This was the mighty atom of the test, giving out a huge amount of light from a tiny source – an incredible 220 lumens at full power. Amazingly,all this power comes from two lithium batteries. Fitting the ExposureSpark to your bike is as simple as pulling two tie wraps in place; it really is that […]
It’s a hugely reassuring experience to witness a hard-case bike box, like this one from B&W, fall off a moving luggage lorry and to then find your bike perfectly intact inside. Less encouraging, however, is the way earlier versions of this very box seemed prone to splitting at the hinges. You could solve this with […]
Thank God for wireless technology. It’s made setting up bike computers a dream. Two pairs of zip-ties, some sticky-back plastic (provided), and about five minutes was all it took to get CatEye’s Micro Wireless up and running. Operation is equally straightforward, with one start/stop button (though this would benefit from a more positive feel) and […]
The most powerful rear view light here, but let down by sideways visibility and switch issues. The 0.5 watt red LED sitting at the top of the keyhole-shaped unit is certainly an attention grabber. Not only will cars clock you from miles away, it’s also enough of a mind melter in random flash mode to […]
Costing a mere tenner, Niterider’s little safety scarab is a decent if delicate basic unit. We say delicate because it exploded first drop during our simulated, off-bike fall phase of testing. The good news is that once we’d found and re-assembled all the bits and batteries, it still worked fine and didn’t spill its guts […]
Cateye was the first company to build a rear LED and reflector that met British Safety standards and effectively made bulbed rear lights extinct overnight. Their latest multi-LED grenade blows the opposition away. While each LED might not be the brightest, the effect of all eight rear diodes going off in sequence is hypnotically noticeable. […]
Sanyo’s Eaglefly matched its name with a soaring performance to start with… but it didn’t take long to admit that we’d been a tad too hasty with our initial praise. The semi-reflector design looks basic but the LEDs are seriously bright. They even eclipsed the mighty Cateye in the Space Invader/flapping wings flashing mode that […]
Twenty pounds for this tiny dot of a light seems a lot, but then it’s got some typically cunning Blackburn features. While it’s not big or dazzling enough to be a main light, it’s small and light enough to sit on the back of your helmet, bag loop or even overshoe top without wobbling. This […]
Hed’s Vantage 8 name comes from its eight-axis positional adjustment, making this bar a smart option for riders with ‘princess and pea’ tendencies. Boasting a broad profile, the wings are joined with a conventional single-tube, oversized centre-stem clamp section. Longer, dead straight tubular horns sit on the tips ready to plug in whatever brakes you […]
With its aggressive-looking, Klingon warbird-style bar, the Missile is a predatory (if somewhat pricey) performer – and certainly aptly-named. The steeply down-sloped outer wing means the low-set horns give an even more aggressive position than the extensions. At 420mm wide they offer a nice broad, controlled feel, but the riding position takes some getting used […]
On paper this is the mother of all cycle computers. As well as the usual parameters (wireless cadence, speed, distance), it measures heart rate, temperature, altitude, gradient, total ascent/descent and can probably predict what your mum’s cooking for dinner. It interfaces with a PC via a USB connection and software supplied for ‘easy’ analysis. In […]
Nobody has a better reputation for computer reliability than Cateye, but visibility and versatility could be better. While the rack-and-pinion thumbwheel attachment strip is very clever, it’s a lot bulkier than zip ties and can’t cope with flat wing-style bars. The combined cadence and speed sensor makes for easy set-up and rear-wheel turbo compatibility. The […]
Sigma has always had a solid reputation for decent easy-to-use computers and this full-function squarehead is no exception. Paying nearly £100 gets you chrome sidestripes and crisp detailing all round, as well as a massive book of instructions. ‘O’ ring installation is easy and repeatable on different bikes without the need for extra zip ties. […]
The Pro range is basically Shimano’s set of accessories, and this computer was a joy to use. The head-unit twist locks into a thin, but perfectly secure stem- or bar-mount cradle that’ll flatten to fit onto wing bars. HR belt is a bit broad, stiff and basic, but it registered reliably from the first lick […]
Ciclosport has a big European presence and Lance Armstrong was a long-time user, but this computer needs several add-ons to compete on functions. Having to pay £32.99 extra for the heart-rate belt and £24.99 for the cadence sensor is the sting, especially as the software and USB stick that you need to work with the […]
If you want cutting-edge computing power then you have to look at Garmin’s latest GPS-enabled baby. First thing you’ll realise is that this is a big piece of kit even compared to the old 305. However, while it definitely takes up a lot of space on the bars, it sits on top of a stem […]
We’re guessing the electronics designer for Blackburn has an impressive collection of Star Wars figures, but behind the retro styling there’s some decent stuff going on. Fitting comes second to cosmetics, though, as the big handlebar clamp only fits around section bars, and the steerer tube mount tends to rattle on the stem top. Despite […]
This little square comp is basic, but what it does it does well. Head and transmitter mount simply and easily with ‘O rings’ that make initial fitting to either stem or bar, and subsequent switching between bikes, easy. Once you’ve knocked it out of the default German language setting, getting it going is easy and […]
The Velomann sounded promising but proved to be a very frustrating comp to use. On the plus side there was no trouble fitting the universal twin zip-tie bar/stem mount even to flat profile bars. And while it’s bulky, the combined cadence and speed sensor unit means you only have to fit one piece. One of […]
Mavic’s Gallic flair has created a very neat set-up here and it delivers the essentials well. The whole sensor/fork leg trauma you normally experience is avoided by the use of a fattened front wheel QR skewer that also doubles as the transmitter. The slim head unit takes up minimal space but you’ll need to buy […]
Minoura’s VFS G is close in price to the company’s V270 but a better-looking all-round operator once it’s set up. It’s a similar design to the Elite Crono Mag, and it’s crucial you assemble the tail section carefully as any looseness means serious wobble at high speeds. A block under the front wheel is vital […]
The CycleOps is a sturdy beast that big-legged sprinters will love. The locking tripod design is stable, though it’s a bit of a tight squeeze to get the rear axle in. The monster motor/flywheel unit gives you so much spin you could make a cup of tea between intervals and it’d still be going. That’s […]
We got a shock when we saw the Minoura’s price because it looks like a dog’s dinner. Actually using it, though, reveals a pedigree training chum. The new H-frame design is scruffy in welding, but unfolds into a solid base that’s adjustable for wonky floors. The plastic cam lever locks the bike in and the […]
Blackburn has produced rock-solid trainers for decades, but this turbo Terminator is an acquired taste. The angular frame with locking A struts is stable, and the winder and screw axle clamp makes solid bike connection easy. It barely lifts the bike so you don’t need to chock the front wheel. The resistance is controlled by […]
