Maxxis has unveiled a production version of its 32in Aspen cross-country mountain bike tyre at Eurobike 2025, cementing its commitment to the oversized format and potentially kickstarting a wider industry trend.
While smaller brands have experimented with 32in tyres, Maxxis' decision to bring them into its production line-up marks a significant moment – a moment that could have been even bigger had the brand's initial plans come to fruition.
“We already developed the tyre for last year’s Olympic Games in close relationship with one of our top teams,” says Maxxis brand manager, Mike Hörner.
“But somehow it didn’t work out – some parts weren’t ready to have a complete bike, and so we’ve had the tyre more or less in stock for over a year now.”
As reported by BikeRadar in February, the tyre made its first appearance late last year on a bike built by DirtySixer, and was officially launched at the Taipei Bike Show in March.
It has now re-emerged, fitted to a striking prototype at Eurobike. The Big Ben, developed by Faction Bike Studio, is a concept platform designed to showcase the potential of 32in wheels and the studio’s in-house development capabilities.
At present, the Aspen is the only confirmed model, offered in a 2.4in width, MaxxSpeed compound and EXO casing.
However, Hörner hinted strongly that two further 32in tyres are already in the pipeline, with availability likely before the end of 2025: “Depending on how complete bicycle brands develop – in which direction they go – we’ll enlarge the portfolio [in 2025], or next year.”
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Who are 32in wheels for?
DirtySixer’s bikes are designed specifically for taller riders, and this has generally been viewed as the primary use for 32in (and even 36in) wheels.
However, Maxxis’ confirmation that it developed the tyre with Olympic ambitions, coupled with Faction Bike Studio’s comments around its Big Ben concept bike, suggests the format’s potential could extend far beyond that narrow use case.
“While our client projects are strictly confidential,” explains Faction’s supporting text for the Big Ben, “it shows how we support brands exploring the potential of 32-inch wheels and other emerging trends.”
When asked who Maxxis envisions the tyre being for, the brand acknowledges the future of 32in tyres is unclear: “I think it’s more of a niche,” Hörner says. “32in tyres have been around before, but more on gravel bikes.
“This is the first mountain bike performance tyre on the market, actually.
“We don’t know yet if it’s gravel only, or cross-country, or mountain bike – maybe even trail bikes. Who knows? We’ll see.”
