{
  "id": 3812018,
  "title": "Off-road is buzzing over 32-inch wheels - is road cycling next?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/off-road-is-buzzing-over-32-inch-wheels-is-road-cycling-next",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-27T19:36:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Cycling Weekly",
    "slug": "cycling-weekly",
    "url": "https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/off-road-is-buzzing-over-32-inch-wheels-is-road-next"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "At the MADE Bike Show in Portland, the 32-inch wheel captured attention across various types of bikes, including mountain bikes, bikepacking rigs, and gravel bikes. While prototypes emerged, no road bike built around the 32-inch platform was found. Proponents argue that 32-inch wheels roll smoothly over rough terrain, covering large distances with momentum, especially in a straight line, due to their larger radius meeting obstacles at a shallower angle. This feature reduces disruption that can slow a bike down, and their increased rotational inertia helps maintain speed once the wheels are in motion, albeit requiring more effort to reach that speed. These benefits align well with off-road cycling, but their potential application in road cycling is intriguing, particularly for athletes who prioritize aerodynamic and rolling-resistance gains. The concept resonated with some builders, who saw it as a promising area for exploration despite the lack of existing road bikes built around the 32-inch platform.",
  "summary": "Big wheels were everywhere at Sea Otter and MADE, but exclusively on off-road bikes. Could road racing be next? Bike builders say maybe, but not anytime soon",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}