Our best wallet-friendly yet high-performing kit hits
We generally like to keep Cycling Plus as an outlet of escapism from worldwide strife, but there’s no denying that the political situation in 2022 is having an impact on pretty much every household’s finances.
The squeeze on bank accounts in the UK and beyond means that it’s especially important right now to find the best cycling clobber that you can buy without stretching or breaking a limited budget, which is why we’ve produced this round-up of some of the best bike tech bargains of 2022… and the odd new product that may edge closer to a false economy purchase than cycling steal.
Taking some of our favourite products from recent Cycling Plus tests and adding some fresh reviews, we’ve collated what we think is the best-value clothing that’ll cover you from head to toe – from socks to mitts through to bib shorts and summer jerseys, shoes for road and gravel, helmet, sunnies, saddles and commuter kit. In short, there’s everything you need to ride, with many items costing well under £100, and just one that costs more than that (and that’s a pair of wheels; we wouldn’t recommend going sub-£100 in that category!) .
The following reviews and our recommended alternatives prove that you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy cycling. And remember, once you’ve got all your kit in place, cycling is one of the cheapest and most mindand body-boosting ways to exercise and escape into a world free from bad news. Just remember the stash of Soreen for that mid-ride sit-down…
“Once you’ve got all your kit in place, cycling is one of the cheapest ways to exercise and escape”
Quick-fire information
Fit is paramount
● Whether it’s top-end aero kit or entry-level wares, finding the right fit is essential for riding comfort and minimising chafing issues. A close fit will also aid both breathability and aerodynamics.
Study the charts
● To find your right fit, trying before you buy is obviously ideal but not always possible. So study the sizing charts and look at user reviews regarding fit. Some brands (i.e. Altura) offer a more relaxed fit, while top-end clothing especially can sit far tighter on the body.
Sole stiffness
● Stiff carbon soles with prominent cleats are for racers. The rest of us are better off with shoes that we can actually walk in for more than just a metre. If you’re making the move to clipless pedals, practise in a park first away from traffic.
Easy upgrade
● One of the most simple and relatively cheap upgrades you can make to your bike is to change the bar tape. Doing it yourself is rewarding, but look for a decent tape with multidensity padding.
Ultimate upgrade
● Our senior tech ed Warren says the easiest and best improvement you can make to a bike is upgrading its tyres. Better tyres simply make a better ride, and tyres (like wheels) are often a way for brands to cut costs on new models.
Be secure
● We haven’t featured security and safety items here, but not having them could prove a false economy, so get a decent lock and both front and rear lights as well and you’re just about sorted!
Triban GRVL 500
£49.99 Outstanding value for everyday wear
Weight 315g (Size 42) Sizes 40-47 Colours Black; grey/navy blue; Bordeaux/ charcoal; lime/black
THE TRIBAN GRVL 500 cycling shoes (previously the RC500) come at a super-budget price, and boast a lace-up design and a two-bolt-only SPD-specific design that’s aimed at the leisure, commuting and gravel rider. And since Triban’s a Decathlon brand, the RC500s are a lot of shoe for the money.
They don’t shout ‘bike’ when you’re with your non-cycling friends – though they’re more lairy in their fluoro orange and yellow finishes. The deep rubber sole means that the metal SPD cleat is entirely recessed and the deep heel ensures they’re okay for walking shortish distances. The fibreglass reinforced nylon sole is reasonably stiff and can’t compete with carbon soles for all-out efficiency but there’s not that much give, which makes them good for long-distance riding. I could feel my heel rising slightly when riding hard out of the saddle or walking and, while I’m a fan of laces, a buckle or dial closure may reduce this.
“In spite of the budget price, the finish quality is decent and there are no obvious areas that look poorly finished”
The finish quality is decent and there are no obvious areas that look poorly finished; all the bonds and stitching are tidily done. The toes are reinforced, and a mesh section and perforated large vents keep the shoes well aired. The tongue has an elasticated loop to secure the laces and there are reflective materials. Simon Withers
Rivals…
Boardman Carbon £85
Bont Riot Buckle £99
Specialized Torch 1.0 £99.99
Giro Comp Racer High Rise socks
£13.99
These 6” socks from American brand Giro are a modern take on a classic design, with Coolmax fabric helping to keep your feet dry, comfortable and wick away moisture. Strategically placed perforations aid ventilation too. The fit is spot-on and they still remained fresh after a day’s use. So why not full marks? The sock material just isn’t as luxuriously comfortable as some of the other options we’ve tested recently and I was aware I was wearing them when riding. They’re a solid choice for the price, though, especially for use on long, hot summer days.
Oscar Huckle
Giant Relay MIPS
£45 Highly-rated protection for under £50
Weight 348g (M) Colours Fluro yellow; black; grey Sizes S/M, M/L
THE RELAY MIPS is Giant’s new sub- £50 lid and already has a 5-star score from the influential safety-rating institute at Virginia Tech in America. That score will have been enhanced by the addition of MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System), which aims to reduce rotational motion transferred to the brain from angled impacts to the head, and largely dominates the top spots in Virginia’s safety rankings.
In terms of its weight, performance and price, the Relay MIPS sits close to the Specialized Align II (also £45 and boasting MIPS), the 17 ventilation channels offering reasonable cooling in the summer heatwave with the decent TransTextura internal padding helping to mop up sweat. The basic retention ratchet is a touch clunky, but it’s effective for finding the right fit and stays secure on extended rides. The MIPS, meanwhile, is neatly integrated but that 348g weight (Medium size) did feel noticeable at the end of big rides and climbs.
“It has a 5-star score from the influencial safety-rating institute at Virginia Tech”
That green-ish colour (Giant label it as ‘fluro yellow’), although adding visibility, is a touch garish for me (I had a vision of Slimer in Ghostbusters), so I’d take the visibility hit and opt for one of the darker black or grey options while using Giant’s nifty Alumbra light at the rear for an extra £17.99 spend. Overall, this is a durable, sensible and well-crafted creation that’s bumper value and perfect for shorter rides and cycling newbies.
Matt Baird
Rivals…
Pinnacle Race Helmet £35
Van Rysel Racer £39.99
Specialized Align II MIPS £45
Elite Fly Water Bottle
£5.99
It’s no surprise that Elite describes the Fly as a racing water bottle given its very lean weight of 54g and its modest 550ml capacity. The Fly is available in a rainbow of 11 stylish colours, including five two-tone models – and this minimalist design contributes to the Fly’s good looks. The bottle fits easily into the hand and the cap is easy to swig from when on the move. Despite that svelteness, the Fly slots into standard bottle cages without bouncing out again on bumpier routes. It’s not insulated, but costing £5.99, it’s by far the cheapest on test we’ve tested recently and constitutes great value.
Jack Evans
Van Rysel RoadR 900
£39.99 Two great lenses have your cycling covered
Weight 32.9g Colours Snow white; Black Lenses Two Extras Cleaning bag, zipped hard case
VAN RYSEL IS MAJOR retailer and kit producer Decathlon’s premium offering for road bikes and components, but that doesn’t mean a premium price. The RoadR 900 is based around a chunky pair of arms that flow neatly into a brow-only frame. A shield lens fixes into this via a smart lock-in system.
The RoadR 900 frame’s arms are coated with a sticky rubber that provides a secure fit to grip when riding in the rough and rain. The nosepiece is non-adjustable but made from the same sticky rubber as the temple tips on the arms, so they stay secure. The main lens meets ISO standards and is rated as Cat3 to filter 88% of sunlight – ideal for bright, sunny conditions.
“ Changing lenses is simple, and the second, clear lens is perfect for low light”
Changing lenses is simple, and the second, clear lens is perfect for low-light riding on greyer days or even at night. This lens also has a fixed nosepiece so there’s no fiddling with small parts. The curve of the wraparound shield lens ensures no distortion and helps keep bugs and debris out of your eyes, and, thanks to two small brow vents, there was no fogging. The lens is 50mm at its deepest but, because of its close-fitting shape, I’d say it’s best suited to small/medium-sized faces.
Another bonus of Decathlon is that you can try before you buy at one of its UK megastores, if there’s one close enough to you. Overall, these are superb lenses with a great package.
Warren Rossiter
Rivals…
Endura Gabbro II
£49.99 Madison Crypto 3 Pack
£59.99 Endura Dorado II
£79.99
Sakura Reflective Rucksack Cover
£1.99
THIS ONE-SIZE backpack cover is a great-value accessory for commuters. High viz whether you’re riding during the day or in the dark thanks to the fluoro colour and reflective strips, it’s also water-resistant (it kept my backpack dry in heavy rain on my commute, giving extra protection for my laptop). The elasticated straps are easy to fit around a backpack of about 20-30L and the cover’s pretty light (159g) plus compact to stow. The mesh pocket would be more useful if it were bigger, and I wouldn’t trust it with valuables due to it having just a small Velcro strip.
Emma Lewis
Fabric Line S Elite Flat
£59.99 Great comfort for speedy rides
Weight 240g Length 237mm Width 142mm Sizes 142, 155mm
THE LINE S ELITE Flat from Fabric is the short-nosed version of the celebrated British brand’s highly rated full length Line saddle. Aided by its compact proportions, the unisex Line S Elite Flat is very light for a saddle at this price but, if you’re desperate to shave off a few more grammes, you could go for the Line S Race with its titanium rails.
Apart from its size, the Line S’s pressure relief channel is the saddle’s most notable feature. This measures around 50mm at the rear, narrowing to 15mm at the front, and it’s around a centimetre deep for its entire length. For quite a racy saddle, the Line S Elite Flat has deep and fairly soft padding. It’s neatly done, however, with the padding well placed and pairing smartly with the short nose to deliver an exceptionally comfortable ride for hours on the bike.
“For quite a racy saddle, the Line S Elite Flat has deep and fairly soft padding”
When you’re riding in a low and aggressive position, the extensive channel and truncated nose ensure there’s no unwanted pressure on your perineum, while the slightly kicked-up rear keeps you stable for more endurance-based riding. Despite its smooth surface, the outer covering also helps with stability, shrugging off the effects of even heavy rain so you don’t slip as you ride.
In short, if you’re interested in discovering what the short-saddle hype’s all about but don’t want to spend a fortune, Fabric’s Line S Elite Flat with chromoly rails is one of the best places to start.
Simon Withers
Rivals…
Pro Falcon Crmo £49.99
Bontrager Hilo Comp £64.99
Specialized Bridge Comp £80
Endura Xtract Lite
£26.99
THE BACK OF the hand of Endura’s Xtract Lite mitts is covered in a stretchy, closed-mesh panel, with an even stretchier Lycra band across the strapless wrist, which helps when pulling these on. Most of the thumb is backed with a Terry wipe, and fingerpull pockets help removal. The microfibre palm is supple, with two slim, perforated and well-shaped gel pads. Further palm perforations increase cooling, and a silicone ‘Endura’ script adds grip. Road feel is good, while the subtle gel layer reduces vibration without generating excess heat. These come in sizes XS-XXL and some stylish colours.
Robin Wilmott
Bontrager Aeolus Elite 50
£849 Comfortable, confidence-inspiring wheels
Weight 1,871g Wheel size 700c Freehub options Shimano/SRAM Road 9/10/11-speed Rim depth 49.9mm Rim internal width 19.1mm Spoke count 24 (f)/24 (r) Tubeless? Tubeless ready
AT 50MM DEEP and 28mm at their widest, the Elite 50’s wide, bluntnosed shape is designed to balance aerodynamics and stability. An internal width of 19mm ensures the tyre forms part of the aero profile of the rim while giving a wide stance for increased grip and comfort due to the larger-than-average air cushion. The TLR Rim Strip – Bontrager’s removable system for sealing the rim for tubeless setups – reduces the effective depth of the rim to 8.5mm, or around the usual depth.
As well as the TLR Rim Strips and tubeless valves, you’re given regular rim tape in case you’d prefer a clincher set-up with inner tubes. The freehub is compatible with 10- and 11-speed Shimano and SRAM cassettes, with 12-speed bodies ‘available separately’. A spacer to run groupsets with fewer cassette sprockets is included as well. There’s also a lifetime warranty and twoyear crash replacement policy.
“These deliver a near-perfect blend of power and damping to silence road chatter”
The Aeolus Elite 50s have near-perfect trueness out of the box and basically remained round and true throughout the test period. Long-term maintenance is relatively straightforward, and although the bladed J-bend spokes are Bontrager’s own, replacements should be relatively easy to source. No unusual tools are needed to prise the hubs apart, but you’ll need a bearing puller and press to remove and install the sealed cartridge bearings.
Freehub engagement is reassuringly solid, with twenty points offering 18° of engagement, which isn’t bad. At 1,871g, these wheels aren’t the lightest, but the benefits away from the scales for models in this price range far outweigh the numbers.
Surprisingly for fairly deep wheels, the keenly priced Aeolus Elite 50s from Trek’s component arm are extremely comfortable. There’s loads of vertical compliance built into the carbon rims, combined with impressive lateral stiffness. These things deliver a near-perfect blend of damping to silence road chatter plus confidence inspiring, out-of-the-saddle power. So we found ourselves cornering with more bravery, helped no doubt by the improved grip of the wider tyre profile.
Will Poole
Rivals…
Hunt 54 Aerodynamicist £869
VeloElite Carbon Wide £999
Zipp 303 S £1,031
Dare 2B outfit
£35/£55 Entry-level jersey and shorts combo
Jersey colours Black Orion Grey; Agave Green Black; Danger Red Black; Snorkel Blue Teton Blue; Stellar Blue Orion Grey; Neon Spring Orion Grey
DANGER RED BLACK! Snorkel Blue Teton Blue! Neon Spring Onion (sorry, Orion) Grey! The snappily-titled Protraction II Recycled Lightweight Jersey from British brand Dare 2B comes in a host of colours, including the more conversative Black Orion Grey seen here.
The best bit for a jersey of this price (and it’s currently reduced to £24.45) is that the material construction is sustainably made using polyester recycled from plastic bottles. So, good for the planet, but what about its performance on the road?
The fabric is fairly loose, with our size small certainly floaty rather than formfitting in the body and sleeves so I’d suggest sizing down (six sizes are available). It’s okay if you’re tired of squeezing into overly tight tops, but you may have to stump up the postage costs to return it to Dare 2B.
The internal finishing of the stitching could be tidier, but the perforated rear back panel promotes breathability and was effective enough in the summer heatwave. The full-length zipper garage is ideal for minimising chafing from the zip and is something that top-end jerseys sometimes ignore. The three rear open pockets are sizeable enough but do sag when loaded, while a zipped compartment is missing.
The Ecliptic II Reflective Cycling Shorts are rare on these pages in that they come with a strapless design. This initially felt liberating, but soon the pitfalls came into view (or rather the view of the people behind me), while the chunky waistband sat uncomfortably on my stomach. The pad is beefy enough for big rides, however, while the flatlock stitching and titular reflectivity are welcome.
Matt Baird
Rivals…
Pinnacle Race Jersey/Bibs £70
Lusso Hebden Aero Jersey £80
Van Rysel Racer Jersey/Bibs £109.98
DHB Moda Classic
£60
THE MODAS ARE sleek female specific bibs for warm weather riding. Comfort is clearly a priority, with zigzag stitched leg hems and a quality chamois that’s been designed for a less-aggressive riding style. There are no real leg grippers on these shorts; instead the zig-zag-stitched hems help the material stretch, and avoid the dreaded ‘sausage leg’ look. The thin straps and mesh support fit around the outside of the bust rather than straight over the top, which is good news for those who find the latter uncomfortable – but the straps can twist easily. Yet, overall, the quality and comfort of the Modas far outperform the price tag. Sizes range from a UK 6-18, and the bibs weigh 160g.
Katherine Moore
“Comfort is clearly a priority, with zig-zagstitched leg hems and a quality chamois designed for less aggressive riding”