2026 Taipei Cycle Show – 32" tires, forks, wheels, and bikes are here

Josh Weinberg

The annual Taipei Cycle Show kicked off today, serving as a key hub for manufacturers, dealers, media, and other cycling industry professionals. Taking a somewhat different focus from other trade shows with more of a consumer focus like Eurobike or Sea Otter, Taipei Cycle Show is showcasing an industry shift toward what it calls "practical innovation" and "cycling to wellness." With over 900 exhibitors, the theme seems like an attempt to move beyond the pandemic-era boom-and-bust cycle toward a more sustainable model that leverages technology and modern manufacturing to make cycling part of daily life rather than an occasional pastime.

The Taipei Cycle has long been on my list of events to cover, and I've finally made it over thanks to the event's organizers, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), which covered costs for airfare and lodging for a number of members of the media, including me. TAITRA has no input in nor oversight over our editorial coverage. Considered one of Asia's largest bike expos, the event draws many of Taiwan's local brands and companies, which represent a significant aspect of the country's economic base.

I'll be covering a wider variety of the show in the coming days, but this first short piece has a particular focus. Taiwanese tire brand Maxxis got the ball rolling on the new 32" wheel size at last year's show with the release of its 32 x 2.4" Aspen cross-country tire. Since then, there's been a steady stream of related news and product launches, with more and more industry players dipping their toes in the proverbial 32" pool.

This image has nothing to do with this article other than it's Gary Fisher with his old friend George, who was responsible for the first made-in-Taiwan Fisher bikes.

While the jury is still very much out on the application and efficacy of the new, larger-diameter standard (I'll have some initial thoughts to share in a soon-to-be-published review), it does seem to be a meaty bone for many to chew on. For the industry as a whole, which remains on precarious footing, having something new to be excited about is, in my opinion, not a bad thing.

To be frank, there were not as many 32"-related products at the show as I had expected to see. This show seems to be more about manufacturers demonstrating their capabilities, showing finalized products available for sale. I am hearing from many that those products will be a major focus at the upcoming Sea Otter Classic in just a few weeks. Yet, the fact that Asian manufacturers are now at least a bit on board with the new wheel size variant is a strong signal that it's about to take off.

Berd Hawk 30 Gold 32" wheelset

While the big story right now for US wheel system maker, Berd, might be the recent update to its TRUDI wheel truing machine that claims to improve efficiency and consistency for wheelbuilders, the brand debuted a 32" version of its Hawk 30 Gold XC wheel in Taipei.

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