We’re cramming in a whole load of tech news for you this week, including an app designed to avoid finding your drivetrain and sensors out of charge, AI-powered coaching that offers real-world rewards and Northwave’s shoes to help you get through winter comfortably, but we’re starting with the retro-looking high-tech bike computer that Silca has just revived.
Silca brings back Omata computer with analogue display – but it’s far from cheap
If you’re a fan of a retro-looking bike computer but you want thoroughly modern GPS-powered data, Silca has acquired Omata and announced a limited re-release of its highly distinctive devices – although they sell for $800 (or £747) a throw.
> Read our article on the introduction of Omata back in 2016
“The world’s first mechatronic cycling computer (a digital unit with analogue movement), Omata presents a refined yet restrained design without sacrificing the performance expected of a modern digital device,” says Silca.
“Built as an intentional alternative to screen-fatiguing, noisy digital electronics, Omata captures data silently in the background while displaying real-time metrics through a mechanical dial.”
“Encased in an aluminium housing, Omata features an intuitive rotating bezel for switching modes, USB-C charging, improved weather resistance, and integrated ANT+ connectivity. With its latest firmware update, available to Apple iOS users, Omata can seamlessly pair with external sensors to record ride analytics such as power and heart rate, keeping the interface distraction-free while capturing essential information in the background.”
Silca says it has tweaked the design, including the addition of a new mounting system that works with standard Garmin and Wahoo mounts, and moved production to the USA.
The display shows speed, distance, ascent and ride time, while the GPS internal computer records standard FIT files for training logs and data transfer.
Omata comes in Imperial and Metric versions, each priced at $800, but availability is limited.
Silca says, “Because [our] production run is limited and production is not quick, Silca will be releasing Omata in small batches until sold out. This limited production model does make these units only available in the US. Please reach out if you are international and interested in a unit.”
If you try to order an Omata on Silca’s website and add a UK shipping address, you get the message: “The product in your cart is not available for delivery to your location.” If you’re UK-based, it looks like you’ll need to be pretty inventive to get hold of one, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Never inflate your tyre ever again
I mean, yeah, you could take the advice of this Instagram reel and replace an inner tube with vinyl hose for riding on an indoor trainer… but would you want to?
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We’re struggling with this one, to be honest. How much time do you spend topping up the air in indoor training tyres anyway? Weigh that up against the time spent sourcing and fitting the vinyl hose. But let us know if you think we’re wrong.
Le Col founder launches AI coaching app that gives you money off your shopping
Yanto Barker, former pro rider and founder of the Le Col clothing brand, has set up Engyne Health, a platform that offers personalised AI training plans along with a loyalty programme for exercising, with rewards and benefits available through brands and retail partners.
We’re hearing about AI sports coaching a lot these days. How does the coaching offered by Engyne Health differ from that which you could get from a platform like Claude, for example?
“We use a Gemini LLM,” says Yanto, LLM standing for Large Language Model, a type of artificial intelligence algorithm.
“You can ask any LLM whatever you want, but with this, it has all your context built into the conversation at all times. Also, it has monthly cycles built in for women and will factor that into training recommendations. It can see your past workouts and your current state; it is updated every time you exercise and can also see what you are working towards in the future. It is possible to access via other LLMs, but it’s fully synced up and there’s no need to copy and paste files, so it’s much more convenient.
And how do the rewards and discounts work?
“They’re awarded via access to discounts – for example, an additional 30% off, or 5% off Sainsbury’s shopping. The discounts for groceries are from all the big retailers: Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, Ikea, B&Q, H&M etc. There are thousands available.
“The annual subscription is £100 while standard savings on groceries – before you get to nutrition, apparel, glasses, shoes, events etc – is £400-£500 annually.”
Cold feet? Northwave could have the answer
I don’t like to be the bearer of bad tidings, but winter is on the way in the Northern Hemisphere – sorry, but you might as well accept it – and to make things a little easier, Northwave has introduced new Celsius R Arctic GTX shoes with a Gore-Tex membrane, PrimaLoft Gold Eco insulation and a new SLW7 closure system that’s said to be lighter and more compact than the previous generation.
Northwave says, “At the heart of the Celsius R Arctic GTX is the Gore-Tex Cirrus XT 4L membrane, PFAS-free, which provides full waterproofing and wind protection while maintaining the breathability needed for longer rides.”
The PrimaLoft Gold 200g Eco insulation is integrated into the toe box – the most exposed section of the shoe – while an integrated neoprene thermal gaiter seals around the ankle
“Completing the thermal protection system, the Arctic 4Layer insole – made up of four overlapping layers (EVA, aluminium, EVA and fleece) – insulates the foot from the cold that rises from the ground.”
The Northwave Celsius R Arctic GTX is £229.99, and we have a pair on the way for review on road.cc.
Trade in your wheels, get a Boyd discount and help young cyclists
October is Boyd Cycling’s Trade-in for Juniors month when customers can trade in any pair of serviceable wheels which will be refreshed and donated to young cyclists who don’t have access to good equipment. For 2026, Boyd has expanded this scheme to the United Kingdom, working with CycloPark Charity, a Kent-based, multi-activity park offering a wide range of ride, fitness, and play activities for all ages and abilities with a focus on opportunities for the disadvantaged.
Riders who trade in their old wheels receive 20% off a new pair and can trade in wheels online at boydcycling.com or at any Boyd Cycling retailer. The trade-in program runs through the month of October.
Retailers interested in participating can contact Boyd Cycling directly at Sales@boydcycling.com.
SunGod introduces 8KO Plum and 8KO IRIS Gold lenses for autumn
SunGod has expanded its lens lineup for autumn with two new tints: 8KO Plum high contrast fixed-tint lens and the 8KO IRIS Gold photochromic lens, now available across the Ultras Air, FORTY2s , Velans 2 and Vulcans Vent models.
“Designed specifically to meet the demands of runners, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts navigating autumn’s changing conditions, the two lenses offer a clear choice based on light conditions: instant enhancement for consistently dull days, or a dynamic light transition for variable weather,” says SunGod.
The 8KO Plum option is designed for overcast days and is designed to heighten contrast. The 8KO IRIS Gold photochromic lens automatically adjusts to changing light. Prices start at £140.
Tymewear delivers breathing test results in minutes
You might have already got your head round heart rate monitoring and power analysis, but breathing tracking is a growing area in sports science, and the Tymewear brand says that its VitalPro chest strap can now identify your ventilatory thresholds in minutes.
Tymewear says that the VitalPro chest strap measures breathing with up to 97% accuracy against lab testing and is already used by elite athletes and coaches, including Team Visma | Lease a Bike and new Ironman World Champion Vincent Luis.
Tymewear says, “Until now, every Threshold Test was individually reviewed by Tymewear’s in-house experts. It delivered highly trusted results, but it also meant waiting. The shift builds on a growing body of research showing that personalised, threshold-based training beats one-size-fits-all heart-rate or power zones, delivering more than double the fitness gains in many cases.
“Over the past year, Tymewear has validated more than 10,000 Threshold Tests from athletes around the world. Alongside thousands of lab tests completed at its Boston HQ, that data has been used to train the Tymewear VitalPro to automatically identify ventilatory thresholds with the same accuracy and precision as Tymewear’s experts.
“All new running and cycling Threshold Tests now use Autodetection to identify VT1 and VT2. Within minutes of finishing, athletes can see their full results and personalised training recommendations.”
Tymewear says it is working to remove the need for a Threshold Test altogether, and will next analyse an athlete’s recent activities to determine their current ventilatory thresholds.
A VitalPro costs £299.99, or £399 together with a year of Tymewear’s ProTraining personalised training.
Charged: the app that stops your bike dying on you
You might like to keep your cycling simple, but loads of us use electronic drivetrains, power meters, heart rate monitors and radars these days, and they all need juice in their batteries. It can be a pain in the butt when they give up the ghost miles from home – especially the shifting. That’s where the Charged app comes in.
The app’s developer Brian McEntire says, “I made an app to keep track of bike sensor batteries and electronic drivetrains. I shared it with friends in the beginning, and after Charged landed in the app stores, it gained riders in more than 25 countries in less than three months.”
What does Charged do?
“Since bike computers record the battery levels of the sensors paired to them, Charged can read levels from synced rides and send a notice when any run low,” says Brian McEntire. “It works with more than 150 models from over 40 brands.”
That includes Shimano Di2 and SRAM AXS groupsets.
“After Charged has synced a few rides, it estimates how many hours devices have left on a charge. Quick Scan in the app reads sensors directly over Bluetooth for on-demand checks. And for the rest of the bike, there are maintenance reminders, for example re-waxing a chain or topping up tyre sealant, based on distance or hours accrued from rides.”
Charged is available for iPhone and Android, and it’s free.
In case you missed it earlier in the week…
- 50mm tyres, short cranks, tried & tested fuelling: The bike, equipment and nutrition I used for the UCI World Gravel Championships
- Gravel-specific suspension forks from DT Swiss are now available to buy separately
- Review: Giant Propel Advanced Pro 0-AXS review – way more versatile than aero bikes of the past but pushed hard by rivals
- Newmen unveils the Streem G.62, a 1,670g, 32-inch aero wheelset… but you can’t buy it yet
- Scott chases comfort and practicality with new E-Ville full-suspension commuter bike
- Review: Parcours Strade GT wheels review – do they justify the price tag?
