Thanks for tuning your dials to another episode of First Look Friday – our rapid-fire round-up of the week's highlights on BikeRadar to whet the appetite for a select serving of the freshest cycling-tech treats.
Liam Cahill set the tone for the week by bringing us his tech highlights from the World Gravel Championships, where Mathieu van der Poel chalked up another victory and Matt Holmes used an absurdly small 'prison phone'.
On the subject of gravel, Simon von Bromley pondered whether Shimano still cares about the ever-more popular cycling discipline.
Ashley Quinlan reported on the release of the new Specialized Vado SL 2 Carbon, while insatiable cycling newshound Jack Luke spotted Geraint Thomas' race bike selling for a mere £50 on eBay, ahem.
The week took a musical turn, as Gary Walker reviewed the new Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, and the plucky Californian brand earned a place on our list of the best cycling headphones.
Meanwhile, Alex Evans did the Lord's work by rounding up every single last rider and bike competing at the 2024 Red Bull Rampage in Virgin, Utah. Go and decompress with a lovely, syrupy energy drink, Alex.
That's but a mere smattering of the varied content riches to grace our homepage this week, but let's be honest, we're all here for one thing and thing only – bring forth the tech goodies…
Deity Supervillain flat pedals
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Released earlier this year, Deity’s Supervillain flat pedals are said to be the brand’s lightest, sleekest and strongest pedals yet.
Deity says it has scoured every gram, with only the essential material remaining to create the pedal platform.
Like the TMAC and Deftrap, the pedals retain the brand’s non-offset profile design, with a 2.5mm concave platform for increased traction.
This also includes increased support on the backside of the spindle so you can locate your foot on the pedal faster while maintaining a solid engagement with the pedal.
The platforms measure 113x105mm and feature 14 dual-access pins on each side for supreme shin scrapes should your chain snap.
In a nod to ergonomics, the pedal's skeletal structure sees chamfered angles and smooth outside edges, which should also reduce snags and hang-ups on rocks.
The Supervillains come in seven colourways, with a match almost guaranteed with your existing anodised bike components.
- €179
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Fox Purevue goggles
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Before riding glasses became the size of windscreens, many riders used goggles with their open-face helmets.
But some designs are bulky and best fitted to full-face helmets.
That’s where Fox’s Purevue goggles come in, offering a visor that’s a similar size to glasses, but with the security that a goggle strap provides.
We’re yet to commit to the term ‘glaggles’ (gloggles?), but the Purevues blend both options into a new category.
Benefits cited include a wider field of view compared to glasses, while offering better ventilation over conventional goggles.
Big cutaways around the nose allow for plenty of airflow, so steaming up shouldn’t be an issue.
The Purevues come with two sets of lenses and a replaceable nosepiece.
They’re currently only available with a black frame and a matching black or limited-edition green strap, although we’d expect more colourways to follow.
- £109.99
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Sidi MTB Dust Shoelaces gravel shoes
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While these shoes may have 'MTB' in their name, Sidi has developed them with technical gravel riding in mind.
The Dusts feature a Microfibre Tech Pro Matt upper construction, with mesh inserts around the toes for ventilation.
Sidi’s MTB SR17 sole is borrowed from its mountain bike range, supposedly adding good rigidity and easy walkability for off-the-bike exploring.
The toe features a rubberised texture to fend off scuffs from toe overlap and debris kicked up from the front wheel.
We’ve tested the Tecno-3 dial-fastening version of these shoes in the past, with Oscar Huckle awarding them four stars and including them in his Gear of the Year.
These shoes remain largely the same, except for the lace closure that many riders may prefer for adjustability reasons.
The MTB Dust Shoelaces come in a classically black colourway and are available in sizes ranging from 38 to 48.
- €259
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Teravail Telegraph tyres
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Teravail describes its Telegraph range as a “high-volume performance road tyre”.
The tyres are available in either ‘light and supple’ or ‘durable’ options (how refreshingly clear – no awkward acronyms here) and three sizes, ranging from 28mm to 35mm wide.
The tyres share the same 120 TPI casing, but the durable option gets the addition of a bead-to-bead nylon puncture-protection layer.
Matchy-matchy-minded fashionistas will appreciate the choice of tan or black sidewalls for the light version (the durable option is available only in black).
The tanwall is a handsome dark shade and has a shiny surface, so should resist rim-brake (remember them?) gunk build-up well.
- £45 / $70
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