Bicycles are becoming more digital, and e-bikes more complicated—yet the very skilled workers who keep them running are in short supply. A new European study shows just how serious the situation already is and why it could ultimately affect almost everyone who takes their bike to a repair shop.

Shimano describes the GE900 Women model as its flagship for downhill and enduro riding. That’s quite a claim. So it was time for the Ride test rider to hit the trails to put it to the test. Instead of downhill courses, however, she took on numerous Alpine trails, where she also had to tackle some elevation gain on foot.

For decades, Shimano has been introducing its latest MTB technologies through its top-of-the-line XTR groupset. Twelve months later, these innovations were incorporated into the Deore and XT groupsets. During the last component update, it took just two weeks for the XT to be brought up to the latest technical standards. Is that a good thing or a bit strange?

Shimano is launching the M8200 series of mechanical Deore XT components, demonstrating that cable-actuated shifting still has a future in mountain biking. New features include a more robust rear derailleur, improved ergonomics on the shift lever, and options for sporty trail bikes as well as heavy-duty e-mountain bikes.

With the new Saint and XT pedals, Shimano is expanding its flat pedal lineup with two models that appear similar at first glance. Both feature a wide platform, a concave design, and interchangeable pins, but differ significantly in their intended use.

With Technium, Technium L, and Twinspark, Shimano is introducing three new lightweight eyewear models designed for road, trail, gravel, and everyday use. Thanks to Ridescape lens technology, these glasses offer enhanced contrast, clearer vision, and superior comfort. Depending on the model, full-frame or half-frame styles and various lens options are available.

Shimano is strengthening its long-term commitment to trail development, representing the interests of mountain bikers, and community work. With the expansion of the Trail Born initiative for 2026, the company is building on the success it has enjoyed since the program launched in 2024. Shimano will finance a total of 19 new projects in 2026, expanding into new countries while continuing to support existing trail networks worldwide.

From 2026, Shimano will no longer be an exhibitor at Eurobike. Instead of a traditional trade fair presence, the component manufacturer is shifting its focus to its own, consumer-oriented event formats - a move that clearly reflects the change in the bike industry.

With the PD-EH510, Shimano presents a hybrid pedal that combines the SPD click system and a platform pedal. It is aimed at commuters, gravel riders and off-road beginners who appreciate flexibility in terms of surface and shoe choice and value stability and durability.

For years, Sram has dominated the market for wireless drivetrains, but now Shimano has followed suit and laid the foundations for a new era with the XTR groupset. But can the Japanese keep up with the Americans, who have had their second generation of the AXS groupset in circulation for around two years?

Component giant Shimano has published its results for the first nine months of the 2025 financial year. The Japanese company achieved an increase in turnover of around 5 percent compared to the previous year. However, this came with a big downside: operating profit fell by around 28 percent and net profit by as much as 61 percent. Why?

The all-mountain segment includes bikes with a suspension travel of 140 to 160 millimetres. A class with a very wide range of uses, created for long days in the saddle. There are a few products for man and machine that are ideally suited to this segment.

Since 1995, Shimano has done almost nothing with the click pedal - until now: A new cleat is rolling out for pure mountain bike use. And for the gravel sector, a brand new system is on the way that is intended to combine the advantages of road bike and MTB clickies.

Chrigel Braun's bike bunker is full of monuments to mountain bike history. He has 100 bikes, and his fellow tenants have ten more. But now Zurich wants the underground civil defense facility back and Chrigel is looking for a new treasure trove.

First the XTR, and shortly afterwards the XT groupset in the new Di2 format: here, too, cables between the components are a thing of the past, wireless is now the measure of all things. And even the Deore Di2 combo can be wireless.

The BH Lnyx SLS and the BH Lynx Race are made from the factory for maximum competition performance, and now with a big leap forward: the racing bikes roll onto the starting line with the new XTR Di2 groupset. For BH, the shock absorber system in the rear derailleur is a highlight, mentioning at the same time the newly designed shift lever as very ergonomic and fully customizable.

Di2, i.e. shifting with servo motors, and automatic shifting are old acquaintances at Shimano. With the technology known as Q'Auto, the Japanese company is combining these requirements in a new application: a dynamo in the rear wheel hub provides power and the gear changes are automated.

Until now, Shimano's Di2 drivetrain has always involved cables: for the power supply and communication between the components. This is now a thing of the past as the Japanese company presents its first mountain bike component group that relies on wireless technology and a battery in the rear derailleur. Shimano is also leaving no stone unturned when it comes to the brakes.

The Japanese company is taking aim at the upcoming season in its very own way: with a strengthened cycling eyewear portfolio. The Equinox and Pulsar models are particularly suitable for gravel or mountain bike rides.

We often forget how important our feet are when biking. Alongside the hands, they are the central connection to the bike. They allow us to feel the ground, the force with which we pedal, and with them we "push" the bike into corners. It is therefore important to take care of our feet and provide them with the best equipment.

E-mountain biking like the pros. Shimano now invites you to do just that, with a kiss on the hand: You can download the update with the race-specific firmware yourself via the app, eliminating the need to go to a specialist dealer.

Shimano doesn't do things by halves: The Japanese are taking around 10 million dollars over the next 10 years to advance the construction and maintenance of trails.

Bosch's current e-bike system comes with new functions on board via updates: for example, you can set how much power you want to arrive at your destination with in the battery. And with TRP and Shimano, Bosch is inviting two gearshift manufacturers to provide automatic shifting.

There is a veritable arms race in the electric racing circus - and Shimano is now arming the EP801 motor for it. This makes the boost mode even stronger, as well as the support when it comes to rolling over obstacles uphill.

A breath of fresh air and a new affinity for acronyms is blowing at Shimano as far as product names are concerned: after the Cues group (standing for Create Unique Experiences), the Essa group is now rolling out. These letters stand for Essence of Active and for entry-level components with many of the features of their more expensive counterparts.

Shimano's financial reports are a good indicator of how the bike industry is doing. For 2023, the component giant will have to cut its turnover by around 30 percent compared to the previous year. For 2024, the Japanese company is expecting a further - albeit smaller - decline in turnover.

What happens when Shimano gives the order and Thomas Genon and filmer JB Litautard set off? A video that covers breathtaking landscapes and shows mountain biking at the highest level of stillness.

With the new Deore XT Di2 drivetrain, Shimano introduces the Auto Shift and Free Shift functions. After initial experiences at a two-day press camp, it is clear that a few more rides are needed to be able to use the system properly. Over the last few weeks, the shifting system has really been put through its paces.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the best mechanic in the country? With the newly launched "Shimano Service Center Championship", Shimano - in collaboration with Swiss distributor Fuchs-Movesa - is announcing a competition for professional mechanics in Switzerland. Around 80 bike stores that are certified as Shimano Service Centers are eligible to take part.

The Swiss top dog in online retail - Digitec Galaxus - now shows how often products are returned or broken. Or how long it takes on average for a warranty claim to be resolved. This good dose of transparency does not stop at the bike segment. However, not all bike products benefit from the display of warranty and return rates. And the data should be treated with expertise and caution.

When trading in goods, it goes without saying that product quality is crucial to whether the product proves itself on the market and with the customer. But since the goods have to reach the customer first, logistics are absolutely crucial for market success. Shimano is now relying on the Swiss logistics experts from Kuehne + Nagel to further improve the supply of parts in Europe.

A study conducted on behalf of Shimano among 1,000 people in Switzerland showed that rising living costs and environmental awareness are the main reasons for buying an e-bike. The study is part of a survey of 15'500 Europeans from twelve countries.

Mountain biking is Andy McKenna's great passion. His enthusiasm for it began in the mid-1980s and led him to turn it into a career. He became a professional bike guide. In 2007, a life-changing development began. Andy was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and soon touring was no longer possible - a nightmare. But now his passion has been rekindled. The inspiring and touching short film shows that e-mountainbikes are more than just mountain bikes with an auxiliary drive and can give someone some normality again.

Shimano's video series follows Israeli mountain biker Noga Korem in the latest episode of "In Between The Races". After many years as a cross-country racer, Noga was about to end her career, but continued it in enduro racing. In this episode, we follow her as she fulfills her long-cherished dream of riding downhill races and experience the passion and extensive preparation required to make the leap from enduro to downhill.

The Taiwanese manufacturer Tektro is particularly well known in the mountain bike universe for its TRP brakes. However, Tektro can not only brake, but also shift. The E-Drive 9 system is aimed at e-bikes and consists of a cassette, rear derailleur and shift lever.

Two manufacturers dominate the world of mountain bikes: Shimano and Sram. But is it possible without these two big players? Yes, there are derailleur alternatives - such as TRP, Box or Rotor. A new player is now setting out from China to bring another derailleur option onto the market.

OTB, short for over the bar, is one of the most unpleasant experiences when mountain biking. It can end badly, or ensure that those affected never get on a mountain bike again. Bosch, in cooperation with Magura, is working on a new ABS system. And - surprisingly - Shimano is also launching an ABS system in cooperation with Blubrake. These systems can help to prevent unpleasant descents.

The Japanese component giant is setting off a firework of innovations for the e-mountainbike: an EP6 drive unit is new, while the familiar EP8 motor has been updated. Two new XT Di2 groupsets and the new Cues Di2 combo are also new. Shimano is equipping these e-bike systems with a Can-Port interface, which opens up completely new shifting options.

Hans Rey opens the door to his garage. And inside are bikes from the last four decades. Rey not only shows himself to be a pro rider, but also a technology expert. In six minutes, Rey gives a witty and tongue-in-cheek account of the development of the mountain bike. So if you want to know how today's mountain bike came about and if you can remember 15-centimeter stems, this is the right place for you.

Of course, the Japanese industry giant not only has expertise when it comes to fast and precise gear changes. Just think of brakes, pedals - or even shoes. For mountain bikers, Shimano is now relaunching its shoe range in the cross-country and gravity segment. The Ultread rubber compound for the sole is being used for the first time.

Shimano's e-bike systems include in-house batteries - and batteries from third-party providers. With the watt-hour packages from Darfon and Trend Power, Shimano is now making its service power available and optimizing the handling process if such a battery is not working properly. This eliminates the need to go through the bike or battery manufacturer. The compatible batteries are given a standardized label.

What a change of perspective: the mountain biker is suddenly rolling in the background - the dog is in the spotlight, sharing the descent with the two-wheeler rider. Shimano has dedicated a high-quality clip to the furry four-legged friends. It is pure joy to watch the lightning-fast trail dogs as they scrub over jumps, dash into berms and enjoy the mountain bike lifestyle in the great outdoors to the full.

There are plenty of them: e-bikers who start off in the hardest gear and hardly shift at all. Thanks to the massive torque of the mid-motor, this is no problem, with one huge disadvantage: lazy shifting massively increases wear on the shifting components. Shimano is now countering this by launching Linkglide technology for significantly better durability, even under heavy e-bike conditions.

100 years ago, Shimano's founder Shozaburo Shimano registered his company in Osaka, Japan, and began producing freewheels. To mark this anniversary, the component giant is the first to publish a website that traces the rich history of Shimano. Those who want to indulge in the early days of mountain biking will find great documents, such as the promotional clip for the first XT groupset from 1982.

When a car manufacturer unleashes a bike on customers, it is not uncommon for the two-wheeler to be more of an accessory than a serious piece of mobility or sports equipment. However, there is nothing to complain about when it comes to the brand new e-mountain bike that is rolling onto the market under the Porsche banner. No wonder - because with Rotwild, Magura, Shimano and Crank Brothers, there are also some big names on board.

Shimano is not only celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, but also a first: the Japanese component giant is providing neutral support at the Tour de France. This marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. Or to put it another way: The yellow Mavic support cars are disappearing from the Tour de France racing circus, and Shimano is significantly increasing its visibility in the professional road events.

Shimano recently unveiled its new EP8 motor, which replaces the E8000. The new drive unit is not only technically different from its predecessor; in line with Shimano's philosophy of "products for the rider", the new motor is designed to support "natural" riding behavior. We found out what that means.

More torque, quieter, more compact and more heat-resistant: these are the key data that characterize the new Shimano EP8 motor. And what do the bikes that are already on the starting line with the new power unit look like? They look good (and in three out of four cases very similar), as a look at the bikes from Bulls, Rotwild, Merida and Storck shows.

At the beginning of June, Thömus presented the latest generation of the "Lightrider E2" e-mountainbike. At that time still with Shimano's Steps E8000 drive, the Bernese bullet now comes with the new, more powerful EP8 motor. Ride was able to experience the EP8 on the new Lightrider, explains the most interesting differences between the new and old drive and tells us how the bike rides.