Part three of RCUK’s Christmas Gift Guide series brings you five ideas under £50, with products from Rouleur, Rapha, Lezyne, dhb and bikeParka.
Our previous Christmas Gift Guides brought you the best cycling books on the shelves right now, as well as ten stocking fillers under £10. Now it’s time to step up a price bracket…
Rouleur Mugs by Richard Mitchelson – £19.00
Cartoonist Richard Mitchelson has been at it again, producing a second set of mugs adorning the faces of some of the most famous names in cycling – Eddy Merckx, Marco Pantani, Greg LeMond and Laurent Fignon. The mugs are finest quality bone china manufactured in Stoke-on Trent, and they’re dishwasher-safe too.
They’re pricey at £19 a pop (or £67 for all four) but they’ll bring a small piece of cycling history to life every time to reach to make a brew.
Rapha Winter Hat – £35.00
Rapha’s Winter Hat has been around since 2006 but it remains a firm favourite thanks to its super-warm construction. It’s made in Italy from a brush-backed Sportwool fabric (70% polyester, 26% wool, 4% elastane), warm enough for sub-zero temperatures, and with sides that can be turned up if it gets too toasty.
It looks great, too. Understated but classy all the same, with Belgian-inspired styling. And it can be worn under a helmet. Related reading – Dave’s Faves: Rapha Winter Hat.
Lezyne Mini Drive front light – £49.99
Lezyne have been producing stylish tools and accessories for years but this year marked their first foray into the light market. The result was three front lamps, with the cheapest the Lezyne Mini Drive at £49.99.
It weighs just 73g, is a doddle to fit and sits inconspicuously on your handlebars. The light has a maximum output of 150 Lumens on the highest output, with three subsequent four settings; medium (100 Lumens), low (50 Lumens) and flashing. That makes it a great package for commuting by bike . Read the full review here or buy it on Mpora Gear.
www.lezyne.com
www.upgradebikes.co.uk
dhb Merino Long Sleeve Round Neck Base Layer – £36.89
A good base layer is essential to keeping warm through winter and there are few better fabrics than Merino, which is breathable, will keep you toasty and is soft next to the skin. Trouble is, it can be expensive. That’s where dhb, the in-house clothing brand of Wiggle, come in.
This long sleeve, round neck baselayer is top value at £36.89. It’s manufactured using a 190g yarn, while a lighter 150g version is also available. dhb also do a zip neck and short sleeve Merino base layers.
bikeParka – £39.95
bikeParka is a new company offering a simple solution to a long-standing problem for many cyclists. Not everyone is blessed with ample storage space for their bike(s) and the only option may be to keep it outside. bikeParka is a bicycle cover designed to protect your pride and joy from the worst of Britain’s weather.
It’s made from a waterproof, polyester ripstop fabric and the £39.95 URBN model features UV protection, eyelets for ties or small locks and Velcro lock-through panels to secure the cover with a standard lock. Adjustable toggles provide a snug fit, while the elasticated bottom keeps the material locked close to the bike’s wheels. bikeParka comes with a stuff sack so it can be packed away when not in use.
Do you have any Christmas gift suggestions? Tell us on the forum.
