Stage 16 of the Tour de France was overshadowed by two separate road incidents involving riders outside the race itself. While UAE Team Emirates-XRG confirmed Brandon McNulty had been struck by a car before the individual time trial, Pinarello Q36.5's Xandro Meurisse also endured a frightening colli...

Today, Shimano is introducing a new model in its RX lineup of gravel bike shoes. The RX710 looks nearly identical to the S-Phyre RX910, but at $300, it costs significantly less than its top-of-the-line sibling. Aesthetics aside, the RX710 includes trickle-down technology and premium features, including Shimanos Pontoon Cleat System, a dual BOA closure, and a carbon-reinforced midsole.With its more accessible price tag, the RX710 is positioned as a versatile shoe thats ready to take on whatever you define gravel riding to be. From race weekends and training to exploratory rides and remote backcountry epics, Shimano says the RX710 is a shoe that was designed to do it all while bringing premium tech and performance to a wider range of riders.Shimano RX710 DetailsThe RX710 is built on a carbon-reinforced midsole with a stiffness of 9 out of 12 on Shimanos rating scale. For comparison, the race-focused S-Phyre RX910 is rated 12/12. The brand intends for the RX710s more balanced sole stiffness to provide a solid pedaling platform that maximizes efficiency and maintains comfort over the course of long rides.Shimano says the RX710 has a low-stack-height construction intended to enhance the shoe-to-pedal connection for both stability and responsiveness. Additionally, Shimano included its Pontoon Cleat System, allowing riders to optimize the shoe-to-pedal interface to maximize stability, security, and lateral support.The seamless synthetic leather upper balances breathability, durability, and comfort, helping riders stay comfortable during long training rides, race-day efforts, and multi-hour adventures. Perforations in the uppers wrap over the toes and both sides of the midfoot for ventilation. Dual BOA Fit System L6Z dials provide independent tension adjustment for the upper and mid/forefoot with a wrap-style tongue.The RX710 is built around Shimanos Dynalast 2.0, an updated fit platform thats claimed to fit more riders. It comes in standard, wide, and narrow versions. See the specs below for all of the available sizes.Shimano RX710 FeaturesCarbon Reinforced Midsole (Stiffness Rating 9/12): Efficient power transfer while maintaining comfort on long ridesLow-Profile Construction: Reduced stack height and improved pedaling efficiencyPontoon Cleat System: Enhanced stability and secure pedal engagement for confident controlLightweight Upper Construction: Synthetic leather increases breathability, comfort, and durabilityDual BOA fit system L6Z Dials: Micro-Adjustable fit and secure closure on the flySHIMANO DYNALAST 2.0: Updated fit platform to fit more ridersShimano RX710 SpecsWeight: 310 grams (size 43)Color: Navy, Black, Sand WhiteStiffness: 9Standard Sizes: 38-50Standard Half Sizes: 39.5-46.5Wide Sizes: 38-48Wide Half Sizes: 39.5-46.5Narrow Sizes: 36-44MSRP: $300 USDAvailabilityShimanos new RX710 gravel shoes are available now. Head to the brands website to learn more or find a dealer near you.ride.shimano.com

Adam Yates endured a true survival day on stage 17 of the Tour de France 2026. The Briton slipped off the main group very early and shipped more than eleven minutes at the line, a performance far from the level he had shown over the first two weeks. At the finish, Joxean Fernndez Matxn, UAE Team E...

Shimano has launched a new gravel shoe, the RX710, which it claims offers premium race technology to a wider range of gravel riders.The new shoe trickles down features from Shimanos premium S-Phyre RX910 gravel race shoe, launched last year, but Shimano claims it's equally at home on gravel adventure rides and multi-day bikepacking adventures, offering a versatile option and all-day comfort for gravel riders.Shimano rates the new shoes stiffness at 9 out of 12 on its scale, while the RX910 is rated at 12. It uses a carbon-reinforced midsole that Shimano says has a low stack height.It includes the brands pontoon cleat system, introduced with the RX910, where the cleat sits on a floating sole plate that includes rubber blocks on each side, which it claims increases foot stability as well as 'walkability' off the bike and ensures a more secure pedal-to-cleat connection. The pontoon cleat has side blocks to increase foot stability on the pedal. The pontoon cleats also have the advantage of being user-replaceable, so you can swap them out if they become worn and your feet are rocking on your gravel pedals. Twin Boa L6Z dials ensure adjustability, but they can't be loosened incrementally. Up top, the RX710 is made of synthetic leather and the upper is secured by two Boa L6Z dial closures. Unlike the Li2 used on the RX910, these dont offer a turn-to-loosen function, but require the dial to be pulled up to release the cable then retightening if you want to loosen the fit.Shimano quotes a 315g per shoe weight in size 43, versus 304g for the RX910, so theres not much weight penalty for switching to the lower-priced gravel bike shoe. The 'sand white' colour option may not be optimal for UK winter riding. As usual, Shimano offers a wide range of sizes, and there are standard, wide and narrow fits available in three colours: black, navy, and 'sand white' for those who enjoy shoe cleaning.Standard-width shoes come in sizes 38 to 50, with half sizes from 39.5 to 46.5.Wide shoe sizes are 38 to 48, with the same 39.5 to 46.5 half sizes.Narrow sizes are 36 to 44, in whole sizes only.The new Shimano RX710 is priced at 269.99 / 254.95. That compares to 369.99 / 419.95 for the RX910.

The 2026 Tour de France is set to be one of the fastest ever, if not the fastest! Some are predicting an average speed of over 43km/h despite the peloton visiting no fewer than five mountain ranges during the 2026 edition. In fact, after the first 10 stages, the average race speed is closer to 44km/h than 43 km/h. So, what can we mere mortals take away from the Tour de France peloton to make us faster and more efficient? After years of racing myself and ending up down many a rabbit hole, heres my list of the seven best-value upgrades you can make to your road bike that truly make a difference.Continental GP5000 S TR tyres(Image credit: Simon Fellows)First on my list is a set of Tour de France-proven tyres and one of the best tubeless road bike tyres, trusted by no less than six of the twenty-three competing teams; it's, of course, the Continental GP5000 S TRs. Tyres can make an absolutely huge difference to how your bike handles and feels on the road. Continental reckons that more than 1,000 of its tyres will be used during the 2026 Tour de France, and theyre trusted for good reason: theyre fast, grippy, and durable. Personally, my go-to width is 30mm, just like the one and only Tadej Pogaar, but it depends on what your frame can accommodate.Schwalbe Clik Valves(Image credit: Future)My next selection wont actually make you any quicker; however, it might help speed up the pre-ride faff. There have been a number of 'new' valve types to hit the market in the last year or so, but I think the Clik valve from Schwalbe will gain the most traction, given the brand's dominance in the tyre market. The big advantage is that it's just so easy to use. As the name suggests, you simply click your pump on (granted it's compatible). They also allow for greater airflow than the traditional presta valve, making them ideal for tubeless setups. The best part, unlike much of the tech used at the Tour de France, is that they are incredibly affordable. Id recommend checking out the new Lezyne range of best mini bike pumps and track pumps. Lezyne is one of the first pump manufacturers to widely adopt the Schwalbe Clik system as a dedicated head, removing the need for an adapter. Van Rysel RCR-F helmet(Image credit: Getty Images)It wouldn't be a value list without mentioning Van Rysel, the in-house brand of the retailer-sporting-giant Decathlon. Switching to a more aero lid can make a surprising difference, often more than some of the best aero bikes, depending on what youre coming from. While Kask, Ekoi, and Specialized (having recently launched the new Evade) all have new lids at the race, it's the Van Rysel RCR-F MIPs that still offer the best bang for your buck. Given that it's half or even a third of the cost of some of the best road bike helmets, it would be my choice. It is also the choice for 19-year-old Decathlon CMA CGM rider and hope for a future French Tour winner, Paul Seixas.You, too, can get the Seixas look and everything he uses for a surprisingly affordable price. Elite Leggero Carbon cages(Image credit: Andy Carr)After years of using the best bottle cages that claim excellent retention but have less staying power than a British Prime Minister, I wanted some that I could trust, and the Elite Leggero carbon cages haven't let me down. Theyre not cheap, but compared to other bike upgrades, I think theyre pretty good value and will almost certainly save you a few grams. Used widely across the pro peloton for the same reason, most notably by the UAE Team Emirates-XRG and none other than Tadej Pogaar.Reserve 57/64 Wheelset(Image credit: Future)Choosing one of the best road wheels is a big upgrade and comes with the biggest financial outlay. However, they potentially also offer the biggest performance gain, especially if you are coming from wheels that don't offer much in the way of aerodynamics. Ive concluded that, as lovely as the Enve wheels and Scope Artechs have proven to be, Id go for the Reserve 57/64 wheelset. Theyre around half the price of the aforementioned wheels and are regularly found bolted to the Cervelos of the Visma Lease-a-bike team. This is a team that leaves no stone unturned when it comes to going fast. Having spent a reasonable amount of time on a set, I can happily report that they back up the claimed speed with excellent stiffness and crosswind stability. They also feature a hooked bead interface and are optimised around wider tyres. Other noteworthy attributes include a no-rider weight limit and a lifetime warranty, making them suitable for just about anyone. A good bike computer(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)One of the best bike computers can help you navigate unfamiliar roads and pace your rides, but the flagship computers from brands such as Wahoo and Garmin have price tags that could make your eyes water. Ironically, the top-tier options are often shunned by the best racers in the world, who opt for the smaller, lighter and cheaper computers. Tadej, for example, is well known for using the smaller Wahoo Elemnt Bolt over the more advanced Elemnt Roam 3. Unless you particularly want or need a larger screen, Id happily recommend the Wahoo Bolt 3 or Garmin Edge MTB to any cyclist looking for a good-value cycle computer. Despite being their positioning in their respective ranges, they only miss out on very few features compared to their bigger brothers. Given that much of the analytical metrics comes from the supporting software, it's rarely noticeable when actually out on the road. Better Bar TapeOther good-value upgrades could include one of the best bike saddles, but because this is a personal choice, its very hard to recommend just one. But that's not the case for the best handlebar tape. Many bikes come with cheap bar tape thats slippery when wet and offers next to no cushioning. Its one of the cheapest upgrades that you can make to your road bike, and my personal recommendation is the Prologo Onetouch tape. At 2.5mm thick, it's chunky enough to offer good comfort without being bulky, and it costs less than a meal out. Let me know in the comments below if there are any products used at the Tour de France that you think should make the list, or anything you have spotted that has inspired you to make a purchase.

Professional race bikes have been stuck with a 6.8kg minimum weight limit since 2000, despite huge advances in carbon tech. With manufacturers now producing safe sub-6kg race bikes, is it finally time for the UCI to ditch one of cycling's most outdated rules?

Tadej Pogacar's agent has poured cold water over speculation that the yellow jersey may be experiencing fatigue or burnout at the Tour de France. In fact, Alex Carera believes that the Slovenian is experiencing his most relaxed edition of the grand tour in his life. It's been far from an uneventful...