Holiday Gift Guide for the Cycling Commuter (+ Giveaway(S)!)
22. Nov, 2011 
18 Comments 
Print This Article
Shopping for your commuter friend or family member made easy!
Here are some wonderful gift ideas for those who choose the bike as their primary form of transportation…
For Your Bike…
Po Campo Panniers
The Po Campo Loop Pannier is sleek and professional, so it’s easy to go from your bike to the boardroom. We all need a little style on our daily adventures! Our unique leather attachment system doesn’t catch onto your clothes or dig into your side. Weather is always an issue with commuting, so the Pannier is made from water and fade resistant fabric with a protected zipper. On the practical side, the bag is large enough to fit a small laptop. All Po Campo bags have versatile connection systems so they will attach to more than just bikes. The Pannier fits nicely onto luggage. The Po Campo Loop Pannier’s MSRP is $125 and the dimensions are W14″xL10″xD3.5.”
SHOP LOCAL (if you are from Salt Lake City Area) this season. Po Campo items can be found at Saturday Cycles (605 North 300 West, SLC Utah).
For Your Head…
Bern Helmets
Lets not forget about our heads this holiday season! Bern offers a wonderful line-up of women’s specific helmets that are ideal commuters! What makes Bern helmets great? Well all of their women’s helmets are ‘women specific’ meaning they make separate molds for the women’s helmets. Bern also takes the time to make different sized molds for different sized heads (some companies just add more or less foam to change the size). This all adds up to a really comfortable, well-fitting helmet that is feminine and functional.
<—The Brighton:
“The Brighton bike helmet takes bike style to your everday commute. Core clean lines and durable construction featured with Bern’s exclusive removable visor for protection against the sun and inclement weather. Bern’s All Season™ liner system allows you to use the Brighton on your snowboard, skis or bike.”
MSRP: $49.95
The Berkeley: —>
“Bern’s most popular women’s bike helmet provides superior protection for those of you who don’t want a Styrofoam planet on your head. Whether commuting to work in traffic or riding for a cause, we can’t promise zero helmet head when you reach your destination, but we can promise to keep you safe and stylin’ on your journey.”
MSRP: $75.00
For Your Body…
Showers Pass Portland Jacket
Showers Pass Company is based out of Portland (hence the name of this jacket) which means that they know what it is like to commute and ride in nasty weather!
The Showers Pass Portland Jacket has the commuter in mind from start to finish. This jacket is completely waterproof but doesn’t scream “RAIN JACKET” with bring colors and ‘swishy’ material. It has reflective paneling, weather guard cuffs and hidden pit zips for venting, everything you need for commuting in the elements without the lime green.
MSRP: $200
For Your Feet…
Defeet Woolie Boolie Socks
Socks! The perfect stocking stuffer! But these are no ordinary socks and will have cycling commuters ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’ because they will never again experience cold feet while riding. Defeet Woolie Boolies are wool socks that don’t itch, don’t shrink and don’t stink like their synthetic counterpart. They are breathable, light and WARM. If you are a cycling commuter you might want to ask for a pair of these socks…. or maybe two pairs….. or three.
MSRP: $15
For Your Hands…
Bar Mitts
With the winter comes the time when we need to pay extra attention to keeping our extremities warm when we ride. Having always myself suffered from chilly fingers throughout the winter due to wind chill and dipping temps, I felt my biking was doomed when the snow flew. I tried gloves but couldn’t seem to regulate the temperature, my hands were either sweating or freezing… With the discovery of Bar Mitts my outlook on winter riding has completely changed for the better. These neoprene mitts, once pulled over your handlebars block the wind, completely, and prevent frost bitten fingers from ending your ride early. They are very easy to put on your bike, just pull them around your handlebars and zip them closed and they DO NOT effect your shifting or breaking whatsoever. Bar Mitts come in different sizes and colors and there is even a model for your flat bar commuter or mountain bike. PERFECT gift idea for the winter biking enthusiasts in your family! As Bar Mitts say, “Don’t Let Cold Hands Keep You Inside Anymore!”
MSRP: $64.95
Pearl Izumi P.R.O Barrier WxB Glove
Two words to describe this glove: Weather Resistant. Nothing is going to get through these P.R.O Barrier WxB Gloves. Pearl Izumi uses their Outdry technology in this glove, which bonds a weatherproof, breathable membrane to the outside of the glove. The inside of the glove is fleece lined and the grip is made with natural leather which is soft and durable!
As for the Bikes…
GT Laguna 26
Not everyone who pedals a bike wants a bike wants to max out their heart rate, soars down a mountainside or attempt some sick aerial maneuver. Some of us need an excuse to leave our cars in the garage more often and enjoy the simple pleasure of feeling the wind in our hair and the sun on our faces as we slowly cruise the boulevard taking in the scenery along the way. Sound good? It is.
-Flat bar bike ready to attack the city streets or the dirt bike path. Great for all around riding when you want an upright riding position, front suspension and 7 speeds.
-Frame – 6061 aluminum Frame, CNC’d Bottom Bracket, Dropouts, and 1 1/8” Head Tube
-Fork – SR Suntour M3010 AL w/ 63mm Travel
-Crank – Suntour XCC 42/34/24T
MSRP: $385
Salsa Casseroll
Sounds like a delicious dinner right? Well this bike is not only the main course, its the appetizers and dessert too! Once you ride it you will understand why. This steal bike with a more relaxed geometry will have you enjoying the open road. The Casseroll is great for commuting because it is sturdy, giving you a plush ride. It also has all the braze-on’s (rack mounts) you could possibly need, and has semi-horizontal forward-rear dropouts (a fancy way of saying you can convert it into a single speed, fix gear, or geared bike!) For those looking for a commuter bike that they could also take on long rides, and even tour with, look no further than the Salsa Casseroll.
MSRP: $1,125
GIVEAWAY!
So what else might a commuter need… How ’bout a way to stay hydrated while traveling from place to place? Sigg bottles are a ecologically sound and because they are not made with plastics, they are completely safe to drink from! Sigg has a variety of different bottles to choose from, varying in size, shape, color and mouth piece!
Win this lovely white bottle (MSRP $29.99) for a commuter you know! Comment about how you could benefit from a Sigg water bottle by December 14th with your name and a valid email!
HOLD ON! How can a commuter be expected to keep track of their bike if they can’t lock it up whenever it is unattended?
Problem solved… Kryptonite Locks has been safely locking up our rides for many years and they take security very seriously.
Kryptonite is giving away one of their Evolution Mini-7‘s (MSRP: $64.95) and a Skin (MSRP: $9.65) to one lucky Cycle and Style Reader!
The Evolution series locks are rated 9 on a scale of 1-12 for security level, which means they are tough as nails, perfect for city use. The skins give you the option to customize your lock, making it match your bike or your style. Be sure to check out their site for more on lock security rating and how they make some of the best locks you can buy.
Please comment on important things to remember when you are locking up your bike, by December 14th for a chance to win (include name and valid email)!
Please note: We can mail giveaways anywhere in the US.
(Article by: Stephanie Tomlin)
Happy Holidays! And Happy Commuting!
Awesome giveaway! It seems like we’re always short on water bottles, I could definitely use a new one!
and a good tip on locking up your bike? Be sure to go through the wheels, It would be bad to have them stolen!
Make sure you lock it
It always surprises me to see bikes lying unsecured against a tree.
Two different types of locking methods are recommended when locking in the city
Make sure lock mechanism is working. I once locked my bike and could not get it unlocked.
Don’t just lock the frame! Show your wheels (and seat) some love too!
Angle the lock face downward so if it rains or snows, it’s not getting water down in the mechanism. I remove the little bits that are easy to steal, too, like lights and seat bag if my bike is going to be there for a while.
When locking your bike up, be sure to attach the cable to something in addition to your bike (bike stand, tall pole, tree, etc.), otherwise a thief can still walk off with your bike.
When locking up your bike, it’s also important to pay attention to what you’re locking it to. Just yesterday I saw someone who had locked their bike around a yellow parking pole that was just a 4 ft high cylinder. You could have lifted the bike, lock and all, right up and walked away with it!
I could benefit the environment by reducing the amount of plastic bottles I use (& recycle!) & carry a Sigg bottle, bounce it around with no damage! Yes please!
I always try to weave my lock through as many different parts as possible (frame and wheel) as well as once or twice around the sturdy obejct I am locking my bike too. I always feel it’s more secure.
I could definitrly use a new Sigg water bottle to help save the planet and save me some money on buying the plastic water bottles. Besides, I know that Sigg is safe and has a great reputation.
I lock through the frame and back tire. Read somewhere that that was the best way. Been doing it since. I have yet to bike to park in downtown because I want a stronger lock. I could really use a Kryptonite!
Of course, lock your bike to something, and lock through the wheels for maximum security. Also, don’t forget about all the cool stuff on your bike that could be stolen (lights, panniers, tools, etc.). Take them with you!
making sure that wheels are bolt on as well as seatpost, etc. no quick releases…ridden home (twice) without a saddle, and carried a mountain bike home that had a rear wheel stolen. sometimes, i have to learn the hard way
Im fortunate to take my bike with me into the office but this could come in handy when taking my bike out to go holiday shopping
I could really use one of the locks. I commute and have to make stops along the way. Thanks
Sigg bottles are amazing – easy to use and clean!
As for bike locking – a really great tip when locking your bike is to be mindful of other bikes. You want your bike to be secure but don’t want to take up the usable space on a bike stand or weave your lock around someone else’s so they can’t leave.
number 1 step, make sure you have wrapped the cable around your bike AND the rack. Whoops! Was lucky to have my bike still be there when I returned. Haven’t made that mistake again
I love all the Po Campo bags but wish they could come in at a lower price!