Uncertainty and forced demand: these are the expectations of the bike sector for 2026

AMBE, the Association of Brands and Bicycles of Spain, has organized the webinar "The Bicycle Sector Facing 2026: Expectations and Trends," in which they analyzed how the year 2025 has developed and ventured what the bicycle market can expect in 2026.

Uncertainty and Change Will Mark 2026 in the Spanish Cycling Market

An interesting analysis was conducted by AMBE in the webinar "The Bicycle Sector Facing 2026: Expectations and Trends," which took place yesterday and can be viewed in the accompanying video. The webinar featured the participation of some key figures in the bicycle sector in Spain, starting with Jesús Freire and Javier López, Secretary General and Data Manager of AMBE, respectively. They were joined by Julio Sánchez and Sergi Herrera, visible faces of the well-known stores Sanferbike and Bicimarket, who shared their insights on the market.

RECOMENDADO

20 minutes, a dumbbell, and more watts: the workout that every cyclist should do

What time is better to train? In the morning or in the afternoon?

Power meter on the pedals or on the cranks? Pros and cons

Carbon rims: How they affect the actual feel of the bike

Fake stickers and illegal bikes: How the UCI monitors equipment during competitions

Cycling shorts vs underwear: ultimate guide to not ruining your outings

Serra pointed to the forecast of a 2026 full of changes and uncertainty while noting that companies will need to continue evolving towards the experiences or journeys that users increasingly demand, highlighting the significant growth opportunity in the field of mobility, which is becoming more relevant in our cities. Regarding the product, he pointed out the threat posed by products coming from China, but also mentioned that it could represent an opportunity if they can be introduced into the specialized sales channel.

For his part, Julio Sánchez, founder of Sanferbike, indicated that the sales growth in previous years had been artificial, driven by stock liquidations, which he described as "selling a Lamborghini at the price of a utility vehicle." However, he looks at 2026 with optimism, believing it will be the year to return to the path of growth.

These opinions were contextualized by AMBE's Data Manager, Javier López, who pointed out that 2026 is expected to be a more stable year following the turmoil of recent seasons. With the crisis of excess stock that followed the pandemic resolved, companies will be able to normalize their activities and focus on their projects.

The last to express his opinions was AMBE's Secretary General, Jesús Freire, who highlighted the importance of the approval of the Sustainable Mobility Law while the association continues its discussions with the Ministry of Finance to achieve one of its historical desires, which is the reduced VAT for bicycles and related services, which even leads many users to purchase outside of Spain. The case of those who have gone to buy a top-of-the-line Van Rysel at Decathlon stores in Portugal is well known.