Sun, gravel fever & junior power: That was Sunday at the Bike Festival in Riva
The sun is burning, the trails are calling. Many trade fair visitors took advantage of the last chance to hire test bikes - whether for the road, the gravel track or the trails. Scott, Radon, Cube, Raymon, Steppenwolf and many other manufacturers had extensive test fleets available.
Manufacturers also continued to present their new products at the Expo. We were also out and about on the last day, checking out the stands in search of exciting innovations.
Earlybirds: MAXXIS Gravel Garda Trentino
Free start, time trials, spectacular routes and refreshment stops - these were the ingredients that made this event unique. 179 gravel fans seized the opportunity and registered for the Maxxis Gravel Trentino on Sunday morning. The route led through the Valle dei Laghi, between vineyards and terraced fields. Either with racing ambitions or as a relaxed ride.
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Winner women (55 km)
- Heike Jacobs
- Anna Zorzi
- Marieke Faber
Winner men (55 km)
- Luca Salmaso
- Maonola Pozzati
- Felix Herrmann
Winner women (100 km)
- Sara Bossini
- Buracchini Lucia
- Katharina Mcloughlin
Winner men (100 km)
- Zaccaria Toccoli
- Florian Hamm
- Luca Ancarani
Junior power... at the Scott Junior Trophy
The SCOTT Junior Trophy is the ultimate kids' race for everyone aged between 3 and 14 (born between 2023 and 2012). All the children felt like champions as they competed on the course in Parco Miralago, as every participant was a beaming winner. Cheered on by cheering spectators, a shiny finisher's medal awaited them after crossing the finish line as personal recognition and an eternal memory. With almost 500 young bikers, the Junior Trophy was the sporting event of the year for the kids. The youngest started first. See picture.
Biker's Choice Award ceremony
Premiere 2026: Viewers were allowed to vote for their favourites for the first time! The vote for the "Biker's choice" ran for three days - now the winners have been announced. Voting took place in three categories: Best Stand, Best Crew, Must-have Gadget and Best Experience.
- Best Stand: Thule - with an impressive appearance and a good atmosphere
- Best Crew: The small brand Sher with lots of good humour and a focus on cycling clothing for women
- Best Experience: Vittoria, with a competition in which you had to feel tyre treads
- Must-have gadget: MIPS, where you could win a practical carrier bag
In the meantime at the trade fair
Last opportunity to discover new products at the trade fair - or to try them out directly. At least that was possible with some of them. We took another look around.
Unno Horn: XC racer with trail DNA
With the Horn, the Spanish luxury brand Unno is creating a real eye-catcher on the festival site. The cross-country bike, uncompromisingly trimmed for racing, combines an extremely light setup with modern, downhill-orientated geometry. The top version weighs in at just 9.6 kilos, making it one of the lightest fullys in its class.
The approach is particularly exciting: instead of focussing purely on efficiency, the Horn combines classic XC character with trail charm. A slacker front end, 120/110 millimetres of travel and a long, smooth geometry show that the bike also wants to impress in more demanding terrain.
The elaborately constructed carbon frame is designed to optimally balance the sweet spot between stiffness and weight. The Unno Horn thus positions itself as an exclusive high-end racer for ambitious riders - with a clear focus on performance, but also with that certain extra downhill quality.
Instinctiv Ocelot: lightweight eMTB with Maxon feeling
Another real lightweight construction highlight with Maxon drive: the Instinctiv Ocelot. The bike consistently follows the idea of a "full-power-light" e-MTB and combines a very low weight with a surprising amount of power.
The centrepiece is the Maxon Bikedrive Air S motor, which weighs only around 2 kilos but delivers up to 90 Nm of torque and 620 watts of power. The Ocelot is therefore clearly aimed at riders who are looking for the most natural riding experience possible. Depending on the model variant, the platform covers a wide range of uses from trail to light enduro. The carbon frame with typical transalpes PUMA kinematics offers 125, 135 or 145 mm travel depending on the model. According to the manufacturer, the weight starts at just 16.5 kilos - extremely low for an e-MTB in this performance class. When it comes to the battery, Instinctiv deliberately favours efficiency over maximum capacity: 400 Wh are permanently integrated, with the option of adding a range extender.
Radon Render 2.0: Revised e-all-rounder with Bosch CX power
Even more from the Radon stand: The Bonn-based mail-order company has revised its tried-and-tested Render for the new season and equipped it with the latest fifth-generation Bosch Performance Line CX and a larger 800 Wh battery. The bike is still on the all-round track and offers 160/150 millimetres of suspension travel and 29er wheels.
Pleasingly, despite the increased battery capacity, the frame has become visibly slimmer. Four models are available between €4,499 and €6,999.
Atherton p.170: Socket construction and celebrity background
At the FSA stand, a familiar but still unusual bike catches the eye: the Atherton S.170. Not so much because of its novelty value, but because of its special frame construction, which is currently one of the most exciting in the MTB sector.
Instead of classic welded construction, Atherton relies on an elaborate "lug-and-tube" principle: tubes made from high-strength 7075 aluminium are bonded and bolted to CNC-milled sleeves. The special thing about this is that this material is considered difficult to weld and is therefore rarely used in bike construction - thanks to the bonded construction, Atherton can still use it and benefit from significantly higher strength and durability. The production follows the "subtractive manufacturing" approach: the connecting elements are milled from solid material instead of being 3D printed as in previous Atherton models. The result is not only technically extremely complex, but also visually unmistakable - with visible connections and an almost industrial look.
U-Micro Mobility TS4 Power: Exotic brake on the side of the road
Away from the trade fair stands, you can also catch a glimpse of technological gems here and there in Riva: the TS4 Power from U-Micro Mobility, for example. Our editor discovers the eye-catching four-piston brake by chance as he passes by a visitor's bike.
Behind the system is a manufacturer from the Ore Mountains that is directly attacking the high-end segment with its first product. The TS4 Power uses four 19 mm pistons, mineral oil and a whole range of unusual details. Particularly striking: the golden union nut on the sensor, which allows the pressure point to be adjusted directly - even while riding.
In technical terms, the brake takes an independent approach: an active piston return system is designed to automatically bring the pads into a position that is free of drag, while a special design is intended to make bleeding particularly easy. The system was originally developed for cargo bikes, but is apparently also used on mountain bikes. With a price of around 950 euros per set and a limited first edition of only 200 units, the TS4 Power remains a real niche product.
Orbea Rallon: Two bikes, one frame
The new Orbea Rallon is undoubtedly one of the most interesting bikes on the festival site - not only because of its stylish looks, but above all because of its concept. The Spanish manufacturer is rethinking gravity biking and combining two disciplines in one bike in the Rallon: in just a few simple steps, the carbon frame can be set up either as an enduro bike with 170/180 millimetres of travel or as a fully-fledged downhiller with 200/200 millimetres - just like the Orbea FMD Racing Team around Tahnee Seagrave rides in the World Cup.
The centrepiece is the completely newly developed platform with numerous adjustment options. Geometry, progression, chainstay length and even the centre of gravity can be individually adjusted - including with additional weights in the bottom bracket area.
Orbea also goes its own way in terms of design. The shock positioned low in the frame ensures a low centre of gravity, while the setup can vary between 29-inch and mullet configurations depending on use. The result is an uncompromising gravity bike that is designed to work both in enduro racing and on the downhill track - and has already proven this at World Cup level.
Transalpes E3: Ultralight full-power eMTB
Another exciting lightweight bike with Maxon power: the Transalpes E3. The Swiss company has consistently focussed on the slimmest possible, almost "bio-bike"-like e-MTB concept - despite the full-power drive.
The centrepiece is the new Bikedrive Air S from Maxon, which weighs just around 2 kilos and yet delivers up to 90 Nm of torque and 620 watts of power. This makes the system one of the lightest full-power drives on the market and enables a total weight from around 16.5 kilos - a value that is more reminiscent of classic mountain bikes.
Depending on the version (Trail or Enduro), the E3 offers between 150 and 170 mm of suspension travel and relies on a lightweight carbon frame with a cleanly integrated motor unit. Striking: The drive unit disappears almost completely into the frame, giving the bike an extremely tidy, unobtrusive look. The Swiss are also going their own way with the battery: instead of maximum capacity, the focus is on efficiency. An internal 400 Wh plus optional range extender ensure sufficient range with minimum weight. All in all, the Transalpes E3 is like a counter-design to the current high-power bikes: less mass, but maximum efficient support - a real lightweight construction statement in the E-MTB segment.
Raymon Tarok with Avinox M2S
One of the few coveted test bikes with the new Avinox M2S is available from Raymon. But that's not the only reason why the Tarok is a special Avinox e-MTB. It is one of the very lightest! The top model is said to weigh well under 21 kilos - without cheat parts and with solid tyres. The suspension travel is 160/150 mm and the slim chassis is of course made of carbon. Also special: Raymon is one of the few manufacturers to use the particularly slim, new 700 mm battery, which provides the full 1500 watts and 150 Nm.
As usual with Raymon, the focus is also on the price-performance ratio. The entry-level model is available for 5999 euros. With a full carbon frame, Avinox M2S and 700 battery. The top model mentioned above costs 10,000 euros and comes with the finest parts, including factory suspension from Fox.
The Vamok is a second e-mountainbike on the stand. With an aluminium frame and Bosch motor, it should be particularly attractively priced. The three models cost from 4799 euros. The polished weld seams on the main frame are strikingly chic, giving the chassis a sophisticated carbon look.
Stylish & safe: Rudy Projects presents new helmets
Rudy Project presents the Terraform and Terraform Pro helmets - an open-face version for trail and all-mountain use and a version in jet helmet design.
Instead of MIPS, Rudy Project relies on its own anti-rotation system and has had its effectiveness confirmed by an external test laboratory - keyword: RP Rotational Impact Test.
In addition to an ingenious ventilation system, the visor can be adjusted exceptionally far - so far that a goggle can easily fit underneath it in the top position.
One particularly exciting feature, however, is the integrated crash sensor. Some may be familiar with a similar system from US manufacturer Specialized with its Angie feature. An app can be used to store data such as blood group, address or emergency contacts on the chip built into the helmet. In the event of a fall, the sensor registers the impact, automatically sends an emergency call and simultaneously transmits the location - unless the rider deactivates the alarm in good time.
We cannot judge whether the system works reliably in practice or has already saved lives. However, the idea behind it is promising and represents a real safety feature - especially for solo riders who are travelling alone on remote trails.
Terraform: Weight: 400 g (S/M) - 470 g (L) ; Colours: 4 colour combinations ; Price: 179.90 euros.
Terraform Pro (jet helmet version) ; Weight: 500 g (S/M) - 575 g (L) ; Colours: 4 ; Price: 259.90 euros
Dedicated FASTER: High-end E-Enduro with Maxon drive
With the FASTER, Dedicated presents a consistently well thought-out E-Enduro concept that clearly focusses on lightweight construction and integration. Developed and manufactured in Germany, the bike combines a hybrid frame construction made of carbon and CNC-milled aluminium with a very clean, functional design approach.
At its heart is the Maxon Bikedrive Air S, a compact full-power drive with a weight of around 2 kilograms, up to 90 Nm torque and 620 watts of power. The motor is designed to be so compact that it can be integrated almost seamlessly into the frame, creating a very tidy overall appearance.
The concept is clearly aimed at a natural riding experience despite e-support: plenty of agility, low overall weight and a balanced geometry between 170 and 190 mm travel make the FASTER a classic big mountain enduro bike with a modern interpretation of e-power. The setup is complemented by a modular battery pack with 400 to 600 Wh plus an optional range extender, depending on the area of use.
All in all, the bike stands for a very technical, deliberately reduced approach in the E-MTB sector - not a mass product, but a customised performance bike with a clear signature.
Cube AMS Hybrid 177: premium version of the test-winning E-MTB
At Cube there were not only an incredible number of test bikes from all categories, but of course also many chic exhibits. The particularly light E-Enduro AMS 177 Hybrid came out on top in our shoot-out of affordable E-Enduros for 6000 euros. Here we see the top model with Bosch's CX-R motor and the Fox Podium, which is easy to swallow.
Bluegrass with a new line of protectors
At the Bike Festival, the Italians presented a long-sleeved protector waistcoat, a short-sleeved version and an enduro waistcoat that is visually and functionally reminiscent of trail running equipment.
The focus was on the "Venture West" series, which arose from the observation that enduro riders often have to carry various items of equipment at the same time, but do not want to resort to either a hipbag or a rucksack.
The Venture Vest combines a hydration system, storage space and back protector in a single system. The aim was to combine these elements into an integrated solution. Inspired by trail running, the result is a lightweight, highly breathable construction with functional storage space and integrated protection.
The two protector waistcoats - with and without elbow protection
The protection levels differ depending on the area of use: while the back protector offers a higher level of protection, the front protector is deliberately designed to be lighter so that the system can be worn as a base layer.
In addition to the three waistcoats, the manufacturer also presented two new, eye-catching colour designs for a full-face helmet and a jet helmet.
Thule Epos with parking sensors
With Thule gave us the new Epos Parksecure to marvel at. A special feature of the popular high-end towbar carrier: two parking sensors on each side ensure relaxed parking. The sensors are wirelessly linked to a display that provides visual and acoustic clarity and relaxation in the driver's compartment. The Epos naturally has all the other popular features on board, such as the practical, foldable fastening arms. The Epos also offers generous bike space for up to three bikes. The high-quality rack costs 1500 euros.
Also on display was the comfortable Thule Widesky hard shell roof tent with practical sofa function for chilling out and relaxing. The highlight: the mattress can be transformed into a backrest in just a few simple steps. This turns the lying surface into a cosy sofa.
Coupled with the huge panoramic openings and the integrated, dimmable LED lighting, the tent is the perfect retreat to reflect on a day on the trail with a cold drink - even when it's pouring down outside.
Laurin Lehner
Editor
