Astro Tech Co., Ltd., the Taiwanese frame builder specialising in lightweight aluminium alloy and high-rigidity carbon fibre frames, is using its 35th anniversary this year to chart a new strategic course.

One week before the opening of the Taipei International Cycle Show, the financial reports of the country's three main bicycle manufacturers do not contribute to an upbeat business mood. The combined revenue of these three companies dropped by 13.4% from TWD 103.2 billion (€2.8 billion) in 2024 to TWD 89.4 billion (€2.4 billion) last year. The business mood at Taichung Bike Week six months ago was already a clear indicator of what these numbers confirm. The situation has not improved since September as Taiwan's industry continues to face headwinds.

For a brief moment during the pandemic boom of 2020-2021, the cycling industry appeared to enter the mainstream of global mobility investment. Venture capital flowed into direct-to-consumer e-bike brands, and private equity firms took significant stakes in several major European players.

A resolution of the United States' Withhold Release Order (WRO), which is affecting Giant Taiwan's manufacturing operations, can't come soon enough for the company, as it reports another month of steep revenue losses in February 2026.

2025 proved to be a year of tariff changes, geopolitical shifts and withheld imports in the United States bicycle market, leading to significant shifts in a market where China had previously enjoyed a stronghold. China's market share fell from 85% in 2024 to 67% in 2025. In actual numbers, around 5.7 million units were imported into the US from China, a 40% drop compared to 2024. In total, bicycle imports into the US only dropped 21%, meaning someone made considerable gains - Cambodia.

In today's cycling industry, every decision is under scrutiny. High inventory levels, cautious retail demand, pressure on margins and ongoing supply chain adjustments are forcing companies to rethink where and how they invest their time and resources. Trade shows in particular are being evaluated more critically than ever. Against this backdrop, many industry professionals are asking a fair question: Is a trip to Taipei Cycle 2026 still worth it?