Rene Herse Gift Guide
“Giving gifts is about finding something that both you and the recipient love.” I heard that once in Japan, and I like it—even though it rules out most bike parts. Unless you use them as tree ornaments before putting them on your bike. And if you’re working on a special build, a registry can be nice, with each friend and relative contributing a component. Leaving aside those special cases, it can be hard to find the perfect gift for the cyclists in your life. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered, with a variety of gift ideas.
If there is an exception to the rule that bike parts don’t make great gifts, it’s the jewel-like NUDA Carbon Minipump. 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 or receive something that’s useful and high-tech, yet doesn’t break the bank ($ 39).
Our brand-new Limited Edition Tenugui Towel is probably the polar opposite of a carbon pump, yet I carry both on my rides. For centuries, colorful tenugui have been used in Japan as scarves, towels, bandanas, table runners, and for many other purposes. Cyclists use them as ultra-light and fast-drying towels. Most tenugui today are mass-produced, but a few craftspeople still make them using century-old methods. We’ve worked with a company that was founded in 1899 to make the Rene Herse tenugui. Starting with a hand-cut stencil for the design, dye is applied by hand to locally woven linen/cotton fabric. The craftsperson uses three blue dyes to create the gradated blue color—each piece is slightly different. These tenugui are ultralight, fast-drying, and pack very small. They are also perfect to wrap gifts. Limited Edition of 100 tenugui ($ 29).
The Handlebar Roll Bag is the finishing touch on any bike. Simple, strong, waterproof—it’s got everything you want and need from a bag for everyday use. Those giving it will like the idea that this bag will keep their cyclist safe and comfortable as a place to carry spare tubes, pump, rain jacket, arm warmers, food, and a few other things. Three sizes give a choice of bags to match the personality of the recipient: Small for riders who pack only the absolute essentials. Medium for those who like to bring a little extra (or love to go on long rides). Large for those who want to be prepared no matter what the trail throws at them (or who bring a ‘real’ camera) ($ 62 – 98).
Luxuriously soft and warm, the 85th Anniversary Merino Trainer is sure to become a favorite sweater. Most likely, the recipient will wear it immediately, much to the joy of the person who gifted it. Mainly intended as off-the-bike wear, it also works great as an extra layer on chilly rides. That makes it perfect for bikepacking trips: Wear it on the bike during the chilly morning, and off the bike when exploring the town in the evening ($ 229).
The Musette Bag is perfect for the cyclist who already has everything. The world’s lightest musette weighs just 25 g and fits into a jersey pocket or handlebar/underseat bag. It unfolds to carry three water bottles—or pastries from a bakery, vegetables from a farmers’ market, tights you want to ditch when the day turns hot… The Musette Bag is also perfect for putting another gift inside ($ 19).
What kind of gift to put inside the Musette Bag? Books are always a great choice.
If you’ve been curious about the story of René Herse, his bikes, and his riders, ask somebody to gift you the amazing 424-page book on the ‘Magician of Levallois.’ They’ll be happy to see you dive into the book, where you’ll immerse yourself into a time when cycling was not just a pastime, but a way of life. Discover these mid-century riders compete in tandem hillclimb races and join them as they explore gravel passes in the Alps and Pyrénées. This book is a gift you’ll treasure ($ 86).
For somebody who loves to tinker with their bike, or who lives and breathes bike tech, or who is thinking about buying a new bike, The All-Road Bike Revolution is a great gift. It’s not just a comprehensive overview of the technological revolution that has swept through the bike world—it’s also an enjoyable read with Miyoshi’s whimsical illustrations. Who said bike tech could not be fun? ($ 28)
Dominque Ehrhard’s Bicycles Pop-Up Book tells the history of bicycles in nine mesmerizing pop-up scenes that are fun for cyclists of all ages—and non-cyclists, too. Everybody will want to see the Tour de France peloton pop up, the mountain bikers jump off the desert floor, the fixie rider… ($ 20).
And let’s not forget a subscription to Bicycle Quarterly. Every 108-page edition covers a large variety of topics—gravel adventures, ground-breaking tech, fascinating history, honest product reviews and more. And since the magazine is financed by subscribers, those pages are full of stories, articles and award-winning photos. (There are almost no ads.) A BQ subscription is a gift that keeps on giving. First the recipient gets a postcard announcing the gift, then the magazines arrive, one by one, allowing the recipient to enjoy this thoughtful gift time and again. ($ 44)
And if you—or somebody who is looking for a gift for you—can’t decide on the perfect present, a Rene Herse gift card is probably the most versatile gift you can give somebody who reads this Journal.
Click on the images for more information about each gift idea. And if you get your gift shopping done early, you’ll have time for a few great rides during the holiday season. It may be cold and/or wet, but it’s always great to get out!
