Prepare for a digital Christmas
The idea of a normal Christmas is now ‘fiction’ as we prepare for digital celebrations. So, you’ve got to buy your loved one or relative a gift. What do you do? Don’t panic – You know they like cycling, so how about something to do with that?
Below are 5 gifts that’ll hit the spot with any cyclist when they open the present.
First up is the Water Bottle that thinks it’s a Bike Light!
The Orb bicycle bottle light is an ideal Christmas gift, it takes something every cyclist has, a Water Bottle, and combines it with a feature every cyclist needs – Night-time Visibility.
Stay Safe – Stay Hydrated
The Orb Bike Bottle Light provides 360-degree illumination and unmatched side visibility, meaning drivers will see you from up to 3x further away than when using just a front and rear light. The four super-bright LEDs emit 72 lumens in orange. With 6 different modes, the Orb can be lit up in a variety of ways with its easy to use on/off button. Press it once to switch it on, twice dimmer, three times flash, four times brighter flash, five times dimmer flash and 6 times a strobe effect flash. Fits a standard bottle cage.The USB rechargeable Orb is a fantastic safety idea and fills the user with more confidence of being seen by other road users as the evenings draw in or for those that have an early start. A great quality item for a reasonable price this multi-functional gift will definitely last the test of time and could be a life saver.
Verdict 9/10: We think this is a super gift for the cyclist. Recent Insurance research using eye tracking technology, discovered that drivers fail to see 22% of cyclists on the road in clear view of their vehicle. A 1/3 of serious accidents are from the side-on collisions and the Orb is designed to help prevent these accidents, by keeping you visible from every angle. Keep your loved ones safe this Christmas.
Next on our list is a rare commodity. A cycling action camera for under £50
The Cyclists ‘Black Box’:
GoXtreme Rebel Action Camera
An action camera is a growing trend among cyclists that is not only effective in documenting road accidents, they also help diffuse volatile road rage situations. Cyclists will know that with ever growing traffic on our roads there is rocky coexistence with motorists and pedestrians. An action camera can be your lifeline, offering valuable evidence in negotiations with insurance companies and disputed injury claims alike.
But which one to choose? The top brand name cameras are a great addition to any Hollywood filmmaker’s tool kit. But to spend over £200 plus to stick an action camera onto your helmet or bike-stem, probably doesn’t make financial sense
As an entry level the GoXtreme Rebel Action Camera provides for the most part, everything that most cycling users could want that’s not going to cost you a fortune. Set the camera to film at 1080p at 60 frames per second and you are able to capture smooth footage even when travelling at speed. There is approx. 80 minutes of rechargeable battery life shooting at 1080p.
One handy feature is the ability to record on loop. This means the camera will record continuously, over-writing older footage when it reaches the memory limit. This feature is useful, avoiding the risk of memory running out and stopping the camera before the critical incident.
This cycling camera also comes with a range of mounts and a waterproof housing for up to 30m that will fit to your bike or helmet. As well as visuals, the Rebel also records audio, features Wi-Fi and there’s an app for iOS and Android that enables you to take full control of the camera. Storage is provided by a MicroSD card with a maximum capacity of 32GB and power is supplied by a 900mAh (exchangeable) lithium battery.
Another excellent gift with safety at the forefront. A recent study looking at cycle-camera footage showed motorists were responsible for 87% of accidents or near-misses with cyclists, mainly due to lack of driver awareness
Verdict: 8/10: If you want peace of mind (or video evidence) in the event of a close pass or road rage encounter, the Rebel has your back. Yes, there are more advanced, expensive models on the market, however, the GoXtreme Rebel is solidly made, works well and offers excellent value for money.
Buy the GOXTREME Rebel Full HD Action Camera from Currys/PC World: Price £39.99
New Garmin Forerunner 745 – the watch that thinks it’s a Coach!
Item 3 on the list is:
Muc-Off Ultimate Bicycle Cleaning Kit
One thing that cycling enthusiasts are very enthusiastic about is enthusiastically keeping their bike incredibly clean. And with this set from Muc-Off, you have everything needed to keep that pride and joy spotless. Muc-Off is the Ultimate bike cleaning kit designed so that you have everything you need to maintain and clean your bike after a ride on the trails or a sportive event.
The Muc-Off Ultimate Bicycle Cleaning Kit Cleans, Protects and Lubes Your Bike – Includes Bike and Drive Train Cleaner, Bike Protect, Brushes and more all in a handy storage box. A great gift that serves a purpose.
Verdict: 7/10: a great selection of products to cover all bases when cleaning your bike – including the tools you need to get the job done.
Buy the Muc-Off Ultimate bicycle cleaning kit from Wiggle.
Price: £52.75
Our next item is bargain basement ‘ cheap as chips’ while stocks last.
Topeak Wedge Aero W/Strap – small saddlebag.
As we went on our bargain hunt, we came across a fantastic saddlebag for half the price of other retailers.
The Topeak Wedge Aero W/Strap/Small – a small saddle bag is ideal for those intending to stow away the bare essentials for a short ride around their local roads. A small, lightweight saddlebag that will fit an inner tube, CO2 canisters and inflator, plus tire levers and a multi tool. This small saddlebag maintains the streamlined appearance of your (no doubt otherwise immaculate) bike whilst also being more aerodynamic and lighter.
The T-shaped Quick-Click system mounts to the rails underneath your saddle with Velcro strap that attaches to your seat-post to prevent movement. Made from 1000 denier nylon, with a water and stain-resistant coating it has a 3M reflective trim and a red-light clip on the outside.
Verdict 9/10: A real bargain for the price (while stocks last). Personal storage can fill up quickly on a bike, and if your pockets are full of essentials it’s up to a seat bag to store the needful things in case of a roadside repair:
Buy this bargain basement saddle bag (while stocks last) from Millets: Price only £7.98
And last, but not least the traditional stocking filler, a pair of ‘socks’. But not any old socks! An array of socks that every cyclist will want to be seen in.
Cyclists love good funky socks and Primal has a pretty incredible selection, with something for everyone – from stripes to geometric shapes and pandas to unicorns. Primal socks advanced air transfer fabrics help ventilate and wick away excess moisture keeping your feet cool and dry on your cycle treks.
Verdict: 7/10: These are a decent everyday cycling socks that compare favourably with some merino hybrids. The funky designs are likely to win favour with riders who like to mix things up both in terms of style and riding,You can find the range of Primal Cyclists Sock designs at Wiggle. Price: £10
