Rosie Burgin

FRANKFURT, Germany - A newcomer on the scene at this year's Eurobike, was drone manufacturer DJI with the launch of its Avinox drive system. The lightweight, 105 Nm torque drive system was debuted on the company's 'incubator e-MTB brand' Amflow which was launched in 2023. With lengthy queues to test the product, it was one of the most eye-catching innovations at this year's Eurobike.

COLOGNE, Germany - The former igus:bike of the German plastics specialist has been renamed RCYL ready for market launch. On display at Eurobike, the bicycle is made from 50% recycled fishing nets and requires zero lubrication for the moving components. RCYL is now entering series production in a new facility in Cologne, with igus aiming to produce 5,000 bicycles by next season. Additionally, the company is expanding its bicycle component business including the first injection-moulded polymer bicycle frame for Advanced Bikes.

FRANKFURT, Germany - Despite reports of ongoing high inventories in the market, German trade organisation, ZIV, presented an optimistic outlook during a market update on the day before Eurobike fully kicks off in Frankfurt. "Sales of e-bikes remain at a high level, and the overall market situation is characterised by healthy consumer demand," ZIV managing director Burkhard Stork stated when advocating the significant growth potential for the industry.

REDDITCH, England - Citing headwinds in the bicycle market, UK retail chain, Halfords, has closed the financial year with a 30% drop in volume in its cycling division. "The bicycle market consolidated at a faster rate than expected, leading to much more discounting, which put significant short-term pressure on gross margin," the company reports.

FRANKFURT, Germany - ZF Group will present its new 48-volt drive system for e-bikes for the first time at Eurobike. Including all components of the 'ZF Bike Eco System', the core component is the ZF 'Centrix' drive unit with an ultra-compact, 90 Newton meter mid-motor. Raymon Bicycles is a launch partner with an e-MTB specified with the drive system expected in spring 2025.

REICHSHOF, Germany - One year after the launch of the Green Marathon, Schwalbe is converting large parts of its existing tyre range to the same circular concept. From now on, 70% of all Schwalbe tyres will be made with recycled carbon black (rCB), the tyre brand reports.

ROTORUA, New Zealand - Where others may have failed in the past, start-up Bike Matrix appears to be succeeding in the accumulation of a complete bike parts database with the support of the industry. The company operating out of New Zealand now has major brands engaged in supplying data in what was historically a closed-off world; what has been their secret to success?

BAD CAMBERG, Germany - Darfon is extending its acquisition footprint into Germany by acquiring a majority stake in Grofa Action Sports GmbH. The German company has exclusive distribution rights for Darfon's e-bike brand BESV in Germany, Austria and Belgium. The new collaboration will drive the pan-European expansion of Grofa's distribution business.

LONDON, UK - Existing tariffs on e-bikes imported into the UK from China range from 18.8% to 79.3%. These measures were transitioned when the UK left the EU following Brexit. Following a period of investigation the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has now deemed that keeping anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on Chinese e-bikes "would not be in economic interest of the UK" and should be revoked.

ZEIST, The Netherlands - The volume of e-bikes exported from Taiwan has been in a constant freefall since January 2023. At this point it was clear that the market was flooded and delayed shipments were reaching weak purchasing markets. Throughout 2023, the number of e-bikes shipped from Taiwan dropped each month; from 102,575 in January to 37,597 in December. The latest Q1 figures of 2024 show signs of stability being resumed in the export market, albeit at a considerably low level.