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Helmet from Sweet Protection
The company history of helmet manufacturer Sweet Protection is dominated by helmets for skaters, kayakers and skiers. Cycling tends to play a minor role - although the Norwegians have more than 20 models for road and off-road in their range, and as a supplier to the Norwegian team Uno-X, they are prominently visible in professional sport. Our test model Fluxer Mips is not part of the professional equipment, but our testers liked it straight away because of its slim shape and good all-round fit. The helmet, which is available in six colour variants, owes its compact shape to a high-density protective shell that is around 25 millimetres thick.
Its three-way height-adjustable adjustment system, which leaves enough room for a pigtail at the back, is comfortable to use, as is the trapezoidal strap at the side, which offers enough space for the ears; a total of 19 air vents serve to cool the head. Our test model for 200 euros was equipped with Mips, the more affordable Model Outrider with Mips costs 50 euros less.
- Price: 199 Euro >> available here
- Weight: 290 grams (M/L)
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Wearing comfort, appearance
- Minus: Weight
Cleaner from F100
The new foam cleaner F100 Power Bike Shampoo The manufacturer Dr Wack describes it as gentle on all surfaces, without removing wax or other sealants, and as biodegradable. However, non-biodegradable cleaners may no longer be sold in Germany. The cleaner is diluted in water - one capful (30 millilitres) to one litre of water - and applied with a sponge or the optional wash mitt (15 euros). In our practical test, the amount was sufficient for three dust-soiled bikes, so you could clean your bike around a hundred times with the whole bottle.
However, if you only want to clean one wheel, you either have too much of the mixture or, with a correspondingly lower dosage, not enough water. We achieved the best effect by removing coarse dirt with a jet of water and soaking; with the Wash mitt Fork crowns, fork blades or rims can also be shampooed. After the final shower, we were impressed with the result: the paintwork, plastic and rubber shone cleanly.
- Price: 25 Euro >> available here
- Contents: 1 litre
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Effective cleaning
- Minus: Dosability, not favourable
Merino detergent
According to the manufacturer's dosage recommendation, one capful (50 millilitres) is sufficient per wash cycle; with a bottle capacity of 300 millilitres, that makes six washes - i.e. 1.30 euros per four kilos of wool. The price is acceptable, provided you can get enough merino wool items together for a large wash.
With the litre bottle at a price of 18 euros (90 cents per wash), cleaning is even cheaper. The subtle citrus scent and the fluffy feeling of freshly washed wool on the skin are convincing, although we always set an extra rinse cycle with clear water. Less than 50 millilitres fit into the cap without spilling, which ultimately allows for seven washes instead of six. It should be noted that the manufacturer recommends not washing waterproof clothing with it.
- Price: 8 Euro >> available here
- Contents: 300 millilitres
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Odour, wearing comfort of washed clothing
- Minus: None
Cycling shorts from Shimano
Shimano has long enjoyed a good reputation for cycling shoes, but not many cyclists are aware of the Japanese brand's clothing - not yet. We have the Women's W's S-Phyre Leggera Bibshort, the top model of the short summer trousers. The trousers are equipped with wide straps and leg cuffs, a firm yet soft fabric plus reflective material, as is usual for the class; they weigh 155 grams, which is an average value.
Their thick pad effectively measures 14 centimetres wide, and the stepped foam core with noticeable edges takes some getting used to. The material offers a high level of comfort; contrary to what Shimano promises in the description, our testers found that the trousers do not allow a pee-friendly exit.
- Price: 190 Euro >> available here
- Weight: 155 grammes
- Sizes: S to XL
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Carrier, material, processing
- Minus: thick padding, misleading product description
Glasses from Oakley
Barely noticeable, a secure hold and excellent all-round visibility: the new Sphaera from Oakley. The large-area lens with contrasting Prizm technology is curved wide around the face and provides excellent protection against glaring light and wind. Thanks to the half-edge design, visibility at the edges is almost unrestricted. At 35 grams, the new product is not one of the lightest models, but nevertheless sits unobtrusively on the nose. Thanks to the flexible plastic temples and rubberised pad, the Sphaera does not move a millimetre.
The biggest drawback of the sports glasses, which according to Oakley were developed in collaboration with former star Mark Cavendish, is the low level of protection against sweat: the high bridge leaves a small gap between the frame and forehead, through which sweat runs into the eyes and onto the lens. As with all cycling glasses, you should also make sure you try them on with a helmet, as the long temples do not fit all head protectors.
Oakley offers a total of six models with differently tinted lenses, one version is available with a polarised lens. The also new BiSphaera is optically modified and can be ordered with prescription lenses.
- Price: 205 Euro >> available here
- Weight: 35 grammes
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: All-round visibility, very good grip
- Minus: Low protection against sweat
Matthias Borchers
Editor
