So it sounds like the Maxxis Aspen 32x2.4” tyre will be available to buy before the end of the year, with other 32” options coming from Maxxis not that long after, and I wonder whether it’s what we need to get 32” unicycles mainstream.
For so many riders I maintain they’re a better option than a 36”, and that will be even more the case with lightweight kevlar bead tyres. I think so many riders go to 29” and then feel 32” is too small of a gap, but I similarly see many riders struggling with the size of a 36” even when they’ve had them for years.
I’m hoping the Maxxis tyres come in at under £80 a piece, but being a more speciality size it might not. I’m still anticipating it being cheaper than the Nimbus Nightrider Lite, and at probably 500g or so lighter (based on some maths with the 29” Aspen).
Update from the future: They’re about £60-70 in the UK, and ~825g, so a saving of almost 600g over a NR.
I find it puzzling that a major tire manufacturer would go with 32” over 36”. I thought there were many more 36” bikes out there. Regardless, very good news though. I look forward to seeing one.
It’s less about what bikes are out there, and more about what bikes they think might work and sell in the future.
36” bikes are almost exclusively built for really large people. 32” is being heralded as a potential improvement for competitive XC, not necessarily for just massive riders.
It’s probably also possible to make 32” tyres in the same machinery that they use to make plus size 29” tyres. I remember that being an issue mentioned before which is why there are still very few companies making 36” tyres, and nobody making them in kevlar bead. It’s not just a case of making up a new mould, but a completely new supersized machine would also be needed to fit inside that mould.
To me they feel very different. The good thing of the 32” is that it is near as easy as mounting the 29” and I do feel faster than the 29” when road riding, though I have a Nimbus Muni 29” and that tire naturally has more friction than the current 32” tire.
I am very happy with both uni’s.
Are these tires meant of off-roading? And also, isn’t a 32” uni a bit too big for off-road riding? Especially on narrower tracks.
Wrong way. As per my information, it should be 1.8 kg, so 400 heavier than the NR Lite [EDIT: that’s wrong]. It has been designed for e-bikes which don’t care so much about weight. It is also bigger, with a 2.4" section.
However, as you’ve said, other tires should soon be available. I hope we’ll have Gravel-oriented 32" tires
[EDIT] I have mixed information, see messages below.
I wish, but I spoke with the owner of DirtySixer a few months ago and he indicated Maxxis is only interested in making wider 32” tires, not narrower, which seems to rule out gravel 32” tires.
Let’s hope other manufacturers start to make 32er tires, then. I can see that Schwalbe would do such a thing. They are never the last to try new things
[Edit] Sometimes, all you need is a single mail to start whole new projects. I have just sent a message to Schwalbe to inquire whether they have plans to manufacture 32" tires and Aerothan tubes. Let’s wait for a reply!
The Aspen 32 inch tire is a lightweight XC tire that is designed to roll fast and still provide enough traction to keep you going when the trail gets rough. Also great for adventure gravel bikes.
Low profile tread design rolls fast and still delivers grip for climbing and braking
Aggressive side lugs dig into soft terrain to provide additional cornering traction
Intended use: hardpack, loose over hard, medium
MaxxSpeed features a high-silica content compound that reduces rolling resistance while also enhancing wet traction
EXO casing provides protection on sidewalls for extreme cut and abrasion resistance while remaining lightweight and highly flexible
Well, you’re absolutely right! I have mixed the pieces of information I had. The 1.7/1.8 kg tire I had read about was the T-Monster, not the Maxxis Aspen!
the tires at the moment are only the VeeTire T-Monster 32x2.4, about 1,700/1,800 grams per tire.
(Source: Luca, from Trentasei)
So, this Maxxis Aspen is a real thing that’ll be amazing!
BTW, that’s not a great thing for me. I have just bought a NR Lite 32er tire. I’ll have to think about what I do
I would say no chance. For reference, Mad4One L frames are said to be compatible with 29 x 3.25 (I think) and 32 x 2.25 wheels… But they won’t fit anything bigger.
I had the same idea with one of my Flansberrium 36" frames, but I’m not sure it’ll be large enough for a 32 x 2.4 tire
Or a night fox frame as I have done. Very versatile and adaptive to multiple wheel sizes. Perfect for a 32 wheel and room for a water bottle under your saddle.
They’re very much designed as fast XC, for which a 32” is ideally suited IMO. The biggest issue with riding big wheels off road is often finding other riders who will ride at a similar pace.
I think they’d work well as a general use tyre but we’ll have to see how loud they are on road.
I’m hoping the 2.4” will fit my KH36 frame. I wonder on what rim it has to be to achieve 2.4”. It may well not be a million miles off the width we’re used to.
