00:00 Big brands will have you believe that cycling has to be really expensive, but I don't think it does.
00:06 So I've rounded up seven of my favourite best value alternatives, all of which are linked below.
00:12 Today, listening to music goes hand in hand with working out. And thanks to bone conducting
00:18 headphones, cycling is no different. Bone conducting headphones allow you to listen to music without
00:23 actually needing to have an earbud in your ears. Instead, sound is transmitted through your cheek
00:29 bones, allowing for increased awareness whilst you're riding. For a long time now, Shox has been
00:35 the market leader with the likes of its Open Run Pro. And though they are really good headphones,
00:41 receiving four and a half stars from us here at Cycling Weekly, they aren't cheap, costing nearly
00:46 £110. However, recently, we gave five stars to a similar set of headphones retailing at just
00:54 20% of the cost of the Shox. Enter the Haylou Perfree Lite headphones. Coming in at just $36.99
01:01 or £27.69, these headphones offer all of the same Bluetooth connectivity features
01:09 and similar technology for a fraction of the price. For us, it was the clear sound quality,
01:16 ease of use and impressive 30 metre range that left us wondering how these headphones
01:23 are quite so cheap. When we think of cycling computers, most of us will point to either Garmin
01:29 or Wahoo as the go-to options. But these premium brands both have Haylou head units
01:35 well into the hundreds. The Garmin Edge 840, for example, retails at $450 or £430 and shares much
01:43 of the same functionality as its much cheaper competitor from the Taiwanese outfit, Bryton.
01:50 The Bryton Rider 750 retails at just shy of £220 or $270, complete with a 2.8-inch coloured
01:59 touchscreen. Both computers feature GPS tracking and navigation, ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity,
02:06 as well as available integration to third-party apps such as Strava or TrainingPeaks. The
02:12 touchscreen doesn't quite have the same colour contrast as seen on the Garmin devices, and
02:17 although smart, the user interface is slightly less refined too. But it's hard to be overly
02:23 critical when you are undercutting the market leader by nearly 50%, all the while maintaining
02:29 all of the functionality required for some serious riding. Our next value alternative
02:35 might seem like a bit of a juxtaposition. That's right, it comes from Rafa. It's fair to say the
02:41 British cycling clothing brand is known more widely for its premium level cycling kit. But
02:46 take a proper look at its whole range and you'll see a lot of fabric technology trickle down to a
02:52 more palatable price point. Of all the shorts we've tested here at Cycling Weekly, one of our
02:56 firm favourites is the Lecole Pro Bib Short 2s. They perform great in a multitude of weather
03:02 conditions and they feature a really plush chamois which is great for comfort, but this is all
03:08 attached to a price tag of £185. Rafa's Core Bib Shorts by comparison retail for £110. Now,
03:17 while this isn't at the budget end of the bib short spectrum, they do represent good value for
03:23 money. The Rafa Core Bib Shorts impressed us with the quality of the chamois, the comfortable leg
03:28 grippers, and they're all held together with some really sturdy stitching. It's fair to say that
03:33 you won't quite experience the same armchair ride as some range topping shorts offer, but in terms
03:39 of value for money, these shorts from Rafa are actually seriously competitive. An essential part
03:46 of any cyclist's toolkit is the humble multi-tool. Packable and versatile, it's safe to say a multi-tool
03:53 has probably gotten all of us out of a tight spot at one point or another. Our favourite multi-tool
03:59 here at Cycling Weekly is the Topik PT30. Even with its £40 price tag, it provides great value
04:06 thanks to a whole host of tools for almost any eventuality. But what if you don't want to shell
04:13 out £40? Well, that's where the Lifeline Pro 18-in-1 Multi-Tool comes in and as the name suggests,
04:20 the Lifeline Multi-Tool has a total of 18 different functions including 2, 4, 6, and 8mm
04:27 hex keys, common torx keys, a chain tool, and screwdrivers too. Although you don't get the
04:33 same flat pack form factor as the Topik, we were still impressed by the low weight of 118g.
04:38 In our multi-tool group test, it was also the only tool to incorporate a CO2 inflator,
04:45 which could be a real blessing, particularly if you use tubeless tyres. Like its more expensive
04:50 rivals, the Lifeline also uses forged tools rather than cheaper wrapped end tools, which
04:56 should also seriously improve its longevity. Bikepacking is perhaps the best proof that
05:03 cycling can be enjoyed in any way that you want, whether it's competitive racing, cafe riding, or
05:09 exploration. We would all recommend a bikepacking trip here at Cycling Weekly,
05:14 but before you embark on your maiden voyage, you need a way to carry your luggage.
05:18 The easiest way to carry your gear is by using bikepacking bags. Designed to fit on almost any
05:24 bike frame, bikepacking bags come in a variety of different sizes to attach to the different
05:29 locations of your bike. When it comes to all-out quality, Waterleaf stills the show with its range
05:35 of fully waterproof bikepacking bags, but the German engineering will set you back £150 for a
05:42 saddlebag. If it's value you're looking for, then look no further than Z-Fal. The French brand
05:48 impressed us with its range of bikepacking bags that offer heat-sealed waterproof fabric,
05:53 a similar attachment style to the Waterleaf bags, and all of that for just £79.99. You might not
05:59 get the same 5-year warranty as Waterleaf, and there is a 200g weight penalty, but the saddlebag
06:06 is also from 8-17 litres in capacity thanks to the roll-down dry bag design, which is enough
06:13 for most bikepacking trips. When you think cycling sunglasses, it's hard to think of any other brand
06:20 than Oakley. Synonymous with success, Oakley sunglasses have been made iconic by the likes
06:26 of Geraint Thomas, Remco Evenepoel and Mathieu van der Poel. But a quality set of shades goes
06:32 beyond just looking good. Glasses can keep your eyes safe from the sun, and in the event of a crash,
06:37 save your skin too. But if you don't want to shell out over £200 on a fresh set of Oakley encoders,
06:46 then Tafosi's Rail Clarion Phototech sunglasses might be for you. The Rail Clarion sunglasses
06:53 feature a large photochromatic lens and stylish frameless design. All of this for just £109.99.
07:02 And if you want to save even more money, then check out the Crit sunglasses,
07:07 which feature UV protection and a shatterproof lens for just £69.99.
07:14 One thing I wish I realised when I was younger was just how much of a difference
07:18 solid thermal kit can make to cold weather riding. With many of the best jackets from Rafa,
07:23 Castelli and Panamau studios costing well over £150, staying warm isn't always cheap.
07:30 Unless you have this. The DHB Airon Thermal jersey was dubbed "exceptional quality for the money"
07:38 by our tech team earlier this year, and for good reason. It's warm, provides a great race fit,
07:44 and features quality pockets and cuffs, all for £85. Though with current discounts,
07:51 you may be able to find it an awful lot cheaper than that.
07:54 For long rides, you need to get comfy, and that means a comfortable saddle,
07:59 shoe and cockpit setup. One part of the bike which is often overlooked however,
08:05 is handlebar tape. A simple re-wrap of your handlebars can make a huge difference. But,
08:12 buying bar tape isn't always that simple. If you buy cheap, durability can suffer. And if you buy
08:18 expensive, you can end up paying more than £30 a roll. So, we think that Bontrager has found the
08:25 sweet spot with its Gel Cork Bar Tape. It's available in a multitude of different colours.
08:31 The Gel Cork Tape is flexible, easy to wrap and comfortable, and it just costs £14.99.
08:38 Well done Bontrager. As I mentioned, everything I've spoken about today is linked below,
08:43 so let me know what you would go for.
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