Canyon has pulled back the curtain on a one-of-a-kind Grizl CF gravel bike featuring 32-inch wheels, crafted specifically for NBA icon LeBron James. The project was carried out in southern Germany, and according to Wolfgang Kohl, Canyon’s lead gravel engineer, the process involved far more than simply scaling up an existing frame.
Kohl explained that while the geometry could potentially work out, the structural forces at play don’t increase proportionally with size. He noted that every component had to be re-engineered from the ground up, otherwise the bike wouldn’t perform as a cohesive, responsive system for its rider.
Beyond the oversized 32-inch wheels, this 3XL machine incorporates a specialized carbon layup designed to handle the substantial forces that a 6-foot-9 professional athlete like James generates. The build also features custom CNC-machined thru-axles with wider Boost spacing, along with a bespoke seat clamp.
A custom creation that mirrors a broader trend
Despite all the excitement and discussion surrounding 32-inch wheels, Canyon’s decision to build this bike for James doesn’t signal a firm commitment to the format. The brand characterizes the bike as a singular creation, even though it is entirely rideable and fully functional.
This situation echoes what happened recently with Scott’s 32-inch bikes, which Robin Gemperle rode to victory at the 2026 Unbound 2026 XL race, while Cameron Jones also used one on the shorter 200-mile Unbound course. When Scott introduced its 32-inch models, the company was quick to label them as pure prototypes that would never make it to market.
Similarly, BMC athletes tested a 32-inch prototype at the Andorran stop of the XC World Cup in July 2025, but the company later informed BikeRadar that it had no intention of bringing a 32-inch bike to consumers.
The pattern suggests that while major mainstream manufacturers continue to view 32-inch wheels as an experimental concept, it’s primarily smaller custom builders who are fully embracing the size.
That said, it’s entirely possible that brands like Canyon, Scott, or BMC will eventually bring a 32-inch-wheel bike to the market.
Schwalbe made its position clear in January, stating it was fully convinced by the wheel size and confirming plans to launch 32-inch tires the following year. The company’s prototype 32-inch G-One RX tires are actually fitted to James’ new Grizl.
In March, Merida’s Stephan Seitz revealed that the company is actively developing both gravel bikes and cross-country mountain bikes around this wheel size. He further predicted that 32-inch wheels would become the performance benchmark by the spring of next year.
For now, it’s LeBron James who is enjoying the fruits of Canyon’s willingness to experiment. He may be the perfect test subject, given the widespread belief that this wheel size suits taller riders especially well.
Reflecting on the experience, James said that with most bikes he’s ridden, he was always conscious of the machine beneath him, aware of where it didn’t fit properly, and constantly adjusting around its shortcomings.
He described this bike as the first one that required no such mental effort. According to James, that’s what he cherishes most about cycling: the feeling of being completely present, with nothing else occupying his mind.
