Top Ten Gift Ideas for Road Cyclists

The road cyclist is almost a breed unto their own and getting them an appreciated gift at Christmas can be tough if not intimidating. But fear not. Here's a list of potential gifts for the cyclist in your life, and a wide range of prices to choose from.

1. Carbon Dioxide Tire Repair Kit. These range from about $5 to about $10 with spare cartridges about $2-$3 each. The beauty of this gift is that everyone gets a flat tire at some point in time and this gadget will inflate a tire in a flash. No more struggling with a small frame pump to get enough pressure in a road tire to get anywhere. Compared to a 20 minute struggle to get enough pressure to safely ride, this 30 seconds to full compression makes tire inflation a breeze. Pick up a few spare cartridges as well; they don't go bad. These kits are small enough to fit in a jersey pocket or small bike bag.

2. Portable bike tool kit. Check out the kits available from Park Tools for a quality purchase. Kits vary in size and price. Be sure to include a chain tool, they don't take up much space, aren't needed often, but I'd rather travel with one than be caught without. Kits should also include tire levers for changing tires and at a minimum, a variety of hex tools.

3. Refueling gift basket. This one you put together yourself. Contents could include anything from PowerBars to Clif Bars to Luna Bars. And don't forget some energy gels or even bottles of Gatorade. Cost is up to you depending on how big a basket you put together. Nuts and dried fruits also make good additions and travel nicely for snacking while riding.

4. The Cyclist's Training Bible by Joe Friel. This book is a must for road riders. Want to learn to train better? Get faster? Want to help motivate your rider to keep going? This book offers everything from interval work, to the concept of power work, and how to put together an individual training plan.

5. Or take it one step further and hire a coach for your biker buddy. Even if only for a month or three months, there's nothing like working one on one with a coach to vastly improve any rider's abilities at any level. See resources for internet sites to find a coach.

6. Bento Box. A what? Well, let's just say these little boxes strap nicely to the bike frame, are hard shell boxes, not soft fabric or vinyl and make great carrying cases for items such as cell phones. The hard shell protects the phone from being damaged, or the screen from getting scratched, should a rider fall. And who doesn't ride without a phone?

7. A new jersey and shorts. Bike clothing does wear and tear periodically. So a new set is always a good thing. But keep in mind, good quality bike clothing is not cheap. Expect to spend $70 or more on the jersey alone; good shorts can easily reach $100.

8. Bike wind jacket. For cooler weather riding, a wind breaker is a must. Part of what makes riding on the road so cold is the wind that is built up by the momentum of the rider, and of course, the breeze from passing traffic. Water resistance is nice too; that morning mist can soak a biker pretty quickly. Again, this gift does not qualify as less expensive. Expect to shell out over $100 for a decent one. Water resistance adds to the price but is worth it.

9. Hydration pack. While not all roadies are into carrying their thirst quenching on their back, many are open to the idea. After all, you can sip while pedaling. Camelback, Gary Fisher, Trek and more brands are available. Some offer women specific models if your favorite rider is a woman. Prices range but expect $40 and up. The women specific designs tend to run slightly higher but are worth it for the better fit.

10. Upgraded parts. What rider doesn't want better parts? For this you'll have to consult the rider and be prepared for a big payout too. Good tires alone can run $70 each or more; upgraded gear components can reach several hundreds of dollars.

OR bonus suggestion: Put several of these ideas together to create a bicyclist gift basket - a huge one!