Bicycle accessories from Aldi-Süd: What are bicycle lights, rain jackets etc. good for?

Aldi Bikemate premium LED lamp set

In the past, the lamp sets from Aldi Süd were always of acceptable quality, but now the LED headlights and rear lights from Bikemate compete with more expensive branded products. Both the 124 gram headlight and the 54 gram rear light (each including universal holder) impress with their luminosity. The headlight produces a glare-free carpet of light on the road (70 lux maximum), making it easy to recognise small obstacles such as stones and branches on the road at moderate speeds of up to 25 km/h. The rear light is powered by two AAA batteries (included). The rear light, which is powered by two AAA batteries (included in the scope of delivery), has a central LED that provides plenty of light to the rear and side. There is even an integrated brake light with four additional LEDs, which worked reliably during our practical test. We were also impressed by the headlight's battery life of four hours and forty minutes at maximum power, its relatively short charging time of two and a half hours, as well as the convenient operation and the clear battery charge level indicator with its three bars. Price: 12.99 Euro >> available here.

TOUR verdict: a good buy!

Aldi Bikemate smartphone holder

The Bikemate mount is an option for anyone who wants to carry their smartphone on the handlebars while riding rather than in their jersey pocket. Weighing just 33 grams, the very lightweight transporter is suitable for smartphones between four and six and a half inches in size. We found that an older iPhone 6S with a 4.7-inch display fits perfectly, but with a newer one with a 6-inch display we found the retaining rubbers very tight and difficult to thread. Otherwise, the mount with its seven-way adjustable strap fits well on round handlebars with a diameter of up to 31.8 millimetres, but not on aero handlebars with a correspondingly flat cross-section. The vertical format and panoramic view are infinitely adjustable, although the mechanism twists slightly at an angle on rough surfaces. Price: 4.99 euros.

TOUR verdict: buy with the right display size!

Aldi Crane cycling vest seamless

Functional vests from brand manufacturers cost between 50 and 100 euros, while the Crane cycling vest, which weighs just under 180 grams, costs a fraction of that. The very elastic baselayer in black with white stripes feels very fluffy and warm on the skin, making it ideal for cold autumn and chilly winter days. It transports perspiration to the next layer, although it dries much more slowly than lighter sports vests. Overall, the material is so stretchy that it takes some time for the shirt to lie crease-free on the body after a lot of tugging. We don't think the fit around the neck is ideal, as the round neck collar doesn't really want to hug the neck. If you normally wear an L or XL, you'll be happy with an M if you have a normal figure. Price: 9.99 euros.

TOUR verdict: buy!

Aldi Crane winter cycling shirt

The membrane-free winter cycling shirt from Aldi Süd weighs 280 grams, which is around 100 grams more than the cycling vest. The extra weight is due to the zip, the stand-up collar, the three jersey pockets with integrated zip pocket and the yellow waistband. The jersey is not much warmer than the seamless vest, but it feels even fluffier on the skin. Its cut is slightly longer at the back than at the front, which is why the jersey stays well in place at the back when pedalling and does not slip upwards. The jersey is shorter at the front, but not short enough. As a result, the fabric wrinkles slightly at the front when the cyclist is bent over. Positive: The jersey pockets are easy to load and unload, the zip runs up and down easily and the reflective material between the shoulders improves visibility in traffic. We recommend using it on sunny, mild autumn or winter days, as there is no membrane to protect you from the wind, or a water-repellent finish to protect you from the rain. Price: 12.99 euros.

TOUR judgement: worth buying!

Aldi Crane cycling rain jacket

The Crane rain jacket has two positive features: Thanks to its windproof membrane, it protects against cold winds and, in signal yellow and equipped with lots of reflective material, it sends out plenty of signals in traffic. So if you are simply looking for a highly visible wind jacket with clever features such as a hood concealed in the collar, a large zip pocket on the back or ventilation slits with a zip, the Aldi Regenpelle is perfectly equipped, although its rain protection is limited and can only be described as rain-repellent. In the spray test (standard test), many water droplets soak into the outer skin, which means that the body quickly loses heat and starts to freeze in strong winds. Aldi deserves praise for using a pollutant-free process without the use of fluorine, halogens or formaldehyde when impregnating the material (BIONIC-FINISH ECO). However, compromises have to be made in terms of fit and cut. In size M, the jacket falls loosely from the shoulders of even L-wearers and flutters even at low speeds. And if you have long arms, your wrists will quickly freeze in a stretched position, as the manufacturer has saved on fabric here. Price: 19.99 euros*.

TOUR judgement: worth buying!

Aldi Crane cycling gloves

Our testers were quick to pass judgement on the Crane cycling gloves: you can keep your hands warm with them, but you shouldn't have them on your handlebars. The reason for the lack of comfort is the puffy material distribution, which is too thick in the palm area, coupled with the poorly fixed liner. Both together lead to the fingers getting lost in the glove when putting it on and the grip on the handlebars feels very spongy. In addition, the crook of the thumb is very tight and the fingers are cut relatively short, so that the gloves, which provide good protection against the cold and wet, only flatter delicate hands with short fingers. Price: 3.99 euros.

TOUR verdict: do not buy!