The 32" wheels arrive in Leadville: Ventum surprises with its first MTB

The Leadville Trail 100 MTB could become a major competitive showcase for 32-inch wheels this weekend. Ventum, a brand previously focused on road, triathlon, and gravel, has unveiled an unexpected dual suspension prototype and accompanied the images with a message that leaves little doubt about where we will see it: “See you in Leadville”.

Ventum surprises with a 32" MTB ready for Leadville

Ventum's entry into mountain biking would have been news in itself. The American brand currently does not have an MTB in its catalog, but its first appearance in this discipline could occur directly with a competition bike and 32-inch wheels.

The photographs published by the brand itself show a dual suspension still identified as a prototype and with obvious signs of having been used. The frame employs a seemingly simple suspension architecture, while the setup leaves some particularly interesting details.

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At the back is a RockShox Deluxe shock and at the front a Intend Samurai XC 32 inverted fork specific for wheels of this diameter. Additionally, both suspensions appear to be integrated with the RockShox Flight Attendant system. The combination is possible because Intend offers compatibility with RockShox's Charger Race Day 2 cartridge.

Also noticeable are still unidentified FSA wheels and 32" tires whose manufacturer is also unknown. The images have been deliberately taken in low light and do not allow for too many conclusions about other elements of the setup.

Leadville could be the perfect stage for 32 inches

It does not seem like a coincidence that Ventum has chosen Leadville to showcase this bike. Its more than 160 kilometers, the long fast tracks, and a relatively contained technical difficulty compared to modern XCO make the American race a particularly interesting setting to experiment with larger wheels.

On paper, a 32" wheel offers a lower attack angle against obstacles and could roll more easily over small irregularities. Conversely, it increases mass and rotational inertia, which is especially important when there are constant accelerations and changes in speed. In an XCM race like Leadville, with long periods of maintaining high rhythms, these disadvantages might be less significant than in an XCO circuit.

The 2026 edition will also have a modified route due to the Willow fire. It will be 102.1 miles, about 164 kilometers, with approximately 3,020 meters of total ascent and without the traditional passage through Powerline. 

Who will compete with the 32" Ventum?

That remains one of the big questions. Ventum has not confirmed that the prototype will take the start and has not announced who would use it. One of the circulating possibilities points to Michael Woods, former WorldTour cyclist, Ventum-sponsored rider, and present on the Elite men's start list for Leadville. For now, it remains just a possibility.

What seems increasingly likely is that Ventum will not be the only 32-inch bike we see around Leadville.

In recent months, different manufacturers have been testing this new diameter and we have already seen how Trek unveiled a mysterious XC MTB with 32-inch wheels. With the race about to start, there are rumors about the possibility of more 32" prototypes appearing in Colorado.

And here another question inevitably arises. Quinn Simmons will compete in Leadville just three weeks after finishing the Tour de France and will do so as a Lidl-Trek rider. For now, there is no confirmation that Simmons will use the 32-inch Trek, but the coincidence makes his bike one of the setups to watch closely before the start.

After MTB with road handlebars have been banned for this edition, Leadville is once again at the center of technical experimentation. This time, the search for an advantage could be a few centimeters higher: moving from the established 29" wheels to still exotic 32".