Bike Industry Briefing

Safety and Tech Reshape Cycling: Recalls, Acquisitions, Racing Innovations

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Safety, Risk, and Trust Signals

  • Trek issues a voluntary recall on select 2026 Domane+ ALR and Checkpoint+ SL e-bikes, about 700 units, due to improperly tightened chainring bolts that can loosen and detach.
  • Riders are told to stop riding immediately, putting pressure on dealers for inspections and remediation.
  • MIPS acquires Koroyd for over €40 million, combining rotational-force mitigation with linear impact dissipation for future helmet and possibly broader protection products.
  • Spanish police recover Jorge Martín’s stolen Pinarello training bike, valued around $23,000 CAD, after a paddock theft, highlighting security vulnerabilities around high-value bikes.
High-visibility recalls and theft incidents increase consumer focus on verified safety technologies and professional service, advantaging retailers who can clearly communicate risk management.

Product, Tech, and Performance Positioning

  • Porsche halts its P2 eMTB project with PON, terminating staff, but publishes a regenerative braking patent using a wheel-integrated motor and planetary gears, with potential beyond MTB.
  • Bianchi returns to the WorldTour via a multi-year deal with Bahrain Victorious, who will race custom-painted Oltre RC bikes from 2026, with designs shaped by athlete feedback and UCI compliance.
  • The Hunt Proven Carbon XC UD Carbon Spoke wheelset (about 1,322g) proves both light and durable in demanding stage-race testing, reinforcing carbon-spoke XC as a race-ready option.

Demand Drivers: Trails, Apparel, and Retail Innovation

  • Cheyenne, WY invests in 30 miles of new MTB trails on the 22,000-acre Belvoir Ranch, funded partly by wind leases and a $486,000 grant; access awaits road and trailhead upgrades.
  • DHaRCO launches its 2026 MTB apparel line, including lighter Gravity Pants and a recycled-nylon rip-stop Trail Short, aligning performance with sustainability.
  • An On Me digital gift card aggregates 24 brands (including Specialized, Trek, Garmin) into one cycling-focused payment option, usable via tap-to-pay at participating retailers.
  • Winter gear content and deals (e.g., Gorewear Spinshift Gore-Tex jacket at 45% off, MTB jacket guides) keep cold-season apparel and protection in the spotlight.