In response to rising raw material, energy, and logistics costs, the industry's largest component supplier, Shimano, announced a temporary 3% surcharge on all orders with a delivery date between 1 August and 30 November 2026. How does the industry absorb these costs while consumer prices are already under pressure? Are there still enough options for alternative sourcing, component specifications, and efficiency improvements, or will it just kill margins, as Giant Bicycles announced in their half-year results?

The appointment as President of Shimano Europe Group was like coming home for Fabio Takayanagi. At the start of his career at the Japanese component manufacturer in 2006, he was assigned to Shimano Europe, based in the Netherlands. He stayed here for one year to gain experience in the bicycle business. Since then, he has travelled the world for Shimano before coming back to Europe. A brief introduction of this industry insider and his view on the European market.

The uncertain economic outlook due to trade policy trends of various nations, as well as rising geopolitical risks, such as increasing energy prices amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, is gaining growing influence on Shimano's financial results. As a result, net sales in bicycle and e-bike components in the first half of 2026 equalled last year at 181,379 million yen (€974 million), and operating income decreased 15.1% to 20,064 million yen (€107.8 million).

Japanese component manufacturer Shimano has announced organisational and personnel changes within its bicycle components division. Effective 1 July, the division will have a new Head of Bicycle Components, Yuzo Shimano, to steer the company's new vision.

A strong industry ecosystem thrived in Taiwan's bicycle industry for decades, enabling the successful launch of start-ups like Hyena. This ecosystem was damaged during the inventory crisis and Hyena CEO Charlie Chuang is calling for a rebuild of this system. Today, his company is one of the few Taiwan-based full e-drive system suppliers serving American and European customers.

The slowdown in consumer spending and market uncertainty due to the geopolitical situation is starting to surface in the financial results in the e-bike and bicycle industry. Except for the Oceanian market, Shimano reports weak retail sales worldwide. As a result, net sales in bicycle and e-bike components in the first quarter of 2026 decreased 0.7% year-on-year to 87,361 million yen (€ 471 million) , and operating income decreased 46.3% to 7,792 million yen (€ 41.7 million)