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, Trek’s Mad1 concept bike, Madison’s new photochromic specs, and a new pump head from SKS that fits all valves, Schwalbe’s Clik Valve included…
What the hell are they?
It’s amazing what pictures come your way in this job. We wouldn’t like to say what these look like – it’s totally irrelevant and not at all funny – but they’re actually pedals for barefoot riding. Yes, that’s a thing.
“Unleash your bare strength on the bike,” says Toe Go Pedals. Nice line.
Toe Go says that these are “the world’s best barefoot bike pedals” – and, yes, there are a few pairs out there. More than we imagined, anyway. Remember the carpeted Bike Shaggies that we told you about a couple of years ago? Here’s a reminder.
Toe Go talks about “incredible benefits like improved circulation, stronger feet, greater leverage in your pedalling, boosted energy through acupressure stimulation, and they dramatically improve toe alignment, helping to correct the condition of bunions.”
Big up to all the bunion sufferers. You’ll have worked it out, but that sticky-up bit goes between your big toe and second toe.
Price? They’re yours for US$333 – which converts to about £248. Why so pricey? Handmade in the USA, apparently. Will we be requesting a pair for review on road.cc? Probably not, to be honest.
Lapierre unveils 80th Anniversary Xelius DRS frameset at the Tour de France
Do you know the last French rider to win a stage of the Tour de France on Bastille Day? I’ll put you out of your misery: Warren Barguil in 2017 (Britons have won three times since then; just saying). In 2026, an up-and-coming Slovenian rider by the name of Tadej Pogacar took the honours. Surprising, huh?
On that day (14th July), French brand Lapierre unveiled a limited-edition version of its Xelius DRS road bike, which was raced in Le Tour by Picnic PostNL, a team that just happens to include a certain Warren Barguil. It’s designed to celebrate Lapierre’s 80th anniversary.
This is a colourway called Kinetic Dust “which illustrates the emotional residue of performance”.
That’s enough of that. The raw weight of the frame is a claimed 740g.
Only 100 Lapierre Xelius DRS 80th Anniversary framesets are available globally, retailing at €4,499 (which directly converts to £3,821).
A solution to a problem you didn’t know existed
If you’ve ever wondered about the best way to carry two cans of Pepsi on your bike, wonder no more (and if you haven’t, just bear with us for a sec).
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It’s listed as “Can-Go Saddle – Dual Can Holder for Bikes”, which is quite confusing. The ‘Dual Can Holder’ bit we get. The ‘Saddle’ bit, not so much.
Anyway, it’s designed and 3D-printed in the UK, fits standard bottle cage mounts, holds two 330ml cans, and costs £14.99.
“Allow carbonated drinks to settle before opening,” says Can-Go, pre-empting one of the most obvious objections you might have.
We know what else you’re thinking: what if you only want a couple of sips and to save the rest of your drink for later? Stop asking awkward questions.
The brake-fixing ways of Mr Mirways
Speaking of quirky stuff from The Gram, we’re guessing that you’ve not heard of Mr Mirways of Afghanistan. Thought not. But if you ever find yourself out that way, he can fix your disc brake pads. At least, he did the job for Hungarian adventurer Viktor Zichó.
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Tell Mr Mirways that road.cc sent you. He won’t have a clue who we are, but tell him anyway; it’s good for the profile.
Kostüme launches Minimal Jersey developed for Sarah Ruggins’ record-breaking ride across Europe
We’ve covered Sarah Ruggins and her extraordinary endurance feats several times lately, and now her technical apparel partner Kostüme has announced the launch of the Minimal Jersey developed specifically for her One Way North record from the southernmost point of Europe (in Spain) to the northernmost public road (in Norway).
Kostüme says, “With the first third of the route crossing Spain and France in sustained 35°C temperatures, the jersey required high levels of UV protection, exceptional heat management capabilities, as well as comfort that would endure for stints of up to 22.5 hours a day in the saddle, for almost two consecutive weeks of riding.
“Refinements made during testing at the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub wind tunnel also resulted in a 6-watt aerodynamic saving over Kostüme’s existing six-pocket Cargo Jersey – a meaningful advantage, especially over a 6,000-mile route ridden at world-record pace.
“Removing the rear pockets from a cycling jersey might seem incongruous. But with the increasing prevalence of bike bags, cargo bib shorts and hydration vests – especially for Audax, bike packing and ultra racing – Kostüme recognised the need for a jersey that combined the performance and fit of a top-level race jersey, with significantly elevated comfort, all delivered with a more understated look and feel when off the bike.”
As ever, Kostüme invites preorders and then goes away and produces its clothing in small batches. Here’s how it works.
The Kostüme Minimal Jersey is available in both short-sleeve (£115) and long-sleeve (£130) versions, and in both men’s and women’s cuts.
The truth is out there: Assos and EF Pro Cycling unveil limited-edition Spooky Collection
Following EF Pro Cycling’s Giro d’Italia switch-out kit (which we told you about back in May), Assos has introduced a new Spooky Collection for the Tour de France.
There’s an alien theme to it, and both the Assos and EF logos are upside down.
The Spooky Collection covers three different jerseys with prices starting at £115.
SKS introduces AirPort pump head to fit all valves
Germany’s SKS is introducing a new AirPort pump head that’s the first on the market to be compatible with Schrader, Presta, Dunlop and the Schwalbe Clik Valve.
SKS says, “To achieve this, the proven SKS Multi Valve head has been combined with the CLIK TEC system [a rapid-attachment bike inflation system developed by SKS in partnership with Schwalbe]. The result is a compact pump head for all common bicycle valves. As soon as the AirPort is positioned on the appropriate valve, it recognises the connection being used; no manual switching is required.”
> Check out our review of the Schwalbe Clik Valve Conversion Set
In future, the AirPort will be fitted as standard on many SKS floor pumps and it’s also available as a spare part that can be retrofitted to all common floor pumps, although we don’t yet have a price for it.
A vision of the future: Trek’s Mad1 concept bike
Did you catch Trek’s futuristic Mad1 concept bike recently? We’ve not run a Tech of the Week for a while so we’ve not covered it, but during its 50th anniversary, Trek decided to “imagine the next 50 years of speed, technology, and racing”.
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The Mad1 features an aggressive aero frame with a version of Trek’s IsoFlow design that’s found on the existing Madone – where the seat tube is split, leaving a large open space in the frame. The fork legs and down tube are beyond deep, and the unusual cockpit comes with forward extensions ahead of the drops.
> Why Van Rysel’s 100km/h concept bike is good for cycling
Trek says, “Designed outside the limits of today’s roads and regulations, Mad1 features 60mph @tq_ebike motor assist, a superconducting motor system, cryo-cooling radiators, and a supercapacitor energy recovery system built to redeploy power during high-intensity racing.”
Likelihood that the Mad1 will ever make it to market? Zero, but that’s not the point. As is the way with concept bikes, the idea was to design an experimental prototype to showcase radical new ideas and innovative tech.
Brand-new Tesla will need a push
Tesla’s newest model is far cheaper than any of the brand’s existing EVs and it’s equally petrol-free, although this one will need a push to get going. Quite a lot of pushing, actually
The Tesla Balance Bike for Kids is a simple design that’s aimed at children aged between two and five. It features “a lightweight magnesium frame” – although the company stops short of revealing the exact figure on the scales – with no pedals or brakes.
Don’t expect Model S levels of acceleration, but you also won’t have to queue at a Supercharger. Instead, it runs on toddler enthusiasm – and an occasional helping hand from mum or dad.
It’s priced at $225, with shipping expected from late August.
Madison introduces Hypershift photochromic lens technology
Madison has introduced a Hypershift photochromic lens option to its Cipher and Crypto glasses. They’re two great models. We gave the Cipher a 9/10 review and made the Crypto glasses our overall Bargain Buy of the Year for 2024/25, although we’ve yet to use the Hypershift lens.
Madison says, “At the heart of Hypershift are trillions of microscopic molecules embedded within the lens. When exposed to UV light, these molecules instantly change shape, allowing the lens tint to adapt to changing conditions. The result is an ultra-fast transition that reacts in as little as three seconds in full sunlight, helping riders maintain optimal vision as they move between open terrain, shaded trails and out on the road.
“Unlike traditional photochromic lenses, Hypershift pairs this rapid adaptation with Madison’s HD lens technology, enhancing contrast while reducing distortion for a clearer, more precise view ahead.
“To further improve visibility in mixed environments, Madison has developed a new blue-lens tint specifically tuned to boost contrast in challenging conditions.”
The Madison Cipher and Crypto glasses with Hypershift are £79.99.
In case you missed it earlier in the week…
- New Ride app promises real-time power with no power meter required
- Tern unveils new HSD electric cargo bike with updated geometry, automatic shifting and new drive options
- Volkswagen launches “next generation” high-tech e-bikes… while planning to cut 100,000 jobs
- “Race-ready performance without the pro price tag”: Cervélo unveils new Soloist
- Will X-Lab’s £1,000 endurance bike with power meter included set a new benchmark for great value? Plus Particle’s 944g carbon wheelset + more
- Genesis adds e-bike model to its classic Croix de Fer gravel range
- Did a freak mechanical cost Tom Pidcock a shot at Tour de France stage victory?
- Where have all the exciting bikes gone?
- As seen in the Tour de France — affordable pro race bikes from Specialized, Canyon, Trek, Pinarello, Cannondale and more
- Bike computers of the Tour de France: Garmin still dominates as two Chinese rivals emerge
1 thought on “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”
Toe Go pedals: I’m glad you told me that the sticky-up bit goes between the big toe and second toe. I didn’t think my sphincter was developing the watts.