The past couple of years have seen some sizeable steps forward in cycling technology, across all genres. But with nearly everything coming to the market; 32in wheels, powerful e-bike motors, electronic shifting, gravel suspension and more, it all seems to be met with a mixed-to-negative reception. Why is that, and does it really matter?

The cycling space is a very fast-moving one, in terms of the technology used on a bike. Only in the last seven years have we seen electronic shifting become a permanent fixture on loads of bikes, and in that same time, e-mountain bikes have become ridiculously popular. Then, only in the last year and a half or so, we’re seeing the rise of 32-inch wheels.

All of these things were met with an incredibly mixed reception, and all of the scepticism with plenty shouting that the industry is just trying to ‘sell us more stuff that we don’t need’ – remember that phrase, it’s important to my point. But then some of that stuff later becomes common and accepted by the general riding population, point in case, dropper posts and e-mountain bikes. People shunned the idea of both; now, many won’t ride without a dropper, and e-bikes make for an excellent entry into the MTB world, at the very least. Again, remember this.

2026 Starling Big Bird hero
2026 Starling Big Bird hero (Image Credit: Liam Mercer)

Over the past few months, at least, our comments sections have been filled with that aforementioned statement whenever something new and different comes out. But then, it doesn’t even grace a keyboard warrior’s eager fingers with particular products. Take RockShox’s LinearXL sprung suspension, and Specialized’s new Demo 11. Those were met with plenty of positivity. 

I guess what’s happening with wheel sizes, electric shifting, and such is that people are afraid that the supply of ‘normal’ kit available to them will thin out and they won’t be able to ride the kit they love for as long as they’d hoped. And that’s a very justified concern, as when 650b and 29” wheels began to dominate, 26” wheels and tyres for them have become mighty difficult to come by. That said, some brands are still supporting the wheelsize – looking at you, Halo.

What I believe is happening here is that people really don’t need to buy into the latest RockShox or Specialized kit, and neither are going to take over the cycling world by storm; rather, they’re more optional upgrades that can be made if folk want to.

But with wheel sizes and shifting (to an extent), they can go the same way as 26in wheels, and become very hard to buy. That does affect the consumer who are dead set on their preferences. If they’re still riding 650b wheels, and bikes are only available with 32in wheels (that probably won’t happen), but they’re looking to upgrade to a more modern geometry, for example, that’s going to be a tough time. I get it.

2026 surly sorceress dropper
2026 surly sorceress dropper (Image Credit: Liam Mercer)

It’s not as if there’s some kind of cross compatibility, either. You can run a 650b wheel in place of a 29” hoop on a fork designed for a 29-inch wheel, but it will mess with the geometry of your mountain bike or gravel bike, if you’re adventurous, which is far from ideal. Obviously, 32-inch tyres won’t fit 650b wheels, either. With this in mind, things like wheel sizes have a more significant butterfly effect on how people make decisions on buying their next bike. So I understand the hate.

And to defend 32-inch wheels a bit. They’re not exactly taking the world by storm. Sure, online publications and trade shows are raving about them at the moment, admittedly, because that’s the kind of topic that gets clicks. Smaller brands are also tinkering with the idea, which, in turn, garners a good amount of attention because it’s a new, interesting and divisive thing. And the kinds of bikes they’re being found on are just a few cross-country, short travel and gravel bikes, where the wheel size makes the most sense. 32-inch wheels aren’t coming to prise your 650b or 29-inch wheels from you next week, as much as it may seem so.

But, as with all of the best things in life, things change. Computers get more powerful, cars get heated seats, TVs come with fancier displays, cameras produce more detailed images, running shoes get comfier, PlayStations get more expensive, electric pumps fill everyone’s backpacks, e-mountain bikes make climbs easier, electronic shifting ditches cable maintenance, mixed wheel sizes balance business up front, party out back performance, and dropper posts make descending just better.

Now, I’m not saying that you should ditch your favourite things and buy the next iPhone 31, or whatever it’s at now, and a hint of scepticism certainly isn’t a bad thing. But I don’t believe that we’re at a place where certain new things are going to destine established standards to the bin. Unless those standards really bring great and justifiable improvements to life on a bike… hello UDH.

So, to conclude my point, is the cycling industry trying to sell us stuff we don’t need? Yes, but do you need it? No. Do you want it? Go ahead. But with everything in life, you might surprise yourself if you try a new thing… you might actually like the idea that you hate. Importantly, you just don’t need to buy into the latest cycling trend to enjoy your time with your bike.

In a world that’s already heavily divided, with people arguing over as little as how best to brew coffee, and what people like to do inside the walls of their own homes, let’s lighten up a little. The technology of riding bikes is just a small part of what the hobby, or lifestyle, is actually about. Let’s lay off the keyboard (I won’t, it’s my job), forget technology, and just. Ride. Bikes.

P.S – That’s what those insanely talented kids who are absolutely sending it on bikes held together with chewing gum, spit and gaffer tape, all while making everyone else feel inadequate at bikes, are doing. And clearly, they’re having a lovely ol’ time.