly if he would be racing on the 32er this weekend.

“We tested a lot actually and it’s a good feeling, but we have to still to […] be smart. Number one thing is that it’s still racing, don’t have any risk,” he said. “We will decide internally in the team in which direction we go, and of course, there is a chance that we race it, and there is also a chance we go as it is or was in the past few years.”

Earlier this year, Felix Stehli competed in the Cape Epic cross-country stage race on a 32er Stoll P32 mountain bike, and along with teammate Marc Pritzen, who was on a 29er, won stage 3 of the event.

 
A close-up view of a mountain bike in a display area, featuring a measuring tape alongside the front fork. The background showcases a tent with branding and various bicycles on display. The scene captures the details of the bike's components and an engaging outdoor environment at a cycling event.
Forks
These are all the 32-inch forks, wheels, and tires that are (probably) coming to market
A mountain bike with a sleek silver frame stands on a dirt path surrounded by greenery, with rolling hills in the background under a clear blue sky. The bike features wide tires and a front suspension fork, showcasing its readiness for off-road trails.
Hardtail bikes
My first 32er mountain bike test ride convinced me that the hype is outrunning the tech. But not for long.
A mountain biker in a red jersey navigates a rocky trail surrounded by dry foliage and trees. The biker is focused and balancing on the bike as they tackle the uneven terrain.
Cross Country Bikes
New Specialized Epic 9 reveals which 2027 XC bike design specs are most important
Close-up view of a bicycle tire with a textured tread pattern, showcasing its grooves and ridges. The tire is brown with a red lining, and several other colorful tires are slightly blurred in the background.
Tires
With so many new 32" bike tires, the question is: Who isn't making one yet?