Sometimes Perceptions Don’t Match Reality

Benedikt with R&M Touring bike

Frankfurt, Germany Many Australian bicycle industry members have probably not even heard of Riese & Müller. Although the brand has been available here for quite a few years, it’s only sold through about a dozen dealers across Australia and NZ who are supplied direct from R&M’s head office in Germany, rather than through a local…

Commercial Cargo Requirements Define a New Category

Elias Ek and Bob Tsai with their cargo KG3 prototype

Frankfurt, Germany The entire cargo bike market is still in its infancy in Australia. But shows like Eurobike give us a glimpse into what the future holds. The European cargo market has already reached 500,000 units per year. Given the high unit price of each bike, particularly as most of them are electric, that would…

LeBron James Investment Boosts Canyon’s US Ambitions

LeBron James with students

Koblenz, Germany Basketball superstar LeBron James has stepped up his status as one of the world’s most high-profile cycling advocates, with his ventures company investing US$30 million (A$42.9 million) in rising German bike company Canyon. A leading direct-to-consumer manufacturer of premium bikes, Canyon last month announced a strategic equity investment led by LRMR Ventures –…

Two More E-Bike Ventures for Porsche

MAn riding Porsche e-bike

Ottobrunn, Germany German performance car manufacturer Porsche has further escalated its involvement in the bicycle industry, launching two ventures his month as it seeks to launch a new generation of Porsche electric bikes from the middle of this decade. It has partnered with Dutch company Ponooc Investment B.V. to create Porsche eBike Performance GmbH, based…

SiDI Bought by Italian Investment Corporation

SiDI headquarters

Maser, Italy Italian investment holdings company Italmobiliare last month purchased prized cycling and motorcycling footwear company SiDI Sport. The purchase of the 62-year-old Italian company is the latest in Italmobilaire’s strategy to invest in companies with “major innovative Made in Italy brands”. “SiDI Sport is an Italian success story as its founder, Dino Signori, has…

Europe Leaders Turning to Bike Industry for Solutions

Frankfurt, Germany The European bike industry is enjoying unprecedented prominence and relevance among the continent’s top decision makers as, for the first time, the bike sector is being viewed as a central solution to environmental, energy supply and social crisis ,according to Cycling Industries Europe CEO Kevin Mayne. Speaking at a Eurobike 2022 industry leaders…

Aussies & Kiwis Return to Eurobike

James Reid

Frankfurt, Germany After two missed years due to Covid, a large contingent from Down Under made the most of their first opportunity to return to the world’s leading bike show. This year’s show was the largest ever – more than 1,500 exhibitors spread throughout seven huge halls plus outdoor exhibit areas. So it was very…

Outdoor and Hunting Giant Captures Fox

Fox Racing boy on bike

California, US Fox Racing Australia has stated its operations will not be impacted by this month’s sale of its parent company to US outdoor sports and adventure company Vista Outdoors. “There is no changes or implications to FOX Racing Australia,” Fox Racing Australia general manager Todd Hickling said. “We are not looking to take on…

Collaboration to Give Sustainability a Sporting Chance

Workshop panel members

Frankfurt, Germany An impromptu encounter at a Eurobike 2022 workshop has sown the seeds for greater cooperation between the bike industry and the broader sporting goods industry to boost sustainability. A workshop by the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI) and Cycling Industries Europe, entitled Setting the Scene for a Sustainable Cycling Industry, outlined…

Electronic Upgrade for Shimano 105

Shimano group set

Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan Shimano’s 105 group set has been upgraded to electronic shifting, as the model celebrating its 40th anniversary. The move to Di2 electronic shifting technology for the 105 R7100 group also incorporates a step up from 11 speed to the company’s flagship 12-speed system. Shimano 105’s Di2 utilises a hybrid system, with a…