Big wheels are coming, and that statement no longer feels like a distant possibility but an inevitability. After all, Cam Jones and Robin Gemperle took to Unbound 200 and Unbound XL on big-wheeled bikes, BMC showed off its prototype XC bike in Andorra last year, and most recently, Thömus Maxon became the first team to both race and podium on a 32” mountain bike at an XC World Cup.
But as with anything new, it doesn’t look like it is going to be calm and glassy waters for the new wheel size as it comes into port.
While the UCI officially announced late last year that 32” wheels would be permitted for use in mountain biking, it appears those same liberties are not going to be extended to the drop-bar world. Sources tell Escape that the UCI is potentially looking to add 32” wheels to its ever-growing list of banned equipment for drop-bar racing, joining narrow handlebars, long socks, and 66 mm or deeper wheels.
A ban is being considered
While the UCI has not publicly commented on the issue and did not respond to Escape's request for comment, multiple industry sources confirmed that discussions around 32” wheels in gravel are ongoing. Travis Brown, head of R&D at Trek, said, “The discussion/debate is currently happening between the industry and UCI.” Brown added, “It is speculative at this point, but my money would be on them [the UCI] eliminating the option in gravel, as in road, as they perceive category proximity of the two disciplines based on curly bars.”
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