Future Tour de France Tech: The Game-changing Pedals That Claim To Make You FASTER!

EXCLUSIVE: A closer look at the Ekoi PW8 pedals that have sparked interest from top Tour de France teams such as UAE Team Emirates and Ineos Grenadiers. Could this be the future of road bike pedals?
The best 2024 road bikes look quite a bit different to those of old, however, one bit of cycling tech that has stayed much the same is bike pedals...until now...
Are these the best bike pedals in the world and do you think we'll see them being used in the Tour de France soon? Let us know below...
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[@stuartclark1982]

Anything that brings more stability and comfort to a rider will undoubtedly improve performance regardless of aero-gains. Nice bit of kit. Might just be a bit of a sticking point having to buy new shoes to be able to use the pedal system. So time will tell if the adoption happens successfully. Great to see some long standing tech being improved though.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Nothing says comfort like building a shoe/cleat system that barely let's you adjust the cleats to someone's individual preferences. The lower stack height and contact area are the only gains here

[@Abomai]

The auto cc translating cleat into c**t got me dead 😂😂😂

[@user-jp3re5yb2b]

Also is the Guy really hesitating as much? The subtitles are riddled with "um" and things like that it's hard to follow and really make it feel like there's just no significant advantage to this new mechanism

[@DaveRider719]

lol

[@GeoffreyAerts]

just like the "lot of whats" 😂

[@edmundhodgson2572]

yeah. About time we had a road shoe that didn't make you look like a fool in the cafe!

[@paul5683]

That will never change. 😅

[@jojoanggono3229]

I observed some people actually like that even though they wouldn't admit it. They feel they belong to certain elite group of people, those who walk like duck and ride fast road bike.

[@flipper2gv]

It's a split SPD cleat. Brillant.

[@prowrench7989]

reminds me more of the original Time pedal/cleat

[@kokonanana1]

@@prowrench7989Those were great! Great cleat fitting system!

[@noptimized]

That’s good marketing: “Easier to climb up the podium”

[@lawrencefalk8714]

Possible advantages I see (for me): bigger platform= fewer hot spots; easier cleat adjusting; easier cleat replacement; longer lasting cleats. (Silca will make a Ti version?) Ekoi would be wise to make at least two length axel versions.

[@krazy1z]

Definitely. I know for myself, I have to have the longer axel on my pedals

[@talonlan]

I like the idea of a better cleat system for road bikes, just hope assioma do a power meter version.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Who doesn't want everything to be better? This isn't that though. These have very little room for adjustment. I'm guessing a lot of the riders hated the transition

[@global_nomad.]

wonder if the lower stack height will make this harder - my Assioma's could do with a smaller lump on the side, though its not in the way. .

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@global_nomad. the next generation road assiomas will likely get rid of that pod and use the spindle in their mountain pedals. That doesn't mean that spindle can be adapted to this though. Ekoi would need to be designed around Favero vs the other way around. This will stay a very niche pedal system and there's no good reason to Favero to bother with helping them unless they're getting paid a ton of money to adapt to it. Not enough people will be buying this to warrant the R&D

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

... Assioma (one company) does* ...

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@einundsiebenziger5488 ha, I think they're referring to their spindle being used for this pedal. Similar to how you can retrofit Shimano pedals with Assioma spindles(although you get a laughably wide q-factor that way). Mid-foot cycling's aero pedal body can also be used with an Assioma spindle but without the crazy q-factor.

[@global_nomad.]

not sure why people think there wont be a move or a transition to a new / better systems - large shift in all sorts of systems on the bike have happened - electronic shifting, disc brakes in road etc - there will always be those who dont want to shift, which is fine, but can see this gaining traction quite quickly

[@gladand]

Your take makes sense. It's easy to "just" put a new pair of pedals on a bike, as opposed to buying an entirely new bike which is compatible with disc brakes or whatever.

[@Surestick88]

And pedals have gone through drastic change somewhat recently with the change from toe-clips to clipless. Add to that we have multiple different styles of clipless pedals; Look, Time, SPD, Speed play, etc.

[@adamweb]

A lot of old school cyclists hate change and bike tech has never advanced as rapidly as it has in the last 20 years!

[@gladand]

@@adamweb old cyclists have a tendency to be old in general. The opinion of those above the age of 30 is something to be discarded since they're already halfway in the grave.

[@global_nomad.]

@@gladand PS i'm 56 - dont tell me old people dont do new stuff....

[@32fsi]

Glad to see a Campy equipped bike!

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

That bike is thoroughly gorgeous! Classic lines, fast-looking deep-blue paintjob, Campagnolo Chorus groupset, what's not to like?!

[@roadcc]

Are you interested in go faster pedals? Let us know here!

[@tonys1587]

Yesss

[@umah.]

For sure, as long as the price is reasonable 🙂

[@agie170hss2]

I'll stick with my Speedplay X-series.

[@marcelsow5817]

Looks interesting but wouldn't work with PowerMeter pedals like Assiomas until they figure out how to integrate them. Might just have to be a new spindle?

[@aixpert291]

I’m interested in pedals and shoes that I can walk in. These look like they fit the bill!

[@Vantablkg2023]

Im glad to see Philipe Gilbert is still around, hes one of my favorite of the old-school era...

[@wseto09]

There goes a part of my kidneys to sell for a pair of those pedals and shoes. Maybe $1500? Or maybe close to $2000? That's the professional version! Definitely lighter. Great for The weight weenies. Price rough idea in Canadian dollars.

[@homerunhomeshow7201]

This EKoi PW8 pedal system looks impressive and I can immediately comprehend the pedal system benefits. I already use Ekoi cycling shoes so this pedal system seems to be adaptable right away. I look forward to the advancements, and wouldn't mind being an official PW8 pedal tester, hint hint. Video footnote: I see the bike is badged as an Ekoi on the frame, however I also spy a small DeRosa name badging on the top tube, which is the machine I also ride. Def interested in the development of this pedal platform!

[@logojones96]

think its a great idea. Keen to try them as soon as the cleat/sole is available for major shoe brands !

[@GordonMoat]

Beyond the performance aspects, I can see these working better when you just want to wear regular shoes and hop on the bicycle for a short ride.

[@brianbackes4974]

This!!!!!

[@brunospasta]

Honestly, this is brilliant!

[@alexanderwolf-reber4585]

The standard Look&SPD-R pedals just suck for walking and the cleat wear is mind boggling. For that reason I moved to SPD also for my road bike couple of years ago. Those pedals look much more useable and durable. And with the big platform they give better support. I would give them a try.

[@fen2453]

except you wear the carbon off your proprietary shoe instead of a replaceable spdr cleat

[@RyonBeachner]

@@fen2453 Imagine if you will, a semi elastic, compressible, grippy material that could be bonded or fastened to the bottom of the shoe to prevent wear on the carbon sole. This could be a step too far, but I think it may yet be possible.

[@MisterCOM]

​@@RyonBeachnergod its a shame we dont have the technology to make a synthetic compound that could do this since leather would lock some people out of using them

[@RyonBeachner]

@@MisterCOM What if we tried making such a product by perhaps drying and shaping different forms of tree sap? Or maybe a synthetic petrochemical compound derived of various byproducts of the refining process we employ to power our vehicles… Nah I don’t think that would ever catch on.

[@Pellagrah]

@@RyonBeachner If you think that's possible, there's a wonderful spice plantation in the West Indies I'd love to sell you. My wooden cleats have held up for more than a quarter-dozen seasons of racing on the brutal Austro-Hungarian circuit, and I don't really care for any of this alchemical hogwash you seem to be pushing. Tree sap is for drinkin' and wood is for buildin', and that's that!

[@paul5683]

Reminds me of the Diadora Power Drive system. They worked very good, kinda heavy and kinda expensive but I can say from experience that you couldn't pull out by accident.

[@SuperJohnnyO]

The split cleat reminds me of the old Time cleats/pedals.

[@gzbike]

I still got a pair of shoes and pedals. Over 30 years old now. Time to take it out again. 😊

[@SuperJohnnyO]

@@gzbike Same here! Pedals are clipped on to the shoes in the closet - ready to go!

[@kokonanana1]

@@gzbikeI have some cleats!

[@cazat]

Looks like a long overdue improvement, it is good to see people pioneering and keep innovating. Hope the industry can quickly adopt this and replace the current road cleat system.

[@toddlong2785]

I definitely can see having a larger contact could eliminate some hot spots that the current setup can have.

[@lolipuni1]

It seems to me that the direct contact of the soles with the pedals could cause problems.

[@johnag007]

Instinctively this makes sense. Looking forward to getting the combo at Christmas if it is out!

[@jayac01]

There was a shoe/pedal system like this from Diadora back in the '90s that never got popular.

[@RyonBeachner]

Looks like it should be an improvement provided that a suitable shoe is available for a given consumers particular morphology. The “cleats” look to be similarly adjustable to the incumbents, the stack height reduction is a benefit to bike fit and aerodynamics, and walking looks easier, and the cleats would seem to be substantially more durable. What will be interesting is how the cleat placement compares to existing shoes on the market, and if that’s something that would vary substantially from brand to brand as it does currently. For example, Fizik places cleat holes substantially forward of Lake, etc. Also, it would take a fairly large number of manufacturers getting on board to achieve a decent marketshare as many may be hesitant to change shoes, especially those of us on Shimano who probably won’t follow along with this. 😂

[@davidli3582]

This will be a game changer for BMX racing. The only reason everyone uses MTB pedals is walking up a dew flights of stairs to get to the ramp. This will absolutely be lighter and far less bulky than BMX pedals.

[@edwarding4355]

How do you put leg length difference shims

[@Omnis2]

If the metal cleat is recessed with an outsole lug protecting it, I would move to this system just so I wouldn't have to replace my SPD-SL cleats every year.

[@clipbizTech]

I currently use both speedplay for road and Magped for gravel and both have their advantages. The Magped allows my shoes to be walkable because the metal plate is recessed. The pedal is large and and you can choose to use the non magnetic or magnetic side depending on which is best for the conditions.

[@lovemesomedetail]

i’d love to try these!

[@KuriReevel]

I like those Ekoi pedals.

[@jogi903]

looks great - I want one

[@SkarTisu]

Hooray! Another new standard!

[@vladimirmilutinovic8057]

Very interesting !

[@timwedler9192]

Looks and sounds brilliant. I will definitely try the system - even though I´m a Shimano-fan. So many benefits over the established systems.

[@LVQ-so5th]

As I've gotten older, I would like to reduce the height difference between my saddle and handlebars. The lower stack height on these pedal/shoes would be one way to achieve that. The better stability and walkability are added bonuses.

[@SuperJohnnyO]

Also similar to the old Diadora PowerDrive pedals with the curved shape.

[@MrSofokles]

I will definitely buy this system if it is on sale. This system would look great on my future new bike

[@swites]

I like the concept. Can see it catching on as just another pedal system people use like shimano or look.

[@Ghostina1]

I use MagPed. These are awesome!!!

[@toddpiedad651]

these are sweet! look at how low the stack height is as well!

[@chasewb]

Looks like a great system.

[@Afrikakorps68]

Very interesting product

[@sepg5084]

If a reliable independent party tests this and confirms its improvement claims, then the pros might start using it. If it does not get banned by the UCI. As for the common folk, it depends on how much people need to spend to get to use this. The price of new pedals and the price of new shoes might be too steep for the causal cyclist, but that remains to be seen.

[@tomlawless4406]

As there’s three main contact points on the bike, saddle, bars and pedals, improvements on any one of these feels pretty big and I have always thought that the pedal needs to be wider or just contact more of the shoe so I can safely say this is a “step” in the right direction!

[@karlitovich]

looks impressive

[@krazy1z]

I like the footprint of it. Super curious and excited to see where the new tech takes it in the coming years

[@chimmysummer]

I love the design. more room for clipping

[@owenanstey436]

I like it, price will be the thing though.

[@kestralrider313]

I have some super ventilated mesh top Ekoi shoes that I love, use them for especially hot days when my SIdi shoes are too hot, but I challenge the idea that all pedals are an update of the original Look pedals, which I owned in the late 80s. I switched to Speedplay in the early 90s and never went back to the Look/Shimano standards for reasons I won't get into (trolls). I love the build quality of Ekoi shoes, but still not seeing a big driver to switch from my current wahoo pedals that populate all my road bikes.

[@electrocit673]

It looks like it could be used for light weight casual shoes too. the walkability factor and the larger pedal would reduce the power loss of softer shoe soles while still allowing push pull pedaling.

[@bmz1]

The big thing for me is to be able to walk with it! For the moment, I'm using SPD shoes just because I hate having to walk with look and I need to walk because regularly... That could be a reason to change my pedal system.

[@johnnydeutschemark3620]

i need these pedals, thanks

[@laser158689]

Does the axle move rearward? Does this have an advantage over mid-foot cleats (espoused by Joe Friel)? Is there a concern with toe-front wheel interactions?

[@AK-oz4ew]

Just in time when we all were thinking about a new $500 bike improvement we all need! I absolutely love that I have to buy new shoes!

[@nigelbrockton163]

One cleat/shoe for road and gravel...sounds good. Dobt see why this wont catch on...if only because it eliminates the road cleat walking hassle.

[@justsomedude7556]

I have been using Time ATAC's on all my bikes for a long time, road, gravel, mountain as I got tired of a 2 shoe\cleat situation. I also hated walking around in the road cleats. If more shoe companies adopt something like this, I would be interested in checking them out as I think the larger platform would be a benefit. I would hate to be limited to a single shoe option.

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

I do like the shape of the new pedal, hate that it does require a dedicated shoe.

[@NeoPayneHK]

thank you

[@Southerncyclist]

Pretty cool, what about a shimmed added stack hight for my short left leg . My Speed plays are shimmed 1/4 inch .

[@BenBroomfield]

Great but will it make clipping in any easier for me??

[@bbarber6845]

Reminds me of the old diadora shoe pedal combo

[@keitakimura719]

The larger platform seems convenient when you want to use your roadbike for a short trip to the cafe wearing sneakers.

[@Numeriwar]

How long before we get compatible wide shoes ??..

[@jocycles]

Just from a brief look, the much larger platform does seem it will give more stability and power transfer. It could be marginal but the low stack height will reduce air drag also. The change on the outsole of the shoe is definitely a plus for all levels and purposes as you can walk without messing up the cleats. Looking at it from more of the market side, I think the advantage has to be very distinct and obvious. As the market share has shifted quite polarized in the last decade or so in favor of Shimano, the reasons to choose otherwise should really stand out and obvious. Otherwise, LOOK would not have given up that much MS and the same for TIME though they both are very decent pedals as well. As a Speedplay user(for mainly the stack height), they seem very intriguing to my preferences. One other thing is, sometimes you gotta pedal with regular shoes on and I wonder if those outer frames will withstand the rider's weight and pounding as they are curved up from the axle.

[@treyquattro]

the only real benefit I see is not ruining your cleats when walking! Probably stick with Shimano however.

[@gc_on_demand953]

Is this available already for sale?

[@utube7930]

Surely its cheaper to replace damaged cleats from walking/crashing than your whole shoe

[@Xhadp]

In the pro market I’m sure these are fantastic but I imagine are awful in the general consumer market due to stifling customization and fit.

[@MichaelSmith-fn1ci]

These look brilliant. If shoe manufacturers adopt these then I’d look to switch….

[@gregbianchi2689]

Love my speedplays. Do these pedals have a side to side float ?????

[@talonlan]

first guy said there was 1.5, 3 or 6 degree float possible.

[@sutsut5157]

I just hope it isn't super expensive. Like others said it look like split SPD which is relatively less expensive.

[@KerryJapan1]

They are almost exactly like every other pedal we’ve ever seen before except they are just a bit longer. lol. The hype is over the top

[@_xnk7257]

The only drawback I see is the shoe wearing out instead of cleat when coming to a stop while riding / while walking. It might be fine for pros who only unclip once a race, but for someone who occasionally stops at a red light and needs to unclip I dread to imagine my expensive carbon shoe is wearing away instead of a cheap plastic cleat. Maybe shoe manufacturers can make the part that contacts the ground replaceable?

[@kidShibuya]

Wow with this I could arrive at my destination maybe 3 seconds or more quicker. Game changer.

[@roadcc]

Less time riding = more time writing KZbin comments

[@johnalvar]

How about integrating a power meter to the pedal system?

[@douglasmcclellan1692]

Another great innovation, but as usual, you will only address normal width feet with corresponding appropriate width shoes. Woe is Me !

[@michelbinet5278]

I hope they will come with choice of spindle length..!

[@roadcc]

Agreed!

[@16-7]

Any details of the bearing system used? Durability and maintainability compared to Shimano would be a key factor for non-racing riders. Speedplay had adaptors for 3 to 4 bolt fixings compromising stack height to widen adoption. Very few 4 bolt pattern shoes were available when i was using them. Ekoi do not seem to have as great a USP so could likely remain a niche brand specific product.

[@VinhTran-rr9zr]

setting up the cleats is going to be a pain in the butt probably

[@patrickbateman7444]

I'm sold. Hope there will be shoes in size 49

[@verdeboyo]

Sounds like positive innovation and a solid step forward on something that hasn't moved forward much at all since the invention of the look PP76 clipless pedal back in the early 80s. I just cannot see any real advantage other than other than hiding the cleat so you don't walk like a clown, also brings your foot closer to the pedal spindle with the added larger surface area which will aid stability when out of the saddle. Think I'll stick with my Time Xpresso 15s though!

[@kokonanana1]

Fore/aft adjustment???

[@jamescaldwell5]

Pretty sure the weight savings would show more of a difference when accelerating than during steady pedaling, since the weight of your pedals is pushing down on the down stroke simultaneously as you are pulling up on the up stroke. Hard to argue with the benefits of getting closer to your axle. I think the big selling advantage will be that it makes walking around the cafe much easier without having to use a MTN bike pedal system. If the price is competitive, I see this doing quite well. Hopefully they are pushing on partnering with some affordable shoe manufacturers.

[@julianallen515]

Two things that weren't addressed in the video, which will have a big bearing on how widely the system is adapted by the public. 1. Will the shoes come in different width fittings? If not that's a large portion of the market made smaller. 2. Since they come with Titanium axles there will be a weight limit. Currently, Speedplays and Crank Bros/Time pedals with Ti axles have a 84 and 90 kg rider limit respectively. That excludes a lot of the recreational riders too. With gravel riders using hydration packs that makes the riders weight limit around 70kg or so!

[@user-nj9li4qt8u]

As this system requires a different shoe different from traditional 3 bolt shoes it will never be accepted by the general biking biking public...

[@JamesGhigliotti]

Just have to get me some white shoes!

[@Chris._P._Bacon]

So, my new pedals and shoes....I put the cleats all the way to the front of the shoe, the shoe!! W/o knowing why, I started to ride and have this massive cramps and pain in my upper leg, front, and for two years I figure, maybe because I'm old and my muscles are just going bad............Then I noticed and decided to change the cleat position, all the way to the back, and then!!! Pain goes away! and I'm able to ride longer distance w/o having cramps or massive pain, I get the usual fatigue but not what I experienced before, so, THIS! I'd definitely like to try...........this looks like pain wouldn't be an issue due to cleat positioning.

[@Captinfun101]

I just hope that they put your front of the foot more over the axel . I like riding on my toes more , I get more power transfer and more comfort.

[@glennnicholls8510]

I would have liked to see how the shoe is on a tiled cafe floor

[@user-ys4dk5kd4j]

The bike looks nice but are they available to buy from the general public?

[@fen2453]

so instead of walking on a replaceable cleat youre walking on the carbon sole of a proprietary shoe?

[@roadcc]

We don’t see why shoe designs can’t continue to use replaceable rubber sole sections like on Sidi and many mtb shoes, for granted these don’t but they are the first to adopt this system

[@pmcmpc]

I'm a 49 in Specialized and a 50 in Shimano. Chances of people with big or super wide feet ever being able to buy shoes for this system are nil, I'd imagine. Ekoi shoes stop at size 47, are narrow, have a load of toe spring and very pointed toe - all of which are very old fashioned. Arkea Samsic who they sponsor don't use their shoes or the pedal system because most of their riders wouldn't accept the shoes.

[@CG-99]

Didn't you listen to the video?? Their first customer is Ekoi, but they are looking to license the system to other shoe manufacturers.

[@tommasobonvicini7114]

The heel having to raise the pedal at each stroke is the biggest bullshit I have ever heard, which immediately makes me raise a big red flag. The only benefit I see is being closer to the pedal axis, but that's not worth having to buy an entire proprietary shoe system for amateurs, while for TDF riders it doesn't really matter I guess.

[@ingloriouspancake7529]

Walking in the shoes are the biggest selling point

[@teridzard1776]

It’s more comfy, it’s lighter? I’ll get it when it’s on the market. More aero? I don’t care. Don’t need any other Pro to convince me. Mr. Gilbert’s opinion is more than sufficient to me.

[@RobRando927]

Now you have to buy their shoe for the pedal.I use SIDI Mega Genius,Speedplay with plate adapters for more front and back.This wont get me to change just like the discs or electronic shifting.

[@fiddleronthebike]

as far as I can see there is no for/after adjustebility, or is it? That would be a huge throw back!!! And what is with rotational freedom? Remember how many pro riders had knee injuries when the fixed cleats (or before the fixed pedals with straps) where used...

[@KidFury27]

They are going to have to follow the original speed play path and make a thin adapter to convert from the current 3 bolt standard to their larger platform. This will increase stack height, but no way will the pros just all swap shoes just for these pedals. Let alone the general public

[@l.d.t.6327]

Pros go through several pairs of shoes a year. Not a big deal if their current shoe sponsor offers shoes that are compatible with this system.

[@KidFury27]

@@l.d.t.6327 Even more of a reason to use a universal adapter. Unless those pros are Adam Hansen and customizing their own carbon soles... Which most do not.

[@adamweb]

This certainly looks more promising than most of the current SPD alternatives...

[@PcmciaKai]

So ... there will be no float on these cleats?

[@roadcc]

There is different cleats for float options