QUICK READ: Shimano bike profit doubles in Q3. Shimano's bicycle components business doubled its operating profit in the third quarter, but the company's own-currency figures show the weaker yen drove all of this year's sales growth. * In results published on 27 October 2026, July to September bike component sales rose 14.3% to ¥97.0 billion, and segment operating profit rose from ¥6.5 billion to ¥13.4 billion. The quarter's margin was 13.8%, against 7.7% a year earlier. * Over the first nine months, bike component sales rose 4.6% to ¥278.4 billion and operating profit rose 10.9% to ¥33.4 billion. Shimano's profit bridge credits cost reductions and lower overheads, while lower bike sales volume and currency each took a small amount off. * Shimano now expects full-year bike component sales of ¥371.5 billion, ¥16.5 billion more than in 2025. Its currency table says the weaker yen adds ¥16.9 billion to those sales, so in constant currency the bike business is flat. * Europe, which takes more than half of Shimano's bike sales, is forecast to grow 0.3% in the second half. China (up 24.6%) and the smaller Asian and Latin American markets (up 50.8%) carry the second-half growth, while Japan falls 8.4%. * Shimano says retail sales of complete bikes stayed solid in Europe, with dealer stock improving in Germany. North American retail was weak because tariffs have kept bike prices "stubbornly high", although stock there is at an appropriate level. Stock in Asia and Latin America is still "somewhat high". * Group guidance rises to ¥495.5 billion in sales (from ¥491 billion) and ¥54.3 billion in operating profit (from ¥47 billion). Shimano gives two reasons: demand recovering as stock clears in Europe and China, and cheaper Asian currencies at its factories. * Net profit rose 148.5% for the nine months mainly because last year's figure included an ¥18.4 billion foreign exchange loss, compared with ¥1.7 billion this year. What it means for industry watchers. The stock glut that followed the pandemic boom is clearing, and Shimano now describes dealer inventory as normal or improving in Europe, China and North America. That has restored profit faster than sales: the bike margin forecast for 2026 is 11.5%, well above last year's third quarter but less than half the 28% Shimano earned in 2021 and 2022. Demand itself is not growing yet. Remove the currency effect and bike component sales are flat for the year; Europe is static, and Shimano forecasts a 25% drop in fourth-quarter bike profit. Part of that comparison is a one-off: Shimano notes that 2025's fourth quarter included about ¥3 billion of one-time gains from a pension accounting change. The products Shimano names as selling well are XTR, DEORE XT, DEORE and Q'AUTO, its self-powered automatic shifting. Quick answers. Is Shimano's bike business growing again? In yen, yes, up 4.7% in 2026, by forecast. Shimano's own figures show a weaker yen adds slightly more than that, so in constant currency bike component sales are flat. Why did Shimano's net profit jump 148%? Mostly a weak comparison. The first nine months of 2025 carried an ¥18.4 billion foreign exchange loss, against ¥1.7 billion in 2026, and operating profit also rose 21.8%. Last Updated on 2 November 2026 by tfk the5krunner Small things I always use. * Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one. * Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it. * Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them. * Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe. * Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them. * Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them. * Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one. * Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them. * Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them. * Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them. * Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions. * TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three. * G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them. * Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER. Watches and sensors. * Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV. * Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor. * Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands. * Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I've used. * Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour. * Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this. * Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides. * Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I've just bought one. On the bike. * Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions. * Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both. * Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one. * Ravemen FR1000: The light and the computer mount in one unit, so nothing else goes on the bars. Better than mine. * Ravemen FR1500SE: 1,500 lumens hanging under your Garmin, for proper night rides. * Ravemen FR1100SE: 1,100 lumens under your Garmin, and up to 46 hours on slow flash. * Ravemen FR500: A brighter FR300 with the same mount. * Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same. * Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model. * Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that's easy to use. I use mine on most rides. * Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model. Home and indoor training. * NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it. * Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it. * Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two. * Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it. Health, recovery and sleep. * FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet. * hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors. * Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions. * Kineon MOVE+: Red and infrared light for sore knees, Achilles and other joints after hard training. I use it. * Oura Ring 5: My partner's recovery tracker of choice. * Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly. Reader-Powered content. This content is not sponsored. It's mostly me behind the labour of love, which is this site, and I appreciate everyone who supports it. tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. See the gear tfk uses. ID

Shimano has acquired all shares in Jackall Lures, the Japanese fishing tackle maker announced on its Japanese website yesterday. Shimano has partnered with Jackall since 2010, handling sales, marketing, and distribution of its baits. The two also co-developed bass rods, including the Poison Series. "We will continue to respect the manufacturing philosophy that the company has cultivated, leverage the strengths of both organisations and work to deliver even more compelling Shimano and Jackall products for everyone," Shimano said. Lure designer Seji Kato founded Jackall in 1999. The company has built a strong reputation for innovative baits, notably for catching pike, zander, and perch.