A 2012 Holiday What We Have Noticed

We assembled a fine selection of goodies for a 2012 Holiday What We Have Noticed edition, and you must now decide what hits your fancy. Surprisingly though with almost 15 products featured, not a single t-shirt is present, but we hope we get you in the holiday spirit just the same.

Panache Gran Fondo

What: The Panache Gran Fondo jersey is simple and stylish, and you certainly won't look like a Pro Tour poseur when you sport it on your next group ride. With a super wicking fabric and a full length zipper it is of course utmost comfortable too, and when it comes down to it, that is what really matters.
Sizes: XS-XXL
MSRP: $130
Website: panachecyclewear.com

Green Guru Ruckus

What: Green Guru items are made from recycled bicycle inner tubes and a variety of other materials in Boulder, CO and the bags are especially nice. The backpack featured here is called Ruckus and it is crafted from 6 inner tubes and 100% recycled PETE fabric. The Ruckus can hold up to 2520 cu. in. of goods and when you are done hauling your other holiday gifts away this might make a good transition bag.
MSRP: $139.95
Website: greengurugear.com

Oakley Frogskins Summit

What: The Aspen Green Oakley Frogskins Summit shades with that that vintage look are very cool and they are extremely difficult to misplace in that color. But they are also available in slightly less loud colors.
Colors: various
MSRP: $120
Website: oakley.com

ISM Attack

What: When your butt isn't happy, neither are you, and that is why a lot of folks have moved to ISM saddles. The Attack is the newest saddle from the brand and it is meant for road riding, but that won't stop athletes from putting it on their triathlon, cross or mountain bikes. The saddle though is not available until February of 2013, so you may have to do with an image on our office wall as the space holder until then.
Colors: white or black
MSRP: $249.95
Website: ismseat.com

Normatec MVP boots

What: Of all these recovery boot systems Normatec is the first one who invested heavily in our sport and the system is very nicely thought out. The Pro version is expensive and that has been a stumbling block to some athletes, but the new MVP edition brings the awesome dynamic compression and performance recovery to a much more affordable level. Give yourself the gift that keeps on giving and watch your favorite TV show over the holidays and all of next year while giving your legs some love. And for a limited time if you enter the coupon code SLOWTWITCH12 you get the system for $1495 + free shipping.
MSRP: $1650
Website: normatecsports.com

Schwalbe Ultremo ZX

What: The Schwalbe Ultremo ZX clincher tires would make a great gift for a passionate cyclist who logs a ton of miles. Plus you really can't have too many tires. The Ultremo ZX has been upgraded to improve cut and rolling resistance and they are available in an incredible range of colors including a few very loud ones. We though are somewhat partial to the black version.
Colors: various
MSRP: $79.85 each
Website: schwalbetires.com

KlutchClub

What: KLUTCHclub is a monthly subscription service that sends out holistic health, fitness and wellness products themed either for women or men. Basically every month you get a new variety of products worth about $50 and so this is a bit like having Christmas once a month. You can test out KLUTCHclub for 1 to 3 months or sign up for a full year, plus you get access to special offers. With the special ST20 slowtwitch discount you will get 20% off a 3-month subscription, which is usually $9 a month (+ $8 shipping).
MSRP: $16 per month ($8 subscription plus $8 shipping) with annual subscription
Website: klutchclub.com

A2 Wind Tunnel

What: No matter how much money you have spent on bicycles and bike related equipment there is still a lingering doubt if you have done enough. A visit to the A2 wind tunnel may give you a bit more confidence or valuable tidbits of information to make the needed tweaks. About 1.5 to 2 hours in the tunnel typically do the trick, plus when you are not busy there you can experience the surrounding Nascar ambiance and a fantastic indoor go cart track close by.
MSRP: $420 per hour
Website: A2WT.com

Avia Mantis

What: The Mantis is a new model for the Avia brand and this lightweight running shoe is meant for racing 5k events to marathons. But while this shoe is new to us ordinary folks, athletes like Conrad Stoltz and Josiah Middaugh have been putting some serious miles on them already.
Colors: M Red/Lime & White/Silver/Black – W Purple/Lime & White/Silver/Black
MSRP: $80
Website: avia.com

Garmin Forerunner 10

What: The Garmin Forerunner 10 is a GPS watch at a very reasonable price. It does not have all the bells and whistles, but you should ask yourself if you actually require more than what this watch offers. The Forerunner 10 is light and small and it is simple to use, plus it offers Virtual Pacer, auto-pause and auto-lap.
Colors: Green / Pink / Black
MSRP: $129.99
Website: garmin.com

Skip Barber racing school

What: Secretly you have always wanted to not only go fast on a bike but also in your personal car and here is your chance to do so in a controlled environment and become a more experienced efficient driver in the process. Classes take place in several locations including, but not limited to Road Atlanta in Georgia and Laguna Seca Raceway in California, so no matter which coast you live on there is something for you. This is a great gift for a person who is extremely difficult to shop for.
Dates: many
MSRP: starts at $700
Website: skipbarber.com

Olloclip iPhone lens

What: The Olloclip lens converts your iPhone 4 or 5 into a wide angle, macro or fisheye camera and that allows you to grab more unique pictures for your twitter or Facebook updates. But you better not fumble too long or have it already set up, because the beauty of shooting with a phone is that it is always with you and ready in an instant. Now if there was only a gadget that would make the iPhone itself a better functioning phone.
Colors: red, white or black
MSRP: $69.99
Website: olloclip.com

The Pace Clock app

What: Very few things in life are free and the very nice Pace Clock app from Peter deWeese is thankfully among them. But we would most likely not mind paying $1 for something as helpful. The Pace Clock turns your phone into a simple green on black MM:SS digital interval clock just like the ones you might be familiar with at your pool, but in this case you won't have to crane your neck to see it. Plus depending where you go to swim you might only have an old analog version anyway.
MSRP: Free
Website: itunes.apple.com

Velopresso

What: Amos Field Reid and Lasse Oiva created the stunning Velopresso machine as their graduation project for a Masters degree in Design at The Royal College of Art, London this summer. Now this is not so much a gift for someone else, but possibly a gift to yourself if you are ready to end the rat race. You could tell your boss to find another "clown for his or her circus" and then set up as a roving coffee shop. This however might not work in all communities so please don't take our suggestion to leave your job seriously. Learn more about the Velopresso on the Gates carbon drive blog, but the Velopresso website should be updated in the next few days.
MSRP: n/a
Website: velopresso.cc