It looked like Super Boost was on the way out. Then 32ers came along.

Super Boost 157mm hub spacing, once largely abandoned by major bicycle manufacturers, is experiencing an unexpected resurgence. The wider standard is finding renewed purpose with the emerging category of 32-inch wheeled mountain bikes, where its enhanced lateral stiffness properties are proving beneficial. This development, detailed by Singletracks, marks a significant pivot for a technology many considered obsolete, showcasing its utility in addressing the unique demands of larger diameter wheels.

This unlikely revival highlights the cyclical nature of component innovation and the industry's continuous quest for marginal gains, particularly in stiffness and durability. Super Boost, initially championed by a few brands for 29ers, struggled to gain widespread adoption due to its niche appeal and the industry's general preference for the narrower Boost 148mm standard. However, as 32-inch wheels push the boundaries of frame and wheel design, the extra bracing angle afforded by 157mm spacing offers a tangible performance advantage, providing a solution to potential flex issues in these larger formats.

Ultimately, Super Boost's return from the brink proves that no technology is truly dead in cycling; it merely awaits the right problem to solve.