17 excellent gifts of joy
There is still time to shop for loved ones and yourself, and in case you have run out of ideas we share a few gift suggestions that should find you well and hopefully inspire you. In no particular order now here are 17 ideas ranging from $10 to $2,375, with a few kids ideas at the very bottom.
Roka Men's Elite Square
Roka is pretty new to swimwear but that does not show in any shape or form, and you could soon be the owner of one of these square cut Men's Elite suits. They come in a variety of colors and you thus best get at least 2 different ones so you do not look like the guy wearing the same suit every day. It is also a well known fact that many triathletes need to swim more and thus it is a good idea to have a few extra swimsuits around the house. This way not finding one in your closet can't be used as an excuse to not go. For those who really like to show off their well tuned bodies Roka has an even more revealing Elite Race brief, but I think this one here is just dandy as is.
MSRP: $40
Fabric Tri Elite saddle
Brit outfit Fabric is a relatively young brand and they now have a triathlon offering too. The product looks well thought out, but what really makes this saddle stand out is the relatively low cost of this Tri Elite model. At 54.99 British pound or about $84 it is likely the least expensive offering in a world where you can spend $300 or more in no time. Like many other Fabric saddles the Tri Elite features a nylon base and hollow cro-moly rails, but in order to find triathletes well the cover is a waterproof microfiber and has a built-in transition hook.
MSRP: £54.99
Walz HTFU cap
We all have this friend who has everything already and is in general very difficult to shop for. Well, every cyclist needs a cycling cap even if it just hangs it on an office wall. Walz is the king of cycling caps and if HTFU does not find you well, they have many other offerings including the currently sold out Shut Up Legs model.
MSRP: $24.99
Specialized S-Works Turbo Cotton tire
These tires are wicked fast with independent data to prove it and thus it is no surprise to see that many smart professional triathletes have chosen to ride these S-Works Turbo Cotton tires when racing, even if they are not sponsored by Specialized. At $80 a piece that is a really inexpensive investment to gain an decent advantage over the competition. Thus it needs to be a gift to yourself and not for others. And remember, it is a gift that keeps on giving.
MSRP: $80
Bontrager Ballista helmet
Bontrager is likely not the first brand that comes to the mind of folks when considering helmets, but people should look at them closer. The Ballista aero road model for one is fast and sharp and this fluo version is bright and visible from far away be it in training or during a race. It is reasonably light and decently ventilated too. What more could you possibly want?
MSRP: $174.99
Wahoo Kickr-Snap trainer
For less than $700 you can now have a smart trainer from the Wahoo group in Atlanta, GA. Unlike its older and more fancy direct-drive Kickr brother, the Kickr Snap is a wheel-on trainer, but it also allows you to connect to Zwift and Trainer Road and various other apps for some realistic virtual cycling. What are you going to do when the weather turns crappy or you simply do not have the time to ride during the day? Or maybe you simply can't leave the house for various reason. Sweat no longer, the Kickr Snap is your solution.
MSRP: $699.99
XLAB Gear Box kit
The XLAB Gear Box kit allows you to store various tools in a bottle cage on your bike, and actually comes with a clincher repair kit. There is also the option to get a Gear Box without the repair kit, so you can fill it with your own tools. Nothing is a bigger bummer in cycling than having to call a friend or a spouse because you forgot to take tools along to fix a small mechanical mishap. The XLAB Gear Box is sharp and simple and even fits into a Christmas stocking.
MSRP: $59.95
Huub Big Buoy 4
Go big or go home. Huub has a Big Buoy 4 model in their lineup and you can impress your swim mates when you show up with one of these big boys. It offers 35 Newtons of buoyancy flotation and that is apparently double the amount of flotation when compared to most others. The Huub Big Buoy offers a 4 position use and thus the number 4 at the end of the model name.
MSRP: £19.99
NormaTec leg recovery system
After a hard run or ride, a gentle leg massage would find most people well, but most folks do not have a massage therapists awaiting them a home. The NormaTec Pulse leg recovery system is one of many offering from the NormaTec crew and it allows you to get fresher legs faster. Put on the boots, pick the recovery mode of your choice on the new Pulse control unit and then sit back and relax, or respond to emails on your computer. NormaTec also offers systems for hips and arms, but for this purpose we will simply focus on the leg recovery system. At 11.5 pounds it is very light and thus easily transportable and runs on a battery for 2 hours before requiring a new charge.
MSRP: $1,595
ENVE SES 7.8 wheels
The ENVE 7.8 wheels are the latest and greatest from this Ogden Utah based brand and which triathlete could not use a faster and more steady race wheel set in their quiver? Yes, it is the most expensive item in this year's gift guide, but you will not regret a single penny spent on these. Plus you can ride these ENVE SES 7.8 wheels every day. And haven't you been good all year?
MSRP: $2,375
RFID protecting carbon wallet
It is carbon, do you really need to know anything else? Well, this wallet is designed to protect your RFID chip embedded cards from ruthless thieves who could swipe your info with fairly simple technology. This carbon gadget will not make you faster but prevent your information from disappearing fast. What is in your wallet?
MSRP: $85
Goggles & Dust book
Everyone can use at least one more coffee table book and this Goggles & Dust offering should be there anyhow. It features 100 stunning vintage cycling images from an era when the cyclists were tough as nails and did not brag on Facebook and compared Strava numbers. They just rode hard, got dirty and liked it.
MSRP: $16.95
Sea to Summit Aeros pillow
Designed for hikers this inflatable pillow however can easily find many other uses. The surface of an office desk is very hard, and while you are relaxing on the floor in anticipation of a big triathlon, this Aeros pillow could be a nice comforting option. Plus who knows where you might have to put your head down for a little while.
MSRP: $39.95
Paper Airplane push pins
When you have a cork board at home or in your office you can impress your friends, relatives and coworkers with these unique paper plane themed push pins. Each pack includes 6 planes and that would surely make a great stocking item or a small gift for a friend. But do not sit on these paper planes as they would really sting you.
MSRP: $10
First Bike run-along bike
When we looked for run-along bikes for our twin boys it was a very difficult and confusing task. We eventually landed on these award winning German designed First Bike models and they have turned out to be fantastic. They are very light, have a lot of adjustment possibilities and it is pretty obvious that a cyclist design these little run-along bikes. Available in a variety of color and equipment choices starting at $129.99, and meant for kids ages 22 months to 5 years old.
MSRP: varies
Bright Signs Learning
Bright Signs Learning is an early introduction to reading concepts and when you witness some of the video results I promise that you will be completely in awe. Shelby Rideout is the clever and passionate mind behind this system, and if the name sounds familiar, she is the wife of Team Every Man Jack triathlete Ken Rideout. It is designed for kids from 6 months to 4 years of age and in addition to introduce kids to reading early, it is also a great parent-child bonding opportunity.
MSRP: $119.99
Bilibo Rocking Toy
I love this rocking toy mostly because it looks like a crazy helmet, but it is actually a very versatile toy. In addition to being a cute rocking chair, the Bilibo can also be used as a sled, spinning top, cradle or whatever your imagination can come up with. Designed by Alex Hochstrasser it has won awards and many positive comments. It is 15 inches square by 8 inches tall, so it is not for bigger kids, but that also means it does not take up too much space.
MSRP: $30
Resources
Roka Men's Elite Square
Fabric Tri Elite saddle
Walz HTFU cap
Specialized Turbo Cotton tires
Bontrager Ballista helmet
Wahoo Kickr Snap trainer
XLAB Gear Box
Huub Big Buoy 4
NormaTec Pulse Leg Recovery system
ENVE SES 7.8 carbon wheels
RFID Protection Carbon Wallet
Goggles & Dust vintage cycling book
Sea To Summit Aeros pillow
Paper Airplane push pins
First Bike run-along bike
Bright Signs Learning system
Bilibo Rocking Chair
