Today’s brief opens with the unveiling of next year’s Tour de France routes and a major product push from the world’s leading bike and gear makers. From Grand Départ plans in Switzerland to new full-suspension e-bikes and aerodynamic luggage systems, the industry heads into winter with plenty to talk about.
🏁 Competitions
The 2026 Tour de France routes were revealed, with the men’s race kicking off in Lausanne, featuring two summit finishes on Alpe d’Huez and a finale on Montmartre’s cobbles, while the women’s Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift opens in Switzerland, includes a 21 km individual time trial in Dijon, a decisive summit finish on Mont Ventoux and concludes with four laps of Col d’Èze into Nice. Source
🚴 Products
Tailfin launched its SpeedPack saddlebag with an integrated rack system that claims class-leading aerodynamics, a rear-loading 10 + 3 L capacity, welded-seam waterproof construction and a quick-release FitLink arch; available as a pack-only or rack-integrated option. Source
ALSO., Rivian’s new micromobility spin-off, debuted the TM-B modular full-suspension e-bike with 120 mm travel, a belt-drive DreamRide generator-to-motor system, 100 mi range, 180 Nm torque and interchangeable “top-frame” modules for solo, cargo or bench configurations. Source
Kona added more affordable aluminum versions of its Hei Hei trail bike (120 mm rear/130 mm front, $4 399) and Libre gravel bike (2 × 10 Shimano CUES drivetrain, $2 299), sharing geometry and suspension designs with their carbon counterparts. Source
Oakley and Meta began shipping the Vanguard AI sunglasses, pairing Prizm optics with integrated open-ear speakers, a 12 MP nose-bridge camera, hands-free photo/video capture, voice-activated AI for navigation and messaging, and direct Garmin/Strava integration. Source
Revel Bikes previewed its Project RaTical research prototype, a 14.3 kg titanium trail bike mixing 3Al-2.5V hand-welded tubes with 6Al-4V 3D-printed junctions and a vertical-shock Canfield Balance Formula layout to explore next-gen frame geometries. Source
💼 Business
Evil Bikes partnered with NOBL Wheels to resume warranty support for Loopholes carbon wheelsets, ensuring zero-cost replacements for qualifying claims after CSS’s closure disrupted supply. Source
Accell UK & Ireland launched Accell Academy, an online training platform for dealers offering product education, sales tools and service guidance to strengthen channel relationships. Source
Vielo, in collaboration with Chemnitz University of Technology, built four upcycled carbon-fibre cargo bikes to support flood-hit Valencia communities, turning recovered composite waste into utility bicycles. Source
Strava unexpectedly withdrew its patent-infringement lawsuit against Garmin in Colorado less than a month after filing, suggesting an out-of-court settlement that preserves their segment-and-heatmap data partnership. Source
👥 Riders
Maike van der Duin opened up about prolonged fluid retention and inflammation that sidelined her through 2025; the Canyon SRAM Zondacrypto all-rounder hopes to rejoin her team’s January training camp but has no guaranteed return date. Source
Canadian Classics specialist Alison Jackson signed a two-year contract with French ProTeam St Michel–Preference Home–Auber 93, bringing Olympic and Monument credentials to mentor younger riders and chase further podiums through 2027. Source