Distance and Touring Archives

Bizarre-looking barefoot bike pedals are “the world’s best”, claim creators (and cost £248) — plus record-breaking kit from Kostüme, a ‘dual can holder’ for bikes + more

The Tour de France is in full swing and we’re in the heart of launch season in the cycling world, but we’re bringing you the hard-hitting news that really matters: pedals for barefoot riding and a 3D-printed device for carrying two cans of Pepsi on your bike.We’ve also got new clothing from Assos and Kostüme, … Read more

Genesis adds e-bike model to its classic Croix de Fer gravel range

The Genesis Croix de Fer is a steel gravel and adventure bike that has reviewed really well on road.cc over the years. It was last reviewed in 2025 when our chief bike tester Stu said, “It’s very capable, tough enough to take on plenty of abuse, and makes the most of that lovely steel ride … Read more

Lumos adds talking to do-it-all helmet + loads more tech

It has been a hectic week of cycling tech news and here are the best bits delivered in a handy bite-sized format. We’ve got new wheels from Mavic, untamed shoes from MAAP and Quoc, and an appeal to Islabikes owners to check certain models, but we’re starting with a new helmet from Lumos that borrows … Read more

From bum massage boards to backrests: check out cycling’s weirdest saddles

We cyclists will try almost anything in the pursuit of comfort. Cut-outs, short noses, 3D-printed padding… we’ve seen plenty of genuine innovation over the years, but every so often a bike saddle arrives that makes you stop, stare and wonder whether someone has really lost the plot.From the backrest-equipped SaddleSpur to Mornera’s AI-designed “bike board”, … Read more

Canyon’s brand new Endurace CF SLX 8 is £150 cheaper than the outgoing model. Could it set the new fast and comfortable road bike standard?

Canyon have been very, very, clever cookies. This is the new Endurace CF SLX, which is like the bike that Canyon launched at the spring classics, but much more affordable. The one we’ve got in for review, the CF SLX 8 model with Ultegra Di2 shifting, actually costs a little less than its predecessor.I personally … Read more

Around the world on a wooden bike: British rider’s post-heart-condition adventure begins

Tom Williamson is just about to head off on a 1-2 year around the world cycling trip just months after a heart procedure, and here’s the wooden bike from Zafi that he’ll be riding. 2026 cycling_tom Tom Williamson with Zafi bike (Image Credit: Tom Williamson) We’ll leave the bike for a bit and come back to … Read more

Panniers, peaks and troughs: How Karrimor became one of the biggest outdoor gear brands of the 80s from its humble cycling beginnings

Karrimor has long since been considered as a household name in the UK, but did you know the famous outdoor brand started out of a small family bike shop in Lancashire? This is the story of Karrimor’s humble rise and eventual fall into outside ownership, as told by Mike Parsons – the son of its … Read more

Lezyne’s CLIK Valve-compatible pumps make tyre inflation easier than ever

Time moves on and, with it, so does innovation. Except, it seems, when it comes to tyre or inner tube valves. The venerable-but-still-going-strong Schrader valve was invented in the 1890s. A few years later, the Dunlop valve came into being. And the road cyclist’s ol’ faithful – the Presta valve – was created in the … Read more

Best gravel bikes 2026 — off-road and adventure-ready steeds to take you from tarmac to trail

Although the category of gravel bikes is still relatively new to cycling, there are already sub-divisions, world championships, and even professional gravel athletes – so you know it’s a genre that’s sticking around. In this buyer’s guide, you can find out about the best gravel bikes and adventure road bikes available. We’ve ridden and tested … Read more

How to choose the best bike for your next big bikepacking adventure

If you’re new to bikepacking, you’ll likely have figured out that you need an awful lot of kit in order to have a smooth and successful adventure. But your bike is a key tool in building the best experience possible. Here are some tips on finding the best bike for bikepacking.The beauty of bikepacking is … Read more