Buying advice

Counsellor

- Simplon has once again gone into insolvency, with liabilities of 33.4 million euros; 54 employees and around 150 creditors are affected.  
- The reasons include the ongoing crisis in the sector, supply chain issues, production delays and failure to meet the restructuring quota from the first insolvency.  
- Operations at the Hard site will continue for the time being; the aim is to achieve a 20 per cent creditor recovery rate, secure new capital and partners, and clarify issues relating to service, warranty and delivery.

Bankrupt twice in two years: Simplon is fighting for survival

- Muc-Off is launching disc brake covers for road and gravel bikes to protect disc brakes during maintenance and transport.  
- The two-piece covers, comprising a base plate and a neoprene sleeve, enclose the rotor and brake caliper and are secured with Velcro.  
- The reusable covers can be rinsed clean, protect against contact with metal parts during loading and cost 33 euros.

Muc-Off Disc Brake Cover: Protection for disc brakes

- Accell Group is insolvent with debts of around €800 million; 3,700 jobs across 15 countries are at risk, and Hungarian factories are being closed.  
- German subsidiaries (including Haibike, Winora and Ghost) are continuing to operate under self-administration; wages are secured by insolvency payments, but the future remains unclear.  
- International investors are to take over parts of the group through a bidding process; options range from a complete takeover to a break-up with the sale of brands.

Emergency sale launched: Attempts to rescue German Accell brands

- Luggage increases the vehicle’s mass, shifts the centre of gravity and affects steering, braking distance and stability, depending on the position and distribution of the load.  
- Loading heavy items low down, centrally and symmetrically, close to the frame, improves control; luggage that is too high or too heavily loaded at the front makes the bike sluggish.  
- Before setting off on a ride, check the system weight, load capacity, tyre pressure and fastenings; test rides reveal any instability, wobbling and weak points.

Cycling with a load: How luggage affects handling

- Carbon is particularly worthwhile for wheels; here, the combination of minimal increase in weight and aerodynamics results in the most noticeable performance gain.  
- Depending on their design, frames, seatposts, handlebars and cranksets may offer benefits in terms of comfort or weight, but are often less cost-effective per euro.  
- Recommended order of upgrades: tyres/tyre pressure first, then wheelsets, seatpost, handlebars and, if necessary, the frame; cranksets are usually only worth upgrading if you’re committed to a lightweight build.

Carbon or aluminium: which components are really worth the extra cost?

- According to the Benefits Report 2025/26, company bike leasing ranks among the top four most popular employer benefits in Germany.
- Four in ten companies want to make themselves more attractive through additional benefits, whilst 38 per cent are planning to strategically expand employer-funded benefits.
- JobRad offers a digital portal solution for over 100,000 employers and is showcasing company bike leasing at the Zukunft Personal Europe trade fair in Cologne.

JobRad: Company bike leasing is becoming increasingly popular

- Bicycle thefts in Germany have been falling for years, whilst the value of the stolen bikes – often high-end e-bikes and sports bikes – is rising.  
- Modern security solutions combine robust locks, secure anchoring points and smart technology such as GPS trackers and fingerprint sensors.  
- Several GPS systems enable discreet, in some cases global, real-time tracking, alarm functions and, in some cases, additional cover through bicycle insurance.

The best protection against theft: 12 bike locks and GPS trackers

- Reported bicycle thefts are falling significantly over the long term, whilst the value of stolen goods is rising, mainly due to expensive e-bikes and premium bicycles.
- The average insurance claim per bicycle has risen from around 390 to around 1,190 euros over the past 20 years, despite fewer reported cases.
- Better locks, GPS trackers, anti-theft coding and the fact that thieves are targeting high-quality bikes are shaping this trend; the clearance rate remains below ten per cent.

Warning: Bicycle theft – a lucrative haul despite a fall in the number of cases

- Sweat-causing bacteria survive washes at 40 degrees and time in the freezer; they are only reliably killed at 60 degrees or above, which performance clothing often cannot withstand.  
- Technical clothing: dry thoroughly after use; wash at 40 degrees using an enzyme-based detergent; items without elastane can be washed at 60 degrees.  
- Shoes, helmets, goggles and rain jackets should only be cleaned gently; machine washing or washing in a dishwasher can damage the material, adhesives and waterproofing, and may invalidate the warranty.

From helmets to shoes: Which items of kit can you wash, and how?

- Serious faults with e-gravel bikes purchased from online retailers often lead to service and repair issues due to a lack of local dealers.  
- Structured complaints procedure: document error codes; submit a support ticket to the retailer, use their partner network or send the bike directly to the manufacturer.  
- With online platforms, the retailer is always the contractual partner; local shops are not obliged to carry out warranty work on bikes purchased elsewhere.

Repairs and servicing: A fault with a bike sent by the supplier – what should you do?

- Sweet Protection is introducing the VIZ concept for Autumn/Winter 2026/27 to combine visibility with modern design in cycling helmets.
- VIZ Yellow features a bright, high-visibility colour for maximum visibility in traffic, whilst VIZ Black features subtle, reflective elements.
- Both VIZ designs are available for the Falconer 2Vi/Aero 2Vi Mips, Primer Mips, Commuter Mips, Bushwhacker 2Vi Mips and Ripper Mips models.

Sweet Protection focuses on visibility: New VIZ concept for Autumn/Winter 2026/27

- Klausmann sees gravel bikes as road bikes for gravel: narrower tyres (approx. 38 mm), high tyre pressure, no suspension travel, no bikepacking ballast.  
- For challenging terrain, he prefers hardtails; he considers wide tyres, suspension forks and panniers on a gravel bike to be at odds with its intended purpose.  
- He favours aerodynamically optimised, visually harmonious bikes, rides an affordable Airwolf frame made in China and rejects extremely expensive frames such as the Pinarello Dogma.

​Expert interview with Marcus Klausmann: “I don’t see the point of a suspension fork on a gravel bike.”

Finding the right size road bike, legal tips, bike insurance or road bike transport: We answer the most important questions about the cycling hobby

Buying advice: Guide

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Counsellor

Counsellor

Bankrupt twice in two years
Simplon is fighting for survival

Muc-Off Disc Brake Cover
Protection for disc brakes

Emergency sale launched
Attempts to rescue German Accell brands

Cycling with a load
How luggage affects handling

Carbon or aluminium
Which components are really worth the extra cost?

JobRad
Company bike leasing is becoming increasingly popular

The best protection against theft
12 bike locks and GPS trackers

Warning
Bicycle theft – a lucrative haul despite a fall in the number of cases

From helmets to shoes
Which items of kit can you wash, and how?

Repairs and servicing
A fault with a bike sent by the supplier – what should you do?

Sweet Protection focuses on visibility
New VIZ concept for Autumn/Winter 2026/27

Expert interview with Marcus Klausmann
“I don’t see the point of a suspension fork on a gravel bike.”

Counsellor

Counsellor

Bankrupt twice in two yearsSimplon is fighting for survival

Muc-Off Disc Brake CoverProtection for disc brakes

Emergency sale launchedAttempts to rescue German Accell brands

Cycling with a loadHow luggage affects handling

Carbon or aluminiumWhich components are really worth the extra cost?

JobRadCompany bike leasing is becoming increasingly popular

The best protection against theft12 bike locks and GPS trackers

WarningBicycle theft – a lucrative haul despite a fall in the number of cases

From helmets to shoesWhich items of kit can you wash, and how?

Repairs and servicingA fault with a bike sent by the supplier – what should you do?

Sweet Protection focuses on visibilityNew VIZ concept for Autumn/Winter 2026/27

​Expert interview with Marcus Klausmann“I don’t see the point of a suspension fork on a gravel bike.”

Bankrupt twice in two years
Simplon is fighting for survival

Muc-Off Disc Brake Cover
Protection for disc brakes

Emergency sale launched
Attempts to rescue German Accell brands

Cycling with a load
How luggage affects handling

Carbon or aluminium
Which components are really worth the extra cost?

JobRad
Company bike leasing is becoming increasingly popular

The best protection against theft
12 bike locks and GPS trackers

Warning
Bicycle theft – a lucrative haul despite a fall in the number of cases

From helmets to shoes
Which items of kit can you wash, and how?

Repairs and servicing
A fault with a bike sent by the supplier – what should you do?

Sweet Protection focuses on visibility
New VIZ concept for Autumn/Winter 2026/27

Expert interview with Marcus Klausmann
“I don’t see the point of a suspension fork on a gravel bike.”