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

32” Suspension in Focus: Manitou Explores the Future with GMBN

The rise of 32 inch wheels is generating serious conversation across mountain biking. But suspension cannot remain theoretical. In a special two part GMBN feature, Manitou joins the discussion publicly, combining engineering insight with real world testing aboard a collaborative 32 inch platform developed with Sour Bikes and Reynolds.

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

Suspension Cannot Be Designed Alone

Increasing wheel diameter impacts every aspect of suspension design. Axle to crown height. Offset. Trail values. Chassis stiffness. Damping dynamics. Kinematic balance. Suspension does not operate in isolation. It must evolve alongside frames and wheels. To create a meaningful development environment, Manitou partnered with Sour Bikes to build a rideable 32 inch baseline platform. Sour’s hand built approach allowed rapid geometry refinement and iterative testing, something far more difficult within high cost carbon mold production cycles. The result is not a concept drawing. It is a functioning test rig built to answer real questions.

The GMBN Engineering Conversation

The first GMBN video features Manitou Product Manager Phil Ott alongside Reynolds’ Todd Tanner and Hayes’ John Thomas. The conversation dives into the true implications of 32 inch wheels for suspension: How does chassis stiffness scale? What changes in damper behavior must be considered? How does rollover influence dynamic loading? What does “balanced performance” mean at this diameter? Rather than declaring definitive outcomes, the focus is on the engineering process itself.

Finale Ligure: Real Trail Validation

In the second episode, GMBN editors ride the Sour, Manitou, and Reynolds 32 inch test platform in Finale Ligure. Initial impressions of rollover, tracking, and stability begin to shape the next phase of analysis. Theory is necessary. Riding is essential.

Continuing a Legacy of Suspension Innovation

Manitou has been part of mountain bike suspension since its earliest days. From some of the first production suspension forks to proprietary solutions like the Reverse Arch chassis design, Manitou has repeatedly chosen to innovate rather than follow. The exploration of 32 inch suspension is another example of that mindset. Not simply scaling up an existing fork, but asking whether a larger platform requires fundamentally new thinking. Watch both GMBN videos and follow along as Manitou continues refining suspension performance for the next evolution of mountain biking.