Bicycle Retailer and Industry News - International

Accell sells Van Nicholas titanium bike brand to Italy's Velo-co

Steve Frothingham — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 17:02:29 +0000

MILAN (BRAIN) — Dutch conglomerate Accell Group has sold the titanium frame brand Van Nicholas to Italian cargo brand Velo-ce. Terms of the deal were not released; Accell bought Van Nicholas in 2011.

Velo-ce, which makes cargo bikes under the Veloe brand, said the acquisition will allow it to expand into the premium adventure and travel bike segment.

Velo-ce manufactures steel frame in its facility near Milan. It will now take over Van Nicholas frame manufacturing and bike assembly.

"Bringing Van Nicholas into the Velo-ce family reflects shared values: building premium bicycles in a low-emission, cost-efficient European facility," Anton Nijhuis, business developer at Velo-ce S.R.L.

"For sales, product, order status or custom configurations, we are ready to support dealers and consumers around the globe. Velo-ce has vast experience in made-to-order and customized bicycle configurations," he added.

Accell's remaining bike brands include Haibike, Winora, Ghost, Batavus, Koga, Lapierre, Raleigh, Sparta, Babboe, and Carqon, as well as the XLC parts and accessories brand. In a release, Accell said, "This sale streamlines Accell’s portfolio, removes overlap and ensures focus on brands with category depth, brand strength and geographic reach."

Ex-Crankbrothers CEO leads group to acquire suspension company EXT

DeanYobbi — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:47:38 +0000

VICENZA, Italy (BRAIN) — Former Crankbrothers CEO Gaspare Licata leads a group of private investors that acquired a majority interest in Extreme Racing Shox (EXT), a manufacturer of bike and motorsports suspension systems.

Licata, Crankbrothers CEO for 10 ½ years, left the brand last month and has been working in the bike industry since 2009. The death of EXT founder and technical director Franco Fratton in April convinced former owner Katia Persico that a new investment and experienced leadership team was needed. As a longtime friend of Fratton and Persico, Licata stepped in.

"I've admired EXT's factory, engineering culture, and the people behind it for years," Licata said. "This acquisition allows us to build on that foundation with the flexibility and focus that a privately led structure enables. The company has untapped potential in both the bicycle and motorsports categories, and I'm committed to honoring its heritage while pushing it to fulfil that potential."

The investment will consolidate the partnership between existing shareholders and allow EXT to build on its engineering and legacy, according to EXT in announcing the news.

Under the new ownership, EXT plans to invest in new technologies, strengthen its global dealer and distributor relationships, and enhance supply chain capabilities. EXT will continue to serve as an R&D partner to leading motorsports racing teams and bring suspension solutions to market segments, including mountain bike, motocross, and e-moto.

"After Franco's passing, it became clear the company needed partners who understood both our values and the technical depth of the brand," Persico said. "While larger companies expressed interest, what mattered most to me was preserving EXT's technical excellence and relationship-driven approach. Gaspare and his team share that philosophy, which is why this partnership made sense."

Eurobike will replace Reisinger as it revamps leadership

DeanYobbi — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 13:19:37 +0000

FRANKFURT (BRAIN) — Phillipp Ferger will replace Stefan Reisinger as head of Eurobike on Jan. 1 as the trade show reorganizes its leadership in the wake of two German trade groups withholding support of the event.

Ferger, Messe Frankfurt vice president of consumer fairs, will manage Fairnamic — Eurobike's organizer — along with Stefan Mittag of Messe Friedrichshafen. Two new roles — authorized representative and show director — will be created to "enhance operational management." Both positions are close to being filled, according to a Eurobike news release.

Reisinger helped shape the Fairnamic since its creation in 2021. He will continue to support the organization during the transition with the new management team making "conceptual adjustments to the Eurobike trade show concept for 2026, and especially for editions from 2027 onwards."

Organizers said discussions are taking place with industry associations with the trade fair advisory board meeting at the beginning of the new year. This will involve "important" industry representatives and "key" German and European exhibitors.

Eurobike announced the e-mobility event Mobifuture at last June's show. It was planned to be held at the same venue as Eurobike over the same dates, with a single entry ticket. ZIV and Zukunft Fahrrad pulled their support, saying in part that Mobifuture would be a distraction from Eurobike's focus on the traditional bike market. In November, Fairnamic said it would not hold the event alongside the bike show in 2026, which is scheduled for June in Frankfurt.

The trade groups invited international OEMs and suppliers to participate in one of two online meetings this month to explain their decision and to answer questions.

Bike imports down 24% year-to-date

Steve Frothingham — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 02:32:25 +0000

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — U.S bike imports were down 24% in units and 16% in dollar value through September this year, according to new data released this week.

Through the first three quarters, the U.S. imported 6.3 million bikes, down from 8.3 million over the same period last year. The import value was $667 million, down from $792 million.

September imports from most countries declined steeply from recent months, with imports from China down 37% in dollar value from August.

Following the federal government shutdown the Census resumed releasing import data last month with the August data. The latest release, for the September data, is about a month later than its normal schedule. The agency has not announced a full data release schedule.

Third-quarter imports increased over Q2, but were well below the same quarter last year.

MIPS acquires protection brand Koroyd

DeanYobbi — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 14:43:34 +0000

STOCKHOLM (BRAIN) — MIPS has acquired all shares of body and head impact protection brand Koroyd for 40 million euros ($46.9 million). Based in Monaco and founded in 2010, Koroyd will continue to operate separately under its current leadership team, said Max Strandwitz, MIPS president and CEO.

Koroyd's portfolio includes sport, motorsport, defense, industry safety, and child restraint systems. MIPS' technology extends to helmets for sports — including bike — moto, and safety.

Smith and Endura are among the brands that have sold bike helmets using Koroyd.

"Together, I am convinced that this combination will accelerate our diversification strategy," said John Lloyd, Koroyd founder. "Our technologies are naturally complementary and together form a platform that strengthens partners, delivers on the strong demand for both brands, and expands what is possible in protection. Above all, it's the shared values, collaborative mindset, and long-term vision that make this partnership a natural evolutionary step. This shared foundation makes the future extremely exciting, and I couldn't be more enthusiastic to be part of building it."

During the 2024-2025 financial year, Koroyd reported sales of about 11 million euros with an adjusted EBITDA of about 5 million euros. The purchase price amounts to 40 million euros on a cash and debt-free basis, with an additional earn-out of up to 25 million euros if certain performance targets are met. The acquisition is expected to be financed through available cash and a new credit facility.

In March, Fox selected Koroyd as its ingredient partner for its new Enduro Pro Knee Guards. In 2023, Koroyd moved into an expanded headquarters, including a research and development lab.

Ducati's new line of road, gravel, e-MTB models to launch in spring

DeanYobbi — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:21:42 +0000

BOLOGNA, Italy (BRAIN) — Ducati will offer a new range of road, gravel, and e-MTB models in the spring in collaboration with Italian holding company Gruppo Zecchetto and input from three professional Italian cyclists.

In announcing the project, Ducati — which in 2020 made its e-bikes available at U.S. Ducati motorcycle dealers — said it is "dedicated to the development, production, and distribution of a new and broader range of high-performance bicycles." The longtime motorcycle brand entered the e-bike market in 2018 working with Italian manufacturer Thok Ebike under a license from Ducati.

A Ducati spokesperson declined to say if the new models will be available in the U.S. through bike dealers or D2C, adding more details will be released in the spring.

Ducati is collaborating with Diamant S.r.l., a company within Gruppo Zecchetto that brings together brands in cycling footwear (DMT), technical apparel (Alè Cycling), and carbon and composite component manufacturing (Diamant Compositi).

Road cyclists Vincenzo Nibali and Elia Viviani are involved with the road and gravel-bike development, and downhill cyclist Lorenzon Suding is one of several athletes working on the e-MTB models.

"With this new project, we aim to strengthen our presence in the cycling sector," said Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Motor Holding CEO. "The collaboration with Diamant — together with the contribution of Italian cycling champions such as Vincenzo Nibali, Elia Viviani, and Lorenzo Suding — allows us to develop high-performance bicycles designed to offer enthusiasts a level of quality and excitement comparable to that of our motorcycles. This step comes after a journey built with Thok, whom I wish to thank for the valuable work done together over the years."

The project also includes a line of accessories and technical apparel dedicated to each specialty, specifically designed for the new Ducati bicycles.

Giant says it has completed its zero-fee policy and refunds program

Steve Frothingham — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 19:01:33 +0000

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Giant Group says it issued refunds on Dec. 1 to all its migrant workers who had paid recruitment fees in the past and it is hoping for a "swift" revocation of the Withhold Release Order that U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued in September.

Giant said it completed its first phase of worker refunds in October and finalized the second phase on Dec. 1.

"The refund calculations and procedures were implemented in accordance with recommendations from a third-party independent auditor, following international standards and thorough fact-finding investigations and assessments. All refund amounts have now been fully transferred to the workers’ accounts. This development signifies the full implementation of the Zero Recruitment Fee responsible recruitment policy and marks an important milestone in the company’s human rights and labor governance efforts and responsible recruitment practices," the company said in a statement Friday.

The foreign worker migrant recruitment fees, which are legal in Taiwan but illegal in many nations, were one of the practices cited by CBP in its WRO announcement, which accused Giant of forced-labor abuses. Historically Giant and other Taiwan manufacturers have used third-party recruiters to obtain workers, typically on multi-year contracts. The recruiter fees were typically withdrawn from worker paychecks over the course of their employment, resulting in an ongoing debt that some advocates refer to as "debt bondage."

Besides the refunds, Giant said it is implementing "a detailed Corrective Action Plan (CAP) in accordance with recommendations from the third-party independent audit organization. The CAP includes corporate policy updates and enhanced recruitment management systems, coupled with extensive online and on-site training programs designed to promote labor rights awareness and strengthen workers' rights consciousness. It is the company's goal to pursue the swift lifting of the WRO and establish an elevated and positive example for the enhancement of labor and human rights governance through the collaboration with CBP."

Besides the recruitment fee practice, CBP charged Giant with other worker-rights violations, including "abuse of vulnerability, abusive working and living conditions, debt bondage, withholding of wages, and excessive overtime."

Giant said it has strengthened its internal grievance procedures and promoted a migrant worker hotline. "Should CBP or relevant authorities request additional actions, the company will fully comply," it said in the release. Giant previously announced improvements to worker conditions including new dormitories.

Giant is providing updates on its website at esg.giantgroup-cycling.com/en-US/prresponse01.

Other manufacturers take steps

Fellow Taiwan bike maker Merida Industries also has enacted a zero-fee policy and refunded employees for their fees paid, a company official confirmed to BRAIN. Cheng Shin Rubber, parent of the Maxxis and CST tire brands, also has reportedly enacted a zero-fee policy.

Specialized credits AliExpress and Chinese law enforcement for largest counterfeit bust in brand's history

Steve Frothingham — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 17:24:06 +0000

Operation seized over $1.5M in counterfeit goods.

HANGZHOU, China (BRAIN) — AliExpress says it worked with Specialized and Chinese law enforcement to dismantle two counterfeit manufacturing operations in China, leading to the seizure of $1.5 million worth of fake products, including Specialized Roval frames, handlebars and wheels, and fake Pinarello, Cannondale, Cervélo and Trek products.

"Counterfeit products imitating Specialized's high-performance goods not only infringe on (intellectual property rights) but also pose serious risks to consumer safety. These fake items often bypass stringent quality and safety standards, potentially endangering users and undermining consumer trust in legitimate products. Specialized has tested these counterfeit cycling helmets and frames, and they fail safety standards. Sometimes catastrophically," AliExpress said in a press release Friday.

According to AliExpress, the seizure was the largest anti-counterfeit action in Specialized's history.

The release quotes Andrew Love, Specialized's global brand protection manager, who said, "Specialized is unwavering in its commitment to protecting its riders and upholding a zero-tolerance policy against dangerous counterfeit products. These illicit operations not only exploit consumers but also undermine trust in authentic goods. We are fully dedicated to safeguarding our customers and combating organized crime on a global scale. The success of this largest counterfeit bust in the cycling industry highlights the profound impact of collaboration between brands like ours and tech-driven platforms like AliExpress."

Love added, "Chinese law enforcement and Alibaba deserve immense recognition for their integral role in achieving this milestone."

German trade groups still withholding support for Eurobike

DeanYobbi — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 17:10:23 +0000

The groups are planning two online meetings to explain their decision.

BERLIN (BRAIN) — The two German trade groups that announced in October they no longer would support Eurobike are inviting international OEMs and suppliers to participate in one of two online meetings to explain their decision and to answer questions.

ZIV and Zukunft Fahrrad have scheduled the one-hour meetings for next Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. CET and Dec. 15 at 4 p.m. CET. The meetings will begin with a review and background of the decision, viewers' responses and feedback, and conclude with what the groups are planning.

"The developments and discussions over the recent weeks have strengthened our conviction that the industry needs a strong global trade fair with a clear European focus," said ZIV CEO Burkhard Stork in an email Friday announcing the meetings.

To register for either meeting, click here.

Eurobike announced the e-mobility event Mobifuture at last June's show. It was planned to be held at the same venue as Eurobike over the same dates, with a single entry ticket. The trade groups pulled their support, saying in part that Mobifuture would be a distraction from Eurobike's focus on the traditional bike market.

Last month, Eurobike's organizers, Fairnamic, said they will not hold Mobifuture alongside the bike show in 2026, which is scheduled for next June in Frankfurt.

Longtime Pon Holdings CEO Janus Smalbraak leaving company

DeanYobbi — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:26:03 +0000

AMSTERDAM (BRAIN) — CEO Janus Smalbraak is leaving Pon Holdings after 25 years, the past 15 leading the parent company of Pon.Bike. Smalbraak wrote a LinkedIn post that he will join Amsterdam investment company Parcom as a partner.

"Pon is so much more than a wonderful family business; it is a close community. Over the past quarter-century, we have lived through unbelievable adventures, achieved significant milestones, and never had a single dull moment. The deep friendships created along the way truly make this an emotional moment for me."

Christian Dahlheim, CEO of Volkswagen Financial Services AG for nearly four years, will succeed Smalbraak. Pon Holdings and Volkswagen Financial Services began collaborating in 2023 to expand e-bike leasing for employees and commercial customers in the U.S. and Europe.

Volkswagen Financial Services acquired 49% stake in Pon's bike leasing subsidiary Bike Mobility Services.

"I am very confident that he will take over the reins with passion and bring Pon to the next level," Smalbraak wrote on LinkedIn.

In 2022, Pon Holdings completed its $810 million acquisition of Dorel Industries — which included Cannondale, Schwinn, GT, Mongoose and other bike brands. That same year, Pon.Bike announced plans to buy the Dutch e-bike brand Veloretti.