The 32-inch MTB is advancing: Tubolito bets on 32" tubes

The ecosystem of 32-inch wheels is gradually being completed, and we are no longer just talking about frames, wheels, or tires. Tubolito has officially announced the development of the Tubo-MTB-32, a TPU-made tube specifically designed for mountain bikes with 32” wheels, which is expected to hit the market in spring 2026.

32” MTBs add another key piece: Tubolito already has specific tubes in the works

The Austrian brand knows that if MTB makes the leap to 32 inches, it needs specific solutions for all components, and tubes are a key piece to control weight and performance.

Throughout 2025, there have been clear signs that the 32” standard is no longer an experiment. It all started with the 32-inch Maxxis Aspen tire, presented at the Taipei Show, and since then, experimental bikes, prototypes, the UCI has given the green light to see them in competition, and the first 32" MTB for sale has even been announced.

Although there have been 32-inch tubes for years, mainly from the unicycle world or very specific artisanal productions, the offer is extremely limited and almost always based on traditional butyl or similar compounds. The problem is that a larger diameter necessarily implies more material, which translates into more rotational weight right in a critical area of the wheel-tire assembly.

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Some of the currently available 32” tubes claim weights close to 240 grams, a considerable figure considering that the 32-inch tire and rim are already heavier than their 29” counterparts. All that increase penalizes the inertia and dynamic behavior of the bike.

This is where Tubolito comes into play with its experience with TPU. Their tubes are usually around 50% lighter than those made of butyl, in addition to offering better air retention, greater resistance according to the use declared by the brand, and a very compact folded size.

In their statement, Tubolito clearly summarizes their approach: MTB “is literally growing,” and with the Tubo-MTB-32, they want to make it clear that they are not just following trends, but are looking to make cycling lighter, faster, and more efficient even in this new wheel size.

For now, the official information is that the Tubo-MTB-32 will arrive in spring 2026 and no price details have been provided.

The arrival of specific tubes from a specialized manufacturer like Tubolito reinforces the idea that 32 inches are not a passing trend, but a standard that is beginning to consolidate, at least in XC and high-performance MTB.