32er. Thirty twoer. Whatever it'll be called, big wheels are once again becoming a strong talking point in off-road cycling with 750d being found on niche, production bikes. DirtySixer, the brand behind the 36-inch AllRoad Mark II has plans to make mountain bike wheels even larger.

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Yep, it's happening again, or perhaps it never ended as the wheel size debate is sparking once again but rather than 650b vs 29in, DirtySixer has opened up pre-orders for its 32-in-wheeled 'MTB 32er DirtySixer'.

The bike, with a pair of 32-inch wheels, is designed for especially tall riders who want more control, comfort, and performance. The brand claims that the bigger wheels improve balance on descents while being more efficient when pedalling uphill. The larger wheels also stretch the bike's wheelbase, adding another hint of stability.

They also bring the usual straplines we were pedalled with upon the rise of 29-inch wheels, such as a larger tyre contact patch for more grip, better traction on the climbs, and better rollover performance. DirtySixer also says that the 32-inch wheel looks more proportionate with large frame sizes, but we'll leave that up to you to decide.

The wheels are bolted onto a 6061 aluminium frame, and the inverted fork delivers 140mm of suspension travel. For simplicity's sake, it's a hardtail.

DirtySixer isn't messing about either as the frame is nothing short of modern. There's internal cable routing for the stealth dropper post, UDH compatibility and if you're up for bigger adventures – there are plenty of mounting points for luggage.

IMG_20250110_134930.jpg, by Liam Mercer

There are three frame sizes available starting at XL and going up to 3XL, and they're designed to suit rider heights from 5'10" to 6'11". As for the geometry, DirtySixer is yet to provide any details as testing is still underway.

However, if you would like to invest, the brand is asking for a $100 deposit for a pre-order which will also make you a VIP member, granting you a 30 per cent discount. The full price is expected to be $6,500.

• www.dirtysixer.com (link is external)

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