Originally Posted by
big john
I don't think there is any way to prove or disprove this theory. What it does show is the viability of the bigger wheels. Certainly you agree that wheel size can make a difference? Would they have gone as fast on 14 inch wheels? Would 14 inch wheels work as well in rocky terrain? Of course not.
If people didn't experiment with different wheel sizes we wouldn't have any way of knowing what works or what the limits are. I'm all for innovation and choices. Would I buy a 32 inch bike now? No, but I'm open to hearing more about them and seeing their results.
The difference in wheel size between 700c and 32" isn't enough to make a difference or give them an advantage IMO. It's still the motor not the bike. He would probably have won on a different bike just like he has numerous other times. We are talking Elite racers here. Outside of Unbound he won all his races on 700c tires.
Robin Gemperle is an elite Swiss ultra-endurance cyclist. He has built a prolific winning record in some of the world's most grueling self-supported bikepacking races.
His notable victories include:
- 2026 Unbound Gravel XL: Won the 356.5-mile race in 21 hours, 20 minutes on a prototype 32-inch gravel bike.
- 2025 Tour Divide: Set a new course record of 11 days, 19 hours, and 14 minutes for the ~2,700-mile unsupported race.
- 2025 SRMR (Silk Road Mountain Race): Took 1st place in the demanding Kyrgyz Republic ultra-endurance event.
- 2024 Transcontinental Race (TCR No. 10): Won the roughly 4,000 km unsupported race across Europe to Istanbul in 8 days and 23 hours.
- 2023 Atlas Mountain Race: Claimed 1st place in the 1,145 km Moroccan bikepacking race.
https://bikepacking.com/news/robin-g...5-tour-divide/
https://www.apidura.com/journal/robi...TECiTGMNQC5biX