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Shoe from Northwave
The new "Revolution" shoe model from Northwave is aimed at ambitious racing cyclists and competitive athletes. The centrepiece of the lightweight shoe (pair weight 614 grams in size 43.5) from Cambodian production is the sole made of a carbon composite material called "Morph"; the manufacturer promises efficient power transmission, whereby the sole feels comparatively soft or compliant. The two-layer upper combines polyurethane with air-permeable mesh fabric; two ventilation openings in the sole support the foot climate. The in-house twist fasteners have a fine grid, but are not as intuitive to use as Boa fasteners. Compared to Northwave's top-of-the-range "Veloce Extreme" model, the last is slightly wider and larger; the shaft is relatively high, encloses the heel well and has a rubberised grip so that no slippage is noticeable even when pedalling hard. Thanks to the rubberised and replaceable heel under the heel, the cycling shoe is relatively comfortable to walk in. The "Revolution" is available in three colours: black, white and light grey/sage (pictured) and up to size 50.
Price
- 225 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
Sizes
- 36 to 50; 39.5 to 45.5
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: good support, many sizes up to 50
- Minus: bulky screw cap
>> Road bike helmet test: Expensive versus cheap - 7 pairs of road bike helmets in a comparison test
Lock from Abus
The new Yardo chain lock from Abus is opened using a finger scan instead of a key or numerical code. The lock, which weighs a good 1.2 kilograms and has a seven millimetre thick, 80 centimetre long round chain, fulfils protection level 8 (out of a maximum of 15). Up to 20 different fingerprints can be stored, two of which are so-called master prints that authorise the user to change the settings. The sensor positioned centrally on the headpiece recognises the fingerprint from all directions. Power is supplied by a standard CR2 battery, which is included in the scope of delivery. According to Abus, one battery lasts for up to 10,000 openings, and a warning signal indicates when the battery is running low. After ten warnings, the system prevents further locking to prevent accidental locking. Thanks to the many fingerprints that can be memorised, the lock can also be used by families or larger groups.
Price
- 110 Euro >> available here
Weight
- 1,238 grammes
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: No key or numerical code required
- Minus: Sensor is sensitive to dirt
Bottle cage from Zéfal
French accessory manufacturer Zéfal presents the Pulse S2 as a bottle cage with a side opening that can be used from either the left or right. This makes the very well-made holder suitable for bikes with small frames that leave no space for removing the bottle from the top, or for bikes on which space is limited by bikepacking bags, for example. The bottle cage weighs a typical 27 grams and is around 15 centimetres long. The mounting position can be adjusted by 52 millimetres using the slotted holes in the mounting brace. It accepts water bottles with a diameter of 72 to 76 millimetres.
Price
- 19,95 Euro >> available here
Weight
- 27 grammes
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Processing, flexibility, support
- Minus: -
Glasses from BBB
BBB Cycling is expanding its range of sports glasses with the new Valor Flux cycling glasses. According to the manufacturer, the so-called Flux lens technology filters the light spectrum between red, green and blue wavelengths to improve brightness and contrast. BBB offers the Flux lenses in four different colour variants, each of which is intended to be optimised for specific areas of use. According to the manufacturer, our test model, the red version, is specially designed for road cycling and is intended to filter out warm colour tones to improve contrast on asphalt and cobblestones. In our practical test in the spring sun, we found this to work well. Thanks to the adjustable nose piece, the filigree glasses fit securely and the large lens provides good protection against wind and draughts. The slim temples can be a little tight on large heads.
Price
- 130 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
Weight
- 30 grammes
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Protective function, hold
- Minus: -
Merino vest from Woolpower
The short-sleeved round neck shirt from Woolpower weighs 150 grams in size M. This makes the "Tee Lite", which is available in black and olive green, ideal for rides in the temperature range between five and fifteen degrees; at higher temperatures, it can quickly become too warm in this very comfortable shirt. Thanks to the 80 per cent merino content (20 per cent polyamide), the shirt does not smell even after repeated wear. However, it does not transport sweat to the next layer as quickly as pure synthetic fibre vests. Woolpower describes the fit as "close-fitting", we recommend a size M for a 1.80 metre tall and 80 kilogramme cyclist; the size L was clearly too big for our taste. We would have liked a more flexible neckline.
Price
- 90 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
Weight
- 150 grammes
Sizes
- XXS to XXL
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Material feels nice against the skin, fluffy
- Minus: Collar not very flexible
