BLISTER: REYNOLDS and a 32” BIG IDEA

BLISTER: Reynolds and the Future of Mountain Bike Wheels: Inside the Potential Move Toward 32-Inch

Innovation in cycling has always come in waves. New materials, new standards, new dimensions, and new ways of thinking about performance. Today, the mountain bike world may be standing at the edge of another major evolution: the emergence of 32-inch wheels. For Reynolds, this is exactly the kind of challenge that defines progress. As one of the most influential names in composite wheel development, Reynolds has never been content to simply follow trends. From the earliest days of carbon performance to industry-defining breakthroughs like the first carbon clincher rims and pioneering composite wheel systems such as the RZR road wheels, Reynolds has built its legacy on pushing what wheels can do, and what riders can feel. Now, that same forward momentum is being applied to the next potential step in off-road performance.

A New Wheel Size, A New Engineering Frontier

The move toward 32-inch wheels is not simply about making something bigger. It introduces an entirely new set of performance questions: How does wheel diameter affect ride dynamics? What does it mean for traction, rollover efficiency, compliance, and chassis behavior? How do you preserve responsiveness while gaining the benefits of increased momentum and stability? These are exactly the kinds of questions Reynolds exists to answer. In a recent episode of the Blister Podcast “Bikes & Big Ideas,” Reynolds Director of Wheel Development Todd Tanner joins Manitou Product Manager Phil Ott to explore what this new dimension could mean for the sport, and how Reynolds is already deep into the process of developing real, rideable solutions. The conversation offers rare insight into how wheel development happens at the highest level.

Reynolds Philosophy: Progress Through Purpose

One of the key themes of the podcast is that Reynolds is not approaching 32-inch wheels as a marketing exercise or a simple scaling project. Instead, the brand is applying decades of composite expertise and wheel building experience with the same guiding principle that has always shaped its best work: Performance must be tangible, measurable, and meaningful in the saddle. Reynolds’ development philosophy is rooted in real-world ride experience, engineering rigor, and an understanding that wheels are not isolated components. They are fundamental to how a bike accelerates, tracks through terrain, holds speed, and communicates feedback to the rider. That is why Reynolds is pursuing 32-inch development hand-in-hand with OEM frame partners and suspension leaders, ensuring that this new wheel standard evolves as a complete system, not a standalone experiment.

Prototypes, Partnerships, and the Next Evolution

Early prototypes are already being tested, with Reynolds collaborating closely across the industry to define what the ideal 32-inch mountain bike wheel should be. From structural targets to ride feel, durability, compliance, and performance under elite-level demands, the work underway reflects the same commitment that has always made Reynolds a leader: To build wheels that elevate the ride experience, no matter the terrain, discipline, or wheel size. Whether the future of MTB becomes 29, 32, or something beyond, Reynolds remains focused on what matters most: Creating a better experience on the bike through engineering that lasts.

Listen In

For riders and industry fans curious about what’s next in mountain bike performance, the full Blister episode provides a fascinating deep dive into Reynolds’ thinking, development process, and the real considerations behind the next generation of wheels. 🎧 Listen to the full podcast with Reynolds and Manitou here: BLISTER