GoCycle Gets New Funding, MAHLE Debuts eMTB Mid-Drive, New Bill Eliminates Tariffs | TWR Ep 36

GoCycle, a UK-based e-bike manufacturer primarily known for its compact, lightweight, and partially carbon-fiber e-bikes, has received a buy-in from Aventon’s founder, JW Zhang. This move follows GoCycle’s 2024 restructuring and the brand’s launch of a crowdfunding campaign aimed at rebooting and expanding its product line.

The company, which debuted its first e-bike in 2009, was founded by Richard Thorpe, a designer for Maclaren Automotive. Thorpe will remain involved with the company, which has assembled a new European team to determine where their sales and marketing efforts will be focused. The UK and Europe will likely remain central, while the company is also targeting the USA and Asia.

GoCycle is currently planning a relaunch in early 2026.

Our Take: GoCycle’s heritage is clear in its sleek designs and proprietary components. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our experiences when reviewing e-bikes like the GoCycle G4. Considering Aventon’s current status and the fact that the brand owns manufacturing facilities in Asia, the buy-in makes sense.

We remain curious about JW Zhang’s (and Aventon’s) involvement with GoCycle’s future and look forward to seeing what happens when the brand relaunches.

The U.S. Bicycle Production and Assembly Act, introduced by California representative Mike Thompson and Florida representative Vern Buchanan, proposes eliminating tariffs on components used in bicycle assembly.

If approved, the bill would make these components exempt from Section 301 tariffs, which went into effect in June of 2024, as well as the Trump administration’s punitive tariffs. It would also establish two production goals: a five-year target to assemble 2 million bikes per year domestically, and a ten-year plan to assemble 5 million bikes per year.

Thompson stated about the bill, “Ninety-seven percent of bikes purchased in the United States are made elsewhere. It’s time we change that. The U.S. Bicycle Production and Assembly Act would give bike manufacturers the foothold they need to grow a thriving industry right here in the United States.”

Buchanan also remarked, “Our goal is simple: strengthen American manufacturing, support American workers and ensure that U.S. bicycle companies can compete on a level playing field.”

Our Take: We had high hopes when the Domestic Bicycle Production Act was introduced in 2024, as it not only eliminated tariffs but also provided e-bike production credits and a low-interest loan program for bike companies. Unfortunately, that legislation was unable to progress due to the retirement of its sponsor.

This new bill is not as comprehensive, but we’re hopeful that it can make more traction at a time when tariffs are much more present in the minds of both legislators and consumers. Currently, there is limited production of e-bikes in the US; however, reducing the cost of components could lead to a more promising future for domestic assembly.

The Spanish company MAHLE is known primarily for its lightweight e-bike drive systems, such as the X35 found on the LeMond Prolog and the LeMond Dutch we’ve reviewed. Now, the brand is expanding into the eMTB space with a mid-drive that boasts impressive specs and power.

The M40’s 850W peak and 105 Nm of torque place it alongside similarly-powerful motors from Bosch, Specialized, and other notable brands. In MAHLE’s tradition, the motor is also lightweight; it weighs 5.5 lbs alone or 11 lbs when combined with the smaller of the two compatible battery options. The iM5 provides 534 Wh of capacity, while the iM8 offers 800 Wh and an estimated range of up to 93 miles.

The motor uses a trio of sensors to inform its output: a speed sensor, a cadence sensor, and a torque sensor. The speed sensor is remarkably sensitive, detecting changes to the bike’s speed after every 3 cm of movement and adjusting accordingly.

It also features a “Dynamic Overrun” feature that aims to reduce drag when the rider stops pedaling, as well as a hill brake equipped to prevent rollback on steep climbs with an auto-hold function.

Our Take: The M40 makes MAHLE the latest of many brands competing for market share in the eMTB space. Considering the brand’s high-tech components and premium nature, we have high hopes for the motor’s feel and performance. Of course, nothing speaks better than hands-on experience, so we look forward to testing an M40-equipped eMTB in the future!