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Helmet from Scott: The Cadence Plus
Scott presents the latest upgrade of the well-known Cadence helmet, the Cadence Plus. The manufacturer advertises improved aerodynamics, which we have not tested. The helmet is also said to be less bulky, which is true. At 280 grams in size M, the Cadence Plus is one of the lightest helmets in the category of helmets with the Mips safety system. The testers praise its good all-round fit and comfortable feel - although the helmet seems a little narrower at the front than its predecessor.
The magnetic fastening of the chin strap takes some getting used to at first; somehow you always press in the wrong place if you are used to a ratchet or click fastener. Otherwise, the strap fits snugly and leaves enough room for the ears. The attachable rear light, which can be recharged via a USB port and weighs just 15 grams, is smart; however, you have to remove it to switch it on and off. To make the helmet even more streamlined (or to keep insects out), the ventilation openings can be closed with easy-to-insert covers (40 grams).
- Price: 250 Euro >> available here
- Sizes: 51-55, 55-59, 59-61
- Colours: Four colour variants
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Wearing comfort, workmanship, weight, details
- Minus: Rear light can only be switched on and off outside the helmet
Tool from Crankbrothers: The BC 18
The new BC 18 tool in combination with the corresponding bottle carrier for frame mounting presents itself as a surprise egg among the mini tools. The manufacturer has integrated many tools and functions so cleverly into the design of two tool carriers and aluminium cylinder with screw cap that some details only become apparent at second glance. For example, the tool cleverly uses the cavity in the cap as a hiding place for the flick salami for tubeless tyres.
The smaller of the two tool carriers contains laterally milled spanner widths that can be used as spoke spanners or for fitting valve cores, plus a valve adapter for an optional CO2 cartridge. Otherwise, the 258 gram tool carrier combination has all the necessary tools on board. The disadvantage of the small tools with many nooks and crannies is that they pinch your hand when screwing; it is advisable to wear gloves. You can also easily pinch your fingers on the side snap locks for the aluminium cylinder and CO2 cartridge.
- Price: 100 Euro (without Co2 cartridge)
- Weight: 258 grammes
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Clever design, many functions
- Minus: Handling
Sports bra from Odlo: The Ascent Performance Wool
Odlo has already had merino wool clothing in its range for some time. The two new sports bras Odlo Merino Soft and Ascent Performance Wool Medium have now been added to the range. Both models are made from a wool blend fabric with a proportion of mulesing-free merino wool. We tried out the Ascent Performance with the wide straps, which is supposed to offer more support. Our tester liked the fit and found the size to be suitable. The seams can be a little scratchy on the skin, but this was only noticeable when putting on and taking off, not on the road bike. The bra is too warm for indoor use, but it fits very well outdoors in mild temperatures.
- Price: 70 Euro >> available here
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Fit
- Minus: Seam tracking
Glasses from Oakley: The Sphaera Prizm Tour de France 2024
Every year for the Tour de France, Oakley brings out a special model in Tour yellow. This year, the Sphaera model has the honour of wearing the most famous yellow in sports history (not only) through France; the "Sphaera Prizm Tour de France 2024" costs 225 euros. We were able to try out the yellow Oakley before the Grand Depart in Florence: The large, one-piece lens is curved wide around the face and provides good protection from the sun and wind.
Thanks to the half-frame design, the view downwards is not restricted by anything. At 35 grams, the Sphaera is not one of the lightest goggles, but it still sits unobtrusively on the nose and stays securely in place without slipping thanks to the flexible plastic temples and rubberised nose pad. The normal Sphaera, which test editor Julian Schultz is wearing with the Scott helmet in the picture above, is available from 214 euros.
- Price: 225 Euro >> available here
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Fit, wearing comfort, protective function
- Minus: -
Gravel shoes from Northwave: The Hammer Plus
When trying on the Northwave Hammer Plus, it is noticeable that the shoe is relatively wide, although it is even available in a version with a wider last ("wide"). If you have delicate and narrow feet, we recommend the "WMN" model, which, like the "Wide", is only available in black. The affordable Italian model is laced with a twist lock, whereby the Northwave button works much more awkwardly than the Boa competition, for example, and requires some getting used to. The shoe is well made and available in black, green, white and grey. The comfortable and robust gravel shoe is a good companion for carefree off-road tours, and the running characteristics are also very good.
- Price: 135 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
- Sizes: 36 to 48; 39.5 to 45.5
- Variants: Narrow and wide last
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Wearing comfort, running characteristics
- Minus: Twist lock
