Steven Nemeth, the former CEO of Bont Cycling, has launched O2C, a new performance footwear brand built around what he describes as nearly two decades of biomechanical research.
The brand enters the market with four models: the Axis RK1 and RS1 for road racing, the Vector RC1, which the company positions as an entry-level performance option, and the Vector RT2 for triathlon. Gravel and aero-specific models are scheduled for Spring 2026, the company said.
O2C, an acronym for "Obsess to Compete," draws on Nemeth's experience at Bont, where the company developed heat-mouldable carbon soles and anatomically shaped toe boxes. Nemeth claims shoes developed under this philosophy have been worn in over a third of all Olympic track cycling medals across the last five Games.
"At O2C, everything starts with the foot, not fashion, not trends," Nemeth said. "I've spent nearly two decades obsessing over how the foot actually works under load. O2C is the distillation of that work: uncompromising, anatomical, and relentlessly performance-driven."
The technical USP centres on a proprietary anatomical last and a 3.2mm stack height, which the company says brings the foot closer to the pedal axle than most competitors. Unlike brands that use standardised soles across multiple sizes, O2C uses individual carbon moulds for each size and width, a decision Nemeth said was necessary to maintain consistent support across the range.
The company has also developed its own alloy dial retention system rather than licensing third-party mechanisms such as BOA, which it says allows two-way micro-adjustment while keeping costs lower than some rivals.
Pricing and positioning
The Axis RK1, described by the company as a climbing shoe, weighs 243.4g in size 45 and is priced at £389.95. The Axis RS1, aimed at sprinters and general racing at 247g, comes in at £359.95. Both feature T800 Toray unidirectional carbon soles and 3D knit uppers, with the RK1 appearing to use Dyneema fibres.
The Vector RC1 is targeted, according to the company, at progressing racers and is priced at £174.95, while the triathlon-specific RT2 is listed at £149.95. The pricing places the top-tier models below competitors such as the Specialized S-Works Torch (£549) and Nimbl Ultimate (£480).
The company says each model is built around design priorities intended to address common anatomical fit issues, though we will need to await a review sample to verify the specific design features being employed to achieve this.
The Axis RK1, RS1, Vector RC1 and RT2 are available for pre-order now, with deliveries expected from March 2026 through the O2C website and selected retail partners.
O2C enters the premium cycling footwear segment alongside established brands such as Specialized and Nimbl, with biomechanics-led design as a central part of its marketing.
