Expensive Bike Trade, that is what we wish to see this season… oh wait, that’s a complete separate BikeRumor Op Ed sequence that you will note much more of in 2026! The place had been we?
OK yeah, New Yr’s is completed. Everybody within the biking business is again to work. Anrocd our inboxes are already beginning to refill with novel bike gizmos once more. However the massive tales of 2026 are but to come back. We’re even packing our baggage for the primary check journeys of the season, already! Will this be the yr that the biking business will get again to ‘enterprise as standard‘ after half a decade of chaos? What would be the largest tech tales of the approaching yr? What bike, element, or accent firms will stand out above the remaining?
Truthfully, solely time will inform for certain. However we preserve our collective fingers on the heartbeat of all issues bike tech and biking geekery. So, let’s dive into what we expect shall be coming down the street and trails in 2026…
BikeRumor predicts 2026’s largest tech developments
We spent the final couple weeks of 2025 cleansing home after one other busy yr. First, compiling our particular person favorites right into a sequence of biggest hits Editor’s Alternative tales. Then, wrapping all of it up tightly with a single Gear of the Yr overview, summarizing one of the best tech and hottest developments. Lastly, we additionally took a glance again at our 20 hottest tales of ’25, a number of of which give perception into what we would count on to see in ’26.
However whereas the top of the yr is at all times time to look again, now that we’re firmly in January, it’s time to take a look at what’s forward.
Coming down the street this coming season?
Let’s begin off on the street with some predictions for two of the three massive drivetrain makers.
We have now a robust feeling that that is the yr for a brand new Shimano Dura-Ace groupset, lastly. It’s been 5 years, and the Japanese big simply fully revamped their mountain bike household with the long-awaited next-gen XTR Di2. Then, they kinda did the identical for gravel Di2, too. Now, it’s the street’s flip. Definitely, the following Dura-Ace will get Di2 digital shifting, and it’ll positively be wi-fi. However this might be its likelihood to go completely wi-fi this time. Having solved the detachable battery ‘inside’ the rear derailleur off-road, we’d guess Shimano can try this on-road now, as properly. Additionally, off-road Di2 was all about modular cross-compatibility. We count on the identical on next-gen street Di2, as properly. We’re dreaming of interchangeable 2x AND 1x choices. And it’s most likely obtained to be 13-speed now, in an effort to sustain with Campy & SRAM, proper?
The true query is, will Shimano comply with up its next-gen Dura-Ace Di2 groupset with new Ultegra Di2 & 105 Di2 weeks later, like they did final yr for mountain bikes?
Talking of trickle-down street tech, Campagnolo hasn’t been shy about desirous to convey their new 13-speed wi-fi applied sciences all the way down to some extra accessible ranges. We’d like to see Campy wi-fi make its strategy to Document, Refrain & Centaur tiers this coming yr. Realistically, although, we’ll most likely solely see one new tier added. Vicenza doesn’t have a tendency to maneuver too rapidly without delay. Our guess is on Refrain. Campagnolo positions Tremendous Document simply above Dura-Ace, and skipping over Document means they may pit Refrain Wi-fi extra instantly towards Ultegra Di2.
We’ll simply drop this one in right here since a variety of roadies are inside driving nearly on the coach, as a substitute of toughing it out on chilly, moist, and infrequently sketchy frozen roads for the time being. Isn’t anybody engaged on a VR racing league constructed across the Meta Quest digital actuality headset? We will’t be the one ones who see the actual immersive expertise potential for digital racing in VR headsets. Positive, sweating in a VR headset will suck, however so does driving a coach inside to begin with. Can we please take Zwift and Rouvy to the following degree?
Grinding gravel across the globe in 2026?
Whereas we’re nonetheless within the drops, might 2026 be the yr that Shimano’s multi-level GRX platform really will get a correct premium tier to go head-to-head with SRAM Crimson XPLR and Campy Tremendous Document X? Positive, final yr noticed a brand new 1x 12-speed GRX Di2 (after which a extra inexpensive model, simply months later). However GRX has by no means been premium, at the very least nowhere near Dura-Ace degree. No premium light-weight cranks, no tremendous shiny derailleurs, no titanium cassettes.
However, when you see the street execs who cross over to race UCI Gravel Worlds, they’re virtually all nonetheless on Dura-Ace. That’s not an incredible search for Shimano making an attempt to hype GRX because the ‘purest’ gravel-specific groupset household. When Dura-Ace Di2 goes 13-speed this yr, we count on to see a superlight GRX Di2 13-speed variant with each a wide-range 1x possibility with a lightweight XTR-ish cassette to match and a 2x setup that borrows a brand new Dura-Ace street cassette. No less than we are able to hope.
Whereas we’re at it, why not Campagnolo Ekar 13 Wi-fi? Ekar was really the primary massive 13-speed groupset to hit the market. (Rotor was actually there even earlier, however with much less buyer buy-in.) And Ekar might most likely be credited with holding Campy afloat 5 years in the past, as they fumbled round with street growth. Now Ekar deserves to get its personal wi-fi digital model. It’s going to positively be extra inexpensive than Campy Tremendous Document X, however nonetheless must be cross-compatible. Extra aluminum & metal. Much less carbon & ti. That can assist the Italian engineers preserve prices down, whereas additionally interesting to a broader dirtbag gravel adventuring viewers who loves that it’s all nonetheless made in Europe.
This one is gonna tease a variety of what comes for MTB down beneath, however we count on to see 32″ wheels creep into gravel this yr. A yr and a half in the past we examined a 750d gravel bike and got here away stunned at the way it improved the experience. Positive, these larger wheels made probably the most sense for taller riders, longer distances, and rougher gravel tracks. Effectively, 32″ wheels may simply be good for ultra-distance gravel racing and bikepacking, too. That’s, if the choice of tires can sustain.
Whereas we’re speaking racing, 2026 is about to be the yr when gravel racing goes next-level, proper? So many street execs have crossed into gravel that it feels prepared for a Gravel World Tour. Assume larger prize purses to herald extra of that elite expertise. And a extra built-in calendar to maintain the professionals centered, so it isn’t a crapshoot to see what street execs flip up on the beginning line to contest Gravel Worlds on the finish of the season in hopes of securing a rainbow jersey? I do know it’s not the ‘spirit of gravel‘ however that already died once we actually began racing anyway.
Leaping again to the precise bikes for a second, we really feel like 2026 is gonna be the yr of a brand new Specialised Crux. It’s been about 4 years since this extraordinarily widespread bike has been refreshed, so its time feels nigh. Will it look extra like a Tarmac, now that the aero SL8 street bike can already clear a 32mm tire? Guess we’ll simply wait and see.
Wait, we additionally count on to see extra full suspension gravel race bikes in 2026 after Trek’s wildly colourful CheckOut reignited a debate that the Niner MCR first launched 7 years in the past, and that the Cannondale Topstone has been sneaking into their lineup for a few years. Salsa’s Wanderosa might be the following to drop, or it would transform an ebike. Who can inform today?
Blazing quick on cross nation and trails within the yr forward?
Yeah, 32″ wheels are going to dominate the MTB dialog once more within the coming yr. We count on to see typical right-side-up 32” XC forks from the likes of Manitou, Fox & RockShox this yr, closing the hole that boutique upside-down forks have been filling on a variety of the prototypes we’ve noticed to date. Phrase on the path, is that there are prototypes from every of those producers floating round. However apparently, none have decrease leg castings finalized, simply but.
There shall be loads of manufacturing 32″ wheels, too. DT Swiss informed us to not maintain our collective breath. However on the identical time, we all know they’ve each alloy and carbon 32″ rims that they’re testing as we kind. So it’s extra about giving them sufficient time for correct security testing.
These new, larger 32er wheels will certainly present up on the XC World Cup this coming season, too. The query is simply what massive bike model would be the first to drop their production-ready full-suspension carbon 32″ XC bike? Even with BMC’s robust prototype displaying this yr, we kinda really feel like it’ll be Scott. Rumor from the beginning was that Nino & Scott/SRAM had been pushing with Maxxis to get 32″ wheels on the XC circuit. And even with his retirement from racing, a 32″ Spark might very properly turn into a actuality this yr.
However actually, it might be BMC, Trek, Specialised, Scott, Cannondale, Orbea, Canyon, and even someone extra surprising like Rockrider, Pinarello, Santa Cruz, or Thömus?
What 32″ bike do you suppose shall be raced to the primary XCO World Cup win?
Let’s not depend out larger wheels for path and enduro both. ActoFive confirmed us they’ll completely do 140mm of journey entrance and rear with a full 32er in medium & massive sizes. And if you’d like extra journey, mullet setups are the apparent subsequent step. Logically, as soon as the right forks are there, we might theoretically see a 32″ entrance paired to a 29″ rear as an incredible all-around path shredder. Possibly even go together with a 32/27.5 tremendous mullet combo for extra aggressive, larger journey bikes. Tires are possibly the opposite limiting issue right here. However we already know that 2026 will convey a 32″ Dissector path tire. And Maxxis teased us that they’ve a number of extra 32″ tires within the works, too!
Feels like we may have to move again to Taipei to dig deeper into this larger wheel motion?
Talking of mountain bike tires, we’re certain to see extra radial tires enter the fray this yr. Schwalbe actually shook up the grip recreation after they dropped 3 completely different radial path & gravity tires a yr and a half in the past. And we simply obtained a set of distinctive Zleen radial XC tires in to check, which fully rethink mountain bike tire development. Frankly, we’re stunned extra tire firms haven’t but realigned their tire casings for the additional flex advantages. However 2026 is gonna be that yr!
Let’s rapidly speak dropper posts. Fox actually did a quantity on quick wi-fi drops with their ultra-premium Switch Neo, which simply obtained an extended journey model this week. (Ed. be aware: I virtually forgot that this submit prices $860 or 1320€. Woah!) However why not a lighter-weight, short-travel XC-specific Switch Neo SL? It’s already low stack. And so they know we would like it!
Plus, what about BikeYoke’s Revive Wi-fi dropper? We held it in our arms 18 months in the past, even remotely actuating the prototype. 2026 has obtained to be the yr that probably the most serviceable dropper lastly will get its wi-fi model! And it may’t price over a thousand euros, proper?
Calling out a single cross-country bike, it appears like that is the season for an all-new Canyon Lux XC race bike. It’s been over 4 years since we noticed the German consumer-direct model drop a brand new World Cup XCO race bike. And we’d guess, this would be the yr it will get a refresh. In all probability not a 32″ model simply but, although.
On a extra common idea, we count on (learn: hope) to see extra inexpensive full-suspension rigs with first rate spec, just like the current Esker. For on a regular basis path driving to all-mountain bikes, there’s not a lot weight or efficiency penalty when sticking with alloy frames. And the associated fee financial savings can imply a greater no-nonsense element spec. What higher strategy to get the following era of mountain bikers out onto the paths?
Right here’s wishing for extra enjoyable, inexpensive mountain bikes in ’26!
Shredding the gnar on larger mountain bikes, too!
The majority of that has been XC, path & possibly mild all-mountain developments that we count on to rear their head in 2026, however gravity mountain bikes appear poised to have their yr, too.
Begin with a easy one. DT Swiss wheels destined for long-travel bikes will roll out this yr with DT’s intelligent DF anti-kickback gadget already put in. And also you’ll even see the tech as customary OEM on some full bikes. It’s no secret. DT informed us they’d do it. This would be the largest shift in letting extra mountain bikers expertise whether or not anti-kickback units will enhance the texture of their bike, and even make them quicker. If mountain bikers adore it, this transfer might even assist push comparable units from the likes of Ochain and e13?
Shimano fully revamped their complete MTB lineup with Di2 final yr.
Effectively, virtually.
One efficiency MTB group was overlooked, and this yr might be Saint’s flip. It has been a fierce debate internally whether or not a brand new Saint group can be mechanical for continued bulletproof simplicity, or clearly Di2 for that tremendous helpful automated return function after the inevitable rock strike. Are you able to inform a brand new, strong, low-profile Saint Di2 received out? It’ll nonetheless most likely be a DH-specific 7-speed, however we guess it’s going to have Shimano’s personal patented direct mount UDH-compatible mounting for max robustness in a self-discipline identified for abusing bikes and parts. However will it function an auto-disengaging hub to fully eradicate pedal kickback? One factor is for certain, new Saint will get ultra-beefy new brakes to compete with Professionals when it comes to bulkiness, with Shimano’s new low viscosity mineral oil to say goodbye to wandering chew factors.
On the identical time, this one doubles again to your entire MTB self-discipline. Shimano’s electrification of all their mountain bike drivetrains left us questioning in the event that they’ll nonetheless dedicate growth time to cable-actuated derailleurs like we noticed SRAM fortunately debut final yr. It obtained our editorial group pondering. Now that XTR, XT, Deore, and GRX are all 1x Di2 with twelve firmware-controlled gearing steps on 7.5-year-old 12-speed cassette tech, it might solely take an over-the-air firmware replace by way of their E-Tube app to make these new wi-fi derailleurs appropriate with a brand new variety of gears in the identical total cassette width.
So we’re predicting 13-speed mechanical Shimano mountain bike drivetrains!
All you want is a brand new mechanical shifter, mechanical derailleur, and new 13-speed cassette. The setups shall be lighter than Di2 with Shimano’s confirmed crisp shifting, beginning with XTR, then most likely including an XT tier, too. Decrease specs will come later. However all of final yr’s new Di2 setups shall be immediately upgradeable to 13-speed with only a new chain & cassette. Consider it like anti-Cues.
Oh yeah, and let’s not overlook. A belt-drive gearbox DH bike goes to podium, virtually successful a DH World Cup this season. And Gates is gonna lastly be out of the 100,000€ belted purse they’ve put up for grabs, quickly for the third season. The gearbox weight stability and suspension design isolation simply makes a lot sense on a DH bike. We’re going to name it that an Atherton A.200.G would be the bike to do it. Solely to be rapidly adopted up by a wild new iteration of Gamux’s newest Sego platform.
The extent of ebikes continues to develop
Look, eBikes have matured. They’re not the bane of our existence. Actually. They’ve developed into machines that assist us with day by day transportation duties and lengthen our efficiency rides additional than ever.
Excessive energy mild eMTB powertrains proceed to impress. It’s not simply the sense of flying up the climbs, however a lot extra motor management you can really begin off on steep hills and navigate unfastened terrain with out merely spinning your wheels. We’ve heard particular rumors of recent eMTB motors that can get much more highly effective than we might think about in 2026. The true query is whether or not they are going to dial answerable for that energy to make these next-gen eMTBs manageable off-road? In any case, lighter however nonetheless highly effective motors will proceed to blur the traces between what was once an ‘both/or‘ selection of a full-power eMTB or a light-weight eMTB.
We additionally count on to see extra mixed motor & gearbox items. Pinion’s MGU was frankly groundbreaking, even when it wasn’t as refined as we’d have hoped at first. However the idea of mixing an inside gearbox and an electrical pedal-assist motor into one centrally positioned unit that may have interaction/disengage/shift in a wise method is just logical.
Rumor has it, two massive MTB drivetrain makers are engaged on their very own variations. However who will get it to market first?
On a extra utilitarian entrance, we’ve merely seen extra accessible eBikes, price-wise. It’s not simply low-quality, sketchy consumer-direct ebikes, both. There have been extra sensible add-on ebike conversion techniques, extra high-quality mid-drive ebikes from these beforehand hub-motor-only producers, and simply extra day by day utility ebikes than ever. Cargo ebikes additionally appear to be lastly changing into mainstream in Western markets as viable automotive options. And we’re all about that!
Right here’s to extra inexpensive and accessible ebikes and cargo bikes in 2026, for everybody who doesn’t really feel the necessity to hop in a automotive to commute to work, or run their day by day errands, or to shuttle the youngsters forwards and backwards to highschool and sports activities ball apply.
Race Vitamin pushes into the unknown
Gravel and ultra-endurance racing, such because the Life Time Grand Prix and big-ticket/big-prize-purse occasions, have athletes pushing into uncharted carb-consumption territory. Sure, we all know that the longer you run on the bigger engine you’ve got, the extra you want to gas it.
Take Matt Beers, for instance. On the shortened Huge Sugar finale of the Life Time GP, Beers clocked in an effort of 431W for greater than 2 hours. That’s bonkers. When you merely do the maths to grasp what it takes to maintain an effort like that, you’d want numerous carbs for gas. Beers reportedly goals for 90g/hr for high-altitude or sizzling races, and 120-140g/hr for cooler races. It had been uncommon (till not too long ago) for most individuals to eat greater than 90g/hr. And 140g/hr would require simply as a lot intestine coaching as cardio engine constructing.
So, the place are we going with this?
We imagine we’ll see extra endurance gas aimed toward hitting these 120-140g/hr marks. Skratch Tremendous Gasoline and SiS Beta Gasoline had been among the many early mainstream adopters, and we are actually seeing extra entrants on this ultra-niche, ultra-endurance house. We’re pondering larger-volume gels with extra carbs, and one-off, carb-heavy options for these making their very own gels. Possibly we’ll get some new drink mixes that push the restrict however aren’t like consuming pancake batter. No critically, it’s gonna be like consuming pancake batter to hit these ranges!
Blurring traces of what’s coming in 2026
Let’s shut out this crystal ball gazing with a couple of cross-over predictions…
Garbaruk, Ratio, and Madrone all reminded us in 2025 that alt drivetrains from smaller producers are extra critical than ever. Broad-ranging 1x setups have simplified drivetrains and leveled the taking part in discipline for options just like the wi-fi Garbaruk, mechanical Ratio Mech, and mechanical Madrone Jab derailleurs. We count on these three to seek out their footing in 2026, and possibly extra gamers to enter the sport. Just like the return of Rotor with their good Uno wi-fi collaboration with Wheeltop?
On the identical time, Labeled had struggled to make critical headway with their digital 2x drivetrains, considerably as a response to the oversimplification and blocky gearing steps of 1x. However now that they’ve paired with TRP, we count on Labeled will refine the smoothness and quiet-running of their proprietary cassettes, making them a way more viable premium possibility for street, gravel & XC to rival the top-tier Shimano & SRAM competitors at comparable pricing to Dura-Ace & Crimson.
This 2026 prediction is simply one other reality. Electrical mini inflators will proceed their international domination. CO2 is lifeless, lengthy dwell the reusable, rechargeable electrical inflator, although we’ve got to undergo their annoying noise. Our hope/prayer/prediction in 2026 is that by some stunning innovation, somebody will lastly make yet one more just like the shape issue of a mini-pump so it’s going to higher match right into a jersey pocket or inside all the inner body storage gloveboxes in at the moment’s trendy bikes. And as soon as they resolve that and promote 1,000,000 little electrical pumps, hopefully the following progressive thoughts will make all of them quieter!
And let’s go away it with this assured prediction: 2026 will see much more wacky Dangerholm x Scott undertaking bikes. A decade or two on, Gustav’s bikes aren’t simply weight-weenie creations anymore. As an alternative, he’s making bizarre customized bikes that showcase forward-thinking concepts like ultra-wide aero gravel wheels, full-suspension mountain bikes repurposed for gravel, light-weight street ebikes reimagined for the post-apocalyptic eventualities we’re all fearing each evening once we tune into the information. Dangerholm actually has his finger on the heartbeat.
Tell us within the feedback beneath what you are expecting the following new Dangerholm creation in 2026 will inform us about ourselves!