Key Takeaways From CYCLINGWORLD EUROPE 2024:
- While there were several traditional pedal-only vendors at the show, most exhibited a mix of traditional and electric bike models.
- Cargo bikes continue to gain in popularity.
- New technologies are putting pressure on some legacy tech (notably derailleurs).
- Motors keep getting smaller and more powerful.
- Some newer e-bikes are nearly impossible to distinguish from analog bikes.
I got the chance to attend CYCLINGWORLD EUROPE 2024 in Düsseldorf, Germany, and I had quite the time. If you haven’t heard of the CYCLINGWORLD event, don’t worry. It’s a newer show that’s still much smaller than the better-known EUROBIKE expo.
Nevertheless, CYCLINGWORLD EUROPE has steadily grown since its 2017 conception. Between March 15 and 17, CYCLINGWORLD EUROPE 2024 welcomed about 500 brands and 25,000 visitors — roughly double the size of the previous year’s event.
Many of these exhibitors were boutique brands and interesting startups. However, some large brands were notably in attendance at the 2024 show, including Specialized, Cube, and Spain-based Orbea (we’ll look at these more below).
With the growth of CYCLINGWORLD EUROPE came some late-breaking news: For the first time, there will be a U.S. edition of the CYCLINGWORLD show on May 1-4, 2025, in New York City. Mark your calendars!
Prominent CYCLINGWORLD EUROPE 2024 Trends
As you can probably deduce from the name, the CYCLINGWORLD event showcases everything connected to cycling — both electric and traditional. This year, most vendors exhibited a combination of both, highlighting the shift to electric models.
Here’s a look at some other overarching themes that stood out to me.
The Rise of Cargo E-Bikes
We predicted in our 2024 e-bike market report that electric bikes would emerge as a car replacement option — and the popularity of cargo e-bikes, both for business use in congested cities and for families looking to rely less on cars, at CYCLINGWORLD EUROPE 2024 confirmed this to be true.
Adding motor power to cargo bikes has made them more accessible to riders who may have dismissed them in the past due to their size and weight. I saw various cargo e-bikes on display at CYCLINGWORLD 2024, showcasing various forms and factors.
The bottom line is that people are beginning to discover the value of cargo e-bikes over cars. It also helps that the price of cargo bikes is continuing to fall as the segment becomes more competitive.
Innovative Technology
New e-bike tech is a standard at these types of conventions, but the rear derailleur system alternatives stood out at CYCLINGWORLD EUROPE 2024. One example was the integrated gearing system by Pinion that pairs with mid-mount motors and allows for shifting gears while stationary.
Enclosed hubs, like those from brands like Enviolo, also turned some heads. The fully automated systems that constantly seek to keep the rider in the ‘perfect gear’ were quite popular.
Reuse. Recycle. Reduce.
Another notable trend was the use and reuse of materials — particularly plastic — in e-bike construction. One company had bikes constructed from fishing nets recovered from the ocean, while other companies used recycled tubes and tires to make waterproof bags and panniers.
Standout E-Bikes and Gear at CYCLINGWORLD EUROPE 2024
Enough of general trends. Let’s dig into the e-bike models and must-have gear that really piqued my interest.
Evie S1 Light Cargo
Evie’s S1 e-bike doesn’t really stand out from the crowd — at least not at first glance. But take a closer look, and interesting details emerge.
The Evie S1 is all about seamless integration and sleek looks, what with the invisible frame welds, a large display cleanly integrated into the top of the handlebar, and a nearly imperceptible 250 W rear hub motor. Its decent-sized battery — yes, also seamlessly hidden within the frame — provides a range of up to 70 km (about 43.5 mi) with pedal assist. The battery powers numerous features, including standard LED lighting, a built-in alarm, and an NFC reader.
But that’s not all. Evie S1’s features extend well into the digital realm. The bike includes 4G LTE connectivity for geofencing, remote activation of the Orbital physical rear wheel lock, location monitoring, and even bike sharing with up to four trusted friends or family members. No phone? An NFC card can also unlock the Evie S1.
On top of all these perks, the Evie S1 sports a wide, comfortable seat. You can even opt for a large front package rack and a stout rear rack for cargo hauling — which is how Evie configured this model for CYCLINGWORLD EUROPE 2024. There’s also a step-through version available called the T1.
Perhaps the best part is that you can get all of these features for about $2,500 total. Quite the steal. For now, though, the Evie S1 is an EU-only model.
Cervélo Rouvida
As one of the few analog holdouts, long-time racebike builder Cervélo was one of the last dominos to fall. But it has finally fallen, creating its first e-bike: the highly capable — and very expensive — Rouvida.
Unsurprisingly, the Rouvida doesn’t look like any typical e-bike; it looks like a Cervélo. The small motor outputs 250 W nominal but can pop up to 450 W for a burst of speed. It also delivers a stout 60 Nm of torque.
The Rouvida sports an innovative design, with swappable dropouts for configuration as either a roadie or a gravel bike. Beyond that, Cervélo has blended the Rouvida’s 430 Wh battery and tiny Fazua Ride60 motor into the carbon frame and crank area so well it’s difficult to tell it’s an e-bike at all — which was by design, of course.
Cervélo offers the Rouvida in four frame sizes, and prices range from about $9,000 to $14,000 depending on how buyers kit it out. For now, the Rouvida is only available in the EU.
Cube AMS HYBRID ONE44 C:68X SLX 400X 29
Cube has been making standout electric mountain bikes for several years now, but its most recent models offer even more innovation. Take, for example, the curiously named AMS Hybrid ONE44 C:68X 29, which caught my attention at the show. That name is a mouthful, so let’s just call it the One44 Hybrid for now.
The One44 Hybrid boasts a Bosch SX 250 W mid-motor coupled to a 400 Wh battery sealed in the carbon-fiber frame. Cube also offers a small 250 Wh extended riding pack that mounts in the frame for extra range.
On the back, a Shimano XT RD-M8100-SGS ShadowPlus 12-speed cassette gives riders both granny-gear climbing leverage and high-speed downhill control. Shimano 203 mm and 180 mm hydraulic disc brakes slow the 29-inch hoops, while Fox long-travel suspension bits include two rear shock position options. The steering angle is also adjustable to match rider aggression.
Let’s take a step back from the nitty-gritty details and talk about the build. The candy blue paint on the frame caught our attention, as did the One44 Hybrid’s extremely clean lines and compact rear suspension that almost make the bike look like a hardtail. Cube has kept everything uncluttered by routing wires and cables internally, including for the dropper post.
While it will certainly shred out on the singletrack, the 38 lb One44 Hybrid might also make a passable commuter — just add a backpack. It’s available now at participating Cube dealers.
Cube Stereo One55
Looking for a sharper tool than the One44? Level up to the Cube Stereo One55, a more downhill-focused full-suspension 29” rock hopper with more travel, power, and finesse.
While available in four trims (and varying prices), all of the One55 variants are based around a carbon frame with a Bosch motor that gives 85 Nm of torque and 250 W of output. Power comes from a removable 750 Wh battery bank. The suspension includes 155 to 170 mm of fork travel, depending on configuration.
Let’s move on to stopping power. The brakes come from Magura, while the drive systems come from SRAM. The bike also sports premium tires, grips, and carbon cranks that round out the hard bits. Internalized wiring keeps the look clean and prevents snagging breakable connections on the inevitable tumble.
Ready to rock? The One55 is ready to roll and can be ordered now.
Old Man Mountain Gear
When I saw Old Man Mountain’s marketing director, Erik Fenner, at the company’s small gear booth in Düselldorf, he was wearing the same Danner/Vibram boots as I was and sporting a long mane of hair over a vest with buttons and some tattered blue jeans. “That’s another guy from the Pacific Northwest — maybe even Oregon,” I thought to myself.
Bingo: Old Man Mountain is based in Bend, Oregon, and Fenner lives in Portland — just like me. In front of their small CYCLINGWORLD EUROPE stand was a gravel bike festooned with waterproof black or sand-colored bags from the rear rack to the front forks.
The small company makes a wide assortment of racks, axle mounts, bags, straps, light mounts, and more. On top of that, it also sells some Sea to Summit gear and Nalgene bottles, plus a wide range of cool T-shirts, hoodies, and merit badges. Yes, merit badges. Because: Oregon.
Orbea Wild eMTB
Orbea is a Spanish company expanding into international markets like the United States. They recently introduced a new commuter e-bike, the Diem, which won the Best Product award this year at the show. And I even got the chance to ride the Diem around Düselldorf and along the Rhine River.
Loved the Diem (and did a review on it), but Orbea has been making much more hard-core roadies and MTBs for years — models like the Wild. The company’s expertise shows in the top-sec Orbea Wild, a full-suspension electrified mountain bike. It generally ranges from about $7,300 to over $13,000, depending on the buyer’s specifications.
Every Wild is based around the same specs: a carbon frame with 160 mm minimum front and rear travel (or up to 170 mm in the front), 29” wheels, Fox suspension, Shimano brakes and derailleur, a Bosch CX or CX-R (‘Race’) motor that makes over 80 Nm of torque, and either a 635 or 750 Wh battery. Beyond those options, it’s mostly a question of what your wallet can withstand in terms of hard parts. You can also completely customize the frame colors, accents, finishes, and even logo color.
But in general, expect the Wild to weigh in at about 50 lbs, ready to ride. While not a new model for 2024, the Orbea Wild is a race-winning competition bike voted ‘best bike’ in 2023 by numerous publications. It has returned in 2024 with some additional tweaks for even better performance.
TENWAYS CGO009
We’re fans of TENWAYS’ simple-looking designs and clean lines, showcased on the previous CGO600 and CGO800 models. The new CGO009 (say “See Go 009”) fits right into the now somewhat expected aesthetic for bicycles coming from the Netherlands.
TENWAYS’ CGO009 is a dedicated Class 1 commuter/city bike packing a 250 W rear-hub motor that makes 45 Nm of torque. And the entire bike weighs in at a respectable 46 lbs, ready to ride. A small controller on the left bar adjusts motor power and shows battery charge, and there’s a short-duration boost button on the nubbin.
Since this is a Class 1 bike, there’s no throttle. However, it has some other perks. The robust TENWAYS app allows riders to find out more about the bike’s electronics, track its location, geo-fence the bike, and tweak performance parameters — and, of course, use the usual GPS bits and ride-tracking data.
The CGO009 requires minimal maintenance due to the Gates belt drive and single rear speed; if you can keep air in the tires and the battery charged, you’re good. The bike has a 2024 release date, and buyers ordering now get three years of free smart feature data along with fenders, a rear rack, and a kickstand.
AOI.CYCLE Handmade Bikes
AOI.CYCLE’s elegant handmade bicycles and e-bikes caused a lot of buzz at CYCLINGWORLD 2024 — and for good reason. The handmade stainless steel creations look like they came through a time portal from a retro sci-fi past, yet they are fully up-to-date. Creator Ken Aoi says his small team focuses on craftsmanship, reusability, utility and, of course, beauty.
Aoi took over his family’s industrial design and stainless steel fabrication business in 2010, which gave him the space to design, create, fabricate, and test the unique frames on his Copenhagen, Legacy, and Rambler models. While these bikes are incredibly sleek, they come in both analog and electric versions. Thanks to a rear-drive motor and battery pack contained in a polished, low-profile hub structure, you can hardly tell this is an electric bike.
You can also choose between bespoke ash, oak, walnut or keyaki wood trim over some of the steel frame spars, but the polished stainless steel Copenhagen model seemed to be the most popular version at the show. AOI.CYCLE offers numerous options, including frame size, bar type, and other details.
The stunning retro design, stainless steel frame, hidden wiring, ultra-clean aesthetic, and impeccable finish make the $5,700 price tag seem like a very good deal — especially in light of the fact they only make 100 units per year total.
igus:bike/RCYL
There’s no doubt about it: The odd, bulky igus:bike/RCYL bikes were the ugliest bikes at CYCLINGWORLD EUROPE 2024 (at least in my opinion). So why was I constantly seeing them out on the test track? Likely because of what they represent in terms of ecology, environmental care, and recyclability.
The bike may have crazy proportions and odd textures, but it’s made almost entirely of recycled plastics. The unique shape and design are even slightly reminiscent of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch — which igus:bike is trying to reduce with its sustainability efforts.
And it’s not just the frames that are made from recycled materials. The forks, wheels and drivetrain are all plastic. Since the single-speed drive system is not metal, it’s essentially maintenance-free and doesn’t need oil or other lubricants. The RCYL bikes do come with LED lights and disc brakes, but once the bike’s service life is over, it can essentially be completely recycled into another bike or bike parts.
While the RCYL bikes are not e-bikes at this time, igus:bike reports that electric versions are in the works. The company offered a VR headset for a fun stationary riding experience at its booth, but many showgoers found the real riding experience irresistible.
The RCYL bikes are going into limited production in 2024 after four prototype iterations. The cost is projected to be about $1,300 USD and pre-orders are open.
The Future Is Electric
While CYCLINGWORLD EUROPE 2024 wasn’t quite as big as the EUROBIKE convention or as tech-focused as the CES 2024 show, it had its unique flair that highlighted several up-and-coming e-bike brands. Make sure to mark your calendars for the CYCLINGWORLD event coming to the U.S. in 2025 so you don’t miss out on the latest and greatest e-bike models.
