2010 cyclist gift guide

It’s time for my annual holiday gift guide for the cyclist in your life.

Pedaler denim jeans

Pedaler Clothing

I’m a fan of Pedaler Clothing‘s “sustainable functional cycling apparel.” They’ve done a great job designing garments technical enough for cycling, yet styled and designed as street wear. The denim “slim but not skinny” pants shown here, for example, are made with a stretch cotton and gusset crotch for comfortable riding. Refletive trim includes a strip sewn into the outside seam of each leg and a reflective tab that appears when you roll the pants up. Buy from a few local shops or order online.

I don’t know about most people, but I’m a sucker for cycling socks. They’re an easy gift because cyclists are always wearing them out. I personally like Sock Guy and DeFeet socks, with cute patterns available for men, women, boys and girls. Available at your Local Bike Shop and other outdoor retailers.

Princeton Tec PUSH headlight

I just got the P-Tec PUSH headlight a few weeks ago and I really like it. This 2 watt bike light’s blindingly bright pulse mode is a real attention getter at night. It works better as a “be seen” light than a “see light” because of it’s narrow beam. Buy onlineor from your Local Bike Shop.

For a tail light, you really can’t go wrong with Planet Bike’s Superflash. And they’re on sale at REI this Thanksgiving weekend!

Burley Travoy bike trailer

Burley Travoy Trailer

Burley did things right on this lightweight bike trailer. Quick release hitch allows you to tote the trailer inside for grocery-getting. Load up the included storage bag, roll it out to the bike, hook it up and be on your way. Buy onlineor from your Local Bike Shop.

More goodies

Does your cyclist need a new saddle bag? Krieg Cycling has saddlebags with color and texture! More here.

A bag of beans from Kinetic Koffee in Arcata, CA makes a unique gift for the caffeine addict.

Is your cyclist grossed out by grody water bottles? Check out Clean Bottle. Screw *bottom* makes cleaning easy!

Does your cyclist bike in the snow and ice? He’ll love to get this 700×42 Continental Nordic Spike Studded City/Trekking Tire. Also available: a 26″ tire too (Winter cyclist tip: A pair of studded tires is best, but a single studded tire mounted up front is a tremendous benefit.)

San Francisco: You can have fresh baked pies delivered fresh by bike from Bike Basket Pies.

Books

Mia Birk Joyride book cover

It seems every bike book out there has a high ‘wonk’ quotient, which is great for the left brained engineering nerd, but maybe not so great for the creative liberal arts majors. Mia Birk’s book Joyride is a refreshingly upbeat exception to that rule.

Zinn & the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance brand new 2010 edition.

Calenders are easy to mail for those far off relations. See Bike Bis’s guide to 2011 bicycle calenders.

Finally, every kid needs a bike for Christmas! Check out Performance’s Bike In a Box for a pre-assembled bike that’s almost ready to go out of the box.

I’m a guy so this list is extremely skewed toward male tastes and preferences. What are some ideas for gifts for women?

Disclosure: Two of the mentioned products have been received by me as review units. I get a small percentage of the purchase if you click and buy through Amazon. I receive no consideration on any of the other links.

11 Comments

  1. I have liked seeing the pedaler clothing company around town – im a huge fan of reflective little things here and there in the clothing =)
    this is a good idea, maybe I’ll make a gift guide soon!
    xxomeli

  2. I have liked seeing the pedaler clothing company around town – im a huge fan of reflective little things here and there in the clothing =)
    this is a good idea, maybe I’ll make a gift guide soon!
    xxomeli

  3. I’m a guy too, but I think that Campagnolo’s Il Cavatappi, otherwise known as the ‘Campy BIG Corkscrew’, will top the Christmas list of any bike/wine lover of either gender. They aren’t cheap new, but you can find ’em pre-owned at reasonable prices. Wrap it with a bottle of Red Bicyclette Syrah.

  4. Can’t say that I represent wimmin (Actually, I can usually say that I don’t — I do not understand women!)… but what I want are the things that haven’t been invented yet… lots of women I know, I’m afraid, want to feel less vulnerable… they want bike paths…
    Things in colors *other* than pink … but shorts in colors other than black…
    I personally have a pretty profound unquenchable desire for lights… things to help me *organize* my stuff…

  5. Can’t say that I represent wimmin (Actually, I can usually say that I don’t — I do not understand women!)… but what I want are the things that haven’t been invented yet… lots of women I know, I’m afraid, want to feel less vulnerable… they want bike paths…
    Things in colors *other* than pink … but shorts in colors other than black…
    I personally have a pretty profound unquenchable desire for lights… things to help me *organize* my stuff…

  6. And for those yearning for bike-related entertainment when they’re off the bike: First to the Line Bike Racing Card Game — first-to-the-line.com

  7. I heard about a company that makes hands-free hydration kits for road bikes. The kit comes with a FLEXR bottle, which has a biodegradable liner inside that allows for easy cleaning and priming of the tube. The tube runs up the cage and sticks up through the handlebars for easy access and drinking. Check it out! http://www.flexrsports.com

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