Machontrol is launching updated versions of two of its fork machines: the MCFe-27 fork cutting machine and the PFe-27 fork press. Both run a faster cycle at a lower cost of entry, and both are built to work on the line itself. CTO Ricardo Santos explains what has changed.

Hand builders are caught between two demands: the craft of building by feel, and the measurable, repeatable quality customers now expect. What if one machine could deliver both, keep build data in the builder's own hands, and make each wheel faster to true? With a new family of truing machines, Holland Mechanics aims to do just that.

Hub filling and lacing have always been two separate jobs, handled in two places, often by two sets of hands. That split shapes every wheel factory in the world. A working prototype shown at Eurobike 2026 collapses the two into a single process, and points toward a wheelbuilding line that runs without an operator.

Companies with a 100-year history in the bicycle industry are pretty hard to come by. Gazelle in the Netherlands, owned by Pon since 2011, is one such company. The company is so proud of its craftsmanship, which dates back to 1892, that a public walkway hangs over its factory in the Netherlands. This expertise extends across the entire chain, including its relationship with dealers, making it a leading brand in the Benelux. A heritage site with modern, state-of-the-art production — that's what Bike Europe found when it visited the Factory Floor at… Gazelle.

WARSAW, Poland - With the opening of a new, state-of-the-art production facility near Warsaw, bike-sharing pioneer Nextbike GmbH says it is strengthening its position as Europe's leading bike-sharing provider. The new plant in Poland can produce up to 200 bicycles per day and will support the existing Nextbike network, which spans over 400 cities and 23 countries.

OSAKA, Japan - Japanese manufacturing giant Shimano has been cited by the Japanese Fair Trade Commission for violating the Subcontract Act and failing to pay its 121 local subcontractors for storing materials on its behalf.

As the European bike industry adjusts to post-boom market realities, manufacturers face fluctuating demand, excess inventory, and pressure to optimise operations. Flexible, scalable assembly solutions are key to adapting production capacity up or down—ensuring resilience and efficiency in an unpredictable market.

Bicycle manufacturers face increasing demands for flexibility, quality, and cost-efficiency as the industry evolves. The need for smarter, more reliable production solutions is greater than ever. How can manufacturers keep pace with these changes while maintaining high standards? Recent advances in automation and process integration offer compelling answers.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - The countryside just north of Taichung houses one of those smaller, high-tech companies which characterise the bicycle industry supply chain in Taiwan. The family company Ora Engineering was founded in 1996 as an innovator in the metal forming and welding industry. Today the company supplies a range of frames, parts and components, particularly in titanium, to the global market with an export share of 98%.

EMSTEK, Germany - Pon-owned brand Kalkhoff is transitioning to low-temperature powder coatings in the painting process at its bicycle factory in Germany. This reduction in temperature brings significant benefits in terms of energy consumption and reduces CO2 emissions.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Microshift recently gave the industry an insight into the innovative 5G smart production line the company installed for the production of its gear shift system. The event took place in collaboration with the Taiwan Smart Electric Bicycle Association (TSEBA).

WICKEDE, Germany - To comply with the latest EU regulations and to step up the company's CSR effort, bicycle component manufacturer Humpert rolled out an extensive investment program for its double-nickel-chrome electroplating plant. The chrome-plated surface of all ergotec steel handlebars and handlebars will be switched to the Reach-compliant Chrome 3 process from 1st July.

In the ever-evolving landscape of bicycle manufacturing, the introduction of new materials heralds a profound paradigm shift. From the use of carbon fiber to the exploration of eco-friendly alternatives, the industry is undergoing a renaissance driven by innovation and sustainability. However, the successful adaptation to these materials requires more than just ingenuity; it demands designing advanced machinery specifically tailored to handle these novel materials while prioritising ecological sustainability.

In the competitive landscape of modern manufacturing, the quest for productivity and efficiency gains relevance. As factories strive to meet increasing demands while maintaining profitability, the role of efficient machines has never been more crucial.

In the dynamic world of bike assembly, manufacturers persistently pursue innovative solutions to refine their production processes. The challenge lies in designing an efficient workflow, and the integration of cutting-edge machinery will revolutionize the industry. These machines not only augment production capacity and quality but also prioritize energy efficiency, data communication, error reduction, space optimization, mobility, and ergonomic considerations.

The bike and e-bike sales records during the pandemic were not just a hype. Recent market reports shows that the demand for bikes and especially e-bikes and cargo bikes, continues to rise. The current economic situation with the energy prices and rising mobility costs indicates a continuous high demand for different types of bicycles for coming years. This means that manufacturers need to secure their assembly capacity and plan for the future.

Holland Mechanics recently acquired the rim drilling machine from TSG group. This high-end rim drilling station is designed to accurately drill spoke and valve holes into carbon rims and other high-end rims.

FRANKFURT, Germany - Taiwanese saddle manufacturer, DDK, has around 150 saddles in its range. The newest addition is the Mini-Ma. On display at this years' Eurobike, the company has taken a 'less is more' approach with its latest product.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Bicycle parts supplier Marwi Taiwan Industrial Co., Ltd., known as Marwi Group, started production at its new 'smart' production facility late last year. Since then, production has been gradually ramped up. At Eurobike, Marwi founder and chairman Patrick Pai and his daughter, Marwi president Coco Pai told Bike Europe that fully automated production at the facility will start by the end of this year.

BEVERWIJK, the Netherlands - Optima Cycles has taken the production of its Dutch ID e-bike line to a higher level with the introduction of an all-new assembly line. "In order to guarantee our quality and innovation, production optimising is a constant process," explains COO Michiel Dreef. "The implementation of the Marchetti Airline is an important step in that process."

LUDHIANA, India - Indian bicycle producers are expanding their portfolio and investing in e-bike production lines. Dutch bicycle machinery maker Holland Mechanics, regarded as an early entrant in the Indian market, has also started offering e-bike assembly solutions, focusing on the assembly line along with fo