Ok, we’re into December, Christmas is officially on the way. Fear not, our regular Christmas Gift Guide series is on hand to give you inspiration on what to buy for the cyclist in your life, or to perhaps put on your own wishlist.
In part one we picked our top ten cycling books, here we’re on hand with a selection of stocking fillers for under £10…
Lezyne Caddy Sack – £8.99
Why protect your mobile phone with a sandwich bag when there’s this typically-stylish offering from Lezyne? It’s sized to fit in traditional jersey pockets and will comfortably take a phone, keys and cash, plus it’s water resistant to protect the contents from all but the harshest winter weather.
www.lezyne.com / www.upgradebikes.co.uk
Endura Ba Ba Merino Winter Socks – £9.99
It’s vital to keep your feet warm through winter – there’s nothing worse than returning home from a long ride with blocks of ice attached to your legs. These Merino socks will help keep your toes toasty (combine them with the oversocks below), and there’s a Terry sole and arch support for added comfort.
Prendas Meraklon Oversocks – £7.95
What’s the point in having posh socks if they’re going to get covered in grit and grime as soon as you set outside your door and peddle off? These oversocks from Prendas are among the best out there and will keep the wind off your feet in cool conditions when a full-blown overshoe isn’t required. Full review.
One23 MT4 Keyring Tool – £4.99
Having this One23 MT4 multi-tool on your bunch of keys means it’s always close at hand, whether making quick adjustment before you set out for a ride or on the road itself. The MT4 has 4, 5 and 6mm allen keys, plus a cross head screwdriver and build quality is excellent. Full review.
Rapha Soap – £7.00
Rapha’s Soap is decidedly high-end at £7 a pop but it’s the only thing we could spot in their online shop that was under a tenner so earned its spot on our list. The soap is inspired by the olive groves that are abundant near Mont Ventoux; perfect for a post-ride bath, say Rapha.
RIDE Aquazero Skull Cap – £8.99
It’s your extremities that feel the cold first when the temperature drops, so that means protecting your hands, feet and ears, with the latter kept warm by the Aquazero Skull Cap from RIDE. It’s made from a softshell water repellent material at the front to help keep rain out and a fleecy Roubaix fabric at the rear to provide added insulation.
Elite Scalatora Corsa 1000ml Water Bottle – £5.99
The key to this water bottle from Elite is the cap. The company’s renowned Corsa cap is designed to pop off when ridden over so it won’t bring down every rider in the bunch if it’s dropped on a group ride. The cap is also easy to open and shut, as is the drinking nozzle. The graphics are understated and we love the image of the Stelvio Pass. A 550ml version is also available for £3.99.
Muc-Off Bicycle Cleaner (1l) – £7.49
Keeping your bike clean through winter not only means it looks good, but it’ll also help protect it from wear and tear. Muc-Off’s Bicycle Cleaner cuts through dirt with ease, plus it contains no harmful acids, CFC’s or solvents and is fully biodegradable. It also comes in 500ml, 5l and 25l bottles.
Revolution Tune Up Mini Workstand – £9.99
This workstand supports the bike by its left-hand stays with the rear wheel off the ground, making minor adjustments like cleaning the chain or tuning the gears a doddle. Ok, it’s not the most glamorous present going, but it’s a bargain at £9.99 having been reduced from £19.99.
Les Mémoires du Peloton calendar – £7.95
Prendas’ retro calendar returns for 2012 with a world champion’s theme. The evocative calendar features images of Eddy Merckx, Joop Zoetemelk, Tom Simpson, Felice Gimondi, Johan Museeuw, Paolo Bettini, Mario Cipollini, Graeme Obree, Tom Boonen, Giuseppe Saronni, Jan Raas and Mark Cavendish. More info here.
