Review section

The C S3 lite is a racing specific tyre which is part of Tufo's own hybrid 'tubular-clincher' system. As the name suggest elements of both tubulars and clinchers are combined to create something in between. Something that I like to call 'clinchulars'.

The Sugoi Firewall GTs are well made windproof gloves that are really comfortable in cool weather.

They're mostly nylon with polyurethane in there to provide windproofing – and they do keep the cold air out well. They're water-resistant too, although not waterproof; your hands will get wet if it rains hard during your ride.

You could literally transport tropical fish in Polaris Aquanought courier bag thanks to its seamlessly welded, waterproof old-boots-tough construction. With 80s-style neon livery it's more akin to a pannier than a messenger satchel so you won't be an undercover cyclist once you hit the office.

The Giant TCR Advanced 3 is a fast, precise road bike that offers a smooth ride. We like it a lot.

Onza is a Swiss brand producing tyres mainly for commuters, BMX and mountain bikes, plus a few road options including this Preda folding clincher. It's a lightweight tyre with impressive performance and good puncture protection, making it ideal for summer training, sportives and entry-level racing.

The Preda also comes in a wire-beaded version, but we're testing a pair of the Kevlar-beaded folding ones here. They went onto a pair of Mavic Open Pros easily, but without being sloppy, and sat nicely on the rim when inflated.

Tom Boonen wears these shades. If Tommeke's recommendation isn't good enough for you though, I'll give you mine: these BBB Attacker sunglasses are lightweight, comfortable and adaptable to all conditions. They're not cheap, but they're not crazy money either, and they perform well.

Odlo have been producing incredibly popular technical sports clothing for years, but they'vee just launched a new range of cycling kit, for both men and women, on road and off road – including these Flash 3/4 tights.

The Flash 3/4 Tights are a lightweight knicker designed to offer more coverage for those who like that, but without compromising movement or coolness, so they look to be ideally suited to three season use in the UK.

The dhb range of cycle clothing has a reputation for good value and these new R1.0 road shoes are no exception. They're light, stiff and comfortable, making them ideal for training, sportives and entry-level racing.

The R1.0 moniker indicates that these shoes are the new version of dhb's R1 model. They don't have a recessed cleat housing, so they're not suitable for touring or commuting if you're going to walk any distance after parking your bike, but for most other forms of road cycling they do the job very nicely indeed.

The Tortec Expedition front rack is a cleverly designed unit that allows a degree of flexibility in fitting without adding too much weight or complexity to the design. It's easy to fit, and in use is stable and reliable.

We tested the Rohan Elite Stormer jacket some time ago, and while we liked the performance of the fabric, we had our reservations about the slightly upright commuter cut. It's a similar story with this lightweight Windrider jacket, but the fit doesn't seem to matter so much here. Anyway, it's a pricey but well-conceived windproof with some standout features, most notably its performance in the rain.