During the 31st edition of the Riva del Garda Bike Festival, a roundtable was held featuring some of the most influential players in the European bicycle industry. Moderated by Andrea from Pianeta Mountainbike, the panel included: Edoardo Girardi (General Manager of FSA Italy), Patrick (Product Manager at Canyon), Mathias and Federica from Bosch, Nicola Gavardi (Communication & PR Manager at Scott Italy), Marco Cislaghi (Sales Manager at Mondraker Italy), and Sergio Laurino from R Raymon. Jacopo Vigna also joined the discussion, exploring how EurekaBike and its technology could proactively integrate with the industry's ongoing trends and processes.
The core topic was clear: what is the future of the bike market in terms of trends? The answers were varied and multidimensional, but some common threads emerged: electrification, data, artificial intelligence, and deeper integration between product and user.
Power, lightness, and urban market potential
Sergio Laurino, Country Manager at R Raymon, opened the discussion by emphasizing power and weight as key trends in the e-bike segment. In Italy, he noted, we are only beginning to develop lightweight models, but urban and commuting bikes represent a segment with huge potential. Not just e-bikes: traditional bikes will also continue to grow and create value. Another critical point for Sergio was the lack of structured data in the sector and the need for stronger European-level collaboration — not just on product development, but across sales channels too.
Geometry evolution and smart integration
Patrick, Product Manager at Canyon, agreed that power will continue to play a central role in e-bike growth, but highlighted the technical challenge of integrating systems into small-size frames. Canyon is working on smart component integration, which he believes will be one of the most significant trends over the next 2–3 years. Geometry, he said, will never be “final”: trails change, users change, and bikes must adapt constantly to new usage patterns.
Bosch: yes to power, but with control
Mathias, Product Manager at Bosch, outlined the brand’s vision: power and control. “Control” means automated management of assistance levels to avoid slippage and unnatural motor responses. Bosch is also exploring modularity, envisioning bikes that can be upgraded regularly. His main concern? Regulations. There is a risk that excessive motor power could prompt lawmakers to introduce stricter rules — such as license plates, insurance obligations, or access limits to mountain trails — that could hinder the sector’s growth.
Gravel: the new heart of community
Marco Cislaghi from Mondraker focused on one word: gravel. After years of emphasis on enduro and competitive formats, gravel represents a revival of community spirit — something that defined the golden era of MTB. After three years of experimentation with e-gravel, Mondraker has just launched its first traditional gravel model and is ready to establish its presence in events and among cycling communities.
AI and data: the invisible fuel of growth
Jacopo Vigna, founder of EurekaBike, shifted the discussion to a strategic level. He questioned whether vehicle performance evolution is truly what the industry needs most right now. What’s likely more urgent, he argued, is focusing on deep integration between biometric data, smart components, and digital trails. However, the most pressing issue remains: supply chain inefficiency and the lack of reliable data. Without structured information, innovation cannot scale.
Nicola from Scott supported this view, stating that AI will be a key driver of the future. In Italy, the market is evolving to include new user segments with very different needs from traditional racers. The industry must also speak to these new riders, and to do so, real, structured data—not gut feelings—is essential. Consumer habits, profiles, and usage behaviors must be better tracked to avoid missing opportunities.
The Chinese threat and the automotive lesson
Edoardo Girardi, General Manager at FSA, delivered a clear message: “We must learn from the automotive sector.” The arrival of Chinese brands in Europe is imminent and poses a very real threat that the European bike industry will have to face in the next 2–4 years. “We can never compete on price,” he said, “so we must compete through brand value, visibility, and stronger alliances between European brands.” Only through strategic collaboration will the European bike sector be able to defend its position.
Author’s perspective
As the founder of EurekaBike and a close observer of the bike industry’s evolution, I believe that the real “leap forward” won’t come from motors or geometry—it will come from our ability to think and act as a system. We can no longer afford to work in silos: data must flow between brands, suppliers, distributors, and retailers as smoothly as a well-oiled chain.
We talk a lot about performance, design, infrastructure, and human-machine interaction, and that shows how much the bike industry is powered by one thing above all: passion. That’s our strength—but it’s also our main limitation.
As an enthusiast first and an entrepreneur second, I believe that product innovation still has much ground to cover. One neglected area in particular deserves attention in the coming years: body protection. On the road and on trails, physical safety has lagged far behind the evolution of bikes and their performance. A concrete acceleration is needed here.
But when it comes to urgent problems, we must shift our focus from what’s visible to what isn’t. The real bottleneck in today’s bike industry is not performance—but inefficiency. A structural and widespread inefficiency, which takes three clear forms:
- Overstocked warehouses with products no longer aligned with real market demand.
- Declining profit margins, threatening the financial sustainability of the entire supply chain.
- Missing or unstructured data, which prevent fast, coordinated, and data-driven decisions.
In short, our real competitor is not China, nor seasonal downturns—it’s the lack of control over data and the value chain. Those who face this challenge with courage and method—integrating data, platforms, and decision processes—will hold the key not only to their own margins, but to the future of the entire cycling ecosystem.
An industry in transition, and a collective challenge to face through partnership
What emerged from the panel is an industry undergoing major transformation. Technological innovation continues across frames, motors, and geometry—but the true differentiators will be data, adaptability, and collaboration. Whether it’s gravel, AI, or modularity, the message is clear: those who evolve fast and build value beyond the physical product will thrive. And that will only be possible if the European cycling industry learns how to act as one.