In July Jean-Christophe Rattel, the CEO of the Ekoï brand, explained to us his attraction to product development and entrusted us with the release of a project for revolutionary shoe pedals saving 8 watts. The pedals are being tested by the teams of Nice Métropole, which will compete today in the GP La Marseillaise, and Burgos, to put them to the test at the high level before future marketing.
Jean-Christophe Rattel confirmed to us that riders from Nice and Burgos have been riding with the new concept since December and will race with it this season. “The goal is to put the shoe pedal concept to the test in extreme conditions in training and competition. » We see in the first photos a very small gap between the shoe and the pedal, and above all a very long pedal which is one with the shoe. The wedge seems to be well integrated into the Ekoï shoe.
We observe two hoops as a platform on either side of the pedal axle. The rear one is even longer than the front one. Difficult to determine the engagement mode at the moment, slide, clips, spring. We will look at the paddocks to determine the technology used.
The CEO of the Ekoï brand gave us the main points of the system in July. “These are new shoe pedals with a new concept, it’s an innovation that makes me dream because compared to other pedals on the market, we tested a gain of 8 watts. Two years ago, the inventor came to see me and we bought the patent. He is still with us working on the project. The latter is complex because it is obligatory to make a specific shoe for this pedal. It is very close to the axis and improves traction. »
Code name PW8: pedal, 8 mm and 8 watts
“ The Burgos team will roll with it, it’s a small professional formation, but it will allow the concept to be tested for a year. That’s a real innovation. We presented it to Ineos, to UAE. This type of project makes me happy and once again it is not rational. Everyone told me, it’s complicated, that I was going to have to sell the pedals and shoes set. We’ll see. The concept will be called PW8 for “Pedal, 8 W and 8 mm”.
We wondered about the always delicate entry into the shoe market which remains a difficult market with fitting… Jean Christophe Rattel explained “Yes, it’s going to be difficult, I can imagine that. The person who loves their Shimano or Look shoes or pedals will annoy them. Complete change is going to be a blockage, it’s a great innovation, disruptive, I can’t ignore that. In addition, walking will be easier because there are no more prominent wedges. It is being tested and we have good results. »
“ I’ve already put 2 million into development, no one does that. I say this clearly, especially since profitability may not be there. It’s not even to bother Look or Shimano, that doesn’t interest me. But it is a project that is close to my heart. We may fail, like others, but the Jumbo, UAE and Ineos teams want to test them, they are interested. It’s great because we don’t expect Ekoï on this ground. So, clearly does everyone need to gain 8 watts? No, it’s clear. It’s not essential for him. But the invention has a lot of importance on a personal level.“
To be continued very soon on the Cycle to find out more about this new system which would coexist with the major players in the pedal market.
