The UCI gives the green light to 32" wheels: "MTB is the laboratory of cycling"

In recent months, 32-inch wheels have gone from being a laboratory rumor to a reality on the World Cup circuits. Some prototypes have already been seen in the hands of cyclists like Titouan Carod, and the entire mountain bike sector was eagerly awaiting the UCI's response on whether or not it would allow their use in competition.

Now, the doubt has been resolved: the UCI will not prohibit 32-inch wheels in MTB. This has been confirmed by the international body in statements to the British media Mountain Bike Action (MBA), after several weeks of uncertainty.

The UCI responds about the 32": “MTB is the laboratory of cycling”

In September, during the Road World Championship in Rwanda, the UCI held its usual technical meeting where the regulations for the next season are reviewed. At that time, nothing was mentioned about the 32-inch wheels, which fueled speculation in the sector.

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To clarify the matter, the British media Mountain Bike Action attempted to contact the UCI directly through various departments, and finally received a response from Fabrice Tiano, Communications and Media Relations Senior Manager of the UCI:

“The mountain bike commission has always considered that mountain bikes are the laboratory of cycling, with very limited rules regarding equipment. That is why 32-inch wheels will not be prohibited in mountain biking,” Tiano explained to MBA.

With this confirmation, 32 inches are officially allowed in UCI competitions.

The first images of bikes with 32” wheels appeared last summer at the World Cup in Andorra, when the French Titouan Carod was seen training with a BMC prototype with full suspension and oversized wheels. Although he did not use it in the race, its mere presence was enough to spark the debate.

Since then, several brands have been developing frames adapted to this diameter, seeking to improve rolling capacity, stability, and traction, especially on fast circuits or compact terrain.

The UCI's decision now opens the door for these projects to come to light during the 2026 season.

The emergence of 32 inches inevitably recalls the change that MTB experienced two decades ago, when 29” wheels went from being a rarity to dominating both cross country and downhill. At that time, the benefits in rolling efficiency and obstacle clearance ended up prevailing, despite initial doubts about weight and maneuverability.

Could history repeat itself? It is too early to tell. Larger wheels mean greater inertia and more difficulty in acceleration, so their performance could depend heavily on the height and style of each cyclist. However, the possibility of seeing mixed bikes, with 32” in front and 29” in the back, would be ruled out for the moment, as UCI regulations only allow the use of wheels of different diameters in specific disciplines, such as DH.

In summary, the UCI has given the green light to 32-inch wheels, removing any regulatory barriers for their use in official competitions. Everything points to the fact that in 2026 we will begin to see them in action in the World Cup, where teams will seek to verify if this new size can mark a new era in the history of mountain biking.