New BMC FourStroke XC 32er 2026 - rumors - Technical Analysis of the BMC Prototype with 32-inch Wheels
New BMC FourStroke XC 32er 2026 - rumors - Technical Analysis of the BMC Prototype with 32-inch Wheels
Recent observations at the Andorra round of the 2025 Cross-Country (XC) World Cup have revealed the presence of a prototype BMC race bike equipped with 32-inch wheels. This sighting marks the first appearance of a mountain bike with this wheel size on the World Cup circuit, following the earlier presentation of 32-inch tires by Maxxis at Eurobike 2025.
BMC confirmed that the vehicle, a research and development (R&D) project named "Project Fahrenheit," was developed by the company’s Impec laboratories to evaluate the performance of 32-inch wheels in XC competitions. The bike was not used in the race on this occasion.
Frame Construction and Design
The BMC prototype employs a hybrid "lugged and glued" structure. The frame was built by modifying a medium-sized carbon BMC Fourstroke 29-inch model. Carbon fiber tubes were coupled with CNC-machined aluminum alloy lugs.
Critical sections, such as the head tube, bottom bracket area, and rear dropouts, are made of alloy lugs, while the junction between the seat tube and top tube appears to be a single piece of carbon fiber. This construction methodology allowed the R&D team to reuse parts of the existing frame and reassemble the frame with modified geometries to accommodate the larger wheels.
Geometry and Suspension
The 32-inch wheels have imposed substantial modifications to the frame geometry. To maintain acceptable standover clearance and balance the vehicle, the frame features a notably lowered and compressed ("parallelogrammed" or "squashed") profile. This compromise significantly reduces the space within the front triangle, limiting the capacity for a water bottle.
At the rear, the lengthening of the chainstays was necessary to accommodate the larger wheels. Simultaneously, the seat tube angle was made slacker, positioning the seat tube further forward relative to the bottom bracket. This configuration, while allowing for a functional top tube length, might lead to pedaling inefficiencies.
The prototype uses BMC's twin-link design, which generates a floating virtual pivot point to optimize anti-squat and anti-rise. The shock is mounted horizontally. It is presumed that, in line with historical trends during the transition to larger wheel diameters, this 32-inch prototype may have less travel than its 29-inch equivalent.
Componentry and Innovative Solutions
Tires and Wheels:
The prototype is equipped with 32x2.4-inch Maxxis Aspen tires. Although the logos have been obscured, the tread pattern is consistent with the 32-inch Maxxis tires presented at Eurobike. It is hypothesized that they use the MaxxSpeed compound and the lightweight EXO casing, optimized for low rolling resistance. The wheels used are unlabeled alloy rims drilled for 28 spokes.
Fork:
One of the main technical challenges is the absence of dedicated forks for 32 inches. The prototype uses a DT Swiss F 232 One fork modified with bolt-on extensions at the dropouts. These extensions increase the axle-to-crown height, maintaining the fork offset unchanged. The limited availability of forks and other specific components is considered a significant obstacle to mass production.
Cockpit:
To compensate for the increase in axle height due to the 32-inch wheels and maintain an aggressive XC race setup, BMC's Impec laboratory developed a unique stem. This component attaches to the fork's steerer tube both above and below the head tube, allowing for an extreme handlebar "drop" and integrating a steering stop to prevent contact between the fork crown and the downtube.
Preliminary Riding Data and Impressions
BMC engineers conducted comparative tests in Andorra, using a 29-inch Fourstroke model as a reference for direct evaluation. Initial impressions indicate that the 32-inch wheels offer greater grip on uneven terrain, such as root-filled sections, and that the rear wheel provides greater "support" in technical sections.
Despite these potential benefits, BMC noted that 32-inch wheels might be less suitable for shorter riders due to geometric complexities and the difficulty in achieving a comfortable riding position.
Outlook for 32 Inches
The "Fahrenheit" project demonstrates BMC's commitment to exploring the evolution of wheel dimensions in XC. While 32-inch wheels (with a rim bead seat diameter of 686 mm, compared to 622 mm for 29-inch wheels) represent a notable dimensional jump, their large-scale adoption will depend on resolving the challenges related to production and the availability of dedicated components. The industry is now awaiting further data and feedback to determine whether 32 inches will become the next standard in high-level Cross-Country racing.
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