BMC turned heads at the recent UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Andorra when rider Carod was spotted testing a striking prototype with one standout feature: 32-inch wheels.
The bike retains BMC’s dual-link suspension platform instead of a flex-stay design and appears to use a modified DT Swiss 29-inch fork adapted to fit the larger wheel size. The front triangle and rear swingarm are crafted from carbon tubes connected by machined aluminum lugs, while a custom stem with a steep negative rise helps fine-tune the fit for the oversized wheels.
According to BMC, this prototype—developed through their IMPEC LAB—is still in the testing phase. They haven’t committed to production yet. If the 32-inch platform doesn’t show clear advantages over today’s 29-inch standard, the project may be shelved.
Still, its appearance at a World Cup event signals that bigger wheels are more than just a concept—they’re being put through real-world race conditions. As with the shift from 27.5 to 29 inches, scaling up involves more than just enlarging the frame; it requires rethinking geometry, handling, and suspension kinematics.
For now, BMC is leading the exploration into what could be the next evolution in mountain bike design. Whether 32-inch wheels will roll into production remains uncertain—but one thing’s clear: innovation at BMC is rolling faster than ever.
