The on-off reporting on whether hostilities in the Middle East will end is causing significant business uncertainty. Moreover, the heavy reliance on deliveries of parts and components from Asia leads to major cost fluctuations. As this uncertainty persists, suppliers and bicycle manufacturers will factor this into their pricing. The consequences are ultimately higher costs and higher bicycle prices in stores, as evidenced by the most recent Global Bicycle Purchasing Index (GBPI).

The rumours intensified during the Accell Dealer Days and at Eurobike last week. The name of Singapore-based investment company, DuTech Holdings, was frequently mentioned as the potential new owner of Accell Group, once one of the industry's largest companies. Last Friday, DuTech Holdings officially filed a request with the German antitrust authorities for approval to acquire Accell Group.

"We want to stay on top of innovation, and we love to be leading," Avinox's Product Experience Director, Ferdinand Wolf, told Bike Europe on the final business day of Eurobike. True to his word, the Chinese drivetrain maker surprised many with the launch of its MG concept motor during the tradeshow. The progression from a shared outdoor booth in 2024 to one of Hall 12's defining exhibitors in 2026 marked a shift in how the company is positioning itself as a long-term industry player.

Brompton has brought in two new strategic investors as the British folding bike manufacturer looks to accelerate international expansion following a challenging period for sales. Decathlon Pulse, the investment arm of Decathlon, and Shanghai-based BA Capital have each acquired minority shareholdings through a secondary liquidity transaction, becoming long-term strategic partners while leaving Brompton's ownership structure and management unchanged.

The disruptive developments in the industry trade show landscape are the culmination of the difficulties the sector has been facing for some time. The opening day of Eurobike 2026 only confirmed the industry's current fragmentation of former, long-existing structures. Who is really going to support this industry in going forward, defend its interests, and facilitate its international gatherings?

The opening of Eurobike comes at a pivotal moment. The industry is still trying to find a new balance between price fluctuations and a stable supply. In both procurement and retail, brands are facing high price volatility. In many boardrooms, future strategies are being discussed. Time is ticking as the industry's character is changing rapidly.