TOUR test centre: 3D printed saddle, tyres, trousers with whoop, shoes and lamp holder

Saddle from Posedla: Freshly printed

• Price: 500 Euro
• Processing and delivery time: six to eight weeks

Posedla is a manufacturer of saddles customised using 3D printing from the Czech Republic. The first step to a customised saddle is to create an account on the Posedla website, where you enter your sitting posture and rider type. Posedla then sends the "Smiling Butt Kit" for the customised butt impression. The fast and precise communication with the Czech manufacturer is pleasing. E-mails are answered within a short time and the delivery of the "Smiling Butt Kit" only took three working days.

The printer produced the saddle for our tester on this basiswhich he was able to take delivery of within the promised processing time of seven weeks from ordering. Immediately fitted, our test pilot has so far completed around 500 kilometres on the saddle. Based on the imprint in the foam pad, a sit bone distance of 114 millimetres was determined; the sit bones of the customised saddle meet the very firm padding relatively far forward, almost in the middle, which our tester says offers good support in any handlebar position, whether upright or flat.

The saddle, which is 146 millimetres wide and 250 millimetres long, weighs just 171 grams, which is comparatively low. In contrast to the punctual pressure peaks that we were able to document with the pressure measuring film, the genital and perineal area is visibly pressure-free, which our tester confirmed. Overall, the Posedla concept works with the customised saddle from the 3D printer. The process is simple, processing and production take a reasonable amount of time and the result is a high-quality, customised saddle which, according to the manufacturer, can be sent back and reprinted within 60 days if it is not to your liking.

Advantages: Service, communication, quality

Tyres from Maxxis: The insider tip

• Price: 80 Euro
• Widths: 25, 28 millimetres

Maxxis tyres are extremely popular with mountain bikers, but have so far been a marginal phenomenon on road bikes. A new rubber compound for the top model Highroad, recognisable by the suffix "SL", could change this. We had the new tyre in the latest comparison of 30-millimetre tyres out of competition, as Maxxis does not offer this size. However, as a 28-millimetre version, the delicate pellet can keep up with the fastest competitors from Conti, Schwalbe and Pirelli.

The tyre also combines very good puncture protection on the sidewalls with plenty of grip and safe, predictable handling in fast bends. This puts it ahead of the industry leader and long-term test winner Conti Grand Prix 5000S TR extremely tight on the rubber. The impression of comfort can be finely adjusted via the tyre pressure, the tyre is stable even at low pressure. It is also easy to fit and provides excellent sealing. A 32-millimetre version is planned, and the tyre will cost just under 80 euros in 25 or 28 millimetre widths.

Advantages: Top for rolling resistance, grip, puncture protection and handling

Trousers with whoop from Assos: Tracker car park

• Price: 165 euros (plus 18 euros/month Whoop subscription)

Assos and Whoop are redefining the topic of "wearables": The Swiss manufacturer has developed a pair of road cycling shorts that can be combined with the US brand's fitness tracker. The tracker is inserted into a small pocket that is placed over the left side of the buttocks. According to Assos, five different positions for the sensor were tested during the development phase. In the saddle, you don't notice the small, 27 gram tracker. The optical sensor lies directly on the skin so that it can record biometric data such as heart rate, breathing rate or skin temperature.

But it doesn't necessarily have to: in practice, data collection worked even when a thin vest covered the skin. Whoop automatically recognises the type of sport via the heart rate profile. However, you can also select this manually from a list of over 60 activities. The device can also be "fed" with up to 140 habits via a so-called logbook. A daily query in the German-language app allows you to select, for example, whether you consume alcohol, read in bed before going to sleep or when you ate your last meal.

The Assos Mille GT Whoop C2 is available for 165 euros, which is 20 euros more than the version without the Whoop bag. The Swiss also offer a women's model (Uma GT Whoop C2). The fitness tracker is only available as a subscription, with a one-year membership costing 264 euros and 444 euros for two years. A 30-day trial subscription is free of charge. Anyone already using Whoop should note that the cycling shorts are only compatible with generation 4.0 of the tracker.

Advantages: Sensor placement and wearing characteristics

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Shoes from Canyon: Noble shoes

• Price: 330 Euro
• Sizes: 36-48; 40,5-46,5
• Colours: Black, white

With the Canyon Tempr CFR the manufacturer from Koblenz is entering the market for high-performance road cycling shoes for the first time. Canyon aims to impress technically with the highest quality LI2 twist lock from Boa with an elegant aluminium twist ring, extra spacious toe box and an insole from supplier Solestar, which noticeably supports the arch of the foot. The integrated, very open-pored tongue fits over the instep as flexibly as a sock without pinching. The Boa fasteners do their job accurately as usual; as soon as the feet need more space, they release the tension on the upper shoe click by click. Feet of normal width stand comfortably in the very light top shoe (pair weight 533 grams in size 43).

Advantages: top workmanship, closure, ergonomic insole

Lamp holder from Sigma: Retaining ring

• Price: 9,95 Euro >> available here

Lamp mounts that can be attached to aerodynamically shaped handlebars are few and far between. Sigma now offers a mount for its popular Aura light that can be attached to Sigma bike computer arms (Long or Short Butler). The accessory called Aura 100 Out-front GoPro also fits on the boom mounts of most bike manufacturers, but only accepts the Aura 100 light.

Advantages: Practical design