Bicycle accessories from Aldi-Süd: How good are bike lights, rain jackets or jerseys?

Bikemate premium LED lamp set at Aldi-Süd

The bicycle lights from Aldi Süd used to be of acceptable quality, but now the LED headlights and rear lights from the Bikemate brand can even compete with more expensive branded products. Both the headlight, which weighs 124 grams, and the 54 gram rear light (both including universal holder) impress with their brightness. The headlight casts a glare-free carpet of light onto the road (maximum 70 lux), which makes it easy to recognise small obstacles such as stones and branches at moderate speeds of up to 25 km/h.

The rear light, which is powered by two AAA batteries (included in the scope of delivery), generates a decent amount of light to the rear and side thanks to a central LED. There is even an integrated brake light with four additional LEDs, which worked reliably in our practical test. We were also impressed by the headlight's battery life of four hours and forty minutes at maximum power, its relatively short charging time of two and a half hours as well as the simple operation and the clear display of the battery charge level with three bars. The price of the lamp set is 12.99 euros >> available here.

MYBIKE verdict: a good buy!

Bikemate smartphone holder from Aldi

The Bikemate mount is an option for those who prefer to keep their smartphone within sight on the handlebars instead of in their jersey pocket while riding. The transporter is very light, weighing just 33 grams, and is suitable for smartphones between four and six and a half inches in size.

We found that an older iPhone 6S with a 4.7-inch display fits perfectly. However, on a newer smartphone with a 6-inch display, the retaining rubbers were very tight and difficult to thread.

The mount can be easily attached to round handlebars with a diameter of up to 31.8 millimetres. The orientation of the smartphone can be continuously adjusted in portrait or panoramic format, whereby the mechanism twists slightly on uneven surfaces. Price: 4.99 euros*.

MYBIKE verdict: buy with matching smartphone model!

Crane cycling vest seamless at Aldi

While you have to pay between 50 and 100 euros for functional vests from well-known brands, the cycling vest from Crane, which weighs just under 180 grams, costs only a fraction of that. The black baselayer with white stripes feels very soft and warm against the skin, making it ideal for cold autumn and chilly winter days. Although the sweat transport to the next layer works, the Aldi vest dries a little slower than lighter sports vests. The material is very stretchy overall, so it takes a while for the shirt to sit wrinkle-free after a few tugs. The fit around the neck is not ideal as the round neck collar is not tight enough. People who normally wear L or XL will also be happy with size M. Price: 9.99 euros.

MYBIKE verdict: buy!

Crane winter cycling shirt in the Aldi range

The winter cycling jersey without membrane from Aldi Süd weighs 280 grams, which is around 100 grams more than the cycling vest. The additional weight is due to the zip, the stand-up collar, the three jersey pockets with integrated zip pocket and the gel waistband.

Although the jersey is not much warmer than the seamless vest, it feels even fluffier against the skin. The cut of the jersey is slightly longer at the back than at the front so that it stays in place when pedalling and doesn't ride up. The jersey is shorter at the stomach, but not short enough. This results in a few creases in the fabric at the front when the cyclist is in a sporty bent position.

Positive features include the jersey pockets, which are easy to load and unload, the smooth-running zip and the reflective material between the shoulders, which improves visibility in traffic. We recommend the jersey for sunny, mild autumn or winter days, as there is no membrane to protect you from the wind or a water-repellent finish to protect you from the rain. Price: 12.99 euros.

MYBIKE verdict: worth buying!

Crane cycling rain jacket from Aldi

The Crane rain jacket offers two positive features: it protects against cold wind thanks to a windproof membrane and is highly visible in traffic thanks to its signal yellow colour and the abundance of reflective material.

So if you're just looking for a highly visible wind jacket with clever features such as a concealed hood in the collar, a large zip pocket on the back or ventilation slits with a zip, the Aldi rain jacket is the perfect choice.

However, it only offers limited rain protection and can only be described as rain-repellent. In the spray test (standard test), the outer shell absorbs many drops of water and becomes saturated, which can cause the body to lose heat quickly in strong winds and you start to freeze. On a positive note, it should be noted that Aldi uses a supposedly pollutant-free process to impregnate the material without the use of fluorine, halogens or formaldehyde (BIONIC-FINISH ECO).

You also have to compromise on fit and cut. In size M, the jacket falls loosely off the shoulders of even L-wearers and flutters even at low speeds. People with long arms could also quickly freeze at the wrists in a stretched position, as the manufacturer has saved on fabric here. The price: 19.99 euros.

MYBIKE verdict: worth buying!

Aldi Crane cycling gloves

Our testers were quick with their verdict on the Crane cycling gloves: although they can keep your hands warm, it is not advisable to wear them on the handlebars. The reason for the lack of comfort lies in the uneven distribution of the material. It is too thick in the palm area, combined with a poorly fixed lining. Both lead to the fingers getting tangled in the glove when putting it on and the grip on the handlebars is very spongy. In addition, the crook of the thumb is very tight and the fingers are cut relatively short, which means that these well-insulated gloves only fit delicate hands with short fingers. Price: 3.99 euros.

MYBIKE verdict: don't buy!