Buying advice on road bike clothing and accessories for little money

TOUR readers know their way around the market. Year after year, they provide representative survey results for our market data. In the most recent survey, 18,376 readers took part and voted for their personal favourites. The most popular brands for clothing, glasses, helmets, shoes and GPS computers are Castelli, Oakley, Giro, Sidi and Garmin. They are followed by brand celebrities such as Assos, Specialized and Wahoo. In total, TOUR readers voted 13 brands onto the podium (Specialized and Uvex each made it onto the podium twice), ennobling them as the top brands in the cycling industry.

What these brands have in common is that their road bike products are considered to be particularly innovative and of high quality - or that they have a very unique and brand-typical design. The catch: premium quality has its price. The interesting question: Do the cheapest products from premium suppliers live up to the brand's promises? Are they of the same quality? Or is the similarly priced top product from a less renowned brand possibly the smarter choice?

To find out, we sorted the prices in the online shops from "descending" to "ascending", picked out the cheapest products and invited them to a practical check - if available. First realisation: For well-known high-priced brands such as Assos or Oakley, the offer only starts in the three-digit range, i.e. from or over 100 euros - whether this can be considered cheap is something everyone has to decide for themselves. The situation is similar with shoes suitable for racing bikes. You can't get new Sidi, Shimano or Specialised shoes for less than 100 euros. The cheapest GPS bike computer from Sigma costs 70 euros, the cheapest racing bike helmet from Giro 60 euros, and you can get glasses from Uvex for just under 20 euros.

Nevertheless, our conclusion after the practical test is largely positive. Even the cheapest clothing from Castelli or Gore Wear is high-quality and functional. Shimano and Specialized offer suitable footwear at an entry-level price; you have to sacrifice equipment details, but not the basic quality. The lightweight 60 euro helmet from Giro impresses with its fit and low weight, and the Uvex goggles for 20 euros are an insider tip. With GPS computers, on the other hand, the price directly determines the range of functions. The cheapest device from Sigma counts kilometres, calculates speed and altitude and offers simple arrow navigation. If you want to train ambitiously, analyse data and have connectivity to your smartphone, you have to buy the "cheapest" Wahoo for just under 300 euros.

Conclusion: If you like branded goods and buy high-quality road bike clothing, you don't always need a big wallet. Castelli, Giro and Specialized also offer quality at reasonable prices.

Road bike clothing

• Assos Uma GT Summer SS Jersey 100 Euro
• Assos Mille GT Summer SS Jersey 100 Euro
• Assos Uma GT Half Shorts EVO 110 Euro
• Assos Mille GT Bib Shorts 130 Euro
• Castelli Prima Bibshort Women's 90 Euro
• Castelli Entrata Bibshort Men's 90 Euro
• Castelli Astratta Jersey Women's 80 Euro
• Castelli Maison Jersey Men's 80 Euro
• Gore Wear C3 ladies jersey 70 Euro
• Gore Wear Hakka short tights 70 Euro
• Gore Wear Fade Jersey 90 Euro
• Gore Wear Magix Bib Shorts 90 Euro

Detailed descriptions can be found in the picture gallery:

Road cycling shoes

• Shimano SH-RC 300 100 Euro
• Sidi Alba 2 169 Euro
• Specialised Torch 1.0 110 Euro

Detailed descriptions can be found in the picture gallery:

Racing bike helmets

• Giro Isode 60 Euro
• Specialised Echelon II 100 Euro
• Uvex Boss Race 100 Euro

Detailed descriptions can be found in the picture gallery:

Road cycling glasses

• Oakley M 2 Frame XL 125 Euro
• Rudy Project Propulse 100 Euro
• Uvex Sportstyle 223 20 Euro

Detailed descriptions can be found in the picture gallery:

GPS computer

• Garmin Edge 130 130 Euro
• Sigma Rox 2.0 70 Euro
• Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 280 Euro

Detailed descriptions of the GPS computers can be found in the picture gallery: