01
Independent
No guaranteed public content.
No guaranteed positive outcome.
SEMIPRO Product Validation
Independent Product Validation.
SEMIPRO Product Validation is designed for companies that believe their products deserve to be judged on performance rather than marketing alone.
Products don’t earn recommendations because they’re expensive, fashionable or supplied for free. They earn them through real-world performance.
SEMIPRO Product Validation separates independent evaluation from marketing, giving brands genuine product insight before any discussion of public promotion.
Discuss Product ValidationWe accept projects selectively based on product relevance and how much rigorous testing we can take on.
What’s included
Testing in real training.A private written report.
01Agreed scope and timeline
02Multi-session testing
03Report and follow-up
Public content is a separate decision made after validation.
Products should earn the recommendation.
Every week companies contact SEMIPRO offering free products in exchange for coverage.
That isn’t how we work.
The strongest partnerships begin with independent validation, not sponsorship.
Products deserve to be judged on how they perform in real riding, not on marketing claims, brand reputation or price.
Product Validation exists to answer one question
Does the product genuinely earn a recommendation?
Independence is built into the process.
02
Coach-led
Products are evaluated through the lens of real training, coaching and performance rather than lifestyle or unboxing.
03
Earned
Products progress to public collaboration only if they genuinely stand out.
Built for cycling performance.
01
Apparel
02
Wheelsets
03
Cycling computers
04
Power meters
05
Heart rate technology
06
Indoor trainers
07
Nutrition
08
Recovery
09
Accessories
From application to private report.
01
Application
Tell us about the product, what makes it different and what you want tested.
02
Scope
We agree on what will be tested, what it should be compared with and the timeline.
03
Real-world validation
The product is used during real training sessions and in conditions that suit its intended use.
04
Private report
You receive a private written report covering strengths, weaknesses, comparisons and possible improvements.
05
Optional public partnership
If the findings are strong and the product earns a recommendation, we can discuss public content or a partnership separately.
The evaluation fits the product.
Not every product is evaluated the same way. The evaluation is built around the product category.
01
Apparel
- Fit
- Comfort
- Heat management
- Chamois
- Construction
- Durability
02
Wheelsets
- Build quality
- Ride feel
- Crosswind stability
- Acceleration
- Climbing
- Hub engagement
03
Technology
- Setup
- Reliability
- Practical usability
- Coaching relevance
- Data quality
What we look at.
We use the same practical questions for every product. Price, popularity and the way a product was supplied do not change the report.
Performance
Does it do the job it claims to do, under the conditions cyclists actually face?
Durability
What changes after repeated use, longer rides, sweat, weather and normal handling?
Practicality
Is it easy to fit, use, maintain, charge, clean, carry or live with?
Consistency
Does the experience hold up across sessions, conditions and different training demands?
Rider experience
What is it like to use when the rider is focused on training rather than the product?
What you receive.
The exact work depends on the product and the claims being tested. We agree on the deliverables before testing begins.
- ✓Initial inspection01
- ✓Build quality assessment02
- ✓Multi-session testing03
- ✓Long ride evaluation04
- ✓Comparative analysis05
- ✓Written validation report06
- ✓Follow-up discussion07
Typical Product Validation Investment.
Apparel
From
US$1,500
Performance Components
From
US$2,000
Larger Projects
Quoted individually
Every project is scoped individually depending on the product category and testing requirements.
The wrong fit is clear from the start.
Product Validation is probably not the right fit if you’re looking for:
- ×Guaranteed positive reviews
- ×Paid editorial opinions
- ×Affiliate-only promotions
- ×Fast untested coverage
- ×Products outside cycling performance
The programme is active.
Apparel
Private multi-product validation currently underway.
Public findings, if any, will only be released after completion of the agreed validation process.
Before you apply.
Does Product Validation include a YouTube video?+
No. The service includes testing and a private report. Any public content is discussed separately after validation.
Why is public content separate?+
Because separating validation from promotion protects the integrity of the evaluation. Products should earn public recommendation through performance, not because public content was part of the original agreement.
Can companies use SEMIPRO comments publicly?+
Only with written permission. The report is for internal use unless we agree otherwise in writing.
Does payment guarantee a positive outcome?+
No. Payment covers the agreed testing and private report. The report records what we find.
What happens if the product performs exceptionally well?+
If the results are strong and the product earns a recommendation, we may discuss a video, podcast, newsletter feature or longer-term partnership.
Can we send samples or technical files with the application?+
Not yet. We review the initial application first. Shortlisted brands will receive the shipping details and can send supporting files by reply email.
Start the Conversation.
Tell us about your product and we’ll determine whether it’s a suitable fit for Product Validation.
We accept products that fit cycling performance and current testing capacity. Public content is not included in Product Validation.