The 32” MTBs debut at the Cape Epic 2026: "the sensations are completely different"

The Absa Cape Epic 2026 will not only bring together some of the best pairs on the planet in stage MTB, but it will also be the stage for the competitive debut of one of the biggest technical innovations in recent years: 32-inch mountain bikes. A size that has been generating debate in the industry for months and that many hope to see soon in the XCO World Cup, but which will have its first real test in a major race in South Africa.

Felix Stehli will race the Cape Epic with the first 32” MTB on the market

The one tasked with putting it to the test is Swiss Felix Stehli, who will compete in the event alongside South African XCM champion Marc Pritzen as part of the HONEYCOMB 226ERS team. Both will use bikes from the Swiss brand Stoll, but with an important difference: while Pritzen will race with a 29-inch model, Stehli has already been seen competing with the new Stoll P32, the first production XC bike equipped with 32” wheels.

This detail makes the Cape Epic the first major competitive stage where these wheels can be seen in action, even ahead of what many expected for the World Cup season.

The arrival of 32” wheels has been surprisingly rapid. At the beginning of 2025, the first signs began to appear when some tire manufacturers already included this size in their catalogs. Months later, the first prototypes were leaked, like the one BMC showed in mid that same year, and several brands began to experiment with the new standard.

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The movement was solidified when the UCI recently confirmed that 32-inch wheels would be allowed in XC competitions, thus removing one of the major barriers to their development. Shortly after, the Swiss manufacturer Stoll became the first to announce a complete bike ready for the market with this size.

The bike chosen by Stehli for the Cape Epic will be the Stoll P32, a dual suspension model that marks the beginning of this new generation of cross-country bikes.

The frame is made of carbon and will be offered with 100 or 120 mm of travel, while the frame kit —which includes a shock— has a declared weight of 1,750 grams. The bike will hit the market in four different builds with prices ranging from 9,000 to 13,000 euros, while the first units will be delivered starting in April 2026.

The production of the frames will take place at BikeAhead's facilities in Würzburg, with assembly planned for early 2026.

The founder of Stoll and Stehli talk about the bike

The project behind the Stoll P32 has been developed specifically with maximum performance in competition in mind. This was explained by Thomas Stoll, founder of the Swiss brand, in a conversation with Felix Stehli while presenting the bike they will use in the Cape Epic.

“We are a Swiss brand and our goal was to produce the fastest bike possible for Felix to win this Cape Epic. The P32 is a racing bike with a 100 mm setup; 100 mm front and 100 mm rear. Lightness and speed are the main objectives of this project.”

The bike used by Stehli in the Cape Epic maintains that 100 mm front and rear travel configuration, a setup that combined with the new wheel size aims to improve performance on demanding terrain.

The Swiss rider himself explains that the feel on the bike changes significantly compared to a conventional MTB.

“The feel of the P32 is a completely different riding style. Obviously, the larger wheels greatly influence the grip you have because you have a larger contact area with the ground.”

According to Stehli, the increase in wheel diameter allows for better control even with relatively limited suspension travel.

“Basically, to compete you only need 100 mm of suspension because the larger wheels compensate for those two centimeters of difference you have on a 29-inch bike.”

Why 32” wheels promise to change mountain biking

The technical argument behind this wheel size is that a larger diameter improves the bike's performance on uneven terrain. According to Stoll, the increase of nearly 7 centimeters compared to a 29” wheel reduces bounce in broken areas, improves the attack angle against obstacles, and maintains speed better on loose terrain.

The brand also points to greater stability at high speeds and a reduction in rider fatigue on long rides, something especially relevant in stage races like the Cape Epic.

The presence of the Stoll P32 in the Cape Epic represents more than just a technical curiosity. The South African race, considered the “Tour de France of MTB,” is one of the most demanding settings to test equipment, with long stages, broken terrain, and extreme wear for both riders and bikes.

What just a few months ago seemed like an experiment reserved for prototypes is starting to become a competitive reality. And the Cape Epic 2026 could mark the beginning of a new era in mountain biking.