Cyclingworld 2025

I don’t often go to bike shows, but this year I decided to finally visit Cyclingworld in Düsseldorf. Mainly because I wanted to meet some people again, or at all, who I’ve only known digitally or haven’t seen for a long time.

In addition, Cyclingworld has quickly gained a reputation for being a worthwhile trade fair and – more importantly – an event that has managed to combine a public trade fair, bike culture, bikepacking, road bikes, cargo bikes and eBikes in such a way that everyone has fun.

And that’s true!

I spent almost a day and a half at Cyclingworld and could have stayed even longer. With a positive side effect: you walk and stand so much that it practically replaces training and you’re pretty exhausted by the end of the day.

Of course, my attention was initially focussed on the topics and bikes that were close to me. But as you also get to meet new people here and gain new perspectives, I also turned my attention back to road bikes.

Racing bikes for road and gravel (& track)

It was Kasia from Van Rysel who invited me to the presentation of the new Van Rysel RCR-F professional road bike. As you may know, I used to train competitive cycling in the GDR and was quite successful there – until I had an accident in 1986 and then dropped out. I haven’t ridden a racing bike since then and, to be honest, I’ve had enough of it after all these years of almost daily training.

But my enthusiasm for cycling has returned in recent years and I watch almost all the races on TV. That’s why I’m occasionally interested in the technology in the pro peloton. Van Rysel is new here, but has already built up a good reputation with his bikes and is currently ridden by the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale team.

The new RCR-F is now the current top model and I found it particularly interesting that this bike is supposed to be 14 W better/more economical/faster than its predecessor. It’s impressive how they can still get performance out of the bikes. However, I wouldn’t be able to ride such a bike – these racing bikes are designed too much for experienced racers and athletes, and I would have to get used to them first. These bikes are the sports cars among the bikes and therefore don’t look bad. I also liked the colour scheme.

Of course, there were also plenty of other performance-orientated racing and time trial bikes and performance gravel bikes at Cyclingworld. And I thought that was good, because otherwise eBikes usually predominate. In Düsseldorf it was different, more diverse, more colourful.

For example, you could see a VanWoid with a pink bubble paint job.

Or the Kocmo Daytona RS gravel racing bike in rainbow with an elaborate paint job.

Or the Rondo Ratt CF1, with a very unconventional and aggressive frame shape.

Or the Ridley Noah Fast in a beautiful red colour.

Or a Hope/Lotus time trial track bike with an unconventional fork and frame shape and a 66 chainring.

Bikepacking & bike bags

But of course the brands and manufacturers from the bikepacking/gravel cosmos took centre stage for me.

Ortlieb, for example: I was very pleased to meet the people here in person again and take a look at the new products.

I took the opportunity to have a look at the Quick Racks and the corresponding axles for mounting them. I am a Quick Rack rider myself, but could no longer use my current rack as I only have the Salsa Fargo. The rack doesn’t currently fit there, as the Fargo has Boost. But with the new Quick Rack L and XL this should no longer be a problem, as they are designed for MTB and wide tyres. I have also switched to Transmission, where I can now also get the corresponding axle for the Quick Rack.

New is the Handlebar-Pack Flex handlebar roller, which is attached to the handlebar using a QR mounting set. The advantage: you can click the bag on and off easily. It holds a total of 15 litres, which is quite a lot. I have also just tested it and have ridden it on the Hackenpedder. It’s definitely a good alternative to the normal handlebar pack, which you first have to remove from the handlebars. With the Flex, this is done in no time at all. And the QR mount also provides the necessary head tube and cable clearance for all those who have previously had problems with this and whose head tube has been rubbed off by handlebar rollers or where cables have been kinked.

Another new feature is the Dry Pack, which can be strapped lengthways onto the rear carrier (QR). It is attached using special straps that are hooked onto the sides of the carrier tube (10 mm diameter) to secure the bag. The Dry Pack is available in 12 litre and 16 litre sizes. So you can transport your stuff according to your travelling requirements. And at 60 and 65 euros respectively, these bags are also quite affordable.

There was also a lot going on at Tailfin: the stand had a new branding, with a new logo.

But more importantly, you could take a look at the new Aeropack, which will be available on 10 April. It is seen more as an addition to the range, dispenses with the small side pockets/access of the previous Aeropack, now has large mesh compartments on both sides, has a strap for transverse fixation and a modified roll closure (it closes lengthways). The Aeropack now also has a valve. However, the volume remains at 18 litres.

Still in prototype status is a smaller and lighter Aeropack with a volume of 12 litres. The Tailfin test team has been and will continue to test this and I believe that it will be available this year.

The frame bags for MTBs are also still a prototype, but are already well advanced. The current frame bags are designed more for gravel bikes and road bikes. Let’s see when everything will be ready.

What is definitely new are small bags – I’ll call them tool bags – that sit on the top tube and on the seat tube. They are available in two sizes for gravel bikes and MTBs. I don’t have any more space at the top anyway, but there are some people who still store tubes, pharmacy or tools in such bags. Let’s see when these will be available.

Aeroe was also represented in Düsseldorf. You are probably familiar with the distinctive bags that are attached to massive carriers at the back of the bike and look like two buoys when mounted.

However, the carrier system seems to be quite suitable and so far I haven’t heard anything negative about it. At Cyclingworld, in addition to the classic roll, they also showed a kind of office bag that can easily accommodate a laptop and office stuff. And the whole system is also available for the front, where you can even mount a front carrier on a suspension fork and attach appropriate bags. Not bad!

Of course, I also stopped by Old Man Mountain, because I find their carrier systems very interesting. The Americans have good solutions, especially for suspension forks and forks without eyelets.

I also took the opportunity to have a look at their cargo cages and the fork bags, which are attached to the cage with a lever lock. There is now also a very light bag for the carrier that can be attached with straps. I’ll have to try that out too…

At Basic Bikes Berlin I saw the bags from fo.goods. The man behind them is Florian Schuster, who customises these bags sustainably in Stuttgart.

Of course I liked the practical bottle/can holder on the front of the handlebar roller. This handlebar roll is fixed to the handlebars with a kind of metal frame called Sixtysix, which ensures the distance to the head tube and cables and provides stability.

Let’s stay with bags for a moment: the Red Rebane Exo bags were honoured with an award.

These bags allow you to transport crates of drinks, parcels and all kinds of bulky items comfortably on the pannier rack. And they are made in Germany. In any case, they are an interesting transport option for anyone looking for a flexible solution to meet smaller and larger purchases and transport challenges. Or you can use it on tour.

Great bikepacking bikes and gravel bikes

My first visit was to Mason, as they have a new hardtail in their range, the Macro, which I wanted to take a closer look at.

I saw it at the Tailfin stand, in bright blue. Josh Ibbett was travelling with the Macro in Morocco and put it through its paces there. You can buy the Macro as a frame set or as a complete bike.

And it’s the little things that I found great about Mason: for example, the Shutter front mudguard, which has an integrated carrier. I’d never seen that before. The Shutter can probably carry up to 3kg. If you want more, take the Condenser Rack, which can carry up to 8 kg. However, both solutions require the Mason fork, which has the three attachment points. This fork can also be purchased separately.

Maybe I’ll get the chance to test ride a Mason Macro one day. After all, I’m still looking for a hardtail, or am already looking for one again. By the way, Mason won the Cyclingworld Award for their new ISO gravel bike. Congratulations!

Speaking of test bikes: I was also at the Rose stand and had a look at the Hobo Dropbar. I’m currently testing it and looking forward to riding my first kilometres on it.

The Hobo is designed more as an urban bike, but the Hobo Dropbar is perfect for bikepacking and overnighters. I’m already looking forward to the next outing with the Hobo and to testing the handling and the possibilities with the front carrier.

At Cycling World, I also made an appointment with Basic Bikes from Berlin.

I really like their bikes and we talked about a possible test ride. I found Joost’s gravel bike, which he has ridden almost 40,000 kilometres on, particularly exciting. He has now refurbished it and it looks like new. I wouldn’t have expected that from a carbon frame and it’s also good news in terms of sustainability. But I also found the Basic Bikes MTB exciting, with which Joost rode the Atlas Mountain Race and relied on the carbon fork.

These practical experiences and the deep understanding of the requirements make Basic Bikes an address worth recommending. Let’s see when I can enjoy a test ride.

Of course, I also took the opportunity to visit Chiru. Chiru is a French manufacturer of titanium bikes and Mr Chiru, Pierre-Arnaud, was on site and I was able to talk to him. I’m always looking for alternatives to my Fargo and after the new Fargo didn’t quite meet my expectations, the search has started again. And the Chiru Kegeti is at the top of my list. Pierre-Arnaud rode the first Silk Road Mountain Race and tested the Kegeti extensively. It is designed for bikepacking adventures and works as a drop and flat bar. Unfortunately, it was always positioned so that it couldn’t be photographed. So here’s a picture from Instagram:

The new Allure also appealed to me: a fast all-road bike with which you can have a lot of fun off-road. Together with the Hunt 40 CGR high-profile rims and the Classified/SRAM Red XPLR drivetrain, it’s a bullet for long distances.

And here, too, there are better pictures on Instagram:

But Chiru also has something on offer for rougher missions: the Highlander, which lives up to its name and is a hardtail for all occasions. It’s not easy having to choose from these options. But the Kegeti is now getting more intensive research…

But there are also traditional manufacturers (in a positive sense) that surprised me: vsf Manufaktur was also there with a large stand and had a few surprises – at least for me.

First and foremost, a 29″ steel frame prototype with carbon fork, Bike Ahead composite wheels and electronic TRP shifting that controls a Pinion. The whole thing with grey Ultradynamico Mars tyres and Raspberry Red frame colour. A real eye-catcher.

But I also liked the AX-1000 steel gravel bike with aluminium fork and Pinion gears. Likewise the classic Ti 1000 touring bike, which is simply beautiful and a great way to go cycling.

Speaking of traditional manufacturers: Tout Terrain was also there and of course had its new Ceres gravel bike on the stand. I hope to test ride it soon, but I really liked it on site.

And I can only repeat my statement from the article about my 7 bikes for 2025 about the Tout Terrain Ceres: ‘They have obviously listened very carefully to the market and its trends and taken the needs of many sporty gravel bikers into account: filigree and light steel frame, direct mount compatibility, more tyre clearance and prepared for the use of a suspension fork.’

As an old Leipzig resident, I naturally also visited Rotor. And it’s always worth it. The first thing that caught my attention was a great green and red retro bike on the stand. I like such elegant combinations and this one really appealed to me.

And then I had a look at the new Rotor Elcano V2. The gravel bike from Leipzig has been revised, now also has UDH and a great colour combination. This can be customised.

The Rotor Frontrack was mounted on the Elcano V2. This looks really classy and can carry a load of up to 3 kg (depending on the fork eyelets on which it is mounted).

In addition to all these bikes, there were many more. For example the Kocmo Tiger, a beautiful titanium drop bar MTB.

Or the Tannenwald Vogelfrei, a beautiful steel gravel bike for bikepacking.

Or the Cyclingworld Award-winning Tannenwald Grenzgänger gravel bike in 750D. This bike, also known as the Gravel 3XL, has larger wheels than 29 inches and is therefore also aimed at taller people. In any case, I really liked the paintwork.

Or the Böttcher Evolution Overland – even after two years I still really like it.

Or the M83 Vagabund gravel bike, which I also liked on the Bespoked.

Also on the bike is the M83 YAK front carrier, which is mounted between the spacers on the steerer tube and can then take luggage and more.

Or the Bockstein Tuscus. Xaver builds fantastic bikes from carbon or titanium and it’s definitely worth taking a look at their models.

The Tuscus particularly appeals to me, of course, with all the details such as the handlebar tape and saddle, tyre colour and the flask on the down tube.

Or the Propain Terrel gravel bike. Passionate mountain bikers can switch directly from a trail bike to a gravel bike and remain loyal to the brand. It certainly looks quite sporty and fits in well with the Propain family.

Or the Bombtrack Beyond in a fantastic special edition in pink with matching grey Mars tyres.

The bike is almost too good to ride.

Or the Dinolfo gravel bike.

Fabian gave me the tip, as he will be riding this bike from this year onwards. Behind Dinolfo is Jan Vienna, who builds these beautiful steel bikes in the Taunus.

Or the Ichnu Era gravel bike by Sascha from the Gravel Club.

This bike is something special as it is made of carbon and 3D printed titanium. According to the website, it is 100% made in Europe and is definitely an eye-catcher. Behind Ichnu is Fabio, who builds these great bikes in Sardinia.

And if you’re travelling to Sardinia with the Gravel Club anyway, take a look at Fabio’s shop.

Or the Surly Ghost Grappler in the new purple colour.

I haven’t seen this bike assembled yet. I still find the frame shape interesting and I think it’s a very good bike for rough and long tours, with everything you need.

And what else?

Despite the many hours I spent at the trade fair, I can’t claim to have seen everything. And certainly not in great detail.

At TRP, however, I had a look at the mechanical 12-speed MTB drivetrain, which comes with a 10-52 cassette and is a real eye-catcher thanks to its gold applications.

But the real innovation was not so much the centre of attention, but rather on the periphery: the new TRP Vistar Powershift, an electronic drivetrain in combination with the Classified hub, which TRP uses to create a 16-speed drivetrain. I always find it interesting that the Classified shifts automatically.

The electronic shift levers can also be used to shift the Classified, for example if you need an easier gear at traffic lights or when turning on a hill. And of course you can assign the TRP Vistar switches as you wish – depending on what you are used to. The TRP switches have two buttons and therefore plenty of options. The Vistar will be officially launched in April and you will find all the information about it then.

If you like riding trails but your child is still too small? No problem, because with the Kids Ride Shotgun your offspring can be right at the front. The design looks very robust and I think the small handlebars at the front are pretty cool. Then they can go off-road…

And when the kids are older or your partner wants to come along after all, you can simply grab the Santana Escape Tandem. A tandem also took part in the Atlas Mountain Race this year. And with the Escape, you can do the same in Morocco.

In one corner I came across Mase by Minerva. The Bavarians make airbag backpacks under this name, which can be folded up again after deployment (not all models) and can therefore be reused.

There are three models with different levels of protection. The airbag is worn on the back like a hydration pack. When deployed, you can see the respective protection and decide for yourself how much makes sense for you if you need it.

So, that was my tour of Cyclingworld 2025.

The show is worthwhile and I can recommend it. And if you were also in Düsseldorf and saw other interesting things, please feel free to comment. See you in 2026 then!