Some may remember WTB's 750D effort and think it is the same thing as 30.5". In effect it probably is, but technically 750D is an ISO660, so not the same fit, and would not work on a 30.5" platform. I know the difference looks minimal, but such is the (fickle) way of the bicycle industry. Instead of working on a size already baked into existence, they start all over again.
This does not play well in Peoria. (Meaning with the masses for those unfamiliar with the saying) The whole thing comes off as a 'money grab' to many, but there are reasons for this which do make sense. From a racer's viewpoint, 30.5" gains an advantage but fits more people better. Larger diameter wheels are proven to be faster and more stable. Mountain bikers benefit most. This is where you are going to see the development take place first.
There is a great post on PinkBike.com which gives a few takes on this from some manufacturers and brand viewpoint. (See it HERE). It is plain to see from the reading of the post that 30.5" wheels will happen, and already are. Racers are already testing and racing this wheel size.
So, will you be ditching all your 29"er MTB stuff for 30.5"ers soon? I would not get too excited now about this. There is a lot of ground to cover before consumers need to be moving on from 29"ers, if they ever do. 30.5" wheels may find a home in some garages, but until the UCI weighs in, and until the bicycle industry decides upon where they are going to go, I would sit on my credit card.
In my opinion, a world where there is 29", 30.5", and 32" is an unsustainable one which will probably not happen. If it does, it won't be for very long. Think about when we had 27.5", 26", 29" all coexisting at the same time in the early 2010's. Or when 27.5" 29", and Plus sized tires were all being pushed as "The New Thing". In gravel we had two wheel sizes (27.5"/650B and 700c) and one fell out of favor there.
It's historically been shown consumers will whittle choices in wheels and tires down to just a few offerings and businesses are not wanting more SKU's in inventory, wondering which wheels and tires to stock and which not to stock. Less choice is ideal for business. So, in my opinion, at least one of these sizes will go away in MTB, and I think you have to look at the extreme end as the most likely to be eliminated.
I could be wrong, but I really believe this situation with three or four wheel diameters for MTB is unsustainable in the marketplace,
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