Cycling innovations: Canyon – Eurobike preview featuring 32-inch bikes and smart safety features

​For a long time, Eurobike 2026 looked set to fade into obscurity. More and more brands were pointedly announcing their departure from what was once the leading trade fair. Now, Koblenz-based online retailer Canyon is stepping into the void – with a clear challenge and a whole host of innovative new products.

Canyon will be exhibiting at Eurobike in June 2026 for the first time in years. From 24 to 27 June, the company plans to present several concepts at the Frankfurt trade fair, designed to show where the cycling industry might be heading from the Koblenz-based firm’s perspective. Canyon is focusing in particular on areas such as digital connectivity, road safety and aerodynamics.

1. Smart warning system for road bikes

The first concept centres on a connected safety system for road bikes. Cameras, radar sensors and artificial intelligence are designed to help identify dangerous situations at an early stage. The system alerts cyclists to their distance from other road users and is designed to provide information about the terrain. It is also intended to enable communication with other road users.

“Road cycling needs a safety revolution,” explains Mazen Jrab, who is responsible for IoT hardware at Canyon. The aim, he says, is to take road safety from a reactive to a predictive stage. According to Canyon, the system was developed as a standalone concept with a display and sensors, but can also be connected to other devices.

2. A smart helmet as an information hub

In line with this, Canyon is showcasing a connected helmet with an integrated display, voice control and audio output. It is designed not only to provide head protection, but also to serve as an interface for the smart safety system. According to Canyon, the helmet can also process data from other compatible systems, such as power or heart rate sensors. The manufacturer is thus positioning it both as a training device and as part of a comprehensive safety ecosystem for cyclists.

3. V2X technology is coming to e-bikes

As early as 2023, Canyon had begun work on a V2X (“Vehicle-to-Everything”) interface for bicycles. This technology is designed to enable vehicles to communicate with one another – even without a direct line of sight, for example at blind junctions. It also enables communication and data exchange with appropriately equipped road infrastructure.

Canyon is now presenting the Roadlite:ON CF, a near-production version of this technology. The urban e-bike is designed to alert riders to other road users via visual or haptic signals. To this end, Canyon has collaborated with Volkswagen, a pioneer in the field of V2X technology for motor vehicles. Test rides with the system are set to be available for the first time at Eurobike.

“Safety concerns still prevent many people from cycling more often,” says Jrab. With this technology, Canyon aims to contribute to road safety.

4. Cross-country MTB with 32-inch wheels

The fourth concept is aimed at racing: Canyon is showcasing a cross-country mountain bike with 32-inch wheels and an aerodynamically optimised cockpit. Our first in-depth test has shown that these oversized wheels do indeed have their merits. Nevertheless, major brands such as Specialized, Scott and, most recently, Canyon itself have launched brand-new 29er race bikes onto the market. In addition to the new wheel size, the concept bike is set to set new standards in terms of aerodynamics.

The vision of the bike of the future

Through its presence at the trade fair, Canyon aims not only to showcase individual products, but also to provide an insight into its own development processes. The stand is designed to highlight the so-called ‘innovation triangle’ – the interplay between the design, development and product teams.

“We are presenting our comprehensive concept of performance, safety and intelligence as a cohesive vision,” explains Chief Technology Officer Chad Manuell. The aim is to redefine expectations of modern bicycles. There will also be a discussion forum several times a day where visitors to the trade fair can provide feedback on the concepts.

Canyon has not yet confirmed whether or when the concepts on display will actually go into production. Eurobike takes place in Frankfurt from 24 to 27 June.