Zinn Cycles recently released their Clydesdale Pro 32-inch carbon wheelset, giving buyers a lighter-weight choice when it comes to big bike wheels. The 32″ wheel standard got a boost late last year when word got out that Maxxis was testing a 32×2.4″ Aspen mountain bike tire, which may or may not see the light of day.
The $1,425 Clydesdale Pro 32-inch wheelset features tubeless-ready, 36-hole Nextie carbon rims with a 30mm inner diameter, ideal for mountain bike tires in the 2.3-2.6″ range. The wheelset is said to weigh about 2,400g, a full kilogram lighter than the aluminum-rim Zinn Clydesdale Sport wheels. Still, that’s heavier than a typical carbon 29er wheelset in part because Zinn specs 36 spokes to account for higher (tall) rider weights. However, the carbon Nextie rims are also sold in 28- and 32-hole versions, and 36″ diameters as well.
Buyers can customize the Zinn Clydesdale Pro wheels with various axle widths, and hub upgrades are available too. For their own bike builds, Zinn typically uses Super Boost spaced wheels, again to ensure ample strength and durability for big and tall riders.
Limited tire choices, but that could change in the future
Most 32″ diameter tires available today are 2.25″ wide, and the $200 Vee T-Monster is the widest 32er on the market today, measuring 32×2.4″. Early bikes with 32″ wheels relied on unicycle tires which were not optimized for off-road riding. Even the Vee T-Monster, we’re told, is not officially a tubeless-ready tire. The Maxxis Aspen, if or when it’s launched, will hopefully be tubeless.
Nick Wigston from Zinn Cycles shared this graphic comparing the measurements of various rim diameter / tire combinations. According to his measurements, a 29×3.0″ mountain bike tire has a 30.5″ diameter, only about an inch less than a 32×2.25″ tire. Of course, the exact measurement will vary based on the rim width and tire model, but it’s interesting to note there isn’t a big difference between 29+ and 32″ wheels, and it’s certainly not three inches.
Where are the 32er mountain bikes?
For now, 32er mountain bikes appear to be limited to smaller brands like Zinn and Dirty Sixer that cater to exceptionally tall riders. Wigston tells me Zinn has a 32er hardtail mountain bike in the works that could be released this year, and Dirty Sixer just started taking pre-orders for their 32″ hardtail. Stay tuned for a Singletracks podcast interview with Dirty Sixer founder and CEO David Folch where he discusses that bike and his work on a full-suspension 32er.
Because the current Maxxis Aspen is a cross-country mountain bike tire, there’s speculation that we may see 32″ XC race bikes at some point, though to be clear, the bikes from Zinn and Dirty Sixer are designed to fit tall riders, generally those at least six feet tall and taller.
Beginning in the late 2000s, 29″ wheels largely replaced 26″ wheels on mountain bikes because the bigger wheels roll over obstacles more easily and are more efficient, which is particularly advantageous for cross-country racing. However, the flip side is that larger wheels accelerate more slowly and weigh more. Larger, 32″ wheels amplify both the advantages and disadvantages, making widespread adoption questionable.
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