The international bicycle industry, once heralded as a long-term growth story thanks to the e-bike boom, now finds itself grappling with uncertainty. Tariffs, shifting trade flows, regulatory ambiguity and fragile consumer demand are reshaping strategies across the value chain. Four leading manufacturers — Bosch eBike Systems, Schwalbe, Bafang and Velo —paint a picture of an industry both challenged and transformed, where resilience increasingly depends on innovation and adaptability.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Serving a diverse range of clients has been a key strategy at saddle manufacturer Velo. In pursuit of improved product quality and innovative technologies, Velo has always invested in its R&D capabilities. In an interview for Bike Europe's Industry Insider series, Velo Enterprise CEO Ann Chen offered insights into Velo's market perspective and the company's future direction.

Circular economy has been a popular term in the recent years because of the rise of the environmental awareness globally. If you google "circular economy", there are tons of the definitions that you can find online. By working together, SRAM and Velo give the term their own interpretation.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - In a circular economy it is often a challenge to find a new purpose or customers for recyclable waste. ZIPP owner SRAM had been looking for a source of the waste which comes from the production of its carbon components, including wheelsets, handlebars, stems and seat posts. This issue was addressed through their collaboration with Velo.

Velo, a well-known saddle manufacturer, has just launched three new innovative saddles. With a track record in designing state-of-the-art saddles, grips and bartape for the bicycle industry, Velo's strategy has always been to listen to their customers' needs and go that extra mile by prioritising comfort, durability and performance.

Velo started operations in their new Vietnam factory in October 2022. Located in Protrade Industrial Park just 20km from Ho Chi Minh City, this area is close to numerous bike related companies. The brand new 280,000 square metre facility has the capability to produce a full range of Velo products, including saddles and grips.