2024-07-17 14:51:01
Eurobike, Europe’s largest bicycle trade fair, functions every year as a barometer of hits and a window into the near future. Cycling fans and manufacturers from all over the world come to see what is and will be “in”. It was exactly like that during the 32nd edition. And what is flying? For example, light e-bikes, gravel bikes, urban mobility, electronics and a fascination with road bikes.
Despite the severe upheavals of previous years, the world of bicycles is optimistic about the future, the Eurobike fair showed. And here are the main trends of this year, which the organizers of this important cycling event have identified as the most important:
People want light e-bikes
E-bikes have been popular for a long time, but recently customers have become more and more concerned about their weight. They would prefer the bike to ride effortlessly, like those with an electric motor, but not to weigh significantly more than classic bicycles without a motor. Manufacturers try to meet this desire, often using high-end materials such as carbon.
Gravelbike is becoming more and more popular
Gravel wheels have become an important source of income for manufacturers, as they are becoming more and more popular. The machines, which in the Czech Republic are sometimes jokingly referred to as “gravel jets”, have a tremendous charm. They look like a road racing bike, but they are also suitable for lighter terrain. There, the cyclist can enjoy the lightness of the ride, which is hardly achievable on a classic mountain bike. And most importantly, one bicycle can handle riding on the road and off-road at an excellent level. There are also more and more accessories for these bikes, which is understandable given their great popularity.
An expensive racing bike becomes a symbol of prestige
Road bikes fascinate one group of cyclists with their cutting-edge technology and the joy they can provide while riding. For others, however, they increasingly become a symbol of luxury, which expresses the owner’s prestige and high social status. In other words, expensive racing road bikes are starting to serve a similar purpose to expensive sports cars.
However, the positive thing is that as the fascination with road bikes grows, so does the effort of some manufacturers to offer them not only in the highest price categories, but also try to push the boundaries at the opposite end. And thanks to this, increasingly cheaper road bikes are appearing, which, while maintaining sufficient quality, want to convey the magic of road cycling to newcomers and young people.
Pedal trucks and vans. What do you think?
Many opponents of bicycle transport in cities will probably not like to hear this, but the popularity of urban e-bikes and cargo bikes, whose appearance no longer has much in common with a classic bicycle, is also growing. In addition, many manufacturers began to focus on more compact, more agile models with smaller wheels, shorter cargo space and a more compact wheelbase. These are suitable for transporting children and smaller loads and are intended to attract customers who have been afraid of this type of transport around the city until now.
E-bikes are still on the rise, so are electronics
E-bikes are no longer the exception, but the main driver of the cycling industry. It currently accounts for more than half of all bikes sold. New developments in the area of engines and batteries are leading to lower weight and this will attract more interested parties.
With electric drives, more and more electronics are also penetrating bicycles, they have their own applications for mobile phones, are connected to the Internet and use navigation systems. Through new digital functions, the e-bike can even learn by itself and become an “intelligent companion”.
Inclusive cycling
Manufacturers are also starting to focus more on people who cannot ride a regular bicycle for health reasons. More and more often, reduced frames are appearing in the offer, which allow even elderly people with limited mobility of the joints to get on easily, as well as modern armchair pedal tricycles with electric motors, designed for daily rides and leisure trips.