The Enduro World Cup made a stop at the Aletsch Arena and delivered plenty of excitement. Against the backdrop of the vast Aletsch Glacier, Ella Conolly and Ryan Gilchrist won the elite races, while Elena Frei secured a home victory in the U19 category. Also included are a report on the Swiss Short Track Championships and an update on the European Marathon Championships.

At the Swiss Cross-Country Championships in Leysin, Nicole Koller and Dario Lillo won their first titles. Lillo narrowly edged out Fabio Püntener, while Marcel Guerrini took bronze. In the women’s race, luck was on Nicole Koller’s side; Alessandra Keller finished second, and Rebekka Estermann third. As in the short track event, the U23 titles once again went to the Halter siblings.

Yeti has just released another enduro stunner with the LT, which features the proven suspension system from the US manufacturer’s e-mountain bikes. Canyon is also unveiling the Lux Trail, a sleek bio-bike that’s designed to perform significantly better both uphill and downhill. No matter which of these two bikes you choose to tear up the trails with, Bluegrass offers the perfect protection with the Venture Vest, which doubles as a backpack.

Schwalbe’s Clik Valve makes pumping a breeze—but it hasn’t yet achieved a major breakthrough. Now, pump specialist SKS could provide the decisive impetus.

Every e-mountain bike has an invisible controller riding along: a black box that determines, in milliseconds, when and how much the motor provides assistance. It helps, corrects, and intervenes—and can react incorrectly at the worst possible moment. In a serious accident, the case ends up in court.

Enduro, currently the problem child of mountain bike racing, is coming to live TV. The Swiss free-to-air channel Blue Zoom will broadcast the World Cup race at the Aletscharena Bellwald this coming weekend. According to the organizers, this is a world premiere.

It started out like any other day at the bike shop: unpacking two new mountain bikes, assembling them, adjusting them, and taking them out for a test ride. Both came from the same production run and were identical down to the smallest detail. But after just a few meters, it was clear: the two bikes rode differently. Why?

To further develop summer tourism in the region, the Kitzbühel and Kirchberg region is also focusing on a wide range of mountain biking options. Through 2030, approximately 1.2 million euros are to be invested annually in the qualitative development of these offerings. One project resulting from this strategy is the newly opened Kirchberg Trail, which, at ten kilometers, is the longest flow trail in Tyrol.

When you're on the road with Evoc products, Danny MacAskill is right there with you. At Cyclite, bike packing in pink is all the rage. And at Litelock, a lock is rolling out that has a big mission: to make bike theft impossible.

At the highest-altitude venue of the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Andorra, Boichis, Rissveds, Schehl, and Corvi capped off an intense stretch of racing with victories. While Rissveds, Schehl, and Corvi extended their overall leads with one-two finishes, Boichis celebrated his second World Cup victory in the Elite category on his home course.

The Lac Blanc case is clear: The bike park is doing well, yet the lift is still set to be removed. Such contradictions are becoming more common. What does this mean for mountain biking, a sport that grew up with these lifts?

Jordan Williams and Valentina Höll solidified their lead in the overall standings of the 2026 UCI Downhill World Cup season with commanding victories in Pal Arinsal, Andorra. On the fast and challenging course in the Pyrenees, Aletha Ostgaard and Jonty Williamson also continued their dominance in the junior division.

At the highest-altitude stop of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, Jenny Rissveds continued her dominant run with her second consecutive victory in the short track, while Bjorn Riley celebrated his first UCI World Cup victory with an attack just before the finish in the men’s race. U23 overall leaders Valentina Corvi and Paul Schehl further extended their leads in the overall standings.

With the Velone V1, a German startup aims to eliminate the need for several cockpit accessories. A GPS, cadence sensor, headlight, bell, power bank, anti-theft alarm, and a few other features are all supposed to be packed into a single device. It’s an unusual approach for a clutter-free handlebar setup—the Swiss Army knife of bike computers, so to speak.

With the new Bike Kingdom Learning Lab, Lenzerheide—in collaboration with the municipality of Vaz/Obervaz, strong regional partners, and the national Fairtrail initiative—is setting a new milestone in the sustainable development of mountain biking.

A local government decision to slash funding threatens the Lac Blanc Bike Park, one of the most famous gravity destinations in Alsace. While the loss-making winter operations are being scrapped due to a lack of snow, the thriving summer infrastructure is also set to be eliminated—a completely illogical move. A petition is now fighting for a summer-only model.

Mondraker has given its latest e-MTB an interesting name. The analogy to the English phrase “send it” is a bit confusing, since it’s usually downhill or dirt jump bikes that encourage riders to jump. The Spanish company isn’t taking it so literally: they say the Zendit was developed for use on the toughest climbs and descents.

On a mountain bike, everyone struggles against something: against the clock, against the mountain, against their own lungs. But the greatest reward doesn’t go to the one who suffers the most. It goes to the one who keeps going when someone else can’t anymore.

Harry G manages the feat of presenting the hackneyed stereotypes against e-mountain bikers in a way that somehow makes the whole thing funny. Maybe it’s his dialect, maybe it’s his acting skills. One thing’s for sure: the arguments don’t hold water from start to finish—anyone who wants to can use the video for a debate sparring match. Or just tell Harry G what he thinks.

At the Enduro World Cup in La Thuile, Raphaël Giambi wins his first Enduro World Cup race, while Ella Conolly is already used to stepping onto the podium. Hanna Blochberger and Lino Neumann win the iXS Downhill Cup in Spicak, and Ischgl is set to host the E-Bike World Championships in Ischgl and Galtür.

Italy’s Martina Berta celebrates her first elite victory at the Cross-Country World Cup in La Thuile, making history in front of her home crowd. Berta wins ahead of Savilia Blunk and Laura Stigger. In the men’s race, Luca Martin (FRA) continues his winning streak, finishing more than a minute ahead of his compatriots Mathis Azzaro and Adrien Boichis. In the U23 categories, Valentina Corvi and Paul Schehl dominate once again.

With the mechanical XT, Shimano is sticking with cable-actuated shifting and proving that classic shifting systems haven’t had their day on mountain bikes. The new Rage-i-Vario seatpost from KS also uses a mechanical system and stands out for its easy maintenance. In addition, Manitou is introducing the Mezzer fork with up to 190 millimeters of travel, which would also be a great fit for the new Merida Lithos e-enduro bike.

With the new Blauherd Trail, Zermatt gains yet another biking highlight. The approximately 2.8-kilometer-long flow trail from Blauherd to Sunnegga winds through impressive rocky terrain, offers a fun and playful ride, and delights riders with panoramic views of the Matterhorn.

At the World Cup in La Thuile, Italy, Jordan Williams ended his dry spell in downhill, while Valentina Höll won by a narrow margin over her teammate Lisa Baumann, who missed her first World Cup victory by just two-tenths of a second. In the short track race the day before, Jenny Rissveds won ahead of Sina Frei and Savilia Blunk; in the men’s race, Adrien Boichis won ahead of Luca Martin and Charlie Aldridge.

Fewer numb hands, more control: Novibe’s new grip system is based on a radical idea—instead of being rigidly attached to the handlebars, the grips are mechanically decoupled and are designed to absorb vibrations before they reach the palm. According to the developer, the result is supposed to feel almost as if you were rolling over a smooth carpet instead of rough trails.

Almost every mountain biker believes in at least one of these myths. Some take away from the fun of riding, others even slow you down—and some have long been debunked. Ten common misconceptions everyone should know about.

Anti-pedal-backlash systems are all the rage right now, along with mass-inertia dampers and 32-inch wheels. There are now several systems on the market; often, they consist of special chainrings that are mounted on the crank. DT Swiss is taking a completely different approach and “hides” its solution between the hub and the freewheel. 

Schweizmobil and the BFU have revised the signage for Swiss mountain bike routes and trails. In doing so, the agency has also redefined the difficulty levels. The new scale has five levels, with “very easy” and “very difficult” as additional levels. But there are also changes within the scale itself.

Mountain bikers often ride where they aren't allowed. First comes the ban, then the fines, and only years later does a legal trail appear. Is the illegal biker a lawbreaker? Or a pioneer ahead of his time?

Anyone who goes mountain biking in the mountains today needs fewer skills than ever before. Navigation, reading the weather, self-assessment: what used to be part of the sport is increasingly being taken over by technology. Those who rely on it blindly can easily misjudge the situation. Does the mountain biker still ride on their own, or are they letting the technology ride for them?

The Trek brand is turning fifty. To mark the occasion, a major documentary film has been released that, at its core, tells the story of Trek, but actually offers a deeper insight into the origins of cycling and how the sport has changed over the past 50 years.

In Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, a hunter is on trial for repeatedly stretching steel cables across an unauthorized bike trail. The prosecution has charged him with murder.

Ride's tour database just keeps growing. In May 2026, a substantial batch of routes on Elba was added, along with tours in northern Tuscany around Massa and Pisa, as well as some Ligurian highlights near Varazze.

Twenty years ago, it wasn’t just a bike park that was created in Bellwald—it was a vision. What began with shovels, pickaxes, and a handful of downhill enthusiasts has evolved into one of Switzerland’s most versatile alpine bike destinations. To mark this anniversary, Bellwald is looking back on its pioneering history, celebrating the people behind the project, and opening the next chapter of its success story with a new partnership with Crankbrothers.

The dry conditions are increasing the risk of fire. A fire has broken out at Cima della Trosa above Locarno, and firefighters are still battling it on Tuesday morning. The area affected is Cima della Trosa, through which a Ride Tour also passes.

Bikers who enjoy riding the Hart-Lines near Bad Kreuznach (Rhineland-Palatinate) will likely have to do without them for a while. The reason is a forest fire—in an area where there is still a lot of ammunition from World War II buried in the ground. There is a risk of explosion.

Genoa is a hidden gem for enduro riders, not far from the hustle and bustle of Finale Ligure. Participants in the Red Bull Cerro Abajo race ride the port city’s most exclusive trail—a city downhill course that winds through narrow alleys, over staircases, and flies right across entire streets. It’s pure spectacle on paths that are otherwise unrideable.

Leogang announces the 25th anniversary of the Epic Bikepark, looking ahead to a special event. In Davos, Forchini and Schätti win the cross-country race, while in Val di Fassa, the Enduro World Cup delivers thrilling races under challenging conditions.

First Specialized, now Amflow: Bikepacking with e-mountain bikes is riding high. Rotwild is rolling out the R.XX, a trail bike that’s got more than meets the eye. And Rohloff—not exactly known for making headlines—has come out with some interesting news.

Those who avoid risk pay a price. Life has never been as safe as it is today—and yet never before have so many people suffered from chronic stress. The mountain biker who puts himself in danger on a trail is instinctively doing the right thing. He just doesn’t know it.

Coexistence campaigns for mountain bikers are popping up everywhere. However, they are often superficial, and the behavioral tips tend to be rather trivial. There are other tips that would lead to a much more relaxed atmosphere on the trail, says Ride editor Thomas Giger. For example, not wearing a full-face helmet.

Lend a hand with trail maintenance in exchange for room and board in a biking paradise—that’s the deal at the trail-building camps. Adelboden-Lenk and Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis are hosting the next round this summer.

Avinox is reimagining the e-bike: With the MG Concept Motor, the Chinese motor and sensor specialist is presenting its vision of a fully integrated drive system—without a rear derailleur, without a cassette, and virtually maintenance-free. The message is clear: The classic rear derailleur may eventually become obsolete.

Since its opening last year, the Furka Trail in Obergoms has quickly become a popular singletrack in the Upper Valais. A new short documentary follows trail builders Donat and Leo on the descent from the Furka Pass to Oberwald and offers exciting behind-the-scenes insights into the construction project.

A female mountain biker crashes on a red flow trail and sustains serious injuries. In the second instance, the Higher Regional Court of Hamm in North Rhine-Westphalia ordered the association that operates the trail to pay damages. The DIMB fears that fewer volunteers will now be willing to take the risk of maintaining trails. The ruling serves as a prime example of the extent of the obligations of bike trail operators.

With the Lux Era concept mountain bike, Canyon is ushering in a new era in cross-country cycling. With the Lux Era, Canyon is testing a novel double-decker cockpit, 32-inch wheels, an upside-down fork, and aerodynamically optimized profiles. This raises the question of whether this concept heralds the future of cross-country racing bikes.

At the Swiss Marathon Championships, held as part of the Bike Marathon Classics in Evolène, Anna Weinbeer and Casey South claimed the titles. Freeride legend Cam McCaul didn’t win a title, but he did land a new sponsor. Ginia Caluori has a new team. Having previously competed in road and mountain bike races, the talented Swiss cyclist is switching to the Spanish professional team Movistar.

At the Cross-Country World Cup in Lenzerheide, Jenny Rissveds proves that the course at the foot of the Rothorn is perfectly suited to her. The Swede wins ahead of Switzerland’s Ronja Blöchlinger, who celebrates her best career result. Savilia Blunk finishes third. In the men’s race, Luca Martin rides to the finish line first, ahead of his French compatriot Adrien Boichis and the young U.S. star Bjorn Riley.

The solar system has 200 moons, eight planets, and countless asteroids. Somewhere out there, there’s a better place for mountain biking than here. That leaves just one question: Which one?

Following Scott and Stoll’s initial successes with 32-inch wheels in gravel and marathon racing, Thömus is now making waves in the World Cup with large wheels for the first time, saying, “The bikes are available for purchase.” Pivot isn’t ready to embrace 32-inch wheels just yet and is launching the new “Mach 4 SL” cross-country model. Orbea’s latest e-enduro, the “Wild LT,” isn’t an SL but packs a punch. And anyone in Austria looking to lease bikes will find what they’re looking for at Canyon and Lease a Bike.

Savilia Blunk of the United States and Adrien Boichis of France celebrated their first World Cup victories in short track in Lenzerheide. While Blunk defeated Swiss skaters Ronja Blöchlinger and Alessandra Keller in the final, Boichis prevailed with an explosive attack. In the U23 category, Bloeme Kalis and Paul Schehl triumphed.

Whether you choose a steel shock or an air shock is a matter of personal preference. If you can't decide, go with the Tigon from Cane Creek. The Tigon features an air chamber that adjusts the progression of its linear steel spring. This enhances the sensitivity of the steel shock with the progression of an air shock.

The UCI is facing heavy criticism over a controversial jury decision at the World Cup in Leogang. The victim is Mathis Azzaro (FRA), who loses his second-place finish. Jenny Rissveds’ (SWE) more serious rule violation, on the other hand, has no consequences—her victory remains intact. Hardly anyone online supports this interpretation of the rules.

A mountain bike trail can be perfectly built and still lose its appeal over time. Often, it’s not the trail itself that wears out, but the thrill it provides while riding. The key question, therefore, is not just how well a trail is built, but why it loses its appeal over time.

According to Schwalbe, the Clik valve is set to become the industry standard in the medium term—but will it succeed? At Evoc, the focus is on bikepacking, and the new collection speaks for itself. And at Orbea, they’re setting a new pace, as the Oiz road bike delivers blistering lap times. 

Claudia Peretti and David Valero win the Marathon World Cup against the stunning backdrop of the Dolomites. The setting for the new Orbea Oiz rocket, on the other hand, is the Cross-Country World Cup, which has recently introduced a new trophy—one for the best teams. For the final hour of the race, there’s also a new gel from Winforce, and once the finish line is crossed, Möhl offers a refreshing Reload drink.

Adrien Boichis celebrates his first World Cup victory in the Elite category in Saalfelden-Leogang, ahead of his compatriot Luca Martin and Bjorn Riley, who is celebrating his first podium finish. Jenny Rissveds triumphs with a commanding solo ride. Second and third places go to Puck Pieterse and Alessandra Keller. On the challenging course at the Epic Bike Park, Valentina Corvi and Paul Schehl also prevail in the U23 races, marking a weekend full of drama.

Valentina Höll and Finn Iles win the Downhill World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang on a course that constantly changes during the race. The Austrian finishes well ahead of Cabirou and Newkirk, while Iles beats Amaury Pierron by just under two-tenths of a second. In the junior women’s category, the Austrian Lina Frener takes the win.

There are questions you don’t ask to get an answer. You ask them to hear the answer you already have in mind. At the bike shop, the staff experience this as soon as the season kicks off. The workshop is overflowing. The phone is ringing. Seven bikes are lined up outside the shop, waiting to be taken in for repair. And then he arrives.

From June 19 to 21, 2026, Lenzerheide will host the “Anniversary Edition X” of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. Ten years, ten events—time to look back on a decade that has made the Bike Kingdom one of the world’s top mountain biking destinations.

Sina Frei and Simon Andreassen won the Short Track World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang with perfectly timed attacks in the final lap. Wet conditions, slippery sections, and new technical elements made for exciting races, in which Monique Halter and Paul Schehl also delivered strong performances in the junior categories.

Bikepacking is no longer a niche activity. For years, gravel and mountain bikers have been riding through the wilderness with bags and gear. Now Specialized is introducing new racks for the Levo and talking about “Electric Overland”. 

Even though it’s not a mountain biking story, Lael Wilcox’s feat deserves serious attention. In 2024, the American circumnavigated the globe in 108 days, 12 hours, and 12 minutes, setting the Guinness World Record for women at. Now she’s aiming for the absolute best time: Wilcox wants to circumnavigate the globe in a maximum of 78 days!

Mountain biking used to be a sport for everyone, regardless of income. Today, not everyone still rides. The mountain quietly and unnoticed sorts the riders out.

In just a few days, Aalen will take center stage as the host of the Mountain Bike Congress. There, the big questions facing the sport will be discussed. It’s an event intended to provide direction. On the trails around the city, however, one thing is currently evident above all else: a lack of direction. Aalen offers a vivid example of how Germany is dithering when it comes to mountain biking.

Anyone who thinks the new bike from the "Scott-Sram MTB Racing Team" is only for racers is mistaken. Scott has created a cross-country bike with a wide range of uses. It also features many innovative details.

With the new Spark RC, Scott has further refined its successful XC and marathon race bike, positioning the shock absorber horizontally directly above the bottom bracket. Never before has the center of gravity on an XC bike been lower! Overall, however, the focus is not on spectacular features but on the interplay of all the details—from the suspension and frame construction to ease of maintenance.

Whether you're traveling in a camper or by car, cooking on the go doesn't have to mean a wobbly folding table, a messy trunk, and an improvised dish-washing basin. Three current solutions demonstrate just how differently outdoor kitchens are designed today. Whether as a table with suction cups, a compact kitchen box, or a modular Eurobox system that enables nearly full-scale kitchen logistics.

The Val d’Anniviers is strengthening its position as a mountain biking destination by partnering with three riders who have deep ties to the region: Urien Minuty, Axel Bourquin, and Sélim Minuty will serve as the destination’s new enduro bike ambassadors.

Switzerland’s leading cycling festival is expanding. After six successful years in Zurich, Cycle Week 2027 will come to Lausanne for the first time. Going forward, the event will take place annually in both cities—a milestone for the nation’s cycling culture.

German downhill rider Nina Hoffmann has one too many bikes in her garage and is now selling it on eBay. The proceeds from the sale of her custom-built Santa Cruz 5010 will go toward trail projects and inclusion initiatives in Germany, distributed through the Mountainbike Forum Deutschland and its Bike Spirit Awards.

Swiss Cycling announces the Swiss Pumptrack Championships in Ilanz, Graubünden. In La Molina, Spain, the U17 riders rode the fastest times of the day at the European Downhill Cup, and in other news: Anna Weinbeer and David Valero win the Marathon World Cup in Andorra.

For two minutes, your mind goes blank: no job, no worries, no pain. Just the trail, the next few meters, the turn. The best feeling in mountain biking. And perhaps the most dangerous.

Norco presents the Torrent DH, a new downhill bike designed less for racing and more for fast, fun riding in bike parks and on extreme trails. Canyon is also joining the fray with its counterpart, the Torque AL. Last but not least, the fastest of these bikes is the Demo 11 from Specialized, which is aimed at die-hard racers. Abus, Rudy Project, and Sweet Protection offer the perfect helmets and eyewear to go with these bikes.

Self-bleeding disc brakes? Sounds like a major innovation. But here’s the thing: for most mountain bikers, bleeding brakes isn’t one of those problems that regularly spoils their fun. The real ongoing issue is usually already apparent as soon as you start rolling out of the parking lot: squeaky brake rotors. Whoever manages to eliminate that noise for good would probably have more fans than any automatic bleeding system.

Fox appears to be working on a disc brake designed to automatically remove air bubbles from the system. A new patent application provides some interesting details.

This year, the Val d'Hérens is further expanding its outdoor offerings and strengthening its position as an essential mountain biking destination in the Valais. The new “Bike Val d’Hérens” network, which stretches across Saint-Martin, Evolène, Hérémence, Thyon, and Nax, offers more than 330 kilometers of newly certified trails suitable for all skill levels.

Some trails only exist because hardly anyone knows about them. As soon as they appear on Komoot, Strava, or Trailforks, the countdown begins. This isn't a coincidence—it's an algorithm.

Just how good is the battery really? Has the motor been modified? Bosch aims to make buying used e-bikes significantly safer. With the new “Certified by Bosch” digital certificate, buyers receive—for the first time—a detailed condition report for the drive, battery, and system.

The once-undisputed market leader in the action camera sector is facing an existential crisis. GoPro has issued a stark warning to investors: there are “significant doubts about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.” The reason is skyrocketing prices for memory chips

No exhaust fumes, no noise, just pure nature. The e-mountain bike is considered an eco-friendly piece of sports equipment. As long as no one asks.