The Particle Accelerator Bike Parts Flea Market, which has been held in Zurich every spring for decades, will not take place in 2026. The organizers report that, despite an intensive search, they were unable to find a suitable venue. However, they promise that this is by no means the end of the iconic market. They plan to be back in 2027.

At Bosch, the letter "R" stands for "Racing." And this version of the well-known Bosch CX motor was developed specifically for that purpose. It is available on a limited number of bike models, as it is so powerful that it makes little sense for general recreational use.

If you're all about pure performance, there's currently no getting around the new Avinox motor—there's hardly anything comparable in the full-power segment. But a motor system alone doesn't make a good mountain bike. How have manufacturers like Mondraker, Pivot, and Rotwild done their homework to create new bikes featuring this benchmark motor?

With the M2S, Avinox takes its e-bike drive to a whole new level. The motor remains compact, yet delivers a significant increase in torque and power. With a peak output of 1,500 watts, the system sets new standards in the full-power segment—a power output comparable to that of a scooter, while its torque in boost mode can even rival that of large motorcycles—in theory.

Every mountain bike tire sheds rubber. That’s common knowledge. Until recently, however, little research had been done on the impact these particles have on the forest floor. Now there are figures that are raising eyebrows.

With the Stamp Evo, Crankbrothers introduces a redesigned platform pedal. The platform is 20 percent larger than its predecessor—a design intended to provide greater stability, more efficient power transfer, and reduced foot fatigue on long descents or technical sections. The standout feature is a side bash guard.

I bought these gloves years ago, and their grip is still unmatched by any other gloves I've ever owned. The model is called Grippp; the manufacturer, Hirzl, usually makes golf gloves.

The industry stokes fears of outdated designs and markets new carbon technologies and so-called recycling as a green cycle. Neither stands up to fact-checking.

The enduro boom definitely seems to be cooling off—but not at Cannondale. Ever since Jérôme Clementz’s first victory on his Jekyll, the US manufacturer has had a soft spot for this discipline. Gee Atherton is also fully committed to the cause—as seen in the must-watch “Ridgeline Nebel” edit. Now there’s a behind-the-scenes look at it. 

A new generation of protective gear is designed to make falls safer: Decathlon’s airbag vest automatically detects accidents and protects the upper body, back, and neck within milliseconds by rapidly inflating a protective cushion.

Arc’teryx is now catering to mountain bikers as well. With a minimalist collection, the Canadian brand aims to bring its reputation for delivering high-quality apparel for demanding conditions to the trails. And to keep it nice and exclusive, the Rhoam Capsule is available in a limited edition.

Industry figures for 2025 show that the Austrian bicycle market once again saw a slight decline in sales volume, but an increase in revenue. E-bikes, gravel bikes, and children’s bikes, in particular, gained ground. The impact of political conditions on bicycle use also became clear in 2025.

Hans Rey and GT seemed inseparable, and it took the post-COVID bike crisis to end their legendary partnership after 38 years. Now Hans Rey, who turns 60 in two months, is introducing his new bike sponsor: Santa Cruz.

No more guesswork after crashes: A new sensor called “HIT Connect” makes invisible head impacts measurable. It is designed to help prevent brain damage caused by excessive impact during mountain biking, especially during downhill riding.

Oakley presents its new Performance Collection, featuring the Bisphaera Speed, Sphaera Strike, and RSLV Lite models. Bliz also targets ambitious athletes, offering two sleek performance sunglasses: the P005 and the P006. Out of offers an interesting lens technology: The Bot-3 models electronically adapt to different lighting conditions. The gear giant Shimano also makes glasses and offers three models that are designed to provide greater contrast and clearer vision thanks to Ridescape lens technology.

Up to three percent faster off-road—and yet no clear improvement: While tests show real, albeit small, advantages, Andreas Kirschner from the frame builder Falkenjagd warns against an expensive compromise with noticeable drawbacks. What might the future of 32-inch wheels look like?

Yes, this is an original VW T1. But instead of the rattling combustion engine in the rear, it has a modern electric motor. Behind this project is the U.S. automotive company Kindred. It rebuilds authentic VW buses and other classic cars with electric or gas-powered drivetrains. And it’s swamped with orders.

Starting in the 2020s, downcountry bikes really took off, and they handled descents much better than the cross-country bikes of that era. But how is this category faring today? According to Nicolai, the enduro segment is doing brilliantly, and the flagship model featuring Pinion’s motor-gear unit is now available in its latest version. And Tektro is even rolling out a new brake and shift groupset.

Bicycle rear racks for cars are well established. However, long wheelbases, wide axles, poorly positioned shock absorbers, or low-slung top tubes often make loading a hassle. With Push Components and Fastrack, two German brands are now introducing new concepts to the market. Instead of loading the bikes crosswise onto the rear, they hang vertically from the vehicle. This is intended to make loading and unloading significantly easier.

Gravel is currently the megatrend in the cycling world. With the September issue (N°99), Ride ventures into this hybrid world of gravel and explains the sport of gravel from the perspective of mountain bikers.

While sound design is an integral part of the development process for cars and motorcycles, the field is still in its infancy when it comes to bicycles. The Fraunhofer Institute in Dresden has now developed an acoustic test bench specifically for e-bikes. This is because there is still much room for improvement when it comes to noise on bicycles.

Everyone’s talking about the new 32-inch wheel size. But it’s the smaller manufacturers who are really making it happen right now: Stoll Bikes has started production and is sending its first frame straight to the Cape Epic. Meanwhile, Koba Bikes is unveiling its version of a 32-inch bike, which may be the first carbon 32-inch model available for testing. Actofive offers a unique piece of art with a milled aluminum frame on large wheels.

The industry is debating wattage limits. Lutz Scheffer considers this a red herring. The designer and engineer, who has been developing mountain bikes for decades, warns against declaring peak values to be the main problem, while heavy systems and tuning have a greater disruptive impact. His guest article is a plea for more physics—and against rules that look good on paper but fail to solve the actual problem in practice.

The idea of operating brakes without traditional cables is currently sparking debate. "Brake-by-wire" might sound like a potential loss of control: electronics instead of a direct connection between the pedal and the brake caliper. But a quick look at the history of technology shows that almost every major innovation in automotive engineering was initially perceived as dangerous—before it became the standard.

There is cause for optimism. The worst is behind us, and the gravel segment is growing strongly. Velosuisse highlights the positive aspects of the 2025 sales figures. From a mountain bike perspective, the trend continues to decline, albeit at a less steep rate.

Almost everything on mountain bikes has gone digital: gears, motors, suspension. Only the brakes remained off-limits. Too close to that split second when a rider doesn't want to calculate, interpret, or hope. They just want the bike to brake. Now, that boundary is beginning to shift. Publicly available documents show how Shimano is reorganizing the direct connection between the lever and the braking force. In contrast, the publicly available evidence for the often-touted completely wireless SRAM brake is much weaker. The dilemma is clear: the more sensors and software there are between the hand and the braking force, the more immediate control, reparability, and trust come under pressure.

No more plastic bottles in bike shops: Stan's NoTubes now supplies tubeless sealant from a silver tap container. The system is reminiscent of a beer keg – except that latex flows out instead of hops.

The hoped-for turnaround in the German bicycle industry did not materialize in 2025, but the crisis has clearly lost momentum. Declines in sales and turnover were less severe than in previous years. The industry is talking about stabilization in challenging times.

E-bike pioneer Flyer is strategically repositioning itself. Despite a challenging market environment, the company achieved its sales targets in the past fiscal year and is now pushing ahead with a comprehensive realignment. The departure from its current headquarters in Huttwil is also likely to be in the pipeline.

A World Cup bike packed with electronics is set to finance bikes that don't even need gears. It is precisely this contradiction that makes the Scott raffle more than just a charity event.

Lapierre has just released a new electric bike that rolls straight from the race track onto the trails. Bulls has a clunker that takes it easy but doesn't skimp on style. And if you like colorful glasses, you can look forward to the spring collection from Evil Eye.

Fleece, also known as fiber fur, will be 45 years old in 2026. The fabric laid the foundation for modern layering systems and became the global standard for lightweight warmth, breathability, and quick-drying comfort. Wool, which was previously popular for sports, has since been sidelined, and fleece has become an indispensable part of outdoor sports.

Two-tenths bar tire pressure displayed in real time. At the end of February, Tubolito presented SYNCD, the world's first inner tube that transmits air pressure live to the cockpit via Bluetooth. The tech community applauds. But if you take a step back and look at developments in the bike industry, you quickly realize that the smart inner tube is just a symbol of a much bigger problem. Mountain bikes are suffering from massive sensor overkill.

CrossWorx Cycles is giving its Fullpower e-mountain bike a substantial battery upgrade. If you want to upgrade your e-mountain bike with new wheels, Race Face has what you need. Daysaver is also launching its Pioneer concept, which combines brand loyalty, participation, and alternative financing.

With the Oberrider, Thömus presents a new trail and enduro e-mountain bike featuring DJI's Avinox Drive System, with an impressive 120 Newton meters of torque and up to 1000 watts of peak power. Another new feature is the high-pivot suspension system, which gives the SL model 150 and the enduro version ST a whopping 170 millimeters of travel. Despite all this power, complete bikes weighing less than 20 kilograms are possible.

With the Turbo Levo R, Specialized is introducing a lighter e-mountain bike with 130 millimeters at the rear. It is expected to break the 19-kilogram barrier, but still delivers full power up to 850 watts and 111 Newton meters of torque. It comes with two battery sizes, a range extender, and a new fast charger that can charge 80 percent of the battery in just under an hour. There is also a powerful software update for the Levo 4 models.

In downhill racing, every millisecond counts, so electronic shifting is long overdue. But now Sram presents the XX-DH transmission, the first electronic downhill shifting system. The drive specialists promise shifting under full load, whisper-quiet control in the roughest conditions, and a setup without cable clutter, built for the toughest use.

Following the Supreme Court of the United States' decision to suspend controversial import tariffs, the first companies are demanding their money back. Bicycle manufacturer Trek has also filed a lawsuit.

Decathlon is revamping its German business and wants to focus entirely on bicycles—with new stores, more services, and an ambitious expansion plan. Will this make the sporting goods giant a serious player in the bicycle market?

Trek has fifty candles on its birthday cake and offers a deep insight into the company's beginnings and future. Propain is adding a fresh all-rounder to its portfolio, the Tyee Trail. And Fizik shows that it not only masters shoe manufacturing, but also knows how to keep bike shoes fresh during use.

Starling Cycles presents the Big Bird, its first mountain bike with a 32-inch front wheel – not just a concept bike, but a small series handcrafted in Bristol. The 32″/29" "mullet" concept combines a huge front wheel with a classic 29-inch rear wheel, 120 millimeters of suspension travel at the front and rear, and is designed to roll confidently over roots and scree on the trail without delivering completely unfamiliar handling.

With the new Ripley SL, Ibis presents a trail bike with a frame weight of just under 2.3 kilograms. The carbon frame is manufactured in a 100 percent solar-powered factory in California. It features integrated storage solutions and precisely tuned suspension, combining 117 millimeters of travel with modern geometry. The Ripley SL is designed for both efficiency and riding enjoyment on demanding trails.

Following media reports of gross abuses against migrant workers in Taiwan's bicycle industry, the US imposed an import ban on all products from Giant, one of the biggest players in the business, in September. The entire industry came under pressure and is now responding with initial improvements.

Deviate Cycles were on the brink of collapse, but now the Scots are back on the market with their stylish high-pivot bikes. Never gone but relaunched, the Pivot Shuttle LT, an E-Enduro bike with plenty of reserves and oomph. One opportunity to test these bikes is the test ride in Lenzerheide, which is now on the busy Bike Kingdom event calendar.

The hub and headset specialist is not only making its components shine for its 50th birthday, but also their lubrication. With the new Gold Grease, the cult company from Portland promises less friction, longer durability and - who knows - perhaps a little alchemical shine in the wheel bearing.

Brake specialist TRP hires an experienced Youtuber to increase the visibility of its stoppers. While Eurobike, as the leading trade fair, is getting a bloody nose, all signs seem to be pointing to a boom at the Cyclingworld event. Speaking of boom: Bixs is probably planning to make a killing in this area, as the fresh gravel bikes have lots of tasty ingredients for a great gravel experience.

The Sleuth DLX 2 shoe remains true to the Five Ten heritage, but packs it into a design that is much more suitable for everyday use. Function, durability and style meet at eye level. If you wanted to, you could take this shoe from the hospital corridor straight to the trail - or from the pump track straight to the office. Is that right?

CrossWorx Cycles presents the Dash MK2, the second generation of its enduro bike, developed and manufactured in Germany. The Dash comes with newly developed rear suspension kinematics and pressure-side linkage. This provides greater stiffness, more precise control off-road and less stress on the bearings. The Thuringian bike manufacturer therefore places particular emphasis on durability, function and quality craftsmanship.

Brakes need a little maintenance from time to time to get them working perfectly again. Zine Sports has developed a few simple and inexpensive tools for bleeding brakes, aligning them or repairing squatted brake pistons.

The Hybe 9 and 11 models are not just getting a facelift from Haibike: the potent e-mountainbikes now have more power as well as better control and agility. Speaking of facelifts: Ritchey now offers various stem adapters for internal cable routing. Patagonia doesn't ride cables but threads through clothing. The clothing brand is back on the Worn Wear Tour in Europe, repairing outdoor clothing on site.

Ebay is always good for a surprise. In December, the Canyon race truck was on sale. A few days ago, Rockshox Boxxer Ultimate forks turned up - in a version that is not even on sale yet.

32 inches seems to be unstoppable - at least that's what the hype would have you believe. However, actual bikes are still a long way off. But not so at Dirtysixer. Since 2013, the company has been building mountain bikes with 32 or even 36-inch wheels, especially for tall people. With the Dirtysixer MonsterEnduro, another offspring is now rolling in.

Forbidden Bikes has two must-see cross-border hardtails at the starting line. At Bulls, a lot of mountain bike technology is packed into an everyday e-bike. And at the bikepacking specialists Cyclite, everything appears in new splendor.

In April 2025, Kawasaki presented its futuristic Corleo concept at Expo Osaka, a four-legged, hydrogen-powered robotic vehicle for off-road mobility. The device looks more like an animal than a vehicle: the four legs with rubberized hooves master a wide variety of terrain, controlled by the rider's shifting weight and body movements - a "fun to ride" experience like riding a motorcycle.

With the Meta Vanguard, Oakley is launching performance eyewear that films, processes training data and communicates directly with the Garmin ecosystem. An exciting approach. Also for use on a mountain bike?

With the Grevil, Pinarello presents a gravel bike based on the mountain bike frame and with 100 millimetres of suspension travel. Ursus also has the matching wheels. The Italian wheel brand offers new rolling stock for gravel, mountain bike and road bikes. Reserve Wheels are not launching any new wheels, but the Californians are upgrading their portfolio with the DT-Swiss 350-DEG hubs at no extra cost. And if you can't decide between clipless and flat pedals, Shimano offers both in one.

Haibike is considered the mother of e-mountainbikes and for the first time, a bike from this brand has made it into a test at Ride. The name Allmountain says it all, even if the suspension travel screams Enduro. The carbon frame manufactured in Portugal is equipped with the MGU motor-gearbox unit from Pinion. The E-MTB is not as nimble as "pink", but is a blast downhill.

Mondraker presents the Scree, a fresh e-mountainbike that not only relies on full motor power but also on attention to detail. At Fox, the focus is on fractions of a second, which can make the difference between victory and defeat at the top of the world in downhill races thanks to a vario support. And Cane Creek is rolling out a stem and headset that tackle the tiresome issue of internal routing.

A twist shifter marked the start of the component giant Sram - and has been neglected by it. Not so with Zirbel, who are transporting the twist shifter into the modern age - the motto is Smart Cockpit.

With the "CoreCap", Dutch accessory specialist BBB Cycling is launching a newly designed valve system that redefines the classic Presta valve - with significantly higher air flow, a more robust design and universal pump compatibility.

Sram has achieved a considerable market position with the UDH derailleur hanger and the transmission derailleurs. The system of choice is therefore the derailleur. However, the US shifting specialist is now presenting a patent for a mid-motor with an associated transmission shifting system.

The e-bike is stolen - leaving behind annoyance, frustration and financial loss. For thieves, however, it is a lucrative business as long as they can resell stolen e-bikes undetected. This is precisely where Bosch comes in, cleverly expanding the anti-theft functions on a digital level.

New 32-inch bikes are gradually seeing the light of day. One of them comes from Dead Rabbit Bikes in Switzerland. Crossworx Cycles from Germany are not presenting a 32-inch bike, but a full-power e-mountain bike for enduro use. Ludo May and Steve Ude will be taking on an adventurous trail tour in Bulgaria rather than enduro riding.

Exoskeletons are currently attracting a lot of attention - and now they even want to make the classic hub motor of an e-bike superfluous. The manufacturer Hypershell claims to transfer up to 1000 watts of power directly to the thighs using a hip motor.

At Atherton, bikes are being launched that are built for difficult terrain and can be customized. But there is no e-mountain bike yet. However, they are working flat out on the Dyf-E to power up the Athertons. And at Restrap, they are not only passionate about bikepacking equipment, but also about touring with it, focusing on a fascinating cinematic summary of a gravel trip in Vietnam.

Ornus Bikes are taking the wooden path, but in a different context. With the Grain and Radix models, the Italian brand from Grossetto offers two high-performance gravel bikes with wooden frames! Further north in Italy, we head to Lake Garda, where the oldest bike festival returns to the iconic lakeside promenade. Italy is often associated with excellent coffee, but this fine roast comes from Switzerland, from a former mountain bike world champion.

After eight years, the "Five Friends" test format is now retiring. There is a new, exciting concept for 2026. For once, the five products tested have no common denominator. Or perhaps five "friends" that don't fit in anywhere? But that would be misleading, because they are all exciting products that have proven themselves.

Counterfeit Specialized frames, wheels, forks and more, plus knock-offs from Cannondale, Trek, Cérvelo and Pinarello - Chinese law enforcement officers have confiscated goods with a total retail value of 1.6 million dollars. Seven suspects have been arrested.

There are still around five months to go before Cycle Week takes place in Zurich, but it is already clear that exhibitors are already busy getting their feet wet. In Munich, gravel and road cyclists in particular can rejoice, as Café du Cycliste will be at the start with a chic boutique. At YT, words are followed by deeds and a classic rolls into the program that has nothing to hide in terms of price/performance ratio.

E-mountain bike manufacturer Thok is launching its top all-mountain model TP4 as an extremely chic limited edition. Milkit's first bike care line ensures that this and other bikes stay clean and lubricated. Ledlenser are not looking after bikes or parts, but people, and are donating a tidy sum to a children's and youth hospice. Woom once again takes care of the little ones and hands over several Woom-Wow bikes to kindergartens.

The US start-up Morelle is launching an e-bike on the market in 2026 that advertises a real quantum leap in terms of charging time: The battery is supposed to be fully charged within 15 minutes - significantly faster than before. But how is that supposed to work?

The inventor Colin Furze is no stranger to mountain biking and has repeatedly made a name for himself with witty inventions. His latest: a magnetic suspension. Nonsense engineering at the highest level of entertainment!

The turbulence in the bicycle industry remains acute: Deviate Cycles is now making headlines for being temporarily short of funds, but co-founder Ben Jones is stepping in and buying back company shares.

The Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu has presented a concept that will make minimalists' ears prick up. The Kayoibako-K is shorter than the modern Fiat Cinquecento and offers everything that solo campers or traveling couples need. It also rides autonomously and could thus become a driverless trail shuttle.

What do you do when a storm topples a huge forest stand? Gee Atherton builds dizzying Northshore lines that make you break out in a sweat just watching. At Moustache, the opposite happens: the motor-assisted gravel e-bike ensures a little less sweating, but just as much riding fun. And with Ritchey, changing the saddle is a breeze.

The drive system is gone, the battery flat? Then an e-bike usually rolls into the recycling yard - but there is another way: with an adapter that retires the motor and makes room for a normal crank.

For sporty travelers, Ritchey presents a high-end folding bike made of carbon. Bulls, on the other hand, offers a travel companion with an electric boost with its new Iconic SUV bikes. Evoc wishes you safe travels with its new "Safe Travels 2.0" collection of duffel bags, backpacks and more. Cane Creek now offers cargo mounts that allow luggage to be mounted on the company's own Invert Gravel fork.

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?

At Atherton Bikes, the tried-and-tested Enduro gets a new mix in terms of wheel sizes. Bulls is launching an SUV e-bike that should be hard to beat in terms of versatility. And SQlab is launching a saddle that is in top form on different surfaces, distances and adventures.

The mountain bike industry is in crisis. Not just because of the overcrowded camps. It has lost its way and lost its compass, according to guest commentator Marco Toniolo.

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?