Why ride 32" wheels?

Person riding a bicycle on a hill with a sunset in the background

Our latest launch announcement features new rims, wheels, and tires with 32" (ISO 686mm) diameter. This lineup will include a 32" Circos Wide rim (and complete wheels), plus a 32 x 2.4" Camrock and 32 x 2.2" Cannonball tire (see the full collection here). While this wheel size isn’t new, it’s finding more traction among riders and builders, and we’re excited to be riding toward this new horizon of wheel and tire technology.

Person holding a bicycle in a desert landscape with another person riding a bicycle on a gravel road.

32" wheels: what’s the big deal?
Why ride 32" wheels over 29", 27.5", or other smaller wheel sizes? The main advantages are that 32" wheels roll faster and smoother over many types of terrain, from gravel roads to double track to XC trails. How?

  • Better rollover - 32" wheels have a lower angle of attack than smaller wheel sizes. Their larger diameter means the angle they have to overcome when hitting an obstacle is less, allowing them to roll over rocks, roots, and potholes without getting hung up.
  • More momentum - Due to their larger diameter, 32" wheels have more mass that sits farther from the axle, which means they take more energy to speed up or slow down. Translation: spinning 32” wheels up to speed takes a little more pedaling power, but they carry their speed for much longer — this is especially beneficial on straight, rolling terrain where you’re braking less and can use your descending momentum to roll further up the next hill.
  • More traction - The larger diameter of 32" tires gives them a longer contact patch, meaning more of the tire touches the ground than on a smaller-diameter tire of the same width. This boosts traction, allowing for narrower tires and lower pressures.

Person riding a bicycle on a desert landscape with a clear sky.

Why did we develop 32" wheels and tires?
“Your Ride. Your Way.” is kind of our thing, and we want to give you as many options as possible. Some of you are taller and want a more-proportional ride. Some of you are seeking something different for your next build. Others are just interested in experiencing the latest and greatest. We put our time and energy into developing 32" wheels and tires because we want you to be able to build the bikes you dream up. We’re also gear nerds who like to explore new wheel and tire technology whenever possible.

Split image; on left showing Teravail Circos Wide Carbon Rm, right image of line drawing of rim cross-section

How are Circos Wide 32 rims different than standard Circos rims?
In short, Circos Wide 32 is made to support wider tires (45–61mm / 1.7–2.4") and the unique forces at play in a larger-diameter 32" rim. Designing the Circos Wide 32 carbon rim in-house gave us complete control to tune everything to our desired ride quality and to meet the needs of wider tires and a larger rim:

  • 29mm front, 28mm rear internal width
  • ETRTO-compliant hookless tire bead increases strength and reduces carbon fiber waste
  • A more-rounded rim profile than our standard Circos
  • Carbon fiber layers angled to increase lateral and radial compliance
  • Reinforcement layers in the tire and nipple beds with staggered endpoints to reduce stress as the load point is transferred through the rim while riding
  • Reinforcement areas balanced symmetrically around the rim for predictable, consistent compliance

Two bicycle tires with tread patterns on a gradient background

Why make Cannonball and Camrock in 32"?
Cannonball is a proven gravel tread, and its fast-rolling centerline complements the large diameter of the 32" platform for a unique 32 x 2.2" gravel tire. Cannonball 32 is also a perfect tire to capitalize on the advantages of our new Superstructure casing and faster-rolling Fast Plus compound.

Camrock also has proven off-road performance and a fast-rolling tread pattern that felt like a natural fit for our new casing and compound in a larger MTB 32 x 2.4" tire. These tires give us a known baseline of performance which we can build and iterate upon as we scale new treads to 32".

To help maximize the rollover and momentum-carrying capabilities of 32” tires, both Cannonball and Camrock 32 are built with our new Superstructure casing upgrade. This design uses extra-fine, hardened nylon casing fibers woven tightly together for more elasticity and a better bond with the rubber. As a result, our Superstructure tires are lighter and stronger with better resistance to punctures and sidewall folding than our standard casings.

Person applying tubeless tape to a bicycle rim, a close-up of the rim and brand name 'Circos' visible.

32" and tubeless
Our 32" products bring the same easy tubeless setup and reliability as everything else in our lineup. Tubeless setup is especially beneficial on larger wheels and tires because it reduces weight and allows for lower tire pressures. Here are some of the frequently asked questions we get about 32" tubeless setups:

  • How much tubeless tape do I need for Circos Wide 32 rims?
    We recommend 33mm-wide tubeless tape for Circos Wide rims. Our 4.4-meter rolls of tubeless tape are not long enough to provide the recommended two layers on a pair of wheels. However, our 10-meter rolls will give you plenty to work with. Note that Circos Wide 32 complete wheels come pre-taped.
  • How much sealant do I need for 32" tires?
    We recommend 4.5–6 oz of tire sealant for our 32" tires.
  • What if I need a 32" tube?
    For those emergencies when you need a tube, we’ll have 32"-compatible options in summer 2026.

Curious about 32"? Shop the full lineup here or at your local Teravail dealer.

Close-up of a bicycle wheel with a blurred background of a person riding on a path.

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