The 2026 World Championship pump track in Beijing was officially the 1,000th one built by Velosolutions. Founder Claudio Caluori pitched in on the construction site, just as he had on hundreds of previous projects. One thing is clear: despite all the experience, building these asphalt undulating tracks doesn’t get any easier.

If a mountain bike manufacturer files for bankruptcy, the warranty is no longer guaranteed. If the brand is sold, it depends on the new owner whether they will honor the existing warranties. With the bankruptcy of the Accell bicycle group, this question arises for several brands at once.

Bike Kingdom Lenzerheide remains a fixture of the Mountain Bike World Series: A new agreement secures the events for 2027 and 2029. From August 20 to 22, 2027, the international elite will once again compete for World Cup points in Graubünden in a full triple-header. Here’s an overview of the complete World Cup calendar for the 2027 season.

Hip bags are welcome companions for those who carry only a little gear on their outings. Hip bags really shine on hot days, when they keep your back free and allow body heat to escape unimpeded. However, when heavily loaded, they tend to slip and bounce, which can quickly take the fun out of trail riding. We tested which bags can handle rough trails when fully loaded – and which ones can’t.

BMC will end its involvement with its own factory team in the Mountain Bike World Cup at the end of the season. Instead, the Swiss team is shifting its budget to women’s road racing and international gravel racing series. This move fits seamlessly into a troubling pattern: the traditional factory teams in the cross-country circuit are slowly dying out.

The canton of Lucerne has approved its bicycle path network; mountain bike routes will be addressed later in separate plans. If such a route is closed before then, Swiss federal law does not require a replacement to be created. Lucerne is therefore not violating the law: no canton is required to plan mountain bike routes.

For years, the Bike Region Voralpen association has been working to establish a network of trails in the Gantrisch region with feeder routes from the city of Bern and its suburbs. However, even a trial run on existing trails is not possible due to reservations on the part of cantonal authorities and landowners. 
 

The bicycle industry hasn’t learned anything from the COVID-19 crisis and is barreling toward the next disaster with 32-inch bikes. That’s what my colleague Thomas Giger fears. His arguments make sense. But I think he’s drawing the wrong conclusions. And maybe the big 32-inch craze won’t happen on mountain bikes anyway.

No sooner has the end of the Enduro World Cup been confirmed than two potential successors are already in the running. Crankworx and Enduro United each plan to launch an international racing series starting in 2027. Both have experience and ambitious plans, but are pursuing different approaches. But does the sport of enduro really need two world series? And who will finance them?

A new wheel size—at first glance, that sounds like innovation. Even though they’re still a rare sight on the trails, 32-inch wheels are suddenly the talk of the town. But upon closer inspection, it becomes clear: Introducing a new standard is the dumbest thing that could happen to mountain biking right now.

Riders who spend ten days per season at a bike park are statistically likely to get injured once every 25 seasons. This is according to a study by Innsbruck-based sports scientist Gerhard Ruedl. According to Ruedl, riders who are more skilled are likely to get injured less often, but when they do, the injuries are more severe.

Imagine being a freeride pioneer who witnessed the opening of the first bike parks, only to have to wait nearly a quarter-century due to a severe injury before finally being able to ride bike park trails again. In the summer of 2026, Tarek Rasouli was finally able to fulfill this long-held dream of returning to a bike park at the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

Canyon is unveiling its new Spectral:ON with a new, very powerful drivetrain. I wonder which one it is? Hutchinson is also going for electronic and powerful—but with its latest pump, the “FlashAir." It makes it easy to inflate Continental’s latest product. The tire manufacturer will release the Dubnital tire in 32-inch size in April 2027. Fidlock is also introducing new water bottles, available in white and designed for hot drinks.

The Enduro World Cup no longer exists. For Knut Büngen, this had been on the horizon for a long time. For two years, he asked about 200 companies for funding for his enduro team, the Simplon Trailblazers. Most of the time, he first had to explain what enduro even is.

Exciting MTB movie teasers keep popping up in my feed. But at that moment, you don’t have time to watch them. By the time you do have time, you’ve forgotten about them, can’t find the link anymore, or have already clicked on something else that caught your eye. Here are five movie recommendations for a rainy Sunday. 

If a mountain bike trail is closed in Switzerland, the Bicycle Path Act generally requires that an alternative route be provided. This has been confirmed by the Federal Roads Office (ASTRA). However, this requirement applies only to routes included in an approved cantonal bicycle path plan. Each canton decides for itself which routes are included.

Dutch bicycle giant Pon is making cuts: While Cannondale is cutting 143 jobs in the U.S., another brand in the group—Juliana—is now disappearing from the scene. At least there is an important assurance regarding existing Juliana bikes.

Jolanda Neff is starting a new chapter in her career. The Swiss Olympic champion is joining the Belgian team Fenix-Premier Tech for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, where she will be a teammate of Puck Pieterse. The 33-year-old plans to continue competing in mountain biking, cyclocross, and road racing.

Cannondale is moving its global headquarters from Connecticut to the Netherlands. 143 jobs in the U.S. will be eliminated, and research and development will be concentrated in Freiburg im Breisgau. For the iconic American brand, this marks the second major turning point following the end of “Handmade in the USA” about 16 years ago.

The Illume photo contest selects the most beautiful outdoor photos every year. Naturally, the “Bike” category is the most interesting here. The photos show far more than just spectacular action: some are highly staged, others feature nature as the focal point, and all capture a moment that the eye would hardly be able to perceive. It’s also worth mentioning that the winning photo features a female mountain biker.

Garmin is introducing the Edge 1060, its new flagship bike computer. The biggest new feature: Thanks to a built-in microphone and speaker, the device can be controlled by voice. 

She just wanted to ride her e-mountain bike back to her car from her hike in the Karwendel Mountains. Instead, she had to push it for three hours. While she was hiking, someone had cut her brake line and unscrewed a brake lever and caliper.

The biking season isn't over yet. Thanks to this November heat wave, Bike Kingdom is extending the season through November 22, 2026. In addition to extra park laps at Bike Kingdom Park Lenzerheide, the snow-free singletrack trails around Arosa, Lenzerheide, and Chur continue to offer opportunities for extended fall rides.

Starting in February 2027, individual battery cells in new e-bikes sold in the EU must be replaceable. But before the regulation takes effect, the European Commission wants to repeal it. It cites a potential safety risk as the reason.

Fazua is closing shop, and hundreds of items are being listed in an online auction. Speaking of online: Wolf Tooth makes pedals that are specifically not sold online. And Tout Terrain is doing away with its signature drivetrain on its new steel hardtail.

The first Swiss Gravel champions have been crowned, while several titles were awarded on the international stage: Helen Weber and Adrien Dailly win the UCI E-Enduro World Championships; in China, the pump track titles are decided; and at Red Bull Hardline, Asa Vermette and Gracey Hemstreet claim victories at the inaugural event in British Columbia.

You park your e-bike—and it keeps riding on its own. What sounds like a nightmare for the owner could solve one of the most costly problems facing bike-sharing providers.

Following the bankruptcy of the former bicycle giant Accell, the deck is being reshuffled. The investor Dutech is taking over several well-known brands at once, including Batavus, Koga, and Babboe. A buyer has also been found for Sparta. However, the future of other Accell brands remains uncertain. The question is: What will become of Haibike, Ghost, and Winora?

A total of 15 trips up to the Gornergrat and back down, a 224-kilometer route, and over 18,000 meters of elevation gain: Bendicht and Nick Küpfer set a new world record in Zermatt. The father-son duo from the canton of Bern spent 16 hours on e-mountain bikes to achieve this feat. A remarkable athletic achievement that really put a strain on the batteries.

Northwave is taking on cold feet and introducing new winter shoes for all cycling disciplines. Muc-Off provides long-lasting protection against dirt and moisture with a ceramic sealant. And Industry Nine brings new technology to the cross-country racecourse with its lightweight Whisp carbon wheels and lightning-fast Solix hubs.

The 2026 Red Bull Rampage is history: The women put on a spectacular show, led by Robin Goomes, who claimed victory for the third time. The men only made it halfway through before the freeride competition was called off. The reason: strong winds and an approaching storm. The storm surrounding Cannondale’s withdrawal has at least blown over for Luca Martin and Cole Punchard. The two will ride for Decathlon-Ford going forward.

They grew up in the same neighborhood and once attended the same playgroup. Today, they are among the world’s cycling elite—yet their paths could hardly be more different. A new documentary film by NZZ Format follows Aline Seitz and Robin Gemperle through their extreme daily lives.

Van Rysel, a brand focused on road racing, is venturing into the mountain bike market and is starting out with 32-inch wheels. With the RCR-XC, the French brand is introducing a new cross-country race bike that is said to be lighter and more aerodynamic than the Decathlon-Ford team’s previous bike. Starting in 2027, Luca Martin, Samara Maxwell, and Savilia Blunk will be riding the new model for the team.

Adolf Silva's fall at Rampage 2025 and his journey through rehabilitation deeply impressed and shook me. Since then, I've found it hard to view this event as mere entertainment.

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.

The click-in version of the Helion is designed primarily for all-mountain and enduro riders. This is reflected in its rugged construction, the higher-cut inner side, and the use of extremely abrasion-resistant Cordura fabric. Inside, a D3O insole provides good cushioning.

At the Downhill World Cup finals, Asa Vermette became the youngest rider ever to claim the overall title, following in the footsteps of Nicolas Vouilloz, whose riding was once considered out of this world. As is tradition, there was also plenty of downhill action in Bellwald at the season finale of the iXS Downhill Cup. The enduro riders celebrated their season finale a week earlier at the Swiss Enduro Series race in the Saas Valley.

Giant is launching an e-mountain bike with 120 Nm of torque and a massive battery; DT Swiss is giving old hubs a surprising upgrade; and 5DEV is selling a crankset that has already won two World Cups in its first season. 

Rain, mud, and two decisions that would determine the overall standings: The short track finale in Lake Placid provided plenty of excitement once again to cap off the season. Martina Berta and Martín Vidaurre handled the difficult conditions best and claimed the day’s victories. Meanwhile, Sina Frei and Luca Martin were crowned the overall champions.

The European bicycle industry is stepping up its efforts against e-bike tuning. A new position paper outlines how drive systems are designed to prevent and detect tampering. At the same time, industry associations are calling for more inspections and a more consistent approach to dealing with tuning providers.

The insolvent bicycle group behind Haibike, Ghost, Winora, and many other brands is selling off its inventory. The bicycles in its Dutch warehouses are going to the retailer 12Go Biking. The brands themselves are still up for sale—more than 60 prospective buyers are waiting in the wings.

What should you do if your vision isn't bad enough to make contact lenses the only real option for sports? Prescription sports glasses can do a lot, but not everything. Author Stefan Michel has been using a pair for two years and shares his experiences here.

Gee Atherton broke several bones while filming in Bolivia. About two months after the crash, he announced that he was no longer in a wheelchair but was getting around on crutches. The road back to riding will still take months, if at all.

Honda is turning its mountain bike concept into a commercial project: The Japanese company plans to launch an e-MTB in 2027. Anyone who thinks only of motorcycles is overlooking a remarkable chapter in biking history—featuring Greg Minnaar, World Cup victories, and an unusual transmission.

With the Explore Boost, children's bike leader Woom is introducing an e-bike for kids ages six and up. A small battery, simple controls, and a parent app are designed to help kids tackle longer distances and steep hills—without making the bike unnecessarily heavy.

Although the thumb has gained widespread popularity as an emoji, many mountain bikers aren’t aware of just how important these two fingers are to them. Patrick Noack, head of the medical team at Swiss Cycling and a physician at the Swiss Olympic Medical Center, explains whether they’re particularly at risk and what we can do to keep our thumbs healthy.

As is well known, the Western Alps in France are a vast masterpiece for mountain biking. In July, Ride expanded its tour database to include additional fantastic tours in the Western Alps, with a focus on Haute Provence.

Zurich has had a public jump line for five years. After a thorough reshape with minor modifications, riders are once again soaring steeply toward the treetops. In the future, there are plans to add two easier jump lines right next to it—negotiations between Züritrails, the city, and the canton are currently underway.

When high-alpine slopes are recklessly dug up for our sport, we mountain bikers need to take a hard look at ourselves and get our act together. An analysis of the trail disaster at Corne de Sorebois in Valais.

The Iron Bike Race in Einsiedeln is now history; the 30th edition was also the last, and it once again delivered top-notch racing. Top-notch racing was also on display in Whistler. The gravity mecca hosted a Downhill World Cup for the first time, though not everyone was smiling. The Hero Marathon World Cup wraps up on a high note, and there’s also a video recap of the Enduro2 in the Aletsch Arena.

Just in time for the World Cup opener in Whistler, Norco is unveiling its new downhill rocket, the “Team DH.” Pinarello’s Dogma XC isn’t exactly new, but the Italian brand is now introducing an entire model series based on what was once a “one-off.” And Rotwild has given its R.XX—arguably one of the sleekest and most elegant e-mountain bikes—a major upgrade.

29-inch wheels roll faster than 26-inch ones. If you measure the vibration on the handlebars instead of the time in seconds, the larger wheel transmits more jolts to your hands. Nevertheless, more and more manufacturers are building mountain bikes with 32-inch wheels.

October is often one of the highlights of the MTB season. While the mountain railways in France and Italy have already shut down, the season continues until the end of October, especially in Switzerland. Here are some shuttle tips for October.

Patents for electronic brakes for mountain bikes are already available. If the battery dies or the brake control system fails, no bicycle standard requires a backup system. Whether such a brake will still function in that case is determined solely by the manufacturer.

The dust has settled following the headline-grabbing "Sport Schweiz" study. Velosuisse and Swiss Cycling are putting the decline into perspective, while Schweizmobil argues that the results from 2022 and 2026 are not comparable at all.

Booking banners and ads is a thing of the past. By 2027, Ride will take a radical step forward in innovation in the B2B sector: All standard booking processes will be fully automated. The resources freed up as a result will be channeled into building an active “Commercial Community” and, with it, into relationship management and high-quality content.

Dust doesn't look any better than when mountain bikers race down 45-degree volcanic slopes. Red Bull sent some of its hottest freeride riders to the Chilean desert to let loose in the most spectacular natural playground. The good news: This clip is perfect for your next break.

No sooner have 32-inch wheels hit the market than the next wheel size is already on the horizon: A leaked Cube Nuroad Aero is said to feature 30.5-inch wheels in its smallest frame size. For the larger models, Cube is apparently opting for 32-inch wheels.

The draft of the new state forestry law in North Rhine-Westphalia threatened to deal mountain biking its hardest blow in German history. Thanks to protests from the community and lobbying by the DIMB, the worst has now been averted. However, some questions remain unanswered.

The brake is the most important component on a bike. It sounds extreme, but in certain situations, it can mean the difference between life and death. The range of products is huge, and at the very top of the list are Trickstuff brakes—they’re considered the absolute top of the line. But can you really trust your life to this almost delicate-looking brake?

Airbags have become an indispensable part of cars and are also standard equipment in alpine ski racing and MotoGP. They’ve also been available for everyday cyclists for about 15 years. Now they’re making their way into the Downhill World Cup, where Dainese and Alpinestars tested sensor-based vests. Alpinestars is now bringing them to market.

For the past nine years, German rider Max Hartenstern has been competing for the Cube racing team in the Downhill World Cup. A second-place finish in Les Gets in 2021 was his best result to date; he is currently sidelined due to injury. He spoke with Ride about how he stays motivated despite setbacks in the tough world of professional racing.

The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Soldier Hollow, Midway, Utah, presented by SCOTT Sports, delivered another unforgettable day of racing. Martina Berta achieved a historic XCC-XCO double victory, while Martín Vidaurre fought his way up from the 25th starting position to claim victory in the men’s elite race. Corvi continued her dominance in the U23 women’s race, and Krüger secured the win in the U23 men’s race.

The Mondraker Enduro Team is celebrating its 10th anniversary with 140 teams. At the same time, the marathon season is coming to a close in Girona: Anna Weinbeer and David Valero not only won the final race but also secured the overall World Cup title.

The classic pump has some competition: SKS and Lezyne are introducing electric devices that adjust tire pressure at the push of a button. At the same time, Canyon is showing with the new Grail where gravel bikes are headed: more speed, more versatility, and even fewer boundaries between asphalt, gravel, and trails.

Nathalie Schneitter, former World Cup racer, e-MTB world champion, Cycle Week organizer, Velosuisse executive director, and so much more—she set out to test her limits and seems to have found them: at the Silk Road Mountain Race in Kyrgyzstan, covering over 2,000 kilometers and 35,000 meters of elevation gain, on gravel, scree, through rivers, and in snowstorms. A competition in survival mode.

Any mountain biker who rides with a child on a balance bike knows the problem: Rides with balance-bike kids often end up being shorter than planned. While the little ones ride with enthusiasm, hills and tired legs can quickly put an end to the fun. That’s why Kids Ride Shotgun is introducing the Uplift balance bike backpack. As the first backpack specifically designed for this purpose, it makes it easy to transport balance bikes.

Martina Berta makes Italian XCC history with a bold solo victory, while Sam Gaze ends an 889-day drought without a UCI Cross-Country Short Track (XCC) World Cup win in a dramatic race presented by SCOTT Sports in Soldier Hollow, Midway, Utah, ends an 889-day winless streak in UCI World Cup races. Rafaelle Carrier and Nicolas Halter celebrate their U23 victories, while Valentina Corvi and Paul Schehl claim the U23 overall titles.

More power, less strain, up to 30 percent more endurance: The promises made by manufacturers of sports exoskeletons sound spectacular. But what actually happens to the body when a robot assists with cycling, running, or hiking? Researchers at ETH Zurich have studied energy expenditure, heart rate, and movement patterns—with surprising results.

The Institute for Mobility at the University of St. Gallen is presenting Claus Fleischer with the “Mobility Trailblazers Award 2026.” The managing director of Bosch eBike Systems is being honored for his significant influence on the global rise of e-bikes and his commitment to the mobility transition.

32 inches goes from prototype to production: Schwalbe will release the first gravel tires for the XXL wheel size next year—and has also announced 32-inch mountain bike tires. Is this the breakthrough for the new wheel size?

Trek is sending its new race bike into competition for the first time—and it’s on big wheels. Evie Richards and the Trek Factory Racing XC Team will be riding the 32-prototype this weekend at the World Cup in Soldier Hollow, Utah. There’s no word yet on mass production.

With “Mirage,” French adventurer Kilian Bron brings his three-part documentary series to a close. At the heart of this expedition between Argentina and Bolivia is an extremely challenging undertaking: a complete descent of the 6,088-meter-high Huayna Potosí—including exposed glacier sections. The result is a mountain biking film with cinematic scope!

Servus, Grüezi, Hallo, Salut, and Ciao: Ride No. 105 focuses on the Alpine region and compares the five major biking nations: Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, and France. The issue highlights the subtle differences in trails, infrastructure, and bike culture, and shows how each country has shaped the sport of mountain biking. A fascinating look at Europe from a trail rider’s perspective.

More than ten years ago, I asked on my blog just how far the Red Bull Rampage should go. The answer remained open-ended. Today, following yet another Rampage crash, Adolf Silva is in a wheelchair. In between, there have been countless spectacular runs and other serious crashes. Perhaps it’s time to ask the question again: When is enough enough?

Less luggage, more storage space, and gear that works reliably on the go—that’s what matters in bikepacking. From modular bags and an ultra-compact tent to a cold-resistant stove and a caffeine boost from reusable coffee filters, the following products for your next tour focus on clever details instead of unnecessary weight. 

Anna Weinbeer is crowned marathon world champion, Luca Schätti and Nicole Koller each win two races at the Swiss Bike Cup, and in Ischgl, more than 1,500 participants compete for e-bike world championship titles. Meanwhile, up-and-coming downhill riders in Winterberg are fine-tuning their careers, while Thomas Genon is already setting his sights on the next Red Bull Rampage.

Biobikes are far from dead! Following the LT with its Sixfinity rear triangle, Yeti is following up with the Trailbike MT, which features the same rear triangle technology. CrossWorx Cycles has also refined its Trailbike and is introducing the “Lite” in the updated and even more versatile MK2 version. And yet another e-bike: Storck is unveiling the new e:Drenalin.3 M2S, which made its debut at the E-Bike World Championships.

Following the announcement that the mountain railways would be shut down, it seemed the bike park's fate was also sealed. Now comes a surprising twist: Starting in 2027, lift operations for mountain bikers will be taken over by a municipal agency.

Over 70 personalities from the bike industry, tourism and the media world came together at the Ride Partner Summit 2025 in Bern on September 18. The event at the "Turbo Lama" in Bern was all about networking and inspiration.

Racers are no longer selected based solely on their results. Because World Cup teams have become too expensive, pros are expected to deliver stories as well as victories. To that end, many of them lead double lives: as athletes for the rankings and as personalities for content.

With the new Spark DC, Scott is expanding the Spark family with a model designed less for chasing best times and more for versatile riding fun. This down-country bike combines the light weight and efficiency of an XC bike with extra reserves of power on technical trails. It’s designed to perform just as well on a quick after-work ride as it does on long tours in the mountains.