The race in Soldier Hollow showed that 32” wheels are not just a marketing tool to stimulate the industry. The 2nd place for US-rider Gwendalyn Gibson was her best performance ever, on a prototype TREK 32” bike. An (almost) victory for the TREK engineers as well.
Although the wheel size is innovative, the suspension platform is quite classical. It features a single pivot with a flexible rear triangle. Due to the bigger wheels, the stem had to go down in an extreme corner for riders like Evie Richards. Solution for this could be an integrated stem inside the head tube, recently patented by SRAM.
The TREK 32” features a RockShox SID 32” fork with Flight Attendant regulated suspension. A dramatic move by one of the leading suspension manufacturers. The construction looks similar to the 29” fork, except for the fork bow which resembles more the one found on a Lyrik or ZEB.
In-house brand Bontrager supplied carbon wheels to go with the 32” prototype, fitted with Berd’s HAWK30 Gold spokes. Pirelli came up with prototype XC RC and semi-click tyres.
Will this 32” trend be the new standard? The future will tell. It all depends on track conditions and riders’ size. One thing is for sure, with the right adjustments it can bring you on a 2nd place of a UCI World Cup race. If you are an athlete like Gwendalyn Gibson that is.
Images: TREK