Global crackdown on counterfeit bike gear intensifies as major race axed

Counterfeits, Safety, and Brand Protection

• Specialized, AliExpress, and Chinese law enforcement dismantled counterfeit operations worth about $1.6 million, including fake Tarmac SL8 frames, Roval components, and products mimicking Pinarello, Cervélo, Cannondale, and Trek.
• Nearly 10,000 sticker sets were seized; this is described as the largest seizure involving Specialized to date.
• Articles stress that these parts often fail safety tests, posing serious risk to riders.

Racing Calendar and Visibility Shifts

• The Tour of Norway is cancelled for 2026 after the Norwegian government withdrew funding, ending a decade-long UCI event reliant on public money, sponsorship, and volunteers.
• From 2026, the women’s Paris-Roubaix will run on the same day as the men’s, with the women’s race following, aiming to grow audience and simplify security.

Product and Tech Signals

• Teewing Flux eMTB preview: DJI Avinox motor, high-pivot suspension with 178mm travel, mullet setup, adjustable to full 29er via flip chips.
• Cinelli Hobootleg Geo: rigid 29er clearing 29 x 3" tires; broader Hobo Bootleg series now at four models.
• 2026 HoBootleg Geo refines off-road geometry, lowers stack, and adds XS size.
• Moots Routt YBB: titanium gravel frame with about 20mm micro-suspension, 50mm tire clearance, SRAM builds, starting around $6,200 for frameset.
• EVOC LS Flex Lite knee pads: Liteshield Flex tech, Level 2 CE, about 395g per pair, praised for comfort but with breathability and cleaning trade-offs.

Sustainability, Culture, and Consumer Preference

• Rapha used more recycled than new polyester in 2024, targets 80% recycled materials by 2030, and reports 59% renewable energy in clubhouses; launches Rapha ReRoute trade-in.
• Ibis Ripley v4 named 2025 Trail Bike of the Year by Singletracks readers, beating Pivot Trailcat LT and Transition Sentinel, highlighting appetite for mid-travel, versatile trail bikes.
• Zara Athleticz × Ángel Cycle Works limited 50-unit The Gravel Project blends Toray T800 carbon, T47 BB, large tire clearance, SRAM Force XPLR AXS, and ZIPP wheels, but with limited smaller sizing.
• Cultural projects like Camera Corner and the Louis-Garneau Space, plus the Limitless women’s triathlon initiative, show brands and personalities investing in heritage, community, and inclusion as engagement drivers.