I dread Christmas gatherings, not for their general awkwardness but rather for fear of being gifted some novelty cycling-themed trinket by a distant relative or Secret Santa. It’s like they think cycling is my only interest!
This got me thinking: What would be a good Christmas gift if it had to be cycling related? A quick Slack thread later, with the rest of the Cycling Weekly team, and with my fears validated, I had an excellent list of suggestions with two clear themes.
Want but don’t necessarily need
Tech Editor Simon is a bike cleaning obsessive, he can’t stand a dirty bike and has been toying with jumping on the chain waxing bandwagon for a while. Chain waxing is a relatively cost-effective way to save watts, keep your drivetrain clean and increase the longevity of your parts. Luckily for Simon, Santa has come early and he will be writing up his thoughts on this waxing kit very soon.
Ever been out on your bike and wished you had some decent footage to show your friends? Features Writer James thinks this far too often and wishes he had something to follow him on some of the epic rides he gets to do, speeding down fast, switchbacked descents and capturing the scenery as he goes. The HoverAir X1 that we tested back in March seems to fit the bill nicely.
Backcountry Casual Cycling Apparel
Sigma Sports Casual Cycling Clothing
Despite what I said in the intro about Cycling not being my entire life, and that I would never dream of wearing cycling attire as casual wear (Velominati #rule 22), I would happily wear cycling-branded casual wear. By doing this I know I am supporting bike brands rather than big sports companies that put very little back into our sport. There are plenty of options from brands such as Pas Normal, Rapha, Universal Colours and more.
Commodities I hate having to buy
Tubeless valves need to be replaced as they are prone to clogging, eventually losing their effectiveness. They might only be $30-40 each but if you have 2 or 3 bikes, that’s equivalent to some new handlebars or pair of bib shorts. So, let’s get them on the Christmas list instead; they make great stocking fillers and even if you don’t need them right now you probably will soon enough.
The individual components of a bicycle cleaning kit don’t cost an awful lot and much of the time can be brought on sale somewhere. But when you need to replenish your bike wash, degreaser, finishing spray, lube, cloths and brushes regularly, it all starts to add up. Hence these items make great presents.
Think of the humble overshoe as the cycling equivalent of Christmas slippers or socks. We need them every year and they keep our feet warm. It doesn’t matter how well you try and look after your overshoes, they are constantly in harm’s way out on the road or trail, and as a result take a beating. I put mine in summer thinking they’ll be fine for another season of riding, only to find them in less-than-ideal condition just when the temperatures have started to drop again. Receive a fresh pair for Christmas and you’ll be all set come spring.
Useful alternatives
Shoe Dryers are great for more than just your cycling shoes. They can warm any shoes before you head out into the elements as well as dry your walking boots and wellies. And there is nothing worse if you are commuting daily or racing back-to-back days, than wet shoes. There are tons to choose from on Amazon
National Trust Membership
The National Trust membership is very British but I am sure there are equivalents in the US, like the National Parks Service. These properties and parks always have loads of parking and are always located in great regions for cycling, killing two birds with one stone. A day out for the family, while you ride or free parking for access to great trails and roads. A cracking suggestion from Tech Writer Hannah.
Bosch PushDrive Screwdriver
This is what I have actually asked for this Christmas. Power tools used correctly can make light work of bicycle bolts. Used delicately and with quality bits, you can use an electric screwdriver to whizz bolts in and out before just nipping them up with a torque wrench. They make light work of swapping components and fitting new parts, especially for people like me with years of repetitive strains from manually spinning Allen keys.
