Every bold idea starts with a question. At BMC, that question was simple yet daring: what if cross-country racing could be faster, smoother and more efficient with wheels larger than 29 inches?  

The answer took shape inside the Impec Lab, where our engineers and designers thrive on challenging convention. What emerged is one of the most radical projects we’ve ever created: a mountain bike prototype with 32-inch wheels, known as Project Fahrenheit. 

This concept wasn’t outsourced and it wasn’t theoretical. It was imagined, designed and built entirely in-house. Using modified Fourstroke carbon tubing paired with custom CNC-machined alloy lugs, our team created a unique frame capable of housing the unprecedented 32-inch platform. Early-stage, yes, but built to ride and built to be tested where it matters most, on the race course.  

Moving from 26” to 29” already changed mountain biking forever. But the leap from 29” to 32” might be even more profound. Wheel size isn’t just a number; it reshapes geometry, fit and suspension dynamics in ways you can feel immediately. For this prototype, we retained our trusted APS suspension system, but everything else - layout, feel and ride perception - had to be reimagined. The result is a dramatically different ride experience, and that’s exactly what we set out to explore with Project Fahrenheit. 

Unlike many prototypes that never leave the lab, this one is already being put through its paces on real trails. In fact, you may have spotted it during practice at the UCI MTB World Cup in Andorra. There’s no better proving ground than racing terrain under the control of world-class athletes. This approach gives us authentic feedback, collected at full race intensity, right in the middle of the season. 

This project isn’t about chasing hype or following trends. It’s about asking hard questions and pushing boundaries in pursuit of one clear goal: building faster bikes. We don’t have conclusions yet, just data, insights and countless hours of trail time. And that’s exactly how true innovation begins. 

Project Fahrenheit proves that our commitment to performance is relentless and that the Impec Lab remains the beating heart of BMC innovation. We don’t know exactly where this journey will lead, but one thing is certain: the future is already rolling. 

Project Fahrenheit isn’t just a prototype; it’s the spark of a new era in XC racing.