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For a clear view: Cycling goggles from Evil Eye
- Price: 329 Euro
- Sizes: S, M, L
- Frame: six colours
Allow me: The full name of these new cycling glasses is Pathline.f pro LST bright Vario blue mirror. Their weight of 27.7 grams in size L is an average value, but at 329 euros they are comparatively expensive. Our tester with a head circumference of 58 centimetres and a broad bridge of the nose found the nose bridge of the size L glasses a little too narrow, while there was space between the temples and temples for the tip of his little finger. As the non-slip temples fit snugly over the ears, the glasses still sit securely on the head. However, a smaller size may also be recommended for larger heads.
There is a large selection of interchangeable lenses; including different tints and self-tinting lenses, there are ten filters to choose from. The tested tint does not darken too much and is still perfectly adequate in bright sunshine. Darkening is relatively quick, lightening rather sluggish. A clip-on sweat catcher is included in the scope of delivery. The protection and brightness flexibility of the Vario lenses are just as impressive as the easy lens change thanks to the small locking levers integrated into the temples. Due to the special fit, we recommend trying them on. The glasses are also suitable for corrected lenses.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Quality, filter selection, lens replacement, available in prescription
- Minus: Special fit
For power transmission: Pedals from Look
- Price: 310 Euro >> available here
The first Keo blade pedal was launched on the market in 2011. The innovation at the time was the release mechanism: instead of a screw and spring, the click mechanism in the rear part of the pedal body is kept under tension by a leaf spring. This design requires fewer parts and therefore saves weight. Disadvantage: There is no way to adjust the release force; on the top model it is 16 Newton metres (Nm). Look is launching three new blade pedals for 2024. The top model Keo Blade Ceramic Ti has, as the name suggests, a ceramic bearing and a titanium shaft. The next cheapest model has a steel shaft and the least expensive has a steel ball bearing.
What all models have in common is the increased contact area; the manufacturer claims it is 705 square millimetres, which is about one tenth the size of a credit card. The top model is sensationally light, weighing just 190 grams as a pair. With the pedal plates (65 grams), this results in a system weight of just 255 grams. For comparison: Shimano's Dura-Ace pedal weighs 300 grams. Without the titanium axle, the pair weighs 40 grams more; we haven't yet had the cheapest model in our hands. The lightweight clickers are perfectly finished and are also designed to improve aerodynamics. The practical advantage of this design is that no dirt can penetrate from below. The fact that the release force cannot be adjusted is a small disadvantage, but it is bearable as there are also aftermarket springs with 8, 12 and 20 Nm.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: top workmanship, light, large contact area
- Minus: Trigger hardness not adjustable
For visibility and visibility: Giant battery-powered headlights
- Price: 70 Euro >> available here
- Weight: 107 grammes
The road-legal Recon HL 80 is a very slim and compact LED headlight with a high-quality finish. The associated bayonet mount is attached to the handlebars using a rubber strap (in three lengths) and a hexagon socket screw. This works perfectly on handlebars with a round cross-section; it is less suitable for flat aero handlebars and not at all suitable for stem mounting because it cannot be rotated. The light carpet of the headlight is very homogeneous and sufficiently wide. Its brightness is sufficient for relaxed night rides at around 25 km/h.
The cut-off line is crisp and sharp so that oncoming traffic is not dazzled and the side area is also well illuminated. Charging via USB cable takes three and a half hours, one battery charge lasts around 1:40 hours in the high light level (measured at four degrees outside temperature). This is a good value for this size, but 20 minutes shorter than the manufacturer claims. A red light indicates 20 minutes of remaining lighting time. A GoPro adapter is available as standard and the headlamp is also available as an HL 50 with 50 lux at a price of 40 euros.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Compact, well made, good and glare-free light
- Minus: Holder only suitable for round handlebars
From the 3D printer: saddle from Selle San Marco
- Price: 400 Euro
- Weight: 195 grams (size 155)
Saddle manufacturer Selle San Marco promises high-tech to own with the new top model Short Fit 3d Open-Fit Carbon FX Wide. However, it costs 400 euros to actually own it. The saddle, which is manufactured using 3D printing, is comparatively short at 25 centimetres in length; the relatively strongly upwardly curved rear and the 16 centimetre long and up to three centimetre wide cut-out further reduce the potential seating surface. The carbon frame with a highly oval strut cross-section can be adjusted very generously over a length of 8.5 centimetres.
After sitting on it for the first time, the saddle feels like a conventionally padded model with a cut-out; in cycling shorts with thin and soft padding, you can feel the relatively coarse weave of the structure after a while. The saddle requires careful adjustment, as the rear provides a lot of support and the pelvis tilts forwards accordingly; the saddle also allows little variation in the riding position. Due to the steeply sloping saddle cover, we measured an effective width of 110 millimetres even on the nominally 155 millimetre wide test saddle. Conclusion: This saddle must fit the anatomy and seat pad of the cycling shorts exactly.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Good pelvic support
- Minus: Change of position
Head protection: Helmet from HJC
- Price: 260 Euro
- Colours: 7 colour variants
- Sizes: 51-56, 55-59, 58-63
Helmet manufacturer HJC has been a well-known name in motorbike racing for almost 50 years, but only five years in cycling. The first road bike helmet came onto the market in 2017. The South Korean company's range now includes seven road helmets and two time trial helmets, and we tested the new Ibex3. The top model weighs 260 grams (size M) and is equipped with a new adjustment system that promises similar protection against head injuries as MIPS. It combines the classic adjustment wheel for head width adjustment with additional integrated springs that keep the head ring slightly under tension; it can also be adjusted seven times in height and five times in length.
Customisation works really well in practice. Two testers with head circumferences of 56 and 58 centimetres fitted the size M very well; the tester (head circumference 54 centimetres) also liked the fit in size S very much. She also praised the cut-out at the back for threading hair through. The helmet, which is available in seven colours and three sizes, is impeccably made. Ventilation was not an issue during the winter test rides. We will find out how well the protection system protects against head injuries in a later test on our helmet test bench.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Processing, size adjustment, fit
- Minus: -
Matthias Borchers
Editor
