Turbulence at Eurobike has led to a big boost for Cyclingworld. Here’s some of the latest dream tech from the show.
What really caught my attention, was the QO crankset. The crankset-brand was launched last year by the founders of Rotor (who’ve sold that brand about six years ago) and has an array of customizable crankset, with a dimple profile for a slight aerodynamic advantage. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)
Published March 22, 2026 12:45PM
This weekend, Düsseldorf was host to Cyclingworld Europe. It was only the eighth installation of the trade show but is already considered the unofficial opener of the German cycling season.
The European trade show calendar has been challenged over the last few months. After dissatisfaction over policy developments at Eurobike, two main German trade associations decided to end their collaboration with Eurobike. It lead to many different brands – of which Shimano was the biggest – cancelling their attendance at what has for some years has been Europe’s biggest cycling trade show.
However, where there is misfortune for one, there is an opportunity for someone else. The latter seems to be the case for Cyclingworld in Düsseldorf, which has seem tremendous growth this year. The fair hosted 400 exhibitors, compared to 330 last year. The show was expecting to attract 30.000 visitors, compared to 27.000 last year.
That turned out to be a vast miscalculation: at the moment of writing the exact visitor numbers are still unclear, but an organizer confirmed to me that after two out of three days they had already exceeded the 30.000 expected visitors.
That buzz was clearly anticipated, because the amount of A-list brands present, was quite extensive. Even if it didn’t lead to numerous product introductions, it was definitely a fair with a lot of interesting tech on display. We scoured the grounds for the newest products, shiny parts, remarkable designs and other noteworthy tech. Let’s dig in.
Giant brought their recently launched Propel, which looks very similar to its predecessor. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Some of the tube shapes have had a slight makeover, such as the junction between the seat tube and the seat stays. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Something that caught my eye, was how cleanly the top tube and seat tube merge. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)At the same time, Giant’s sister brand Liv launched a new version of their Aero-bike, the EnviLiv. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)The carbon spokes of the Cadex Max 50 WheelSystem are directly attached to the flanges. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Another aero-bike of Taiwanese make, which was launched at almost the same time as the Giant Propel: Merida’s Reacto. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)It comes with a cockpit reminiscent of that on the Colnago Y1RS, with the shape of a flying seagull. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)The Reacto has some serious tire clearance at the back, although I’m quite sure this design choice was made with aerodynamic advantages in mind. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Not a recently launched bike, but this BAAM gravel bike at ENVE caught my eyes with it’s lush design. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)The wheels seem to feature a design inspired by the Giro 2024 d’Italia, as it carries the names of different climbs from that year’s parcours, as well as encouragement for Tadej Pogačar. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)It’s not the first time I’ve seen this set of Hunt wheels at a trade show, but it caught my eyes once again with its simple but beautiful design. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Another set of wheels that’s worth some attention, are the NXT ÆRA wheels by K-One, which come in at a staggeringly low weight of 975 grams. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)K-One doesn’t use classic spoking for these wheels, but a system they refer to as ‘spoke stars’. This means 6 pre-connected spokes are attached to the flange, as one part. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Some unreleased tech at Pirelli, which brought a prototype tire. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)It seems to be a tire with some kind of aero advantage, judging by how close the wall of the tire sits to the wall of the rim. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)The wall of the tire fits much more smoothly onto this ZIPP 454 NSW wheel than the regular P Zero Race TLR RS. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)More aero tech over at Storck, which went all out aero on this Aerfast 5. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)What really caught my attention, was the QO crankset. The crankset-brand was launched last year by the founders of Rotor (who’ve sold that brand about six years ago) and has an array of customizable crankset, with a dimple profile for a slight aerodynamic advantage. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)This completely black version of Campagnolo Super Record 13 gives bikes a particularly sleek look. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Another new bike over at Bianchi, their Infinito endurance bike. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)The frame has some internal storage in the downtube. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)The new Infinito features 40 millimeters of tire clearance, which should make it all-road ready. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Dutch wheel brand Fast Forward brought a new version of their Tyro wheels, which they launched just last week. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)The Tyro wheels were the last wheels in their line-up to be updated to 23 millimeters internal width. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)We’re seeing 32 inch wheels more often. Not only on mountainbikes, also on gravel bikes. I won’t share my opinion on the looks of this. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)I will however share my opinion on the looks of these components on this Chiru gravel bike, because these GarbarUK parts look quite bling. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)If you’re into bling parts, always head over to Hope at a trade show. You can rely on them to bring all the colors. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Dynamic Bike Care had a new version of the cycling specific sunscreen on display. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)As well as this rather ingenious chain checker, which also has an incision to measure the thickness of your disc brake rotors. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)German brand Aeron/TPU had different TPU inner tubes on display. They have tubes with different thicknesses, which offer different levels of puncture protection. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Factor brought the special Factor One they co-developed with Bugatti. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Almost everything on this bike was Bugatti branded. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Such as these Continental Grand Prix 5000 TT TR. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)And if you look very closely: even the bolts that connect this Carbon-TI brake rotor to the carbon disc were Bugatti branded. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)The Bugatti Factor One isn’t just a rebrand of the existing Factor One. They added an aero fairing to the front fork, which actually makes it a slightly different bike. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)More new bikes at Cannondale, with the CAAD14 in this attention-grabbing color scheme. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)The closed dropouts give the front fork a particularly clean look. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)The most absurd sight I have ever seen at a bike trade show: an indoor wave pool in one of the exhibition halls. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)This Cinelli King Zydeco 2 was specced with Vittoria’s Terreno Pro Mixed Gravel Race tires, which are made from natural and partially recycled materials. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)The bike itself features a little indent on the top tube to perfectly fit a top tube bag. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Giro brought a new shoe: the Giro Imperial AS, which is said to better withstand cold and wet riding conditions. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Cadomotus is well known for the triathlon shoes and helmets, as well as speed skating helmets, but are now also entering the road cycling market with a pair of shoes. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)The shoe is made with a ‘cup’ sole, similar to the construction of Nimbl’s road shoes, a representative told us. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Bike bag brand The Pack will soon launch a saddle bag system reminiscent of that of Tailfin. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Dutch titanium brand Van Nicholas brought this Dutch Delight, with FFWD RAW55 wheels. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)The rainbow chain matched surprisingly well with the pink-bronze logos. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Selle Italia debuted their Opal White capsule collection. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)That collection features a range of their saddles in an almost completely white design, with a very elegant iridescent look. Reminiscent of… you guessed it, opal. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)White items seemed to be hot, with POC bringing these new bike bags. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Although the bags are actually not white, but translucent. They’re made from TPU. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Ever seen a bikepacking nun? Now you have. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Topeak is starting to give its TurboFlow valves more and more attention. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)The same goes for Schwalbe, who launched their Clik Valve already back at Eurobike 2024 but are putting their back into growing the popularity of the valve. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)The same goes for Schwalbe, who launched their Clik Valve already back at Eurobike 2024 but are putting their back into growing the popularity of the valve.
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What I found was most eye-catching at the Schwalbe stand was this beautifully laced wheel.
(Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Another piece of art over at BH, with this bike created by Dutch artist Joren Joshua. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)Scott had this seriously decked out Foil RC, which they claimed weighs only 4,99 kilo’s – or approximately 11 pounds. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)I’ll leave you with this rather unattractive sounding cycling club. I’ll skip the bonk. (Photo: Ties Wijntjes for Velo)
