So we packed up our bikes and headed to what's basically the world's biggest cycling party. Eurobike 2025 in Frankfurt — the place where everyone in the industry shows up to see what's happening next. We'd been planning this for months, wondering how we'd fit in with all the big names.

Outdoor Life_

We ended up in the outdoor area, which honestly worked out perfectly. Walking around the first day, seeing our bikes under actual trees instead of harsh expo lighting, it just felt right. This is where adventure happens — outside, not in some sterile showroom.

The outdoor zone had a different energy. Less corporate, more real. You'd find the test track, and the brands building stuff for people who actually ride their bikes hard. Our kind of people.

While other brands had their massive indoor palace with LED walls and demo stations, we had grass and actual sunlight. Different approaches, but ours suited us. Plus, when someone picked up one of our bikes to check it out, they were seeing it how it's meant to be seen — in the real world, not under artificial lights.

The Big Show_

The main halls were impressive, no question. Some booths were bigger than most bike shops. Some showing off their latest groupsets, some with displays that probably cost more than our entire stand. Walking through it all, you get a sense of just how much money flows through this industry.

But after a while, it all starts feeling the same. Booth after booth of polished presentations, everyone claiming their new thing is going to revolutionize cycling. Maybe it will, maybe it won't. Hard to tell when everything's so perfectly staged.

Back outside, conversations were different. More relaxed. People would stop by, look at our bikes, ask actual questions. Not because we had some amazing sales pitch, but because they could tell we build these things ourselves.

Real Conversations_

Customers spent ages with us, asking about frame construction, why we chose certain tube shapes, how the bike handles loaded touring. Technical stuff, but also practical — they wanted to know if they would actually enjoy riding these bikes, not just buy them.

We talked about European production, sustainable materials, building bikes that last. Not revolutionary tech, just solid engineering.

The conversations felt natural. No scripts, no corporate messaging. Just cyclists talking to other cyclists about what works and what doesn't.

Weather and Reality_

Thursday brought proper German rain. But in the outdoor area, we just kept going. Threw on rain jackets, kept talking bikes, getting nicely soaked like any normal ride.

A few visitors mentioned how refreshing this was. Seeing bikes in actual conditions, not perfect showroom settings. I guess if you're buying a bike for adventures, you should see it getting wet.

The rain also filtered out the casual browsers. The people who stayed, who kept asking questions while getting damp, those were the ones who got it. They understood that cycling isn't always comfortable, and they appreciated gear that works when things get messy.

What We Learned_

Eurobike taught us that people are hungry for authentic stories. Not marketing stories, but real ones. Where these bikes come from, why we make certain choices, what it's like to actually ride them. The gravel scene is growing fast, but it's driven by word of mouth, not corporate campaigns.

Sustainability came up constantly. People asking about materials, production methods, what happens when parts wear out. Being able to talk honestly about our European assembly, our repair philosophy, our material choices.

The Moments That Mattered_

Forget the industry awards and product launches. The real highlights were simpler. Like when that distributor from Austria decided to carry our bikes after seeing how we handled a technical question. Or when a weekend rider realized our approach to bike design matched exactly what they'd been looking for.

These connections don't happen in corporate boardrooms. They happen when you can look someone in the eye and say "yeah, I helped design this frame" or "we tested this geometry on trails near our workshop."

Industry Reality_

What struck me most about Eurobike was how, despite all the corporate spending and flashy displays, the industry is still driven by people who just love to ride. Strip away the marketing budgets and LED walls, and you're left with cyclists talking to other cyclists about the stuff they care about.

The big brands push technology forward, they have resources we don't. But there's still room for brands that focus on the rider's experience over the profit margin. Eurobike proved that.

Wrapping Up_

Sunday evening, packing up our stand, we felt good about what we'd accomplished. We connected with people who share our passion for adventure cycling, and that's what actually matters.

The industry might be dominated by corporate giants, but there's space for brands that do things their own way. Our time at Eurobike proved that the cycling community appreciates authenticity, especially when it comes to gear they'll depend on for serious adventures.

What's Next_

Speaking of real work, we've got some exciting stuff coming up. The Odin 6 and 6.1 are finally ready — our road bikes with Di2 integration that we've been perfecting for months. The Sandman 8 is also launching, which takes our gravel platform to the next level with electronic shifting. All three will be available from next month, which feels pretty good timing after all the interest we saw in Frankfurt.

Actually, the interest was more than just talk — both our sample bikes got sold right there at Eurobike. Nothing says "we're onto something" like people wanting to ride your bikes home immediately. So yeah, we're pretty excited about what's coming.

The Atlas is a different story though. Our titanium bike is coming in October because, well, titanium doesn't rush for anyone. Those frames take time to get right, and we're not cutting corners just to hit earlier deadlines. The people who get excited about titanium understand that good things take time.

To everyone who stopped by our stand, shared a story, or just appreciated what we're building — thanks. You reminded us why we started Rinos. And to those who couldn't make it to Frankfurt, check us out at rinosbike.com and see what adventure cycling is really about.

The big show's over. Time to get back to building bikes that enable adventures.

See you out there.