Buying for fellow bike riders? Hoping to get gifts you'll actually enjoy this year instead of the new Bob Dylan Christmas
album (possibly both the worst
and best present ever)? Help is at hand... And if you're still in a lather of indecision afterwards, a BMCR Gift Voucher will take all the pain away. :-)
Gifts under $50While you can't disguise their shape when they're wrapped, books are always a sure-fire option. The easy-to-read information and big shiny pictures in
Mastering
Mountain Bike Skills ($40) and
Cycling Anatomy ($37) will keep even the most reluctant reader entertained. If you know someone who's too old to believe in Santa but who still wishes for a handy guide to improve their skillz,
Cycling Past 50 ($32) is a
popular choice. (But make sure you're giving it to someone who's actually over 50 or you could end up having a very frosty Christmas.) Gift recipient not likely to crack a cover? Then consider the superb
ESI grips ($45), whose
non-slip comfort comes highly recommended by both Pete and Andrew, or a Big Freaking Bottle of
Rock 'n' Roll Gold ($39.50) because nothing says 'Merry Christmas' like chain lube.
Gifts under $100Light up someone's life, albeit blindingly, with the
Planet Bike Superflash series! Visible from over 1.5 kilometres away (particularly handy during this time of year when people seem to lose the ability to drive --
even more so) and super-easy to install, choose from the half-watt combo pack ($75), one-watt combo back ($95), half-watt rear ($39.50), one-watt front ($65) or even do a sneaky upgrade to the brand new two-watt Blaze front
light ($88). It is not recommended, however, to deck your halls or the front of your house with Superflashes, unless you're trying to bring down light aircraft or induce epilepsy in your neighbours. Something with less battery power
required? We've got
Fox Performance jerseys on special ($72, down from $90) plus the delightful
Vaude 3/4 Bodman pants ($95), just right for cruising to a barbecue on a summer's eve and then weaving home through the backstreets to avoid the breathos. Who needs trouser clips? Not you, that's for darn sure!
Gifts under $200Why not introduce a loved one (or yourself) to the joy of leather? (No, not that way. Geez, people.)
Brooks saddles have been around for over a
century and a half because they a) are brilliant and b) last forever if you look after them. No other saddle moulds to your body shape, and no other saddle is this
comfortable, we promise! We've got the classic
B17, including the
Special and
Aged versions, as well as the sprung
Flyer and
B67 if you're looking for some suspension on your ride. Has your beloved already got a Brooks saddle? Then they'd love the extra-special limited edition
Brooks L'Eroica jersey! Ooh, it's lovely. Made from 100% merino wool, it'll keep you warm when it's cold, and has a nickel-plated zip plus three button pockets in the back. One must also acknowledge its fabulous Retro Stylings. Behold!
body shaping underwear. (We have yet to apply this comparison to other products and see if we get the same results...) Anyway, why not try the Bellwether Force for yourself, and at 10% off this month?
flat-locked seams to eliminate bumps, a silicon leg gripper, and Lycra POWER (according to the tech sheet). All we know is that it translates to durable, comfortable knicky goodness. Normally $109, for December all stocked knicks are $98 while the shorts are $90, down from $100.