The Hard Truth About Cycling in 2025 (Products, Problems, What’s Next)

▬▬▬▬ Video Overview ▬▬▬▬
2025 was one of the hardest years the cycling industry has faced since before COVID and one of the most revealing.

In this video, Josh Poertner breaks down why cycling struggled in 2025, what actually happened behind the scenes, and what it means for riders going forward. This is not a highlight reel or a marketing recap. It is an honest look at the forces shaping cycling, the products that truly landed, and why credibility and real-world performance mattered more than hype.

SILCA SOCK GIVEAWAY
To say thank you for the support through a challenging year, we are giving away 25 pairs of SILCA WORLD CHAMPION RAINBOW STRIPED socks.

Winners will be randomly selected.
Open to subscribers of the SILCA email list.
15 of the 25 pairs will be signed by Keegan Swenson, World Champion.
All socks are Men’s Medium (produced exclusively for Keegan).
No purchase necessary.

If you are already subscribed to the SILCA email list, you are automatically entered.
If not, you can sign up at https://silca.cc/
Winners will be contacted directly by email.

▬▬▬▬ Links & Resources ▬▬▬▬
Ultimate Tubeless Tire Sealant
https://silca.cc/collections/sealant

Elettrico Electric Inflators
https://silca.cc/collections/inflation

Ultimate Shock Pump
https://silca.cc/collections/inflation

TPU Inner Tubes
https://silca.cc/collections/tubes

SILCA Chain Waxing System
https://silca.cc/collections/chain-wa...

EnduranceChip & SpeedChip Wax Additives
https://silca.cc/collections/chain-wa...

Synergetic Race Grease
https://silca.cc/collections/lubricants

Anti-Seize Assembly Paste
https://silca.cc/collections/lubricants

Media & Independent Creators Mentioned

James Huang
N Minus One
https://jameshuang.substack.com/

Ben Delaney
The Ride
   / @theridewithbendelaney  

The Radavist
https://theradavist.com/

Escape Collective
https://escapecollective.com/

▬▬▬▬ Video Chapters ▬▬▬▬
00:00 – The hard truth about cycling in 2025
01:15 – Why 2025 was one of the hardest years since pre-COVID
02:10 – How SILCA avoided the inventory and tariff trap
03:45 – Moving facilities and scaling operations
04:15 – Tariffs explained: what actually happened
05:25 – Why Elettricos became a global success
07:10 – The Ultimate Shock Pump, ten years in the making
08:10 – TPU Tubes: the most surprising launch of 2025
09:40 – TPU vs tubeless at high pressure
10:05 – Ultimate Tubeless Tire Sealant reality check
11:20 – When tubeless still fails
12:20 – Inflation systems and preparedness
13:20 – Cycling media, AI, and plagiarism
14:45 – Why independent creators matter now
16:45 – Industry conflict and calling out bad tech
18:00 – Competition done right vs marketing fights
20:45 – UCI, regulation, and misplaced priorities
23:30 – What cycling needs to change to grow
25:30 – Looking ahead to 2026

▬▬▬▬ Follow for more ▬▬▬▬
Subscribe to the SILCA Velo YouTube Channel -    / @silcavelo  
SILCA website - https://silca.cc/
SILCA blog - https://silca.cc/blogs/silca
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Facebook -   / silcavelo  
LinkedIn -   / silca-velo  

▬▬▬▬ ABOUT SILCA ▬▬▬▬
Founded in Milan in 1917 and now based in Indianapolis, SILCA builds high-performance cycling tools and maintenance products for riders who care about how their bikes actually work. Led by cycling industry veteran Josh Poertner, SILCA collaborates with UCI WorldTour teams while focusing on real-world performance for everyday cyclists.

▬▬▬▬▬ Credits ▬▬▬▬▬
Music, sound effects, and stock video used in this video were sourced from the following libraries:

Pixabay
https://pixabay.com/

Motivational Corporate – Medium 1 – LiteSaturation
Big Chance (Loop) – Brian Cradden
Truck Driving – freesound_community
Choir Singing Major Chord – Vicki Hamilton
Gospel Choir Heavenly Transition 3 – floraphonic
Mouse Click – DRAGON-STUDIO
Door Lock – freesound_community

Vecteezy
https://www.vecteezy.com/

On Sale
4K Stock Videos
Accounting Software
Global Shipping
AI Technology
Fist Bump / Silhouette Hands Shaking
Closed Sign (4K)
Happy New Year Icons

▬▬▬▬ DISCLAIMERS ▬▬▬▬
Have ideas for products SILCA should make or make better? Leave them in the comments.