32-inch gravel wheels are the biggest gravel tech story of 2026. A Scott prototype won Unbound XL on them in May, and the first production wheelsets were announced this spring and autumn. So what are they, are they actually faster, and should you wait for one before buying your next gravel bike? Here’s the plain-English rundown from the team at Port Melbourne Cycles.
What are 32-inch gravel wheels?
Most gravel bikes today roll on 700c wheels, which have a 622mm rim diameter (the same as a 29er mountain bike). A 32-inch rim measures 686mm. That’s 64mm bigger across the wheel, or about 32mm extra at every point around the rim.
Once you add a 50mm tyre, a 32-inch wheel stands about 776mm tall, according to 9th Wave. As a result, it meets rocks, roots and ruts at a shallower angle, so it rolls over them with less of a hit.
| Wheel size | Rim diameter | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| 650b | 584mm | Adventure and some smaller-frame gravel bikes |
| 700c / 29er | 622mm | Almost every road and gravel bike sold today |
| 32-inch | 686mm | Prototypes and the first small-batch gravel bikes (2026) |
Why 32-inch gravel wheels could be faster
- Better rollover. A bigger wheel is slowed less by edges and bumps, so it holds speed on broken surfaces.
- More grip. The tyre has a longer contact patch with the ground.
- Calmer at speed. Larger wheels feel more stable on fast, loose descents.
- Less fatigue. Plus, smoothing out the small stuff matters over a long day.
Meanwhile, the downsides of big wheels on a mountain bike, such as slower handling in tight trails, matter far less on open gravel roads. That’s why many testers think gravel is where 32-inch really makes sense.
The catch: weight, stiffness and parts
- More rotating weight. Bigger rims, spokes and tyres take more effort to get up to speed.
- Stiffness. Longer spokes flex more. Newmen’s own testing found 32-inch wheels deform about 31% more than 29-inch wheels under the same side load, before design fixes.
- They won’t fit your current bike. A 32-inch wheel needs a frame and fork designed around it. It is not an upgrade for an existing 700c gravel bike.
- Thin supply. Tyres, tubes and spare wheels are still very limited.
The 32-inch gravel wheels you can actually buy (or order)
9th Wave SandStone SL32
Dutch brand 9th Wave says the SandStone SL32 is the first aero carbon wheelset built for 32-inch gravel bikes. The rim is 52mm deep and 37mm wide inside, hookless and tubeless ready. It uses DT Swiss 240 EXP Boost hubs and 28 spokes per wheel, and 9th Wave claims 1,579g for the pair. The price in Europe is €1,999.
Also, the limited SandStone SL32 LTD steps up to DT Swiss 180 hubs with ceramic bearings. 9th Wave claims 1,503g and €2,299. Pre-orders opened with deliveries from September 2026.
Newmen Streem G.62 (32-inch)
German brand Newmen announced its 32-inch Streem G.62 on 13 October 2026, calling it the first series-production 32-inch gravel race wheel. It keeps the 62mm-deep, 45mm-wide rim of the 700c version and is designed for 45–50mm tyres. The carbon-spoke G.62 CS weighs a claimed 1,670g, only 140g more than its 700c sibling.
However, for now Newmen is selling it to bike brands first. So you’re likely to see it on complete bikes before it goes on sale as a separate wheelset.
How both brands fix the stiffness problem
Both wheelsets borrow mountain bike Boost hub spacing (110mm front, 148mm rear). Wider hub flanges give the spokes a better angle. Newmen says the switch recovers 15.5% of lateral stiffness at the front and 11.5% at the rear. Deeper rims also shorten the spokes, which helps further.
32-inch gravel wheels at Unbound
Scott’s Racing Concept team built prototype RC Gravel 32″ bikes for Cameron Jones and Robin Gemperle at Unbound Gravel 2026 in Kansas. Gemperle then won Unbound XL, a 350-mile race, through thunderstorms and deep mud. He rode prototype 32-inch Schwalbe G-One RX Pro tyres in a 50mm width.
However, Scott says those bikes are pure prototypes that won’t be sold. Meanwhile, Newmen points to Leon Kaiser’s win at Sea Otter Europe Girona, a UCI Gravel World Series round, on its 32-inch wheels.
What about tyres?
Tyres are the real bottleneck. Schwalbe has confirmed the G-One RS Pro and G-One RX Pro in 32-inch, in 50mm and 55mm widths, from April 2027. Until then, choice is very limited.
Interestingly, the 700c version of the same race tyre already ships on the 2027 Scott Addict Gravel: Schwalbe G-One RX Pro in 700x50c. So you can ride the same rubber Gemperle raced today, just on a wheel size that every shop and supplier supports.
Should you wait for a 32-inch gravel bike?
For most riders, no. There are no mainstream 32-inch gravel bikes in Australia yet, and tyres won’t arrive in volume until 2027. Also, a bike bought early will sit in a market with very few spare wheels and tyres for a few years.
Meanwhile, today’s best 700c gravel bikes already take 50mm tyres and more. That gives you much of the comfort and rollover benefit, with full parts support.
- Racing or riding gravel now? Buy a modern 700c bike with big tyre clearance.
- Love new tech and happy to wait? Watch 2027 launches, but expect limited choice and early-adopter pricing.
- Already own a gravel bike? A quality 700c wheel and tyre upgrade is the quickest way to feel faster.
Modern 700c gravel bikes to ride now
The 2027 Scott Addict Gravel range runs Schwalbe G-One RX Pro 50mm tyres from the entry 40 right up to the Premium.
Prefer something different? Browse all our gravel bikes, including Wilier gravel, Scott Speedster Gravel and Scott Scale Gravel. Or upgrade the bike you have with new wheelsets.
Frequently asked questions
Are 32-inch gravel wheels available in Australia?
Not widely yet. 9th Wave sells direct from Europe on pre-order, and Newmen is supplying bike brands first. We’ll update this post as Australian distributors confirm stock and pricing.
Can I fit 32-inch wheels to my gravel bike?
No. A 32-inch wheel needs a frame and fork built for it, plus Boost hub spacing on the current wheelsets. Your 700c bike can’t take them.
How much do 32-inch gravel wheels cost?
The 9th Wave SandStone SL32 is €1,999 in Europe, and the SL32 LTD is €2,299. Newmen hasn’t announced a separate retail price yet.
Are 32-inch wheels the same as 32mm tyres?
No. 32-inch refers to the wheel diameter. 32mm is a tyre width, common on endurance road bikes.
Where can I see gravel bikes in Melbourne?
Port Melbourne Cycles is at 107 Bay Street, Port Melbourne. We can help with sizing and a bike fit, and talk you through tyre clearance and wheel upgrades.
Talk to us about gravel
Thinking about a new gravel bike or a wheel upgrade? Browse our gravel bikes or contact Port Melbourne Cycles. Order online or call us to check availability.
