32” Wheels in the Real World: REYNOLDS Goes Behind the Scenes with GMBN

Redefining the Wheel: Reynolds Examines 32” with GMBN

Wheel diameter defines how a bicycle behaves. Acceleration. Rollover. Stability. Compliance. Durability. Everything begins at the wheel. With 32 inch wheels entering serious discussion within the industry, Reynolds is once again applying its deep composite expertise to explore what this next dimension could mean for performance. In collaboration with Sour Bikes and Manitou, Reynolds helped develop a rideable 32 inch platform, now featured in a two part GMBN special combining engineering insight and real world testing.

32” Wheels in the Real World: REYNOLDS Goes Behind the Scenes with GMBN

From Concept to Rideable Baseline

Wheel development cannot happen in isolation. Rim profiles, structural layups, and stiffness targets must be validated within a complete system. Sour Bikes provided the physical frame platform, hand built in Dresden to allow for iterative testing without the constraints of fixed carbon molds. This flexibility enables Reynolds to evaluate structural loads, vertical compliance, impact resistance, and ride feel under realistic conditions. A wheel only proves itself on the trail.

Inside the GMBN Technical Feature

In the first episode, Reynolds Head of Wheel Development Todd Tanner joins Manitou’s Phil Ott and Hayes’ John Thomas to discuss the engineering implications of scaling wheel diameter. How do loads increase? How does inertia change acceleration characteristics? What trade offs must be balanced between stiffness and compliance? How can durability be preserved at larger diameters? The discussion highlights Reynolds’ development philosophy: progress must be measured, tested, and validated.

Testing in Finale Ligure

The second GMBN episode captures the first recorded ride sessions on the 32 inch platform. Rollover capability, tracking precision, and rider perception all begin to form part of the data set guiding further refinement.

A History of Leading Wheel Innovation

Reynolds has long stood at the forefront of wheel development. From the first carbon clincher rims to pioneering composite spoke systems like the RZR and introducing one of the industry’s first lifetime guarantees on carbon rims, Reynolds has repeatedly helped shape performance standards. Exploring 32 inch wheels is not about size alone. It is about improving the experience in the saddle, at any dimension. Watch the GMBN episodes now and see how Reynolds continues pushing wheel performance forward.