TOUR test centre: Jersey, trousers, battery cleaner, handlebars, helmet & card game

Vandeyk jersey and trousers

With Prinzregentenstraße in Munich, the cycling brand Vandeyk has chosen an exclusive location for its company headquarters. The clientele that the brand, which has been in existence for 13 years, aims to attract is likely to be just as exclusive. We tested a summer set consisting of the Aero Jersey (160 euros) and the Woven Bibshort (250 euros). Our tester noticed the race fit and short cut of the very well-made jersey as soon as he put it on, followed by the tip: buy one size larger. The long sleeves fit well, the waistband fits perfectly and keeps the jersey taut. The shorts are equipped with a very thin seat pad from SQlab, which is known to fit very well and is particularly recommended for ambitious long-distance cyclists. Flat and with the right elasticity, both the leg ends and the braces stay perfectly in place. The trousers reach almost to the shoulder blades at the back and are made of airy mesh from the waistband upwards.

Prices

• Jersey 160 Euro
• Trousers 250 Euro

Advantages and disadvantages

• Plus: Processing, fit, wearing comfort
• Minus: -

Battery cleaner from Muc-Off

Muc-Off already has compact high-pressure cleaners for 230-volt and water connections (Gardena coupling) in its range, and the cleaning specialist is now adding a mobile version. The "Mobile high-pressure cleaner" works independently thanks to battery operation and a 20-litre water tank. The starter kit includes a five-metre hose, four lances with different nozzles and pressure adjusters for cleaning bicycles or motorbikes, a foam nozzle with a connection for the cleaner bottle, a 40-volt battery and a charger. Even with a full water tank, the device is easy to manoeuvre thanks to its wheels and foldable handle, provided the surface is reasonably level. The handling is self-explanatory, all couplings and buttons can be operated intuitively. Impressive is the foam carpet that is quickly applied from the connected cleaner bottle to everything within a radius of five metres - although this is more suitable for larger areas and less for wiry vehicles where a lot of foam ends up on the ground. In our experience, the battery and water supply are sufficient for two solidly soaked gravel racers, whereby the battery runtime can be increased from around 15 to 25 minutes if you select Eco mode, which also lowers the maximum pressure to 35 (instead of 65) bar. The charging function control does not fulfil its task adequately; the empty battery takes around four hours to fully charge again.

Price

• 275 euros (bundle offers from 300 to 450 euros) >> available here

Advantages and disadvantages

• Plus: Operation, equipment
• Minus: Charge control, no universal battery system

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Handlebars from Redshift

If you would like to sit less bent on your road bike or miss additional grip positions on the handlebars, the Gravellenker Top Shelf could be an option for you. The special feature of the new handlebar from Redshift is its integrated mounting bracket for the stem, which raises the handlebar level by either five or seven centimetres, allowing a much more upright position and literally accommodating the previously unused grip on the lower handlebar. The high handlebar is also available in four different widths between 44 and 53 centimetres. We fitted the test handlebar with an upper grip width of 47 centimetres, a five-centimetre rise, four additional hand and ball rests and handlebar tape for 257 euros to a gravel racer from Decathlon. Our test rider, who normally avoids the lower handlebars, praised the additional grip option on the lower handlebars and the comfortable palm rests on the grips. At the same time, he criticised the distance between the upper handlebar and brake grip positions when the additional grips are fitted, whereas the reach without the grips is balanced and both positions complement each other well. Overall, the handlebars allow more relaxed grip positions compared to standard handlebars with top bar clamps.

Price

• 257 Euro (trial version)

Advantages and disadvantages

• Plus: many options, price-performance ratio
• Minus: No tilt adjustment

Helmet from Liv

At a price of 150 euros, the new Rev Elite with Mips sits between the top model Pro (200 euros) and the Comp (80 euros) as an all-rounder in Liv's range. The 270 gram helmet has a very slim design, is well air-conditioned with a total of 18 large ventilation openings and the Mips shell is fully padded. A practical feature is that the padding can be removed in one piece for washing. The test helmet in size S fitted our tester with a head circumference of 55 centimetres well, although there was no room for a helmet cap. The height of the adjustment ring can be adjusted in three stages and even at the lowest height there is enough room for a slim pigtail. The strap triangle around the ears is adjustable and there is beautifully coloured reflective material integrated into the back of the helmet. The equipment includes a helmet bag and a spare pad.

Price

• 150 Euro >> available here

Colours

• Purple, white

Sizes

• S (51-55 cm), M (55-59 cm), L (59-63 cm)

Advantages and disadvantages

• Plus: top workmanship, all-round fit, mips, accessories
• Minus: Relatively heavy

Card game

The legend quartet from Switzerland is a fun way to test and expand your cycling knowledge. The cycling range now includes three quartets with racing cyclists and one with female cyclists. Each game comes with 40 cards and the portraits of the cyclists are designed by various artists and illustrators. The most important successes in classics, tours and world championships are listed for you to show off in the game.

Price

• 14 euros each plus at least 6 euros shipping

Advantages and disadvantages

• Plus: Fun to play
• Minus: -