2026 CABDA Midwest Show – Schaumburg, IL
For several years, I’ve been attending the CABDA Midwest bike industry trade show, since it is just a 15-minute drive from where I live. It is also a good time to see new products, talk to key brands, and discover brands not on my radar.
This year’s show was dominated by eBike brands, with many of the larger ones notably absent. SRAM, Continental, KOM Cycling, Lezyne, and MucOff were not at CABDA, as they most likely planned to attend Quality Bicycle Products’ Frostbite in Minneapolis. Unfortunately, Frostbite was subsequently canceled.
Several new products were featured at CABDA; however, many companies were holding off on launches until Sea Otter in April. The talk of the show was not a cycling product, but a $40,000 personal helicopter on display. The prototype C4-X4 Creativity developed by Rictor, an eBike company, drew a lot of attention.
Below are some of the new products I found and hope to review for you in the near future.
BiKom 20 Communication System
Price: 20 grams $169 or 2 for $319
Colors: Black or White
Weight: 20 grams
I reviewed Sena’s R1-EVO communication helmets several years ago. They’ve launched other helmet models since then, and their new BiKom 20.
The BiKom 20 is Sena’s lightest cycling communication system. With its versatile mounting options, BiKom 20’s sleek, lightweight design makes it the best way to integrate a Bluetooth communication system with any cycling helmet or cap. Weighing only 20 grams, the BiKom 20 is so light that you won’t feel like you’re wearing a Bluetooth headset. Clip the BiKom 20 to your helmet and talk with friends while still hearing sounds around you.
Helmet prices range from $89 to $139
For the commuter or traveler who wants to save space, FEND is a foldable helmet. Weighing under a pound, the company offers three models with or without front and rear lights. None of the models come with Mips or any other technology to protect the brain from rotational motion during impact. The rep at the booth mentioned Virginia Tech tested the FEND helmets, but did not have details on the rating.
HearClear Wind Noise Reducers
Price: $29.99
Several of the riders in my bike club who use hearing aids or are bothered by wind noise wear some type of ear protection. BiKASE’s new Hear Clear Wind Deflectors reduce turbulent airflow into your inner ear, allowing better hearing and less fatigue. The company states up to a 40% reduction in wind noise (based on real riding environments) and up to a 90% reduction of wind entering the ear.
The HearClear clips onto the helmet straps, and the straps should be snug against the side of your face.
BiKASE displayed a variety of baskets with MIK brackets ideal for eBike riders to carry a variety of items. The easy-on/easy-off universal MIK bracket features a lock to keep it secure and prevent theft.
Looking for a safe and convenient way to carry and use your cell phone while riding. SP Connect has a plethora of options. A couple of items that piqued my interest were their Gravel Bike Mount Pro with vibration dampener, external wireless power banks, and cases to protect your phone from inclement weather.
The out-front mount is available in gravel and road models; the only difference is that the gravel version has shock-absorbing properties. At $49.99 for the road or gravel models, mount your phone using the SP Connect phone case on top and a light or GoPro on the bottom. And for those long rides or multi-day trips, the external power bank is perfect for keeping your phone and accessories charged.
SP Connect has so many products and accessories, you’re bound to find the combination to meet your riding needs. I’m looking forward to testing several of their SKUs on my upcoming multi-day trips and reporting back.
Airbreaker 2.0 helmet
Price: $359.99 (Standard); $424.99 (with MIPS)
The Airbreaker 2.0 is an extremely lightweight, aerodynamic road helmet optimized for ventilation.
Mid-April or May, ABUS will be introducing the Taipan road/gravel helmet with rechargeable lights for $279.
At $399.99, the Insta360 X4 Air camera captures full 360-degree video and images. At only 165 grams, it shoots 8K, which is easily edited in the Insta360 app to pick the angle for your final video. Amazing how, using AI technology, the selfie stick magically vanishes from your shots. There are so many unique features, you have to check out the company’s website.
There’s an optional Bike Bundle for $69.99 that lets you capture 360-degree images from the front of your bike. A Bike Tail Mount Kit for the same price lets you mount the camera from behind, emulating a drone following you.
A Colorado-based company upcycles its gear from products collected from recycling stations. These stations are located at bike and outdoor shops and offer incentives to customers who donate used gear before purchasing new products from the shop.
Old bike tubes are repurposed into items like wallets, pouches, saddle bags, belts, and handlebar cooler bags. Recycled fabrics are used to make colorful frame and top tube bags. Heavy-duty vinyl banners become colorful panniers and backpacks. Even climbing ropes are upcycled into bracelets and dog leashes.
I was impressed by the quality, style, and affordability of the products on display at the show. If you are interested in upcycling your bike tubes, climbing ropes, wetsuits, or event banners, check out the company’s website for details here. While you’re there, take a look around the site; you’ll likely find something you can use at an affordable price.
A Chinese company with locations in Canada, LAMEDA, is not a brand I’m familiar with; however, they’ve been around for 20 years. By having a Canadian facility, they offer free shipping (purchases over $30) and returns in the US.
I was impressed with the quality of their fabrics, attention to detail, and design. The company considers different body types and offers Asian and US sizing. There are kits designed for pro fit, endurance, or the daily rider. Prices are reasonable, with a full kit (jersey and bibs) for under $125.
doJi Shades is truly a family business. In November 2023, their son was born with a rare condition called Congenital Nystagmus. His eyes lack pigment, making light almost unbearable. They needed sunglasses built for real protection, real performance—and found a calling instead.
doJi Shades became a creative legacy for the entire family. Their kids help name the shades, sketch the designs, and shape the vision. One look at the website and you know these kids have a future in entrepreneurship.
The Mulletia model is the closest to typical cycling sunglasses. Available in a variety of frame colors and lens options, it sells for only $39. The lens is polarized, and the frame is made from TR-90, the same material used by many major brands. Be sure to check the sizing information for each model. The Mulletia is best for people with large and XL faces. It was a little big for my narrow face, which is a common issue for me.
Price: $2.19 – $36.95 (depending on quantity)
UnTapped’s newest flavor, Mint gel, is now available from the company’s website or your LBS. Mint UnTapped infuses Vermont maple syrup with cool Vermont mint. As with its other products, it is gluten-free and low glycemic. Also, for those riding in the winter, it doesn’t freeze—perfect nutrition to take along on a frigid bike ride.
Skratch Hydration Sport Drink Mix was created to replace electrolytes lost in sweat and provide a little energy during workouts, without offending your palate or gut. The company’s new 2026 flavors include mango (with and without caffeine), passion fruit + orange + guava, cucumber lime, and lemon + lime with caffeine.
They will also be releasing new formats of their recovery sport drink mix in chocolate and horchata.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.
I was there! That quad copter was amazing. However… the sales rep told me the cost was $80-100K. Maximum time aloft: 20 minutes. Max load: 250 pounds. No pilot’s license required. It’s the Jetsons!