2026 has already been packed with huge stories, from Avinox‘s takeover last week to 32″ wheels and Maxxis has added fuel to the fire, unveiling a new range of five tyres, including one specific to gravel.
Love it or hate it, 32″ wheels look to be here for the long haul. Until now, it’s been a little questionable due to the very limited selection and supply of compatible components, but Maxxis has bucked that trend. Now, the big wheel size is officially open to gravel, cross-country, and trail riders.
Maxxis says that 32″ wheels are about pushing the boundaries of performance, acknowledging that they provide better rollover, a larger contact patch, better stability and lesser deflection from the terrain. That said, it also mentions that bigger wheels aren’t ideal for every application.
It’s no surpri se that the tyre brand is fully on board with the fresh size, as it was amongst the first to bring a 32″ tyre to the market in the form of the Aspen, a very low-tread mountain bike tyre found on BMC’s prototype mountain bike, and Starling’s Big Bird. But today, Maxxis has brought the big wheel love to the Forekaster, the new generation Dissector, as well as the Aspen.
There’s more! Yep, that’s because the Aspen ST, the brand’s minimally treaded tyre that’s become common among the gravel crowd, is available as a gravel-specific 32er with the aim of quenching the thirst for 32″ gravel bikes. Additionally, there’s an all-new Aspen in the form of the Aspen AT, and it looks like it bridges the gap between the regular Aspen and the Forekaster. This tyre features a slightly more pronounced and larger tread pattern than the regular Aspen, but without going quite as aggressively as the Forekaster. Maxxis says that it should provide better control in rougher terrain and add a useful touch of versatility, while remaining fast-rolling. Better still, this tyre will be available for 29in wheels.
All of the new 32-inch tyres from Maxxis will set you back £75.
