(Photos / Mosaic Cycles)

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32-inch wheels have been showing up in the gravel world since this past spring. But many of the bikes built around that wheel size have felt like works in progress. Some brands are even using existing frames that are modified to fit bigger wheels. Mosaic Cycle’s new GT i55 32 takes a different approach.

(Photos / Mosaic Cycles)

Rather than retrofitting an existing platform, the Colorado-based builder started from scratch with a handmade titanium frame, geometry, and even a purpose-built fork, all developed specifically around the 32-inch wheel format.

The basic appeal of a bike with a bigger wheel boils down to how it interacts with the trail/road you ride. Compared to a standard 700c wheel with the same size tire, proponents of the size claim that a 32-inch wheel will hit obstacles like rocks, ruts, and washboard at a shallower angle. This should help carry your momentum across those rough surfaces more efficiently.

The 32″ Wheel Design Challenge

The challenge comes when designing the 32″ wheeled bike. A larger wheel affects almost every aspect of how a bike is designed. For instance, it will raise the front end, create toe overlap, and stretch the chainstays in ways that make a bike feel slow and cumbersome rather than fast.

Mosaic’s solution to these design challenges involved using 440-445mm chainstays, an offset seat tube, and a 3D-printed titanium yoke for rear wheel and drivetrain clearance. Plus, they used a custom-designed Zero Components fork with a 445mm axle-to-crown height and 60mm offset. Zero Components is Mosaic’s new component line that is starting with All Road, Gravel, Road, and yes, a 32″ gravel fork. More on that in another post.

The result is a bike that keeps the larger wheels tucked close to the rider while maintaining standard gravel drivetrain compatibility. And this includes clearance for up to a 46T chainring without requiring a mountain bike crank.

Another concern that rears its ugly head when designing a bike with 32″ wheels is the fit for smaller riders, where stack height and toe overlap can quickly make a big-wheeled format impractical.

Mosaic addressed this through the fork offset, compact rear triangle, and offset seat tube. All these elements work together to broaden the range of rider sizes the 32″ wheel platform can accommodate.

Since the GT i55 32 is available through Mosaic’s Made-to-Order program, geometry can also be tailored to each rider rather than relying on a one-size-fits-most approach.

Mosaic GT-1 i55 32 Retail & Detail

Retail: $8,250

• Head Tube: IS52 
• Bottom Bracket: T47 
• Fully internal brake routing 
• Rider-Specific Custom Geometry
• Choice of Mosaic standard paint layout

Mosaic GT-2 i55 32 Retail & Detail

Retail: $5,000

• Heat Tube: IS52
• Bottom Bracket: T68
• Semi-integrated brake routing via Cane Creek HCR
• Ride-Specific Custom Geometry
• Titanium Ghost Finish

We will be seeing the new GT i55 32 up close and personal at this year’s MADE Show, as it will debut there. The Mosaic GT i55 32 is available to order now, with a Batch Built option planned for later.

MosaicCycles.com