Accessory trends 2025: Chain wax, clipless pedals, pump and smart rear lights

The year 2025 once again brought us countless cycling-related products. Many of them are designed to make life easier for us cyclists. We present four trends.

There are a few things that everyone needs - from commuters to amateur athletes or touring cyclists to professionals. These include air pumps, pedal lights and chain lubrication. Surprise! We have identified a trend for all three essentials in 2025.

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Electronic pumps

We didn't realise we needed them, but then they were there. And then we needed them: electronic air pumps. These electronic mini pumps are compact, rechargeable and surprisingly precise. At first there were only a few, but over the course of the year one model after another was introduced. Last year, when we were looking at our Test of battery-powered air pumps for bicycles our statement was that these small printers are mainly available from Chinese manufacturers that can be purchased via Amazon and the like. These include, for example Cycplus (Test) as perhaps the best known. Pump manufacturers such as Lezyne or SKS were not represented. At that time Topeak had announced a pump. The E-boosters are now available and we have tested them. SKS also seems to have something in the pipeline; at any rate, there is an electric pump category on the website. There are now small battery pumps from many well-known bicycle accessory brands in this country.

• Dynamic Bike Care Turblo and Turblo+
• Silca Elettrico Ultimate Inflator and Micro Inflator >> available here
• Trek Air Rush (practical test) >> available here

Radar tail lights

The Garmin Varia radar rear light has been available on the market for a long time. Variant with dash cam was extended. In the last few weeks, we have received one report after another; one radar tail light after another. These parts can be connected to the sat nav via Bluetooth. Sensors recognise cars and other road users approaching. The connected navigation devices can issue audio warnings or visually indicate that something is approaching. We in the editorial team disagree about the usefulness of the warning of approaching cars; Matthias Borchers, long-time test editor, hears the cars the same way and doesn't need these warnings. TOUR editor Sandra Schuberth, on the other hand, finds it a pleasant addition to the sound of the car. When the wind and airstream are blowing around her ears, she sometimes ignores them. Especially when overtaking with too little distance, the shock is great when a car suddenly appears next to her. Tearing the handlebars: life-threatening.

• Garmin Varia Radar (199 Euro >> available here at a reduced price) and Varia Radar with Dash-Cam (399 euros, available here at a reduced price)
• Lezyne Radar Drive - also available as a set with front light
• Sigma Reco 80 Link >> available here at a reduced price

Two new pedal systems

2025 brought movement to the pedal market. With "Revolutionising the road bike pedal?" was the title of our practical test of the Ekoï PW8 pedal system. The system is lighter than comparable competitor products and the foot is closer to the pedal axle with this pedal than with any other. Shortcoming: The system requires special shoes. A pedal system rarely comes alone. One would probably not even begin to be described as a trend. Then came Q36.5 and SRM, who presented a newly developed shoe-pedal system at the beginning of December. Here too, the stack height, i.e. the distance between the foot and the pedal axle, has been reduced. It remains to be seen how the new systems will be accepted and whether there will be more suitable shoes.

Chain wax

Admittedly, chain wax didn't just become big in 2025, but in the last few years. Nevertheless, interest has remained huge this year and our big Wax test, with 16 liquid and hot waxes and interesting facts about chain wax is one of the top interests of TOUR readers in 2025.

>> The three best chain waxes in the TOUR test