Gift Guide: Explaining to Loved Ones

Gifting is about giving and receiving joy. Ideally, both giver and recipient are equally excited about the gift. That’s where it can get tricky for us cyclists—how do we explain to our family and friends that bike parts make ideal gifts? Here’s a slightly tongue-in-check guide on how to make sense of our wishlist to non-cyclists:

Bicycle Quarterly (from $ 44)

Let’s start with an easy one. Unplugging from our screens, immersing ourselves into beautiful rides, or reading up on the latest technical discoveries—every loved one can see the value in that. You can add that Bicycle Quarterly subscriptions don’t auto-renew, so it’s a one-time purchase with no need to keep track of when to cancel. Of course, all this also make a BQ subscription a great gift for other cyclists in our own lives.

Books (from $ 28)

Books are obvious gifts. The All-Road Bike Revolution is a small, cute book that is fun to give and to receive. If you’re spending the holidays with your family, it’ll be fun to page through with non-cyclists and explain how bikes really work. Just don’t get carried away with the intricacies of supple tires or pneumatic trail. Keep it general and explain how we balance by moving the wheels to the right and left. Miyoshi’s fun illustrations will help you.

The All-Road Bike Revolution is also the perfect gift to give to cyclists around us who ask whether they should switch to wider tires or whether a titanium-railed saddle will help them keep up with their friends. All the science is in the book, in an easy-to-read and fun format. (No formulas!) And you’ll have even more fun talking bikes with them once they’ve read the book!

René Herse • The Bikes • The Builder • The Riders is a heavyweight tome that makes a perfect gift. Every gifter will understand that you’ll cherish this book for many years. It’s also another great conversation piece during the holidays. If somebody of your family cares about fashion, they’ll love the photos of mid-century cycling clothes. Other family members might enjoy the old cars you see in the background. Or the stories how cyclists smuggled food into Paris during the German occupation in World War II. There’s much to enjoy, even for family members who are only marginally interested in cycling.

Tires (from $ 74)

After the easy ones, let’s look at one of the most difficult gift ideas. For non-cyclists, bicycle tires are about as exciting as kitchen appliances. How do we persuade our loved ones that a set of supple tires is the perfect gift? Perhaps a running analogy can help: Everybody understands that runners care about their shoes. Explain that bicycle tires are similar: They are the place where bike and road meet. A great tire is smoother, faster, grippier… hopefully they’ll get it. If they express sticker shock—“I thought you’d get a whole bike for $150, not just a set of tires!”—ask two gifters to each give you one tire.

TPU Tubes (from $ 31)

When I was a college student, my mother told me before the holidays: “Ask me for something you wouldn’t buy yourself. Something that’s not really necessary, but a bit of luxury.” In other words, something that’s special and gives joy.

Explain to your loved ones that old-fashioned black tubes work OK, but that there are these new high-tech tubes that you’ve been wanting to try. Everybody is raving about them… If you’re spending the holidays with the gifter, you can show them how small and light the new tubes are. They’ll smile and think: “I’m glad she/he is so excited about bicycle tubes!”

Chain Checker Tool ($ 35)

Tools don’t usually make great gifts, but this one is different. Explain how it’ll help you replace the chain of your bike before it wears out other parts. They’ll be surprised that bicycle chains need to be replaced at all, but a fun gift that’ll save you money down the line is something everybody likes to give. For the same reason, the chain checker tool makes a great gift for other cyclists in your life. It helps that it’s the perfect size for a stocking stuffer.

Tire Bead Jack ($ 15)

Another tool! For this one, we need a different story. (That we won’t ruin our tubes during installation somehow doesn’t have a great ring to it.) How about explaining that installing tires can be frustrating and even cause blisters on your thumbs, but this innovative tool makes it a snap? That—and the affordability of the tire bead jack—should persuade any gifter. (Or so we hope.)

NUDA Ultralight Carbon Minipump ($ 38)

The NUDA pump is so cute that it’s an easy one. Even non-cyclists marvel at its ultralight weight and smooth carbon weave. The idea that this 30-gram pump can inflate your tires is intriguing. Everybody likes to give something that’s useful and high-tech, yet doesn’t break the bank. Similarly, it’s a gift that other cyclist in your life will appreciate—if not as their ‘main’ pump, then as a backup, just in case.

Brakes (from $ 149)

We’re getting into components that most non-cyclists never thought about. “Yes, bikes have brakes—so what?” Play up the safety aspect. Explain how your old brakes are OK in the dry, but when it’s wet, it can be hard to stop in time… More powerful brakes will keep you safer—that’s something all who love you will get behind.

Lights and Generator Hubs (from $ 238)

This is another area where you’ll want to play up the safety aspect. Explain how your clip-on lights sometimes run out of batteries before you get home… Explain how generator hubs provide light at all times, just like a car, because you’re generating the power as you go.

If the gifter is a car enthusiast, mention that SON hubs have a superlight alternator inside the hub—they’ll like that idea. Make sure you get as excited about the undersized pulleys they put on their engine (to reduce the power consumed by their alternator and other ‘accessories’). That way, you’ll create a lasting bond with them. And that’s what gifting is all about, isn’t it?

Cranks (from $ 455)

If somebody is looking for a truly generous gift, suggest a crankset. Like TPU tubes, you can mention the luxury aspect—how elegant they are, with three circles in the chainrings, and polished to perfection. Also mention that having just the right gears and a narrow stance—avoid difficult words like ‘Q factor’—will let you pedal with ease. You’ll enjoy riding more, and you’ll ride more often. That’s something everybody will be happy about.

Bags (from $ 62)

A nice bag for your bike is an easy-to-understand gift. Every loved one will want you to carry a rain jacket, some food, and maybe a few tools. Explain that these bags are waterproof and adventure-tested.

These bags make great gifts for other cyclists in your life, too—they are just so useful. If you’re giving one, stuff it with a NUDA carbon pump—it fits even in the small size—and a TPU tube or two (casually ask what tire size they are riding these days).

These are just some ideas. Most cyclists will have their own (lengthy) holiday wish list. Make sure to match your wishes to the gifter’s personality, so that you can all share the excitement of these wonderful gifts. And if there’s doesn’t seem to be a good match, a gift card is always a great option.

Click on the images and links above for more information. Let’s try to turn ‘holiday stress’ into ‘holiday fun’! A thoughtful wishlist with things you really want—and that the gifter really loves to give—goes a long way toward that goal.