The 32"/32er Discussion Thread

I asked the manager at my local 99bikes yesterday if they had any plans to import 32ers, he said not yet but I was the 10th person to ask about them this week.
Should've asked if that runs new a prize..
 
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www.angelcycleworks.com

PROTO ACW 32” — ANGEL

An idea. A prototype. The first kilometres. Follow the development of the ACW 32” as we share the engineering process behind our latest experimental platform. No marketing. Just real testing, real observations and the first lessons learned on the road.
www.angelcycleworks.com www.angelcycleworks.com

32" gravel. So... 32" road bikes next?!
 
Justin Fox said:
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www.angelcycleworks.com

PROTO ACW 32” — ANGEL

An idea. A prototype. The first kilometres. Follow the development of the ACW 32” as we share the engineering process behind our latest experimental platform. No marketing. Just real testing, real observations and the first lessons learned on the road.
www.angelcycleworks.com www.angelcycleworks.com

32" gravel. So... 32" road bikes next?!
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The UCU Traditionalists would like a chat
 
Justin Fox said:
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AliExpress 32" with AliExpress 32" wheels spotted on Chinertown forums.
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It'll be interesting to see where head angle and fork offset ends up settling for 32ers. I'm intrigued to see of it's just a straight extrapolation of current forks, or is (relatively) a bit longer offset to make the bigger wheel feel a bit more reactive. Probably also going to depend if the big wheels stay confined to the XC wheel or if they make the jump into enduro and downhill (can't see them taking off in slopestyle though somehow... :p)
 
beeb said:
It'll be interesting to see where head angle and fork offset ends up settling for 32ers. I'm intrigued to see of it's just a straight extrapolation of current forks, or is (relatively) a bit longer offset to make the bigger wheel feel a bit more reactive. Probably also going to depend if the big wheels stay confined to the XC wheel or if they make the jump into enduro and downhill (can't see them taking off in slopestyle though somehow... :p)
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Yeah 100% would be interesting to see how much effect the larger wheel has on rolling over bigger rocks on technical climbs. The rocks should hit the wheel lower down right? As it's bigger, thus making it roll over stuff more easily. That said I just don't see a full rigid hardtail 32" being much fun out on the trails even if the larger wheels do allow for slightly lower tyre pressures.

Even with a suspension fork I just think it won't be more capable than a full suss 29er on more technical terrain.

One review I watched said the last time they felt anything on a MTB that stood out as being super different was their first ride on an e-MTB. I 100% get that as I got that same feeling the first few times I rode my e-MTB and agree there's not really been such a "holy shiat!" moment since then, but that said I've gotten over my e-MTB pretty quickly and hardly ride it these days.

All speculation though! Part of me is tempted to try one of these AliExpress carbon frames and wheels, but my gut tells me that being an early adopter of 32" wheels makes no financial sense at all.
 
Justin Fox said:
Yeah 100% would be interesting to see how much effect the larger wheel has on rolling over bigger rocks on technical climbs. The rocks should hit the wheel lower down right? As it's bigger, thus making it roll over stuff more easily.
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They'll hit the wheel at the same height, but at a lower 'angle of attack' where it contacts the wheel (less like riding into a gutter, lol)

Justin Fox said:
Even with a suspension fork I just think it won't be more capable than a full suss 29er on more technical terrain.
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Probably quicker on flow trails, rocks maybe - but not if sudden direction changes are required is my guess.

Justin Fox said:
All speculation though! Part of me is tempted to try one of these AliExpress carbon frames out, but my gut tells me that being an early adopter of 32" wheels makes no financial sense at all.
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If you get onto it really early, you might be able to try it and lose a minimal amount while others are curious to try. TBH though, if you're not frothing 29ers as it is 32's will probably feel horrible. The necessary chainstay lengths are probably going to make the bike pretty unwilling to have the front wheel popped up ledges for a rider of your size & weight.

Wouldn't surprise me if they're marginally faster, but I reckon they'll feel pretty dull & laborious.
 
beeb said:
They'll hit the wheel at the same height, but at a lower 'angle of attack' where it contacts the wheel (less like riding into a gutter, lol)
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yerp, slightly more vertical push for the bigger wheel, but in the end the axles still have to go up the same amount to get over the same rock
axle path arcs are interesting in terms of acceleration. (purple is smaller wheel axle path, moved up to start from the larger wheels axle)

smaller wheel must have faster vertical acceleration (more harsh) but doesn't last as long, and initial force is more horizontal push back.
smaller wheel fork would probably compress more before wheel really starts to go up and over rock (needs to build up more forward push)
you could probably do some maffs on that, and how fork acceleration is affected but.... goes up gutters betterer :)

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I have to admit. I found the limits (well... my limits) of my Specialized Chisel with 27.5" wheels last week. Old mate and I were out exploring at Loftus and we found a downhill chute which went from the dog park in Kirawee down through to Saville's Creek. Bit steep, rocky and a gap jump too and man the smaller wheels got hung up on some of that shit. We were going pretty slow though, but for sure a 29er front wheel would have made a massive difference.
 
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