A Handmade MTB That Could Change How We Think About Wheel Sizes

"The core idea here isn't gimmickry. It's composure. Specifically, the idea that a calmer, more composed ride creates speed, and that a platform intentionally designed around 32-inch wheels can deliver that in a way a scaled-up 29er simply can't."

"The Alpina is handmade and batch-built in partnership with Falconer Bikes out of California, offered in three stock sizes (MD, LG, XL), and TIG-welded from Reynolds steel tubing. Frame construction is domestic, and the build kit leans hard into that ethos with components from White Industries, Astral, and Madrone."

BTCHN' Bikes has launched the Alpina, a handmade steel hardtail built around 32-inch wheels, challenging the mountain biking community's historical skepticism toward new wheel sizes. The bike features TIG-welded Reynolds steel construction, domestic manufacturing in partnership with Falconer Bikes, and a carefully curated component selection including White Industries, Astral, and Madrone parts. Starting at $6,800, the complete build weighs 29.17 pounds in base configuration. The design philosophy prioritizes composure and composed riding as a path to speed, with 32-inch wheels intentionally engineered rather than simply scaled from 29-inch designs. Available in three sizes, the Alpina represents a serious production commitment to the emerging 32-inch wheel platform.

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