Taipei Cycle: The Story of the World’s Largest Bicycle Show

Every March, bicycle industry professionals, media, and enthusiasts from around the world gather at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center for the “Taipei International Cycle Show” (Taipei Cycle). This exhibition is not only Taiwan’s largest industry event, but also an essential annual stage for the global bicycle industry.

The Scale of the Taipei Show

Key Figures

Taipei Cycle and Germany’s Eurobike (the largest in Europe) are widely regarded as the world’s two most important bicycle shows, but when it comes to representing the Asian supply chain, Taipei Cycle is unmatched.

Taiwan: The Global Center of Bicycle Manufacturing

Why Taiwan?

Taiwan’s bicycle industry holds several irreplaceable advantages:

1. A Complete Supply Chain: From raw materials and components to full bicycle assembly, Taiwan has the world’s most complete bicycle industry cluster
2. Decades of Technical Expertise: Decades of manufacturing experience, with world-leading carbon fiber processing technology in particular
3. Brand Power: Giant and Merida both rank among the world’s top ten bicycle brands
4. OEM/ODM Strength: Key components for top international brands such as Specialized, Trek, and Scott are largely manufactured in Taiwan

Taiwan’s Bicycle Export Strength

Taiwan is one of the world’s largest exporters of high-end bicycles, with an average export price five to ten times that of China—clear evidence of Taiwanese brands’ premium positioning.

Show Highlights

New Product Launches

Taipei Cycle is the preferred stage for major brands to launch new products. Before and after the show each year, trade media extensively cover new frame technologies, drivetrain upgrades, and integrated tech features.

Major recent launch categories include:

• E-Bikes: The fastest-growing exhibition category
• Gravel Bikes: Crossover bicycles continue to evolve
• Smart Cycling Technology: GPS integration, electronic shifting, and AI training features

Smart Cycling Zone

Taipei Cycle features a dedicated “Smart Cycling” zone showcasing the fusion of bicycles and technology:

• Smart cycling computers and training platforms
• Electronic drivetrain systems (Di2 generation upgrades)
• Urban bike-sharing solutions

The Stories of Giant and Merida

Giant

Founded in Taichung in 1972 by King Liu, Giant started out as an OEM manufacturer and has since become one of the world’s largest bicycle brands by sales volume.

Key Milestones:

• 1981: Began OEM production for Schwinn, launching its path to internationalization
• 1986: Established the independent Giant brand, phasing out most OEM business
• 1997: Began entering the women’s market (predecessor of the Liv sub-brand)
• 2012: Liv became an independent women’s bicycle brand

Merida

Founded in Changhua in 1972 by Ike Tseng, Merida started as an OEM manufacturer for Western brands and became one of the most important OEM partners in Specialized’s history.

The Social Significance of the Show

Taipei Cycle is more than a commercial event—it represents Taiwan’s standing in global manufacturing:

• Employment: Taiwan’s bicycle-related industries directly and indirectly employ over 100,000 people
• Exports: Bicycles are a major non-electronics export category for Taiwan
• Image: The show elevates Taiwan’s international image as a center for “precision manufacturing” and “design and R&D”

Next time you ride your favorite bicycle, one of its components may be stamped “Made in Taiwan”—a mark that carries decades of industry history.

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