Essentials for cyclists: 5 products from the TOUR test centre for a better riding experience

Fitness watch: Suunto Race in the TOUR test centre

The new Suunto Race sports watch is a serious competitor to the market leader Garmin thanks to its map display and attractive price. The scratch-resistant AMOLED display and battery life are outstanding. When it comes to navigation, Suunto relies on free OpenStreetMap maps. The GPS tracks can be uploaded via the Suunto app - setup and connection to Strava is simple. The biggest advantage of the Suunto Race is its digital "crown". The small wheel navigates through the menu and is easy to operate even when wearing gloves.

Great: you can zoom in and out on the map using the wheel. For 449 euros you get in the Steel version (83 grams) an attractive package. In titanium for 549 euros It weighs 69 grams and therefore around 20 per cent less than the similarly equipped and similarly sized, but significantly more expensive Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar. The sensors reveal slight weaknesses: the GPS recording was slightly out of sync and the optical heart rate sensor was not entirely accurate. Nevertheless, it is probably the best Suunto ever at an attractive priceThis is made possible by production in China - other watches from the manufacturer are produced in Finland using renewable energy.

• Price: from 449 Euro >> available at Alltricks

Advantages and disadvantages

• Plus: simple operation, free maps, display, battery life
• Minus: Sensors

Mini pump: Cycplus Tiny E-Pump

The Cycplus Tiny E-Pump weighs less than 100 grams, is palm-sized and will inflate a 25 mm tyre to five and a half bar in 80 seconds, two tyres with one battery charge - that's the advertising promise. The small pump in an aluminium housing and rubber casing can be operated with a button: press once and the battery status display appears, press twice and the pump starts pumping with a tolerable vibration. After several inflated tyres, the performance is convincing: the pump can do what it promiseson Presta and Schrader valves. The battery is charged via USB-C cable in just under half an hour.

• Price: 82,48 Euro >> e.g. available at Amazon
• Colours: black and silver

Advantages and disadvantages

• Plus: Compact, light, fast
• Minus: Relatively expensive air in the tyre

Long-sleeved shirt: Woolpower Crewneck 200 in the TOUR test centre

The first time you touch it, the vest feels Crewneck 200 from the Swedish brand Woolpower is thick and heavy. Although it is knitted particularly loosely to trap a lot of warming air, it still weighs 224 grams (size M). The long-sleeved shirt feels fluffy against the skin and warms really well.

The unisex shirt is made from a blend of merino lambswool and synthetic material, the inside is softly terry-lined and makes it feel pleasant against the skin. The seams are sewn flat so that the shirt does not rub, and the sleeves and body are seamless. We recommend the shirt as a companion under a winter jacket in temperatures around freezing point; from five degrees onwards, it quickly becomes too warm as soon as you start exercising more intensively.

• Price: 105 Euro >> e.g. available at Otto
• Sizes: XXS to XXXL
• Colours: Black, blue, grey, green

Advantages and disadvantages

• Plus: Skin feel, warms well
• Minus: Sweat transport

>> Here you can find products from our last TOUR test centre

Winter shoes: Northwave Flagship R GTX

The early onset of winter at the beginning of December provided us with ideal test conditions for the new winter shoe from Northwave. With temperatures of around minus five degrees and partly snow-covered roads, the Flagship R GTX a positive impression: after two hours through ice and snow, the testers' feet were still warm and dry. A special Goretex membrane with integrated fleece is responsible for this; according to the manufacturer, the shoes are suitable for temperatures down to minus 15 degrees. The high neoprene shaft, which extends over the ankle, provides excellent protection against splashing water.

Our test rider also noted the high vapour permeability, and his feet did not sweat in relatively thin racing socks. Thanks to the carbon sole, which is just as rigid as that of the professional Veloce Extreme model, power transmission is very direct. In addition, the usual pedal system can remain on the road bike. However, the treadless shoe offers little grip on snow and mud when walking. The construction also shows no advantages on the scales: At 906 grams (size 44), the pair weighs almost as much as the lightest winter shoes with a treaded sole.

Getting them on and off is a little difficult due to the high shaft. The Flagship R GTX can be adjusted very well thanks to the two twist fasteners. Overall, the shoes are slightly larger. The toe box is spacious, so you can also wear thicker socks in the shoes depending on how cold you feel or the outside temperature. The price of 430 euros guarantees an exclusive group of buyers.

• Price: 430 Euro >> available at Tradeinn
• Sizes: 36-48, half sizes 39.5-45.5
• Colours: Black

Advantages and disadvantages

• Plus: Weather protection, fit, power transmission
• Minus: Walking characteristics

Elite fan Aria Smart in the TOUR test centre

The Elite fan Aria Smart is a cool companion for effective indoor roller training. It is controlled electronically via ANT+ or Bluetooth, and the intensity of the airflow can be linked to the heart rate, speed, wattage values or a core temperature sensor. Alternatively, the Elite Aria Smart can also be operated manually in four stages. Its airflow is relatively strongly directed and the fan outlet can be swivelled in ten stages.

It also has a Activated carbon filter for air purificationwhich should be replaced after 500 operating hours and costs 15 euros per pair. The Aria reaches up to 50 km/h at the blower output, of which up to 20 km/h reaches the handlebars according to our measurements. It is set up via Elite's My-E-Training app, which enables finer control than in manual mode. The fan has a stand-by function that activates the device as soon as a paired sensor delivers values.

• Price: 289 Euro >> available at Fitstore24
• Floor space: 31 x 30 centimetres
• Volume: 42-65 dBA

Advantages and disadvantages

• Plus: powerful, compact, easily adjustable, quiet, air filter
• Minus: Relatively expensive