Here’s a list of bikey stuff that’s caught my eye over this past year.
My suggestions tend toward the practical because that’s the kind of guy I am, so take note that the special cyclist in your life might appreciate something a little more symbolic than a new bike light.
Clean Bottle plastic water bottles have lids on each end for easier cleaning.
Biologic has any number of clever products for bike use that make handy stocking stuffers. They include iPhone mounts, a seatpost air pump, and a flashlight handlebar mount.
A bag of beans from Kinetic Koffee.
A bicycle basket for pets from Nantucket Basket Company.
Park Tool Pizza cutter.
Lights
I recently bought a Light & Motion Urban 500 headlight and really like it. 500 lumens of road illuminating power, and the mounting seems much more solid than similar power lights from NiteRider.
Light & Motion Vis 180 Tail Light provides 35 lumens of red flashing light. Your 1/2 watt Planet Bike Superflash is less than 4 lumens.
NiteRider MiNewt 600 Cordless headlight is heavier than Light & Motion and the mount is cheap, but the light costs a bit less.
Pre-order a Mini Monkey wheel light from Monkey Lectric for only $50.
More stuff
Action Wipes. For a 20% discount, enter code “TY2011” at checkout.
Blue Beard’s Revenge sent a sample of their shaving cream to me this last summer during a promotion targeted to cyclists. It’s so good I haven’t been able to go back to using anything else. Highly recommended as a gift! They’re in the UK but ship worldwide.
Books
You know I love books. The ones that I’ve read and recommend this Christmas:
The Feedzone Cookbook by Dr. Allen Lim. Yummy tasting recipes.
Team 7-Eleven: How an Unsung Band of American Cyclists Took on the World – and Won by Geoff Drake and Jim Ochowicz.
Graham Watson 2012 cycling calendar.
Holiday gift suggestion from elsewhere
Cycle & Style Raphas women performance road wear.
Bike Hugger Holiday sale and gift suggestions.
Loving the Bike Low budget cycling Christmas gift ideas.
(Disclosure: Of the above mentioned items, samples have been received from VeloPress, Blue Beard’s Revenge, Monkey Lectric, Action Wipes, Clean Bottle, and Point 6. I may get a percentage of the sale if you order online through Powell’s Books, Amazon, Jenson USA, or Bike Shop Hub, but I do encourage you to shop at your Local Bike Shop. If they don’t stock an item you want, ask them to order it for you through their distributor.)
You put that dog carrier basket in there just for me, didn’t you? Or maybe you’re thinking of getting it for me this year….do you think it’s manly enough? Thanks for including our cycling gift list….you rock as always.
Darryl
Another great gift for the cyclist on your list is a custom headset cap! http://kustomcaps.com