Fifteen Festive Stocking Fillers for Cyclists - 2015

Christmas is coming, and that means stockings! In this post, I thought I would feature fifteen of the best cycling products that I've tested over the last year. They are all ideal stocking fillers, which don't cost the earth and would be ideal gifts for anyone that is into cycling.

From energy bars to tyre levers, there's a real mix...


Bounce Balls

Bounce Balls are tasty little energy snacks, which are packed full of natural goodness. They contain carbohydrate from rice bran and starch, and whey protein to keep your muscles in shape. As a Christmas themed option, the new Cacao Orange flavour is seriously tasty with a morning coffee!
View the Bounce Balls range (Link)


Tate Labs Bar Fly SLi Mounts

Keep handlebars clutter-free with an out-front mount. These new SLi mounts from Tate Labs are the best that I've used; I have the Bar Fly Sli BAM to hold a GoPro and Garmin Edge on my road bike, as well as the SLi-D MTB mount on my 35mm mountain bike bars. There is also a model which allows you to hold a light underneath the mount, using elastic band straps. These mounts are very well made, compatible with all Garmin units, and have a lifetime warranty.
Full review coming soon - View the Tate Labs range at Wiggle (Link)


GripGrab HiVis Arm Warmers

Arm warmers make a great gift; they're fairly inexpensive and it is fairly easy to guess someone's size. My favourite this season come from Danish brand GripGrab. These warmers strike the delicate balance between insulation and bulk, and they have strong gel grippers so you don't get any annoying slippage. They are also HiVis! (black versions are also available).
The GripGrab Hi Vis Arm Warmers are available at Wiggle (Link)


Aftershokz Bluez 2 Bone Conduction Headphones

If there is one product that has made a real difference to my daily commute, it is these headphones from Aftershokz. I now have the ability to listen to playlists, podcasts and the radio on my ride into work; all while still being able to hear the warning noises from the traffic around me.
Read my review of the Aftershokz Bluez 2 Headphones (Link)


Sportique Travel Kit

These are great carry-on sized soap bag essentials, which come with me whenever I travel to any ride, race or big event. Sportique uses natural ingredients, to produce products that are gentle on your skin, as well as being effective. These are just five products from their great range.
Read more about the Sportique range of products (Link)


Black Mamba Workshop Gloves

The best workshop gloves I've used, by a country mile. These Black Mamba gloves are considerably more durable than standard disposable latex gloves, which means you can do hours of winter maintenance without getting hands that look like you work as a chimney sweep.
Read my review of the Black Mamba Workshop Gloves (Link)


The Stick Massage Stick

It is like a foam roller, except it is compact, portable and more versatile. 'The Stick' is an innovative product that has been used for some time by the US Cycling Team. It allows you to perform most of the tissue massages on your tired legs, which you usually would with a foam roller; but you can also massage other areas like your neck and arms. For me though, the real winning attribute is its portability. I wished I had taken something like this with me on the Mallorca1127 week; it would have been great to have stashed in a bike box, and used to help ease out tired muscles.
View The Stick's range at the-stick.co.uk (Link)


Endurance Conspiracy Tees

Everybody likes a fresh new t-shirt for Christmas, and the range from Endurance Conspiracy are some of the coolest I've tried this year. I profiled a few of them in a photo blog earlier in the year, and I also got a few shots of them 'on location' in South Tyrol, on my end of season break. They are great quality and a great fit; they also do a really nice lightweight hoodie.


Pedro's Utility Knife

Every bike mechanic should have a good knife to hand. Whether you're trimming down race numbers, opening boxes or cutting bar tape, a sharp blade is essential. The Utility Knife from Pedro's is probably one of the best additions to my toolbox in 2015. It is super easy to flick open and close with one hand, it takes standard replaceable craft knife blades, and it has a neat shackle spanner and belt clip built in. Well worth adding to any home mechanic's pocket.
Read my other Pedro's Bike Tools reviews here (Link)


The Grand Tour Cookbook

One small (OK, quite large) book, which has made a massive difference to my life this year. The Grand Tour Cookbook is a collection of recipes from Tinkoff-Saxo team chef Hannah Grant; recipes that could quite literally change your life. Healthy, super tasty dishes, which are all designed to help aid your performance through correct nutrition. This cookbook would make a great gift (although quite large for a stocking).
Read my review of Hannah Grant's 'The Grand Tour Cookbook' (Link)


GripGrab Hi-Vis Gloves and Headwear

Be safe. Be seen. Fluorescent riding accessories are definitely 'on-trend' this season, and the ones from GripGrab are the best that I've tested. Adding a 'pop' of colour to that dark winter riding kit, will certainly help to increase your visibility to other road users. The GripGrab HiVis range includes gloves, neck warmers, arm and leg warmers, skull caps and even overshoes.
Read my review of GripGrab's HiVis Hurricane Gloves (Link)


Eleven Vélo Ride Pouch

This is now part of my road cycling Every Ride Carry. It is a smart, comfortable and stylish way to carry your valuables and small ride essentials in your jersey pocket. A great design from San Francisco based Waterfield Designs, working in partnership with Australian based brand Eleven Vélo.
Read my review of the Eleven Vélo Ride Pouch (Link)


Scicon Compact 430 Saddle Bag

Still my favourite saddlebag. The design of Scicon's bags are simple, yet they function superbly. The Compact 430 is a great size for two road tubes, and it features a set of integrated tyre levers as well.
Read my review of the Scicon Compact 430 Saddle Bag (Link)


Pedro's Tyre Levers

Tyre levers are an inexpensive bit of kit, but when they break, it only adds to the aggravation of getting a puncture. These ones from Pedro's are fantastic. They are incredibly strong, and I've yet to have a set fail on me. They would make a useful gift for any cyclist, and they come in several colour options!
Shop for Pedro's Tyre Levers here (Link)


Lizard Skins DSP Bar Tape

Last, but very definitely not least; something to add comfort and a splash of colour to any road bike. The DSP Bar Tape from Lizard Skins is one of the best bar tapes that I've used to date, if not the best. It is super grippy, soft, shock-absorbing, and it also comes in a whole host of colours (including pink and camouflage!); so you can get the perfect match for your bike. Perfect for four seasons riding. 
Hopefully the above products have added some interesting ideas for your Christmas stocking filler list. What else are you hoping for this Christmas? (Comments below).


Comments

  1. Some useful stocking fillers here, thanks Tim. I second your recommendation for the Lizard Skins DSP bar tape. The 3.2mm thickness version is comfortable, hard wearing and 'sticky' to grip.

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