Do you have a cyclist
or triathlete on your holiday list and don’t know what to get them? Here are
some ideas on what they may want and/or need.
Items under $50.00
Wool socks. A must have when riding in the cold winter months and
just great for casual use as well.
Pearl Izumi Skullcap. This insulating skullcap is thin enough to
fit under the helmet, yet warm enough to keep their ears and noggin toasty.
Cateye Cyclometer. Lets them keep track of total miles, average
speed, trip time, and can include cadence to help optimize energy efficiency.
Items between $50.00
and $200.00
Light & Motion Urban Lights. These cool little self-contained
headlights offer huge lighting, up to 500 lumens, yet are pen light small and
no cords or external batteries needed. Simple USB/mini USB charging and quick
mount design of optimal vision and visibility.
Helmet. With technology advancements, we have some of the lightest
and safest helmets available. We have road, mountain, and time trial /triathlon
versions for everyone’s needs.
Compression wear. Haven’t heard of compression wear? These aren’t
your grandma’s ugly support socks, but technical wear from socks, calf guards,
tights, tops and riding shorts to help aid in muscle recovery and actually
improve muscle function during activity. Great for even easing the long day’s
stress if you’re on your feet for prolonged periods.
Oakley, Rudy Project or Tifosi eyewear. You may be thinking, “Why
would I buy someone sunglasses in the winter?” Well, riding in the rain and
cold is actually harder on the eyes than in the summer, not to mention all the
grit and dirt that can be flung up from cars or other bikes. Clear, yellow or
light red lenses brighten up grey days and even sharpen contrast so they won’t
run over potholes or glass, and having interchangeable lenses allows them to
pick the right lens color for the conditions. Eyewear is a cycling must all
year long.
Items between $200.00 and $500.00
Rain jackets/shells. If you hadn’t noticed, it rains a little
around here. Staying relatively dry and comfortable is really the key to riding
year round in the Northwest. We carry great clothing from Gore, the industry
standard and makers of Gore-Tex, Pearl Izumi, which has arguably the broadest
range of cycling gear, and even Assos, which is bar none, the best cycling wear
you can buy. From heavier full
Gore-Tex rain jackets and pants that are fully seam sealed, to the ultimate
lightweight clear rain shell that packs away into a small jersey pocket when not
needed, we have what it takes to keep the rider warm and dry.
Kids, mountain & hybrid bikes. I think everyone can remember
their first bike they got for Christmas. Not only do these make for a great
memory, we have the bike for any riders use, whether it’s their very first
bike, a solid commuter, or a bike for the trails. We have bikes for ages 2 to
92, and there’s still nothing like the freedom and enjoyment one gets from
riding a bike. Coaster brakes, small mountain bikes, commuters & mountain
bikes, we have it all. Add in the health/fitness and green living aspects, and
what more can you say?
Cycling shoes. Good cycling shoes can make such a big difference in
one’s cycling, we’re often surprised how often a good shoe and pedal system is
overlooked. Whether recessed cleat styles (some call them mountain bike shoes,
but they are so much more versatile) that allow you to get off and walk in for
a wine tasting at Chateau St. Michelle, into the office, or through the mud and
goop of a favorite trail, recessed designs give the rider the versatility they
want with the support, comfort and power transfer that equals the road bike
style. Road shoes will give you the light weight ultimate stiffness for power
transfer, and can even be custom molded to be even more comfortable than ever.
With the latest materials from Lorica uppers to carbon fiber soles, shoes will
increase performance, decrease foot fatigue, and while being expensive, will
last many seasons.
Items over $500.00
Ok, so we’ll get a little crazy here…
Zipp Firecrest Carbon clinchers.
Wheel technology has made leaps and bounds in the last few years,
with new carbon resins to compensate for heat build up, the advent of a full
carbon clincher rim, and the aerodynamic advantage that new shapes can offer.
For 2011 and 2012, Zipp has fully revamped their benchmark wheels and gone back
to the drawing board to come out with a vastly improved hub and rim design that
gives the rider a faster rolling hub and a rim shape that has all the benefits
of a deep section without the drawbacks of side wind control and heavier
weight. Enve Composites has teamed up with aerodynamicist Simon Smart to
innovate the new 6.7 and 3.4 Smart
wheel systems that looks at the aerodynamic properties of the front wheel and the
rear wheel separately, allowing new shapes and depths to optimize the rider and
the conditions.
Scott 29’er Hardtail Mountain Bikes. Scott bikes may not be the biggest bike company out there,
but their bikes have garnered the respect and admiration of riders and media
alike. With the revolution in mountain bikes using the larger 29’er wheel as
opposed to the classic 26” version, 29’ers are known for their faster feel, the
ability to roll over trails irregularities better, and better stability at speed.
Couple this with Scott’s proprietary geometry and top notch parts spec, and
these bikes rule the trail, whether at Duthie Park or Grand Ridge.
Colnago C-59, Pinarello Dogma 2 and De Rosa King. Arguably the 3 most well known and
respected Italian bike builders, these 3 framesets represent the pinnacle of technical know how
matched with classic Italian artisanship. Each builder has been hand crafting
bicycles for over 60 years each, with a list of race wins unmatched by any
others. Often these bikes evoke such strong emotion in their riders that it has
been known for a rider to choose the frame he rides over an offer to ride for
another team, for more money, on an inferior bike. While every brand has it’s
loyal following as well as detractors, one must ride one to see and feel the
true difference.
