O2Cs new footwear range brings a unique outsole design combined with ultra-lightweight uppers and a complete anatomic design based on the foot's natural movement when pedalling. Steven Nemeth, founder/designer at O2C shoes, has a long history in technical cycling footwear. His journey started nearly two decades ago when he created Bonts unique bathtub shoe design. Since then, his shoe designs have been worn for 36% of all Olympic track cycling medals over the last five Games. They've also seen victories in the Olympic time trial, UCI BMX World Championships, Tour de France, Giro dItalia, La Vuelta, Paris-Roubaix, and in both mountain bike and BMX World Cups. Now, Nemeth has branched out on his own with a new shoe brand, O2C, releasing a range of new low-profile, lightweight, yet fully anatomically correct performance shoes. Read more: Best cycling shoes 2026 18 top-rated road cycling shoes for every budget Designed around your feet, not based on tradition O2C is launching with the RK1 as the flagship model. Warren Rossiter / OurMedia Nemeth's softly spoken Australian lilt masks a designer whos always looking to improve, learn and be bold. In his opinion, much of cycling shoe design is hampered by tradition, with shoes designed and made the way they always have been, rather than using the latest biometric learnings. "Ive always looked to create shoes that mirror the way your foot moves," he says. "If that means approaching the construction differently, changing the norm and completely reshaping the shoe, then so be it." O2C's 10 key elements of a cycling shoe 1. Heel cup The heel cup and outsole work in combination for stability and a secure fit. Warren Rossiter / OurMedia "The heel anchors every pedal stroke, yet many shoes allow the rear of your foot to move under load," Nemeth says. Weve designed a heel cup that securely cradles the calcaneus [the large heel bone]. This is done to reduce lateral movement and keep your foot aligned. In turn, that improves power transfer and minimises heel lift. The added benefits are that this should reduce friction and improve long-ride comfort. 2. Toe-box shaping The midfoot is anatomically shaped to reduce creasing of the upper material. Warren Rossiter / OurMedia Nemeth's original Bont shoes were known for their broad, blunt toe-box design. They looked worlds away from the classic tapered-toe shaped shoes we were used to. The new O2C toe box falls somewhere in between. It does, however, look more like the natural shape of a foot. Nemeth explains: "The toe-box shape follows the natural metatarsal parabola. The metatarsal parabola is the natural curved arrangement of your metatarsal bones (the jointed series of long bones in your foot from your toes back). We did this so your foot has more natural toe splay and reduces compression, he says. The goal here is to spread the load, prevent nerve irritation (numbness) and reduce the chances of hot spots. 3. Low stack height Low stack height has been talked about a lot recently, with new pedal/shoe systems from Q36.5 and Ekoi/PW8. So its no surprise that any new shoe will make this the focus of the outsole design. 4. Last construction The interior of the O2C RK1 is as well finished as the exterior. Warren Rossiter / OurMedia Still today, lots of cycling shoes prioritise aesthetics over anatomy," says Nemeth. "That compromises both the fit and your foot alignment. "Our last is completely new and based on a true anatomical shape, based around natural foot biometrics. We aim to balance out pressure distribution, keep your foot aligned correctly and keep the foot secure without compression. 5. Carbon soles Both the RK1 and RS1 use a Toray T800 unidirectional carbon fibre outsole. Warren Rossiter / OurMedia All of the O2C shoes, from the base model RC1 through to the flagship RK1, use full carbon fibre soles. Nemeth believes such a key element of any cycling shoe shouldnt be compromised with lesser materials. The outsoles throughout O2Cs shoes, with what weve launched today and whats coming, will always have full carbon soles," he says. "For the ARC design of our outsole, we couldnt achieve what we need from an outsole without carbon. The soles all use precision-layered Toray carbon fibres to provide the exceptional stiffness combined with a low stack height of just 3.2mm. By using load-specific fibre orientation, we can control rigidity and torsional stability whilst keeping our 3D anatomical shoe shape. One of the key elements in the outsole is the change in fibre orientation and construction forward of the super-stiff cleat plate. Nemeth has introduced a small element of flex here. Thats not only to enhance the comfort of the toe box, but also to make walking in the shoes easier. Nemeth's years of experience informed him that super-stiff, rigid outsoles, when walked in over time, can create a stress point in the outsole, which in extreme cases has led to failure cracks in the sole. That's something he wanted to prevent in the new designs. Unlike many manufacturers, who use one carbon outsole across multiple sizes, O2C made the decision to make individual moulds for each size, in standard and wide fits. Nemeth says: The priority is to get the fit as exact as possible. Its obviously much more expensive to produce moulds for every size, but I didnt want to compromise all of the work weve done over the years developing the O2C range by saving a few dollars in manufacturing. 6. Foot cradle and wrap construction The RS1 is designed for sprinters. You can see the wrapover shape clearly here. Warren Rossiter / OurMedia The shoe's upper uses a wrap shape, with a single-sided tongue that enables the upper material to wrap over. Nemeth claims this design more closely follows the foot's natural contours, better supporting the midfoot and helping to anchor the heel. The result is a claimed secure and stable fit that doesnt restrict your foot's natural movement. I have noticed the side profile of the O2C shoes has much less voluminous height than other models, and from my short time trying out the shoes, it appears to give a sock-like fit thats enhanced by the knit construction on both the RS1 and RK1. 7. Midfoot stability The O2C design doubles up on midfoot support by reinforcing the upper to stabilise the foot where collapse is most likely under load. The O2C design, Nemeth explains, "Controls excessive pronation [when your foot naturally rolls inwards] and rotation [where your feet either splay outwards or your toes point inwards]. "By controlling these elements with a combination of the upper design and construction, combined with the outsole design, we can deliver greater stability. That means sustained power over long rides." 8. Cleat position and adjustment Everybodys pedal position is different, so weve given the O2Cs outsole extended fore-aft adjustment," says Nemeth. "That means more precision to get the optimal alignment. Thats key to both comfort and power transfer, coming as a result of reduced joint strain and more support thanks to being able to get your cleat position just right. 9. Arch-support system O2C has designed insoles that mirror the shoe's anatomical shape. Warren Rossiter / OurMedia The O2Cs outsole and footbeds combine to create dual-arch support for both the medial arch (the longest arch that runs along the inner foot) and the transverse arch (across the midfoot). By maintaining neutral alignment during the power phase, you reduce plantar strain, and reducing these repetitive stresses helps reduce the causes of plantar tears, which can be incredibly painful, says Nemeth. "It also means by better distributing the load, your up-pedalling efficiency helps sustain your output for longer. 10. Sole stiffness and carbon engineering The RC1 uses a 3K woven carbon fibre outsole. Warren Rossiter / OurMedia Nemeth explains that sole stiffness in the right places is a key element of a top-performing cycling shoe. We only use high-grade Toray fibres, you wont find any blends or nylon in any of our shoes at any price, ever," he says. "By using precise layups that maximise stiffness-to-weight ratios, weve been able to create a very lightweight, thin, yet very durable sole. O2C shoe range The range-topping RK1. Warren Rossiter / OurMedia At launch, there are three road-shoe options from O2C, with a lightweight high-summer triathlon shoe in the wings (the RT2), and gravel and aero-road options due later in the year. At the top of the range is the flagship AXIS RK1. This uses a knitted upper, bolstered with a reinforced midfoot, and a 3D-shaped T800 Toray carbon fibre sole. The twin polished alloy dials are O2Cs own design, with two-way micro-adjustment and pop-out release. O2C decided that producing its own dials, rather than opting to buy them in from Boa, was the best option to keep costs down for the end user and provide flexibility to refine the design. The RK1 is a very lightweight shoe. Warren Rossiter / OurMedia My test pair of AXIS RK1s weigh in at 243.4g each for a size 45, making them some of the lightest road shoes available. They're bested only by Specializeds featherweight S-Works Torch Remco, at 300g a pair (549), and Nimbls 480 Ultimate Glide (358g a pair). The RK1s are priced at 389.95. The O2C RS1 is designed for maximum foot control and is designed for sprinters. Warren Rossiter / OurMedia Second in the range, at 359.95, and weighing just over 7g more per pair (247g each), are the AXIS RS1s. They have a larger wrapover section for increased midfoot stability. With more aggressive upper venting, the AXIS RS1 is the sprinter's option compared to the RK1s climbing intentions. The RS1s' 247g weight (size 45) is impressively light. Warren Rossiter / OurMedia The base model of the three-tier road shoe line-up is the 174.95 Vector RC1. These shoes share the same core engineering as the range-topping model, but forgo the unidirectional T800 Toray carbon for a more cost-effective 3K woven Toray fibre. The upper is made from a more traditional, yet still lightweight microfibre rather than a 3D knit. The base-model O2C RC1 has plenty of laser-cut venting in the microfibre upper. Warren Rossiter / OurMedia Theres plenty of breathability on show thanks to the myriad laser-cut holes in both flanks, on the toe box and through the tongue section. For a simpler shoe, the weight is impressively low at only 248.1g each for a size 45. These are some of the lightest sub-200 shoes weve seen. The RC1 is very light for a sub-200 shoe. Warren Rossiter / OurMedia O2C road shoes pricing and key spec details Vector RC1 174.95 / $229.95 / 199.95 / AU$354.95 248.1g (size 45) 3K Toray carbon sole Available in black or white Sizes 36-48 in standard and wide fit, 49 and 50 coming soon Axis RS1 359.95 / $479.95 / 414.95 / AU$734.95 247g (size 45) T800 Toray carbon sole Available in black or white Sizes 36-48 in standard and wide fit, 49 and 50 coming soon Axis RK1 389.95 / $519.95 / 449.95 / AU$299.95 243.4g (size 45) T800 Toray carbon sole Available in white only Sizes 36-48 in standard and wide fit, 49 and 50 coming soon RT2 149.95 / $199.95 / 169.95 / AU$299.95 Details available soon

26-year-old begins second season at Pinarello Q36.5 in a different way

CyclistPinarello launches new monster gravel bike, the Grevil MXPinarello has announced the Grevil MX gravel bike, complete with a suspension fork, 50mm tyre clearance and the same 67.75head tube angle and 101mm trail as its Dogma XC hardtail mountain bike.It claims that the Grevil MX is designed to excel on technical descents and steep climbs as well as more rugged terrain and long off-road endurance rides. At the same time, it says that theses the stiffness and responsiveness for efficiency on firmer terrain.According to Fausto Pinarello, the brands president, The Grevil MX is designed for riders who push gravel beyond its typical boundaries. Its a very versatile bike, perfectly suited for races or adventures where youre riding into the unknown. Related Posts MTB brand Lee Cougan launches full suspension gravel bike with 60mm clearance Best gravel adventure bikes 2026 reviewed Opinion: Gravel bikes don't need suspension Pinarello Grevil F review Aero with a monster specPinarello says that the Grevil MXs aerodynamic efficiency mirrors its Dogma road bikes, while its geometry offers the stability and control of a mountain bike.The frame is made from the same top spec Toray M40J carbon fibre as used for the Dogma XC mountain bikes, with a threaded bottom bracket and UDH derailleur hanger.Pinarello says its beefed up the frame to cope with the high torsional forces and bottom bracket loads associated with fast gravel riding. It features the same Y-shaped split in the base of the seat tube and extreme asymmetry of the seatstays as the Dogma XC hardtail.Theres a 30.9mm diameter, 400mm long seatpost. As youd expect, the frame is dropper post compatible.The frame aerodynamics are tuned for 50mm tyres and Pinarello kits the bike out with 50mm Schwalbe G-One R Pro tyres. Theres the same Most Talon Ultra Light one-piece aero cockpit as used on Pinarellos road bikes, which provides integrated cable routing for electronic and mechanical groupsets.The Grevil MX has a Fox 32 Float Step Cast Factory Kashima suspension fork with the 100mm travel, more usually found on an XC MTB than a gravel bike, where suspension forks typically provide 30mm or 40mm of travel. Although the bike is fitted with 160mm brake rotors, you can fit a 180mm rotor to the fork if you want more stopping power.To provide greater climbing grunt, Pinarello has kitted the Grevil MX out with a SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS MTB groupset with a 38-tooth aero chainring, paired with a 10-52-tooth cassette.Following the trend?Whatever you think of the gravel/MTB mashup, its a direction that extreme terrain gravel bikes are heading. Last year, we saw Ridley launch the 58mm clearance, 100mm front travel Ignite GTX drop bar gravel bike as well as the 3T Extrema Italia with its 57mm clearance, and both were outdone by the 60mm tyre clearance, full-suspension Lee Cougan Super Gravel.Were also seeing riders at prestigious gravel races such as Unbound XL and mountain bikes races such as Leadville 100 kitting out MTB frames with drop bars.Whoever said that gravel bikes were just 1990s MTBs with drop bars is increasingly being proven right.Pinarello claims a 9.04kg weight for the Grevil MX, not bad for a bike with its monster spec. Its available as a complete bike in four sizes and priced at 8,500.The new bike will be on show at the Velofollies bike show in Kortrijk, Belgium this weekend if you want a closer look.Pinarello Grevil MX full specFrameset: Grevil MX M40J carbonFork: Fox 32 Float Step Cast Factory Kashima, 100mm travelGroupset: SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS 112 DBChainrings: 32 to 38 tooth aeroWheels: DT Swiss XRC 1200 110/148 XDRTyres: Schwalbe G-One R Pro, 50mmHandlebar: Most Talon Ultra LightSeatpost: 30.9mm carbonSaddle: Lynx 2.0 XC Superflow S CarbonWeight: 9.04kg (size M)Colour: Midnight BlueSizing: S, M, L, XLPrice: 8,500The post Pinarello launches new monster gravel bike, the Grevil MX appeared first on Cyclist.

Tom Pidcock experienced a stupendous 2025 season, his first withPinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, and in 2026 the expectations are perhaps even higher than when he was back at INEOS Grenadiers. The British all-rounder has revealed his full schedule for the spring, including monuments, Strade Bianch...

If youve paid attention to professional gravel racing in recent years, youre probably aware that pro riders have taken to running drop handlebars on XC mountain bikes. Now, Pinarello has fully embraced the trend, launching its new Grevil MX gravel bike at the Velofollies trade show in Belgium. While this is an addition to the brands Grevil gravel range, Pinarello has gone one step further than combining gravel and cross-country tech. It says it has drawn from its road portfolio for this monster gravel bike. The Grevil MX borrows features from Pinarello's MTBs and road bikes. Stan Portus / Our Media The Grevil MX combines the aerodynamic efficiency of a road bike with the stability and control of an MTB, enabling it to excel on steep climbs, rugged trails, technical descents and long endurance routes without compromising responsiveness or stiffness on hardpack ground, Pinarello says in its press release for the new bike. The bikes geometry takes the 67.75 head angle and 101mm trail of the Pinarello Dogma XC, but adds the Most Talon Ultra Light cockpit found on Pinarellos top road bikes. This handlebar setup provides a lower, more compact and faster position than running a flat mountain bike bar. It has a Most Talon Ultra Light cockpit. Stan Portus / Our Media There is a 'double triangle' at the bottom bracket for stiffness. Stan Portus / Our Media The rear triangle has Pinarello's asymmetric seatstay design. Stan Portus / Our Media The frame uses Torays 'best-in-class' carbon fibre and has a threaded bottom bracket. The BB area features the double-triangle design found on the Pinarello Dogma XC for added stiffness. The rear triangle uses Pinarellos asymmetrical design. The left-hand side is reinforced to counterbalance the forces produced on the driveside of the bike. This architecture creates more balanced energy transfer and improved traction and acceleration on loose or variable surfaces, Pinarello says. The chainstays and seatstays have both been specifically shaped and reinforced to withstand the high torsional forces typical of aggressive gravel riding, steep off-road climbs and explosive accelerations. The bike can fit 50mm tyres. Stan Portus / Our Media It can also fit a dropper post. Stan Portus / Our Media The bike can fit 50mm tyres for traction and comfort, and comfort is further aided by the 10mm suspension fork. Elsewhere, the bike has a SRAM XX SL Eagle drivetrain with a 38-tooth aero chainring and a 10/52 cassette. Pinarello says these gear ratios provide better climbing ability than the gears you typically find on gravel bikes, while also improving on descents compared to mountain bikes. A Pinarello spokesperson at Velofollies told BikeRadar that the Grevil MX can fit a rigid fork and that it has only made 50 of the bikes worldwide. Yet, future developments of the Grevil MX are already in the works. More from Velofollies Van Rysel reveals FTP2 Concept Bike that will double your power and reach speeds over 100kph New Nukeproof Tracker is a bargain range of kick-ass hardtails

The Tour de l'Avenir has been national teams-only since 2007

Next Tuesday, 20th of January, the Tour Down Under gets under way. As every year, it will open the WorldTour season. The riders on the startlist will fight to add their names to an honours roll already packed with big winners. Below, we look at the five men who have claimed the overall classificatio...

Irish road riders have likely lost a key chance to represent their country with news the Tour de lAvenir is significantly changing in nature, with trade teams set to ride the event. The race, regarded as the U23 Tour de France, had been fought out by national teams for many years. It had become the []