There are new bikes everywhere you look this week, Canyon, Ribble, Orbea and 
Cervélo all releasing new stuff in recent days. The new bikes don’t stop there, we’ve got Pearson’s latest version of the Shift aero race bike and some very special Eddy Merckx models to bring you in our latest Tech of the Week round-up.

Before that though we’ve got news of the return of cycling airbag creator Hövding and one of the whackiest bikes we’ve ever seen, a US brand bringing a ‘saddleless e-bike’ to market. Let’s dive straight in.

“It’s not a helmet. It’s an airbag… and its coming back”

After nearly 550 days of silence, Hövding’s Instagram page sparked back into life this week, the Swedish company behind that airbag cycle helmet (you know, the one that won design awards but ultimately led to bankruptcy after the consumer watchdog ordered a product recall and banned sales) is making a comeback.

Hovding montage
Hovding montage (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Teasing round two, Hövding wrote: “A new beginning. It’s not a helmet. It’s an airbag.
And it’s coming back. We’re bringing Hövding into a new era. Now part of the iSi Group, the global experts in airbag technology, Hövding is being completely reimagined — with precision, safety, and innovation at its core. This is not just a comeback — it’s a commitment to safer cycling in urban life: Hövding 4.”

Back in 2021, headlines were made when Hövding’s airbag for cyclists beat all other cycling helmets in an independent safety test, the crash-activated airbag for cyclists receiving independent tester Certimoov’s protection rating of 4.5 stars, while no other cycling helmet had received more than 4.

2021 Hövding airbag 3
2021 Hövding airbag 3 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The problems came a couple of years later when Sweden’s Consumer Agency ordered a halt to sales as well as a product recall of the latest version of the product. While Hövding won its appeal against the consumer watchdog’s ruling, the company said the damage was already done and that it had no other option but to file for bankruptcy.

There’s not much to take from the Insta teaser so it remains to be seen how different the fourth generation model will be, the pics in this piece all of the old style. 

> Coming to a head near you soon? Cycling helmet with integrated airbag is one step closer to reality as POC patent approved

Hopefully we’ll get our hands on it soon and be able to send Tony out to revive his stuntman career…

What on earth is going on here? The world’s first saddle-less bike with “a procumbent design that feels like flying” and is inspired by Obree… (apparently)

Martoni Super-E
Martoni Super-E (Image Credit: Martoni)

A true ‘we thought we’d seen it all’ moment when this dropped into the inbox this week, US-based Martoni Bike selling a $3,999.95 (£2,964) saddle-less e-bike that’s apparently “inspired by Obree and Boardman” and feels like flying. We’re not seeing much pedalling…

Deep breath for this one… Martoni claims the ‘procumbent’ promotes a “more natural” riding position as users rest their hips against a cushioned hip support, and lean forwards to grip the handlebars.

Martoni Super-E
Martoni Super-E (Image Credit: Martoni)

“This position allows ideal body weight distribution over the whole of the bike, promoting comfort, improved control, and a more fun riding experience that resembles flight,” the brand claims. There’s also a home trainer version for $2,999.95. I think I need to go for a lie down in a dark, quiet room. Check them out on Martoni’s website, if you dare.

Martoni Cardio Speeder
Martoni Cardio Speeder (Image Credit: Martoni)

Pearson updates its aero race bike… and it’s now 20% lighter

2025 Pearson Shift
2025 Pearson Shift (Image Credit: Pearson)

British brand Pearson has launched its latest version of the top-of-the-range Shift aero race bike. Most notably perhaps is the fact Pearson says the updated edition is 20 per cent lighter than previously, the brand also suggesting it has a “noticeably smoother ride”.

It’s now at 7.6kg, the UCI-approved frame raced by Pearson-sponsored Spectra Racing and featuring space for 32mm tyres. With SRAM Red it’ll set you back £9,400, while Shimano builds are priced at £8,800 for Dura Ace and £6,100 for Ultegra.

2025 Pearson Shift
2025 Pearson Shift (Image Credit: Pearson)

As with all bikes from Pearson, you’ll get a £200 Cashback Bike Fit voucher to make sure everything’s set up perfectly and there’s a handy 30-day free exchange for any parts or components. All the info is on Pearson’s website.

SRM has some super light new carbon chainrings out

2025 SRM carbon chainrings
2025 SRM carbon chainrings (Image Credit: SRM)

Weight weenies assemble! SRM has added some new carbon chainrings to its line-up, partner brand Cybrei’s new Metarbon rings weighing 146g (including bolts) for a 50/34 or 162g for a 52/36. They’ve said a 54/38 is on the way soon too. They’re compatible with all 11-speed groupsets as well as Shimano’s 12-speed groupsets.

They’re not fully carbon, SRM admits, the design featuring a rigid aluminium backplate and a carbon faceplate, however the brand claims this “combines the stiffness of aluminium chainring construction with the lightness of carbon” and they “rival full carbon chainrings in terms of weight and performance”.

2025 SRM carbon chainrings
2025 SRM carbon chainrings (Image Credit: SRM)

Brompton turns 50

Happy birthday to Brompton, the iconic folding bike brand turning 50 this year. We’re told that to celebrate there’s a special edition bike coming later in the year and that it will be “alongside the largest technological advancement ever for the brand”. Intriguing.

In the meantime, Brompton opened its doors to the public for factory tours this week and is today back for the latest edition of the brilliant Brompton World Championships. That’s on Saturday 21 June at Coal Drops Yard in Kings Cross, in case you’re nearby and looking for something to do today.

More birthday celebrations as Eddy Merckx turns 80 and gets two new special edition bikes

2025 Eddy Merckx birthday edition bikes
2025 Eddy Merckx birthday edition bikes (Image Credit: Eddy Merckx)

It’s The Cannibal’s birthday too, Eddy Merckx turning 80. To celebrate, the bike brand in his name has launched two exclusive ‘Eddy 80 – Celebration Edition’ models of the its Mendrisio road bike and Strasbourg C gravel bike.

2025 Eddy Merckx birthday edition bikes
2025 Eddy Merckx birthday edition bikes (Image Credit: Eddy Merckx)

As you’d expect, they’ve got plenty of design flourishes and nods to the man widely regarded as the greatest road racer of all time (sorry, Tadej, you’ve got a bit more to do yet).

On the Mendrisio, there are subtle ‘Eddy 80’ references on the seat tube and top tube, and the down tube proudly displays the original Eddy Merckx logo from 1980—black lettering with a gold outline. If you didn’t already know, the Mendrisio is named after the Swiss town where Merckx claimed the world title in 1971 after a battle with Felice Gimondi.

2025 Eddy Merckx birthday edition bikes
2025 Eddy Merckx birthday edition bikes (Image Credit: Eddy Merckx)

The special edition is equipped with Shimano 105 and aluminium Forza Norte wheels. Two cockpit options are available: with a Deda Superbox for €2,999 or a fully integrated Cirrus Pro cockpit for €3,299.

2025 Eddy Merckx birthday edition bikes
2025 Eddy Merckx birthday edition bikes (Image Credit: Eddy Merckx)

The Strasbourg C also nods to Merckx’s career, specifically the Tour de France stage of 1971, where Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck sprinted side by side over the unpaved track of Stade Tivoli. It features all those extra birthday nods to Merckx’s career and has SRAM Force, aluminium DT Swiss G1800 wheels, and a Forza Stratos cockpit. It is priced at €5,599.

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