The Road Cyclist’s Holiday Gift Guide (+ Giveaways)
28. Nov, 2011 
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2011 Holiday Gift Guide
Want to find a gift for your road cyclists friends or family? We’ve got a great gift guide to get you started! You may also find some things to add to a wish list of your own! Although a few of our picks are just for female “roadies”, most things here are perfect gifts for him or her!
Headsweats Snowflake Performance Beanie--Back view
Coziness Even Under the Helmet
The Snowflake Performance Beanie makes a great gift for cyclists and winter sport enthusiasts alike. The Snowflake Performance Beanie is constructed with Eventure™ Fleece, which makes it breathable, flexible, and a great midweight beanie for colder temperatures. The beanie has a taped trim bottom and covers the ears for better fit and comfort and fits well under a helmet. The women’s version has a ponytail opening in the back. MSRP $22 www.headsweats.com
YAY! IT’S A GIVEAWAY! We love this Headsweats Performance Beanie with its embroidered Snowflake! It keeps your head warm under your helmet and has a slick little slot for a ponytail. We’re thinking it would make a great gift for a girlfriend or sister on your list and so we’re thrilled that Headsweats is offering it as a prize for one of our readers. Check out the giveaway details below!
Water Bottles for the Purist
Specialized has come up with new technology inspired by nature’s lotus leaf: Purist, which keeps your water as pure as when drinking from a glass, with all the advantages of a flexible bottle. Silicon Dioxide is added to the polymer structure of the inner surface of the bottle, forming a glass-like barrier that prevents odors, stains, and mold from permanently attaching to the inside surface of the bottle … so all you taste is the water. Wouldn’t this be the perfect bottle for the road cyclist on your list?
Along with this, Specialized has developed two different cap options for their bottles. The MoFlo and the Watergate deliver water more efficiently, ensuring ease of hydration. The MoFlo delivers 50% more water than leading bottles. It’s easy to open, effortless to use and leak proof when closed. The Watergate features the self-sealing Heart Valve, delivering a high rate of flow with a leak proof design, even when the valve is open.
A “Clearview Strip” on the side of each bottle allows you to peak down at your bottle and get a quick look at how much remaining water you have. Purist is available in the 22 oz. and 26 oz. sizes. The squeezable bottle with the screw cap and large opening for all your ice and drink mix requirements makes drinking a snap. These water bottles by Specialized can be customized for a bike event or any function that you might have.
YAY! IT’S ANOTHER GIVEAWAY! -Cycle & Style has 2 Purist Bottles, one in each size for a giveaway. See details below.
Apparel for & by Tough Chiks
Tough Chik is a line of women’s performance apparel made by women for women. To them, being a “Tough Chik” is an outlook on life, a way of reaching goals while overcoming obstacles in their way. As Shannon Carson stated, “ All women have a personal story that makes them tough and our goal is to celebrate Tough Chik triumphs in a creative way. We want to revolutionize women’s performance apparel by linking it to something more profound than just pretty designs.”
Tough Chik designs cycling jerseys and shorts, tri clothing, running apparel and even great looking t-shirts to slip on after your ride. (Tough Chik also launched a line of Bamboo Yoga clothing.) Tough Chik cycling jerseys (like the Sweaty Bettie Sparrows Cycling Jersey shown above) have a woman’s specific cut and is form fitting for competitive riding (ordering a size up is recommended if you are on the border for size), the waist bands are non elastic and made to be comfortable. There are three large back pockets to stow all the stuff you’ll need on your ride.
The Tough Chik SALE! Tough Chik is running a great pre-Christmas sale called “Tough Chik Tuesday” which will last from now until the week of Christmas. It will last for 2 days: all day Tuesday and Wednesday, ending at midnight. This week’s sale is $5.00 OFF all t-shirts! Simply enter the code TOUGHCHIKTUESDAY when you check out and $5.00 will be taken off each t-shirt in your cart. That includes Girl’s t-shirts too!
It’s Not Just a Fashion Staement, it’s Peace of Mind
Road ID- Wrist ID Sport & Wrist ID Elite
Cyclists, triathletes and runners just don’t sit around all day. They’re out pushing the pace on the road or trail. This is the perfect gift for you or someone you love: an awesome piece of gear that will give you peace of mind. In the event of an accident, if you can’t speak for yourself, the Road ID will.
Road IDs are engraved with all your emergency contact information and can be worn in a variety of ways from ankle cuffs and shoe tags, popular for runners to three classic wristband styles which are popular for road cyclists. The Wrist ID Sport comes standard with two 3M reflective stripes for enhanced visibility and is available in 6 colors ($19.99). The Wrist ID Elite has a rubberized band with a watch style buckle that can be worn even in more formal occasions such as in the boardroom. (Available in 8 colors, $29.99). The slim version of the Wrist ID is popular with athletes and those who like things minimal. The Slim version is also great for kids as well ($15.99) The Road IDs can be engraved in the original style or interactive (with special instructions for first responders to access to your secure and undatable Emergency Response Profile, aka “ERP” info.)
They told me to tell you to order by December 14th to get it in time for Christmas!
A Sleek & Slim Saddlebag –Perfect for the Speedsters!
The sleek, ultra-lightweight, Euro-designed saddlebag, the Aeron[a]ut combines an aerodynamic, compact shape with unmatched durability and protection from the elements. Aerodynamic research guided the design of this saddlebag tool case to perfectly integrate it with the bike. It is composed of a fiberglass shell for a secure transportation for all your goods, even for the most fragile ones. The outer Silicon Skin compresses and stabilizes all the tools on their place. Access is simple, make a quick twist and you’ll hears a “click” that ensures the bag is released or fixed into place! No tools are needed – just one hand. It weighs just under 3.5 oz (99 grams) and measures 13 x 8 x 5 cm.
Colors Available: Black and Yellow Neon (MSRP: $39.00) Imported by Albabici
Specialized Dolce Sport
A Sweet Ride for a New Cyclist- Specialized Dolce
“Dolce” means “sweet” in Italian. This bike is truly a sweet ride for the young rider or the new cyclist who needs an unintimidating bike to help them fall in love with cycling as they take part in social rides and/or take on a first triathlon. Specialized’s Dolce Sport Compact offers comfort, stability, and control that will make riding feel effortless without breaking the bank. (MSRP $1,050)
Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus! (More Sweet Rides!)
Not all road bikes are the same. We know that components and carbon frames come in various levels of quality which influence not only the price of the bike, but also its lightness, smooth shifting and easy handling. One of the most important factors in a road bike is making sure it fits you well. For many women, that means checking out the women’s specific bikes which will fit a large majority of women. A few bike companies have particularly nailed it when it comes to making great road bikes for women. One of these great bike companies is Specialized and one of the unique things they offer to women are the two great road bikes they designed: the Amira and the Ruby. They recognize there are women who are speedy sprinters who need a bike designed to be very light & fast and then there are those riders who possess super-human stamina and need a bike that will be comfortable even after a long day. Specialized designed the two women’s specific bikes to please each.
Specialized’s Ruby has a carbon frameset designed for long-distance riding. The frame and fork are made to help dampen road vibration and the slightly relaxed geometry is designed to be a plush ride that will take you the distance. From the freedom of the open road to ultra-distance events, Ruby riders want to cover long distances in control and comfort, but they still demand quick and efficient bikes. These enthusiast road riders want to enjoy every minute on their bikes, so they appreciate the benefits of carbon and a high-quality spec package.
But if racing is the goal, Specialized just came out with the 2012 Amira, a high-end road frame designed to be light and fast. The bike’s stiffness makes for a very responsive bike that transfers your energy into speed. When the designers set out to make the Amira, they designed it with the elite female racers of HTC-Highroad team in mind. It’s not just a feminized Tarmac(Specialized’s men’s racing bike), the Amira is uniquely designed for women from the ground up. The S-Works Amira Sl-4 is the lightest, stiffest and fastest bike around.
The Specialized Ruby comes in a variety of models and range of prices. The one above is the Ruby Elite Compact (MSRP $2,750). The Specialized Amira comes in a half-dozen models with various price points. The beautiful Amira below is the top-of-the-line, the S-Works Amira SL-4 mid Compact (MSRP is $8000). (Questions about component groups? We break it down for you here!)
Specialized S-Works Amira SL-4 mid Compact
Che bello! Fi’zi:k R3 Donna Road Shoes
It doesn’t have to take a fairy godmother to help you find the perfect shoe for comfort and performance on the road. There are some mighty fine shoes out there! This beautiful shoe could even make Carrie Underwood swoon. The Fi’zi:k R3 Donna women’s road shoe is a beautifully made high-end cycling shoe. This Italian made, lightweight (226 grams!) and durable shoe is breathable and offers great ventilation . It comes in pure white or black with cream accents as shown. Price $299.
- Carbon Outsole: 3D Flex System
- Closure Systemt: Sail Cloth Straps/Aluminium Buckle
- Insole: fi’zi:k dual density EVA with metaplate
A Tasty Stocking Stuffer: Stinger Waffles
American cyclists who raced and trained in Europe learned to love gaufrettes, the thin, fan-shaped, waffled wafers, which were not just a great cookie to munch on with coffee, but made a great on-the-bike source of energy. Lance Armstrong, now a part owner of Honey Stinger, wanted to introduce one of his favorite snacks from his European racing years to American cyclists and thus, the Honey Stinger Organic Waffle was created. The original honey flavor was so popular that a vanilla and strawberry version have been created as well.
DZ Nuts Heat
DZ Nuts Heat embrocation cream make great winter gifts as these creams can be used for keeping your legs warm while riding in cold and wet conditions, in other words, for the typical North American weather conditions we’ll have over the next 5 months. Embrocation Creams have been used by cyclists and cyclo-cross riders as they ride, race and train during the bad weather seasons of Belgium. Cyclists can ride in their shorts and actually be warmer with embrocation ointments on a cold and very wet day than they might while wearing wet tights. The heating qualities of these Belgian cycling ointments have earned them the nickname of “Belgian knee warmers.” The heat from Zabriskie’s cream comes from capsicum (a.k.a. cayenne pepper) which has been used as a warming ingredient in herbal remedies for years.* One thing about capsicum is that it can take a little while to warm up. You don’t want to do it just before you head out the door for a cold, rainy ride, instead rub it on about 30 minutes before. The variations in heat mean that high heat will be “too hot” for some temperature ranges, but it is the most long-lasting of the three, so it is perfect for a 5-hour ride. (More info on DZ Nuts Heat here)
InHeatMixology:
Blend instructions when using Dz-Nuts InHeat:
Low is obviously the lowest heat for brisk fall days.
Use Medium for colder days, possibly as a substitute for tights. Use on knees as substitute for knickers.
Reserve High for very cold days, and cyclocross racing when you would normally wear tights. Many experienced embrocation users will use Medium on total leg and supplement with High on the knees
Rules for the Road Cyclist Gift Guide Giveaway with Headsweats & Purist:
To enter our giveaway for the Headsweats Women’s Performance Snowflake Beanie or the Purist Water Bottles (1st & 2nd prizes respectively), comment below and use your real (first) name and a valid e-mail. We’ll make a random choice from among the best quality comments to select the winner. The winner will be chosen on December 14, 2011 and they will be notified via e-mail. If we have trouble getting a hold of you, we may have to choose another, so please use a valid email.
We can mail to addresses within the US.
An under-the-helmet hat … with a hole for a ponytail. Brilliant idea. Maybe, if I win, I can stop borrowing my boyfriend’s skullcap beanie hat and keep him from borrowing my new one in the process
What a great guide! It’s got stuff from companies I love, like Road ID and Honey Stingers, as well as recommendations for some of the things I’ve been looking for, like the beanie (yesterday’s 34-degree commute was a rude awakening) and the water bottles (lost my lovely Camelbak Ice when it escaped from my cage earlier this fall).
That road ID is a great gift. I’m getting one for my sweetie.
I would definitely recommend the Honey Stinger Waffles! Those things are delicious!
Awesome giveaway- I would love to win!
I am looking for a beanie to wear under my helmet. I love the snowflake! Plus, the road ID is such a great idea. I am going to get one for my bike pals!
I love my road ID and would LOVE a beanie and some new water bottles!
Great gift guide. I love all the stuff you guys introduce me to, as well as reminding me of the great stuff I enjoy. Winning would be fun too.
I’d like to see Gweneth Paltrow ride her bike in those shoes with no cleats attached.
I LOVE my fizik bike shoes! they would be such a great gift for a special lady cyclist or a great treat for yourself. suffering is so much better in patent leather handmade italian shoes
Love the gift guide! Gotta get me some IN HEAT! The shoes are gorgeous too. UMMMM Santa just check out this list for ideas!!
Excellent gift ideas! I’m even thinkin about some for myself! Love the beanie! With the mega ponytail I sport around this would be perfect! The water bottles are sooo neat as well! Love goodies!
Another great stocking stuffer is a custom headset cap. Check out http://kustomcaps.com
Wow, first off I want to say thank you for this review. Its really hard to get an idea of what a product truly is by websites and company descriptions. Headsweats are an amazing company with great products and you hit the nail on the head with this review. My husband loves is Headsweat super visor and always brags about it. I would love the opportunity to wear it this winter and make him drool! Also thank you ladies for the amazing site, I love the style and fashion section.
I live in the Northwest, burrr… in the winter! The beanie hat with the ponytail opening has my name all over it!! And the water bottles just happen to be on my list to santa!
Thank you for the opportuniy. I have been a fair weather cyclist for 3 years. I am just getting started with cold weather cycling. I was a bit intimidated at first, but I fell in love! Now I just need all the proper gear, so I don’t have to keep borrowing from my friends. I would be thrilled to win the giveaway beanie! Happy Holidays.
This will be my first winter as a cyclist, so I’ve been putting together my small collection of winter cycling gear for the frigid hinterland of Washington DC. If I’m going to be an urban biking yuppie, I may as well be a stylish one
What a great gift guide! I learned about a few new products and have many new items on my cycling gear wish list. All of the items listed would make great gifts for a cycling enthusiast.
I love my Amira s- works bike , what a great gift idea !
Sweet Gift Guide!! I can already tell what I’m putting on my wishlist. Love your blog. Keep up the awesome work!
I LOVE those shoes!
After feeling kinda dorky in my cycling gear for some time, I was excited to find a site called “Cycle & Style”…great stuff. Now I find this cool products and a giveaway too?
So many great accessories! I love my road ID. Those Stinger waffers are super yummy. That saddlebag looks cool, I’ve never seen one like that before. I love your guys’ reviews on products. Thanks for opening my eyes to more cycling gear. (to my husband’s dismay). :]
Thanks for the great gift guide! I learned of a few new goodies and was reminded of some of my favorites
I love the holiday gift guide! Man, I want one of everything!
I would love to ride around town with a stylish beanie to keep my head warm under my helmet, and when I take my helmet off to go in a store…no more helmet hair because the beanie is stylish to just wear around shopping too! And who can’t use a new water bottle?
Wow! both prizes would make fabulous gifts for the holidays… but I think I would probably end up putting either of these in my stocking instead. (selfish I know, but at least I’m honest!) love that the beanie would fit under my helmet because right now I just go without – brrr! And I am definitely due to replace my water bottle. The Purist looks like the way to go.
Merry Christmas to me! I would love to ride around with that fun beanie warming my noggin uder my helmet and… you can never have enough water bottles!
A place for my ponytail? Awesome!
I will wear that hat everyday- skiing, cycling and to bed at night! Pick me!
Great hat to wear under a helmet on a cold morning — looks slim enough to not feel bulky or cumbersome. My dog ate my ear band so a new hat would be great! No more cotton balls in the ears.
Beekeeper here and I just can not say NO to anything with honey! Bring on the waffles–with Honey! I am going to have to get that recipe if I don’t win the waffles, so let me win the waffles! Thank you!
Following Cycle & Style, we really can cycle in style! I could put the under-the-helmet beanie and Purist water bottles to good use.
My helmet can accommodate a ponytail but I have no way to wear one in the winter. That beanie looks great!
Since I’m new to the Pacific Northwest, I’m learning how to layer to be able to ride all winter. That beanie looks like it would be a great addition to my new look. Thanks for offering this opportunity!
I love Fizik from my saddle to my shoes their products are top-notch!