Archives: Press Releases

• New generation offers up to 60 Nm of torque, 600 watts of power, and 340% support
• New two-stage gearbox makes the drive unit even more compact; around 1.1 lbs lighter and 17% smaller in volume than its predecessor
• New drive unit comes with an optimized sealing and bearing concept that makes it a reliable companion for riders in all weather

Foothill Ranch, Calif. (October 22, 2026) Many riders use their eBike for running errands, commuting to work, and exploring off-pavement trails on the weekend. For the perfect balance between everyday life and recreation on an eBike, Bosch eBike Systems is making its portfolio more powerful. The new generation of Active Line Plus provides more powerful support while being smaller and lighter.

“For the past nine years, Active Line Plus has been one of our most popular drive units, delivering a smooth, quiet and natural-feeling for commuting and recreational riding,” said Dave Howard, VP/GM, Bosch eBike Systems Americas. “This new generation builds upon these performance benefits, with an optimized gearbox and specially machined gears that make it virtually silent. Its sensors and software respond to every pedal stroke with smooth, natural support that makes riders feel strong and confident.”

Active Line Plus: Natural support

Always stay in the flow, navigate through traffic effortlessly, and negotiate ascents with ease: The Active Line Plus has been a reliable drive unit since 2017. Now, this new generation provides even more powerful support. Up to 60 Nm of torque, 600 watts of power, and 340% support ensure agile acceleration – allowing riders to master all routes with confidence and ease up to 20mph (Class 1/pedal-assist only).

In addition, the power of the new drive unit is delivered in a smooth and controlled manner at all times: Thanks to its improved response behavior, the Active Line Plus remains sensitive and responds precisely. Riders can also use customizable riding modes to adapt it precisely to their personal needs. For added comfort, the new Active Line Plus is compatible with the eShift electric gear shifting solution. If desired, the system automatically takes over the gear shifting operation and always ensures the best gear ratio – ideal for dynamic city traffic or off-pavement adventures.

The new generation of the Active Line Plus weighs only around 6 lbs and has become even more compact thanks to a new two-stage gearbox. This makes it around 1.1 lbs lighter, reducing the total weight of the eBike and making it even easier to handle. The 17% smaller volume also allows for more discreet integration into modern eBike designs. The new drive unit comes with an optimized sealing and bearing concept that makes it a reliable companion for riders in all weather. During development, Bosch takes care to use materials responsibly. Around 40% recycled aluminum in the housing cuts almost half of the CO₂ emissions compared to conventional aluminum. Recycled materials are also used for plastic components.

Trek will be the first North America brand to launch with the new generation of Active Line Plus, on its Marlin+ eBike.

Additional New Product Launches

Bosch eBike Systems also introduces four new and updated products to its smart system this Fall. Additions include the Intuvia 200¹, a 2.4-inch grayscale display mounted permanently on the handlebars. It adjusts its brightness up to 1,000 units, so it stays easy to read in bright sun or at dusk, and riders can choose which ride data it shows. The new LED Controller is around 65% smaller than its predecessor, creating an uncluttered, minimalist look on the handlebars. It has five thumb-operated buttons, LED indicators that adapt to ambient light and a USB-C port that enables external devices to be charged.² The new-generation ConnectModule adds Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) tracking, which can locate a stolen eBike to within a few yards, even in basements or backyards where GPS struggles. Finally, the new PowerTube 720 battery weighs only 8.6 pounds and offers up to 115 miles of range.³ Its compact design sits deeper in the frame for more stable handling, it’s interchangeable with other PowerTube batteries and the Battery Lock digital function disables it if stolen.

Bosch eBike Systems works with more than 100 of the world’s leading bicycle brands, supplying networked drive systems including motors, batteries, displays, and the eBike Flow app. The company’s approach draws on Bosch’s 139-year history in mobility, and on a conviction that the value of an eBike is measured in the trips it makes possible, and the memories along the way, rather than in any single specification.

For more information about Bosch eBike Systems and its range of offerings, please visit https://www.bosch-ebike.com/us/why-ride-bosch.

¹ Intuvia 200 is compatible with the LED Controller, the LED Remote, and the System Controller with Mini Remote.

² The USB-C charging function for the LED Controller depends on the drive unit. Further information is available from dealers.

³ Basis of calculation: Touring eBikes with Performance Line PX, PowerTube 720, range in Eco mode. The values may vary depending on use and conditions.

Bosch eBike Systems is shaping the future of eBike mobility with innovative products and digital services ranging from highly efficient drive systems and the first series-ready ABS for eBikes to connected biking solutions. On daily routes through the city, on enjoyable tours through the countryside or for adventures in the mountains: Bosch eBike Systems offers eBike riders the right drive system (drive unit, battery, display and app) for every requirement and every area of use, which ensures a unique riding experience. Today, more than 100 of the world’s leading bicycle brands trust in the perfectly coordinated, modular product portfolio. As an independent business unit within the Bosch Group, Bosch eBike Systems also uses the group’s technology and manufacturing know-how. For healthy, safe and sustainable mobility that is fun. 

For more information, please visit www.bosch-ebike.com.

About Bosch

Having established a presence in North America in 1906, today the Bosch Group employs around 38,000 associates in more than 100 locations in the North American region (as of Dec. 31, 2025). In 2025, Bosch generated consolidated sales of $18.8 billion in the U.S., Mexico and Canada in 2025. For more information visit www.bosch.us, www.bosch.mx and www.bosch.ca.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs
roughly 413,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2025). The company generated sales of 91 billion euros in 2025. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology.
With its business activities, the company aims to use technology to help shape universal trends such as automation, digitalization, electrification, and artificial intelligence. In this context, Bosch’s broad diversification across regions and industries strengthens its innovativeness and robustness. Bosch uses its proven expertise in hardware, software, and services to offer customers cross-domain solutions from a single source. It also applies
its expertise in connectivity and artificial intelligence in order to develop and manufacture intelligent, user-friendly, and sustainable products. With technology that is “Invented for life,” Bosch wants to help improve quality of life and conserve natural resources. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 500 subsidiary and regional companies in over 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. Bosch’s innovative strength is key to the company’s further development. Bosch employs some 82,000 associates in research and development.

The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering.” The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant upfront investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-four percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a limited liability company with a charitable purpose. The remaining shares are held by Robert Bosch GmbH and by a company owned by the Bosch family. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG.
It is entrusted with the task of safeguarding the company’s long-term existence and in particular its financial independence – in line with the mission handed down in the will of the company’s founder, Robert Bosch.

 Additional information is available online at www.bosch-press.com, www.bosch.com.

Exchange rate: 1 EUR = 1.1297

MINNEAPOLIS  (October 22, 2026) — Outdoor Retailer (OR), produced by Forge, today announced a new partnership with Huginbiz AB to launch an International Pavilion Program at Outdoor Retailer, Aug. 18-20, 2027. Huginbiz will serve as OR’s international advisor and recruiter, working with national and regional pavilion organizers around the world to bring curated groups of international finished-goods brands to the show floor. The program is designed for brands that sell their own products to retailers and is not open to material suppliers or manufacturers.

The program marks OR’s first dedicated international initiative since the show’s relocation to the Minneapolis Convention Center and follows a 2026 debut that exceeded OR’s goals for both exhibitors and retail buyers.

How the program works

The International Pavilion Program is modeled on the national and regional pavilion structure long used at ISPO. Pavilion organizers, such as trade associations, export councils and regional industry groups, will contract directly with Outdoor Retailer and recruit exhibiting brands from their home markets. Early regions of interest include Korea, Iberia, the Nordics and Taiwan.

Huginbiz will lead organizer outreach, support each organizer through a direct agreement with OR, and convene a new International Advisory Board. The board will bring together pavilion organizers, brand-side representatives and association leaders to advise OR on international brand development throughout the 2027 show cycle.

Huginbiz® (Helping You Grow International Business AB) is a Sweden-based firm that has advised sport, outdoor and fitness companies on international growth since 2004, working with more than 200 brands, ingredient brands and global start-ups on market entry launch plans. It represents leading international industry trade fairs, including ISPO, Outdoor, FIBO, PGA show and Performance Days and is an experienced organizer of pavilions at those shows.

Founder Martin Kössler has worked on both sides of the business. Once a W.L. Gore key account manager, he later established Haglöfs as a leading international outdoor brand until the takeover of Asics. He founded and led the cooperation between Scandinavian Outdoor brands, Scandinavian Outdoor Group and launched the Scandinavian Village at ISPO in 2001. Kössler serves as chairman of the supervisory board of Europas, a leading premium retail group, works with Sport 2000 International and is one of the co-owners of EDM, publisher of the Sporting Goods Intelligence Europe and Outdoor Industry Compass.

After a strong 2026 debut

In August 2026, Outdoor Retailer moved to the Minneapolis Convention Center and rebuilt its format around discovery and emerging brands. The debut edition drew 275+ exhibiting brands against a goal of 200, plus 400+ qualified retail buyers, among roughly 1,800 attendees from 45 states and 20 countries. Independent specialty retailers were the largest buyer segment, and OR is targeting 600+ buyers for 2027.

Brands exhibiting in an International Pavilion will have access to the programs OR introduced in 2026, including:

• OR’s hosted buyer program, through which OR will work with pavilion organizers and their brands to identify and invite the retailers they most want to meet
• Wild Reach, powered by Popfly, which put 150+ creators, photographers and athletes on the show floor in 2026 and led to 850+ exhibitor-creator connections
• The Ascent Program, the Garage Grown Gear + Founded Outdoors Pavilion and the REI Co-op Path Ahead Ventures showcase, which give buyers a dedicated place to find new brands
• Urban Outdoor Experiences, a series of early-morning hikes, paddles, climbs and trail runs at Theodore Wirth Regional Park
• The Retailer Playbook Lab and Industry Day, with sessions on tariffs, AI, sustainability and other industry issues

What the partners are saying

“We rebuilt Outdoor Retailer around discovery, and the 2026 show proved buyers are hungry for new brands,” said Matthew Mathiasen, group show director, Outdoor Retailer. “International brands have told us for years that entering the US market is expensive and uncertain. With the International Pavilion Program, they can come in as part of a group, with buyers, media and programming already lined up. Huginbiz has spent two decades helping outdoor brands enter new markets, and it already knows the organizers who build pavilions at Europe’s biggest shows. That’s the head start we wanted.”

“Trade shows play an instrumental role for the sports and outdoor industry, far beyond just greasing our wholesale business machinery.” said Kössler. “I experienced the importance of a vital Outdoor Retailer show and how the industry has suffered without it. I look forward together with my colleagues and friends in the European outdoor industry to help bridge our industry across the Atlantic again.”

Eligibility

The program is open only to finished-goods brands, meaning companies that design, own and market a completed consumer product under their own name. Raw material and component suppliers, contract manufacturers and OEM/ODM factories, private-label producers and trading intermediaries are not eligible to exhibit within the pavilions. This keeps the pavilions focused on products retail buyers can stock.

Get involved

Huginbiz will meet with prospective pavilion organizers at ISPO Amsterdam, November 3–5, 2026. National and regional organizations interested in leading a pavilion at Outdoor Retailer 2027 can contact Huginbiz at info@huginbiz.com. Outdoor Retailer takes place August 18-20, 2027, at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

About Huginbiz

Huginbiz is a Sweden-based international business development firm specializing in the sport, outdoor and fitness industries. Since 2004, it has worked with more than 100 global brands, ingredient brands, investors and start-ups, helping them build go-to-market strategies for new markets. Huginbiz also represents leading international trade fairs in the Nordic region. Learn more at huginbiz.com.

About Outdoor Retailer

Outdoor Retailer, produced by Forge, is the outdoor industry’s flagship discovery event, connecting brands with specialty, mass and e-commerce retail buyers. Since relocating to Minneapolis in 2026, the show has focused on emerging brands through programs including the Ascent Program, Wild Reach, Urban Outdoor Experiences and the Retailer Playbook Lab. Learn more at www.outdoorretailer.com.

BOULDER, Colo. (October 21, 2026) – What remains when everything else fades away? When every thought is fixed on the next move, the next hold, the next turn, or the track stretching out across the snow? For La Sportiva, there is only one answer: the mountain.

Nothing But Mountain was born from this belief: a new global campaign that marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Val di Fiemme-based brand, reaffirming the deep bond with the mountains and the communities that have shaped its identity since 1928.

Founded in the heart of the Dolomites, La Sportiva has grown alongside generations of mountaineers, climbers, skiers and runners, developing highly technical footwear, apparel and equipment designed to support the evolution of outdoor sports and meet the needs of those who experience the mountains in all their forms. Today, that heritage comes to life through Nothing But Mountain, a new brand platform that positions the mountain not only as La Sportiva’s natural environment, but as a culture, a community and an endless source of inspiration.

For nearly a century, the mountain has been both the starting point and the destination behind every choice the company makes. More than a landscape or a backdrop, it is the benchmark against which products, ideas and innovations are tested. It is where the reliability of a shoe, the precision of a tool and the functionality of every detail are proven. Where experience in the field becomes development, and development becomes solutions designed to perform in the most demanding conditions.

For La Sportiva, the mountain is more than the place where its products are used. It is the measure of performance, quality and authenticity. The standard that continues to drive innovation, shape the brand’s evolution and keep it firmly connected to its roots while looking confidently to the future.

Nothing But Mountain is built on a simple belief: beyond disciplines, performances and generations, there is one element capable of putting everything into perspective. The mountain. A place that challenges, inspires and unites those who experience it, while remaining the ultimate reference point for those who create the tools designed to face it.

The campaign celebrates the diversity of outdoor experiences and the people who make them possible, giving voice to the community that has helped shape La Sportiva’s identity and evolution for almost one hundred years.

At the heart of the launch is the Manifesto Film, which presents the mountain as the foundation behind every choice. Its narrative weaves together the achievements of elite athletes, witnesses to and custodians of the highest levels of performance, with the reality behind every journey. Failure, mistakes and limitations are not hidden, but embraced as an essential part of growth. The result is an immersive visual and sonic experience, where the rhythm follows every breath, stride and ice axe strike, capturing the honesty of movement and the precision of the product across rock, ice, granite and indoor walls.

To mark the launch of the platform, La Sportiva also unveils its Brand Manifesto:

NOTHING BUT MOVEMENT. NOTHING BUT FOCUS.
EVERY GENERATION, EVERY SUMMIT, EVERY WALL.
EVERY FALL. NOTHING AS RAW. NOTHING AS HONEST.
NOTHING MATTERS MORE.
RESIN OR ROCK, ICE OR GRANITE, STONE OR SNOW.
EVERY MOVE, EVERY DETAIL. A MEASURE OF WHO YOU ARE.
BECAUSE WHEREVER YOU GO, WE KNOW,
THERE’S NOTHING BUT MOUNTAIN.

The strategic and creative development of the Nothing But Mountain campaign was led by Mynt, from the creation of the brand platform through to its visual identity. The voice behind the Manifesto Film is Pietro Dal Prà, professional climber and member of La Sportiva’s Product Development Team.

“The strongest brands don’t need to invent a story. They need to recognise what makes them different and have the confidence to own it. With La Sportiva, everything begins and ends with the mountain. Our role was to turn that extraordinary authenticity into a distinctive, enduring communications platform that connects the brand’s heritage, innovation and community through one powerful idea: Nothing But Mountain,” said Andrew Patterson, Founder of Mynt.

Launched globally today, Nothing But Mountain marks the beginning of a long-term journey. The Manifesto Film introduces its vision, but does not define its limits. In the months ahead, the platform will continue to evolve through new stories and perspectives, exploring the many ways the mountain is experienced, interpreted and passed from one generation to the next. Because while there may be only one mountain, there are countless stories shaped by our relationship with it.

And perhaps this is the question Nothing But Mountain will continue to explore: what does the mountain truly mean to those who live it?

Click here to watch the Manifesto Film.

About La Sportiva
With over 95 years of mountain heritage, La Sportiva brings unmatched expertise to the design of high-performance footwear, ski mountaineering hardware, and technical apparel. Driven by innovation and a passion for the outdoors, the brand offers cutting edge footwear and apparel for climbing, mountaineering, mountain running®, hiking, and ski mountaineering. Designed and tested in the heart of the Dolomites, La Sportiva’s products are built to meet the demands of athletes pushing limits in the world’s most challenging terrain. Learn more at www.lasportivausa.com or follow @lasportivana on Instagram.

Amsterdam, Netherlands (Oct. 21, 2026) – VALLON is proud to introduce its latest limited-edition collaboration with world-renowned sport climber, Alex Megos. Designed to meet the demands of one of the world’s leading climbers, the Daytrippers Megos Edition bring together classic eyewear design, high-performance optics, and a healthy dose of Megos’ unmistakable personality.

Known for pushing the limits of sport climbing on some of the world’s toughest routes, Megos knows a thing or two about spending long days outdoors. From early starts at the crag to long afternoons working a route, reliable eyewear is essential. The goal of this collaboration was simple: create a pair of sunglasses that could keep up with his adventures, without compromising on style.

A classic, with a Megos twist

Megos was immediately drawn to the Daytrippers, VALLON’s distinctive trapezoidal sunglasses inspired by the eyewear of the 1960s. Their handcrafted acetate construction and lightweight versatility offered the perfect starting point for a collaboration that balances vintage character with modern sports performance.

The result is a new amber colorway inspired by Megos’ well-documented affinity for yellow. A recurring feature in his climbing gear and personal style, the color has become something of a signature. For this limited edition, the rich amber acetate gives the classic frame a warm, retro aesthetic, complemented by a contrasting pastel yellow sports headstrap.

The detachable headstrap isn’t just there for looks. Designed to keep the sunglasses securely in place during dynamic movement, it adds an extra level of practicality for climbing, scrambling, and whatever else the day has in store. And for anyone questioning how secure they really are, Megos has already put them through their paces, climbing and even performing handstands in his sunglasses.

Built for the rock, designed to endure

Behind the retro-inspired design lies VALLON’s proprietary V52® performance lens technology, engineered to deliver exceptional optical clarity, impact resistance, and reliable protection in demanding outdoor environments.

Constructed from premium nylon polyamide, V52® lenses achieve an ABBE value of 52, minimizing chromatic aberration and helping maintain sharp, natural vision. For climbers, where reading subtle changes in rock texture, identifying holds, and judging surface details are essential, optical precision makes a meaningful difference.

The lenses are approximately 20% lighter than Trivex, offering an excellent balance of optical performance, durability, and weight. Full UV400 protection blocks 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, while scratch-resistant coatings provide additional durability for repeated use outdoors.

Exploring sandstone walls on the Australian coast

Ahead of the launch, Megos took his new Daytrippers on a climbing trip to Australia, putting them to the test on the sandstone walls along the coastline near Sydney. With early starts, long sessions on the rock, and plenty of Australian sunshine, it was the ideal testing ground.

“It was the first time I could bring these sunglasses with me and they will come on every trip from now on. They say the sun here has teeth, even during hot winters. Having proper shades with dark lenses made it easier to pick out the details and contrast in the rock. After a few routes, we decided it was time to cool off, hit the ocean, and get some surfing in. Not a bad way to spend the day,” said Megos.

From technical climbing sessions to downtime on the coast, the Daytrippers Megos Edition reflect a shared appreciation for performance, classic style, and the adventures that happen between the climbs.

The Daytrippers Megos Edition is available on www.vallon.com/products/daytrippers, and through select retailers worldwide.

About VALLON

VALLON creates original eyewear that combines classic style with maximum performance. Inspired by iconic eyewear of yesteryear, VALLON reimagines classic silhouettes with advanced optics, innovative materials, and technical features. Trusted by professional athletes, explorers, and outdoor enthusiasts worldwide, VALLON eyewear has crossed every ocean, traversed every continent, and reached the world’s highest peaks.

About Alex Megos

German professional climber Alexander “Alex” Megos is one of the world’s most accomplished sport climbers, renowned for pushing the limits of difficulty on rock. In 2013, aged just 19, he made history with the world’s first recorded 9a (5.14d) onsight ascent of Estado Crítico in Siurana, Spain. Since then, he has established some of the world’s most challenging routes, including Perfecto Mundo (9b+) and Bibliographie (9b+), alongside numerous other groundbreaking ascents. Equally accomplished in competition climbing, Megos is a multiple World Championship medalist and two-time Olympian, representing Germany at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Known for his exceptional strength, technical precision, and distinctive personality, Megos continues to push the boundaries of modern sport climbing.