Whether you're shopping for yourself or trying to find special something that your family members or riding mates will love, our Christmas gift guide for road cyclists should provide you with plenty of shopping inspiration.
As cyclists ourselves, we have hand-picked ten gift ideas that are sure to be well received by any discerning cycling enthusiast. After all, a gift that appeals to someone's passion is hard to get wrong!
Cycling Computer
Does a ride exist if it is not recorded by GPS? Most cyclists nowadays get giddy over their ride statistics. So be it speed and distance, GPS route or average heart rate - the current crop of affordable cycling computers on the market will have all of your ride tracking needs covered.
Multi-device compatibility is arguably non-negotiable in 2017, and products such as the Giant NeosTrack and Garmin 520 don’t miss a beat, with Wifi, ANT+ and Bluetooth connections. On top of this, the ‘smart train’ feature allows it to sync with TrainingPeaks and Strava, both widely used training platforms. Cyclists who have been living in blissful ignorance of the time they spend on the bike will appreciate the device thanks to its simplicity when it matters and complexity when it counts, telling them exactly what metrics they need to know.
Smartphone Case / Holder
A phone case that can be fitted securely on a bike might just be one of the most useful innovations of the modern era.
Available to fit most modern smartphones, the Quadlock is incredibly secure and practical, with the whole kit coming with a case, water-resistant cover, a versatile mount, and different sized rubber bands to ensure it works on any bike. If you can’t find the case to fit your phone, there are universal kits available as well.
Having your phone accessible on the handlebars makes following a map on your bike safer, meaning both hands remain on the handlebars.
New Kit - Jersey and Bibshorts
There might be no better feeling than sliding into a brand new cycling kit (perhaps pre-Christmas pudding), especially if it is courtesy of Italian boutique cycling brand Castelli. Available in both men's and women's sizing, the Pro Logo Jersey combines a simplistic design with a lightweight material for a jersey sure to withstand the summer.
The Velocissimo Bib shorts deliver a great fit by being having a functional and comfortable multi-panel anatomical cut (Castelli are renown for a great shapely fit with their cycling shorts). The Kiss Air Pad located within is one of the best chamois you can get - its thick and it has high rebound so it is reactive and absorbent to road bumps, the pad refills quickly after impact or shifts in your weight this is exactly what you want clocking up the k’s this summer.
Cycling Cap
Cycling caps are an aesthetic that often expands beyond cycling function, as their unique designs and quirky looks have a place in most cyclists wardrobes!
The Cinelli Rider Collection is a special product collaboration project in which riders create their own Cinelli cap design interpretation. Made in Italy, the Cinelli Rider Collection caps are a unique gift that will feel right at home on the accessories wall or on the head while sipping espresso.
Drivetrain Cleaning Kit
A dirty drivetrain causes poor shifting and unnecessary wear to expensive parts, and a cleaning kit will always be as useful as it is a consumable! Specifically designed for ease of use and precision on a bicycle, a cleaning kit such as the Park Tool Chain Gang Cleaning System targets the chain and keeps hands and surrounds relatively grease free. The scrubbing brush gets to the hard to reach parts of the cassette, cogs, and derailleur and is best aided by a bicycle specific degreaser. Encourage a better running bicycle with this gift!
Saddle Bags
Carrying spares is a no-brainer, but finding a neat, low key way to store them can prove to be a challenge. Get those ride spares out of the pockets and into the saddle bag, such as the Dual saddle bag from Arundel. Aptly named due to the fact it fits two 700c tubes, two gas cartridges, and a gas valve, with a little room to spare. A saddle bag full of spares can be the difference between getting back on the bike and completing a ride or an expensive Uber home so this is one gift that is sure to be used to great effect.
For bonus gift-giving points, pack your gifted saddle bag with the appropriate tubes and tools so the lucky recipient can fit it straight to their bike and hit the road!
Compact Bike Lock
Theft can occur in the blink of an eye having a competent lock to secure your bicycle such as the Combiflex from ABUS will make it much more difficult for opportunistic thieves to snatch your ride while you stir the sugar in your latte. This 50-gram retractable cable bike lock easily fits in a jersey or a back pocket will come in handy when the need arises to take eyes off the bike for a brief moment. Certainly not designed to keep a bike wholy secure, the Combiflex is great for locking the rear wheel or frame to a pole when under loose supervision at a cafe.
Available in key or combination, this little lock would make a great Kris Kringle or stocking filler that will get much more useful than you might expect!
For more on keeping your ride safe from thieving hands, check out our top tips on theft proofing your bike.
Spray Jacket
There is nothing quite as useful and versatile as a light, minimal spray jacket to add an extra layer between a rider and the elements. If a fair-weather day suddenly takes a turn it is handy to have something like the Endura Race Cap in the back pocket to keep the wind from biting or from getting drenched to the bone.
Spray Jackets are lightweight, waterproof and breathable jackets that come in an athletic fit, are compact and easy to carry. The fabric includes built-in stretch properties and is translucent so as to provide race number visibility. A full-length zipper means removing it on the go is no problem and features no fuss pull-on elasticated cuffs and collar.
Seam-sealed for waterproofing, a relatively understated jacket can be paired with any kit and is no doubt a necessity for the cyclist who doesn’t let the weather get the better of them!
Carbon Bottle Cages
If it is made from carbon, you can bet a cyclist will want it. Shave grams and add some class to the humble bottle cage with some Lezyne Carbon bottle cages. A good bottle cage is both light and securely holds a bidon and adds a sense of increased value to one's bicycle. This is an item which would be appreciated as a gift as cyclists often debate with themselves if it is something they will spend their own cash on.
Practically speaking, the carbon bottle cage does actually reduce weight compared to plastic or aluminium ones, which means a little extra Christmas cake is counterbalanced right?
Chamois Cream
It may be taboo to talk about outside of cycling circles, but chamois cream is a vital toiletry item for anyone that indulges in significant saddle time.
When it comes to care down there, our pick is Muc Off Deluxe Chamois Cream. The chamois cream works by providing an anti-friction layer that prevents saddle sores when applied regularly and in the right places. Whilst it's always a laugh when discussing exactly where it goes and how to apply, beneath the jokes cyclists' of all persuasions will be thanking you for the derriere care!
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