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This year, VeloFollies took place at Kortrijk Xpo. What once started as a small fair has grown into a large event thanks to the increasing popularity of cycling, especially electric bicycles.
In this article, we’ll share our experiences (what’s new, what to expect) at the 2024 VeloFollies fair. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to visit all the booths. Next year, we’ll have to make use of all three days.
Belgium’s Largest Bicycle Fair
For us, this was the first time at such a large bicycle fair in Belgium. Although Eurobike is even larger, VeloFollies with its six halls was big enough to almost get lost in. All brands were present, and it was a great success.
Brands had the opportunity to showcase their products, demonstrate their new technologies, and answer customers’ most pressing questions.
Ironically, we first spent 45 minutes in traffic. All parking lots were full, Friday being the busiest day.
Once we found parking, we noticed that many visitors had come with their bikes. The most striking bike in the parking lot was the Muli, one of our favorite cargo bikes due to its foldable design, ideal for city use.
The Near Future of Light Electric Vehicles
At the entrance, we were confronted with the near future. Here, we saw delivery vans (or LEVs) that had been converted or packaged as electric bicycles to comply with regulations. This involves an electric vehicle with pedals and a handlebar, but you’re seated like in a delivery van.
We didn’t dwell on this for long because, as I mentioned, this is the near future. We’ll encounter these models more and more frequently in urban environments.
New E-Bikes in 2024
Once inside, after scanning your ticket (yes, you have to pay โฌ15), you enter a large entrance hall filled with pamphlets, flyers, brochures, and information. Looking at the map, we see that Velofollies has six halls.
Velofollies was too big. We saw so much, but not everything, and still too much for one article. Therefore, we have divided this into categories and will provide a report per brand.
As avid bike enthusiasts, you may be interested in specific types of bikes or brands. That’s why we’re trying to divide everything up as best as possible.
1. New Speed Pedelecs
We start with the most popular category of the moment: the Speed Pedelecs. Here, we’ve especially seen the Speed Pedelec from Specter, Ellio, and Aska. If you have the chance, it’s definitely worth taking a closer look at these.
Other brands that typically use a mid-motor, such as the Bosch Performance Speed Line, and the new Pinion HS, have also caught our attention. So, we’ve also seen the Speed Pedelecs from brands like Riese & Muller, Moustache, and I:SY.
2. New Electric Longtail Bikes
Next, we took a look at the electric longtail bikes. We discovered new brands that we weren’t really familiar with, such as Lombardi, which now also has a longtail model with fatbike wheels, and the KADe from the Australian brand REID Bikes. They offer a relatively simple longtail bike on the market. The REID with its mid-motor is in the average price range of 4000 euros.
Longtails are not unfamiliar to us in Belgium. We also see the multicharger from Riese & Muller, the longtail hybrid from Cube, and a new longtail from the Belgian brand Swyff. Other longtails, like those from Bicicapace, were already known to us. Or Veloe, which mainly focuses on new weather-resistant accessories.
Douze Cycles also had its LT on display. Another longtail bike that we were not familiar with was from Vello Bike, a new French brand.
Granville, the Belgian brand, also has a new longtail. Although we couldn’t really examine it in detail. The Bergament. Bergamont Cargo was also present, but we don’t have a picture of it.
3. The New Electric Fatbikes and Ped-Scooters
We believe that the time is near when traditional boosters or scooters will be replaced by these new electric bikes. For now, let’s call them Ped-Scooters, scooters where you have to pedal, just like the old Camino or Moped.
So, what stands out from Velofollies when it comes to the latest electric fatbikes of 2024?
Yes, there were some longtails with fatbike wheels and a few other models, but especially the moped-like fatbikes seem to be a new trend. We currently refer to them as StreEtBikes or BikeCruisers.
On one hand, we have GasGas, a brand we already know from the old mopeds, now also producing electric bikes. Their GASGAS Moto 2 design seems perfect for the 16-year-old commuting to school.
A cheaper alternative to GasGas is the brand APE RYDER. Here too, we see that they opt for a rear-wheel motor combined with thick, motor-like fatbike tires.
We’re fans. The attractive purchase price, thanks to the choice of a rear-wheel motor and the absence of suspension (at least with the GasGas), keeps these bikes within an acceptable price range.
At Velofollies, we didn’t find them, but we also thought that Yamaha was working on such models.
4. New e-cargo bikes of 2024
While longtail bikes are popular, cargo bikes are a perfect alternative to cars. They are ideal for transporting children, competing with longtail bikes in this regard. But they are also excellent as cargo bikes for transporting freight, making them an excellent choice. We see them increasingly used in the B2B sector. They were certainly present at Velofollies.
The first cargo bike we encountered was at the CUBE booth. The Hybrid Cargo has been around for a while and has now been updated with the latest Bosch motor and technology.
Swyff, the Belgian brand, has also introduced a new special cargo bike to the market. The design is unique, and we are curious about which niche it will be most used in.
Another cargo bike we are looking forward to is the Douze Cycles HETA. Alongside their longtail bike, this new cargo bike from 2024 was on display. The design is attractive and innovative.
A cargo bike that many people are anticipating is the Tenways cargo bike. Tenways is growing rapidly in both Belgium and the Netherlands (and possibly abroad). With their price-quality bikes, they aim to establish their position in the cargo bike market.
Another cargo bike that is finally in circulation is the I:SY cargo bike. This German brand produces compact electric bikes and is now targeting the compact e-cargo bike market. Safety is a priority, as their cargo box looks very sturdy and robust.
In addition to I:SY, we also have Velo de Ville. This high-quality German brand is now introducing their first Velo de Ville cargo bike, focusing on build quality and safety when transporting children. An interesting anecdote from the representative: this is the first cargo bike that you can also ride hands-free. Of course, it was mentioned that you shouldn’t try this.
The Danes also produce cargo bikes under the Winther brand. They have been in the business for a long time but continue to update their models with new safety upgrades, as well as motor upgrades.
For the B2B market, we found the Dutch brand Santos to be very interesting. Their Santos cargo bike (or freight bike) is focused on sustainable use, meaning long-term build quality and durability for many kilometers. The cargo box is specially designed to withstand impacts and keep the branding intact.
5. New E-Folding Bikes of 2024
Despite our limited time, we managed to take a look at the folding bikes. Although we mainly encountered familiar brands and models, there are some that stood out to us.
For example, the Belgian brand Swyff surprised us with their new range. Their innovative designs and technologies are definitely something to keep an eye on.
The French brand Eovolt also caught our attention with the Morning Pro. At first glance, their bikes appeared very compact, making them ideal for city commuting or short distances.
The Dutch brand Lacrosse focuses more on bikes for camping use. Their bikes are perfect for bringing along in the camper or attaching to the camper.
Finally, the brand Vello Bike caught our attention with a fast and innovative folding bike that aims to be an actual road bike. Their innovative design has piqued our curiosity, and we look forward to trying out their folding bike. Possibly the fastest folding bike, to be decided.
Seen from afar, but actually missed
Moustache
The Moustache booth was also very appealing. With their new electric bikes and speed pedelecs, both with a suspended frame, this French brand is taking the next step towards absolute top quality.
Vogue bakfietsen & Diabolo Bikes
We also would have liked to see the Vogue cargo bikes and the electric fatbike scooters from Diabolo Bikes. We waved goodbye to the Danish booth showcasing the Muli, where we encountered the compact cargo bike with the foldable box again, before heading towards the exit.
Granville
What else did we miss for sure? Probably a lot of new brands of longtail bikes, cargo bikes, and fatbikes that entered the market. However, we were able to quickly snap a photo of the new Granville longtail bike. This seems to be a robust alternative for the mid to high price range. Especially, the choice of 26-inch tires or 24-inch on a low design with a low center of gravity appeals to us.
Bergamont
Bergamont has some beautiful new models as well, but unfortunately, we don’t have any images of them.
Our Velofietser Opinion
It’s a beautiful convergence of circumstances. Belgium is back at the forefront when it comes to cycling. Our Belgian brands, such as Ellio, Aska Bike, and Specter, are doing excellent, but they face stiff competition from German and French brands like Riese & Muller and Eovolt. Scandinavian brands like Winther and Veloe are also not to be underestimated. It seems like Europe is taking the lead in the cycling world.
One notable observation is that much of the production remains in Europe. This seems to be a response to the challenges of the current market. For you as a consumer, this likely means lower prices and better customer service.
The new models we discovered were a delight to see. It was surprising how little information was available about some models, such as the Tenways cargo bike or the Gasgas Moto 2. But rest assured, we will reach out to all these brands to test their bikes, cargo bikes, cargo bikes, folding bikes, speed pedelecs, and everything electric.
We hope you now have a better idea of what to expect in the coming year. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter. You’ll find the signup button somewhere in the sidebar or at the bottom of the page. This way, you’ll stay informed about all the latest cycling news.
