Holiday Bike Shopping List

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.