{"id":1794278,"date":"2026-02-26T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1794278"},"modified":"2026-02-26T09:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T06:00:00","slug":"the-singular-albatross-swoops-in-with-a-32er-mountain-bike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1794278","title":{"rendered":"The Singular Albatross swoops in with a 32er mountain bike"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photos provided by Singular Cycles<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

English bike brand Singular Cycles just announced their first 32er mountain bike, the Singular Albatross. The titanium frame is designed around a rigid fork and is being pitched as a cross-country \/ bikepacking bike.<\/p>\n

It???s not just about rollability and traction<\/h2>\n

???A major motivation behind my starting Singular in the first place was big wheels,??? founder Sam Alison wrote online<\/a>. ???I was an early adopter and strong advocate since I first rode a Gary Fisher X-Caliber with then new, exciting, and divisive 29??? wheels [???] What attracted me was not just the better roll-over, greater inherent stability or traction of the larger diameter wheels it was that for the first time as a full grown adult I felt like I was on a bike which actually fit me.???<\/p>\n

The Singular Albatross is being offered in just three sizes: large, double extra large (XXL). Alison says the bike should fit riders who are at least 5???10??? tall, though the 32er wheel size is ideal for riders taller than 6??? 2???.<\/p>\n

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An illustration of a mountain bike labeled \"The Albatross,\" featuring a geometric design with detailed measurements for various components such as the frame, fork, and wheel size. The image includes specifications like seat post height, wheelbase, head tube dimensions, and other technical aspects relevant to bike design. The overall color scheme is primarily gray with black accents.<\/a><\/figure>\n

Super Boost spacing, extended chainstays, and more drop <\/h2>\n

With the move to larger diameter, 32-inch wheels, Alison found the wheels needed additional lateral stiffness. Super Boost spacing (157mm) seems to offer the extra strength necessary, and the Albatross is designed with a Super Boost rear end. Other 32er bike designers have come to a similar conclusion, with Dirty Sixer founder David Folch opting for even wider, 197mm fat-bike hub spacing for his brand???s full-suspension 32er bike, the MonsterEnduro<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Alison worked to keep the chainstays reasonably short, though that???s a challenge with the bigger wheels. To minimize rear tire buzz when descending on a 32er, it???s important to ensure the chainstays aren???t too<\/em> short. The Singular Albatross features a 447mm chainstay length, which is longer than the average 29er hardtail, but still within the range of many bikes. <\/p>\n

Bottom bracket drop, however, is another matter. Since this is a rigid mountain bike, the 303mm bottom bracket height is on the low side, and is accomplished via a massive 105mm bottom bracket drop. Alison experimented with 90mm and 100mm drops before ultimately settling on a 105mm drop.<\/p>\n

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Singular will initially offer the Albatross as a rolling chassis with a titanium frame, carbon fork, and aluminum wheelset running Maxxis Aspen 32??2.4??? tires for $3,900<\/a>. One thing buyers will want to consider is that their gearing needs will likely change when moving from a 29er to a 32er.<\/p>\n

???I???ve gone down to a 30 [chainring] up front. Typically, I ride a 32 on 29??? wheeled bikes. You???d probably need another tooth less to fully compensate for the effectively larger gear with the big wheel, but it???s working well for me on local trails,??? he told Singletracks.<\/p>\n

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The Singular Albatross joins more than a dozen 32ers already on the market<\/h2>\n

For industry observers keeping track, Singular joins roughly a dozen brands and custom builders who are producing bike frames for 32-inch wheels.<\/p>\n