loimpact

Long story short....the old lady's asking for bday ideas & if I don't come up w/ some I'll get the Wally World stuff I got last year.

In specific, I'm looking at:

1) a good floor pump (my current unit uses presta adapter which takes time & the pump ain't exactly powerful)

2) good water bottle cages that aren't expensive

3) good bottles (though I wanna get Specialized's "purist insulated" bottles, but they're hard to find online....any recommendations where?? Besides Hammer Fitness??)

4) saddle bag and/or stem/TT bag?? (I've lived without up until now but I've now bailed out other folks on group rides & would like to get the Co2 cylinders, tubes & phone out of my jersey.

If it wasn't obvious, the "gift" stuff from the wife last year is all Schwinn, Bell, etc from places like Wally World.

TIA

Machka 

Gift certificate from your favourite shop.



Ummm ... "old lady"??? "The wife"???

loimpact

Indeed!

While I would normally have no problem w/ a gift certificate, it's certainly impersonal & we've recently had a family-wide argument about gift cards/certificates, etc. In this case I have the time to give her a decent list so she'd like one & I figured some specifics would be easy.

I figured I'd recommend she buy at Perf Bike so returns/exchanges are easy but if any recommendations are just unbeatable online (for example I'm asking her to get me some stuff from Nashbar & ChainReaction) then I'll suggest she go there.

Water bottle cages seem to be difficult, for example. It's $8 for metal, then $16-$25 for plastic then straight to $50+ for carbon fiber. (sheesh)

GuitarBob

Lezynes are nice.

I like and use Camelback Podium Chill.

doctor j

Lezyne Steel Floor Drive. I've had good luck with mine.

I got a small Topeak wedge bag that attaches with a clip. It's very handy.

znomit

Park tools BBQ set
Park Tool BBQ-3 Barbeque Tool Set by Park Tool - Shop Online for Kitchen in NZ

TheRef

I have one and I'm very pleased. Not pricey and the gauge seems very accurate even after one year of use.

That being said I agree with you that Gift cards/certificate are very impersonal but so is telling someone what to buy...

loimpact

Well, not necessarily telling her what to buy, but giving her a list of things I would like.....(similar to Santa's list?)......and in this case, moreso than common clothing or picture frames, etc. is simply that she is out of her element in a bike store & she wouldn't want to buy me anything else. Plus it helps her to give ideas for other family members that ask if there's anything I would like for Bday.

But, yes, I know......too bad everything in the world these days is so research-intensive, requiring almost a degree before pulling the trigger.

a1penguin

*sigh* Telling her exactly what to buy isn't any better than a gift certificate.

I like insulated water bottles, using 20 oz bottles on smaller frame bike. You don't have to break the bank on a floor pump. Just make sure you get one that can be disassbled and the orings replaced and lubed. I have medium Topeak seat bag. Small is too small and large looks dorky.

The reviews for common bike accessories on Amazon may be helpful.

JTGraphics

Spin Doctor Essential floor pump
Topeak JoeBlow Sport II Floor Pump

You mention you could use one or

Tubes
Tires
Gloves
Arm or Knee warmers for the winter
Jersey \ Shorts \ Bibs
Nutrition or Hydration supplies

What do you need that you most likely not buy for yourself that will make it special?

TrojanHorse

Quarq power meter.



Or maybe that's just me.


Your list is kind of impersonal, certainly nothing you would cherish. I don't see people getting sentimental about water bottles. I'd suggest a jersey, or a book on a subject you can relate to, or maybe a classic cycling poster. I'm sure you can come up with ideas better than inner tubes, patch kits & chain lube.

woodcraft

Spurcycle: better bicycle bells and other enduring bike accessories.

GravelMN

- Sunglasses
- Gloves
- Duffle bag to stow your gear
- Tool(s)
- Podium water bottles
- Fenders or rack, depending on bike and riding style
- Bike lights

I don't have a problem with gift cards/certificates but some are more thoughtful than others. Big box cards, Amazon, etc. are kind of cop outs. Cards/certificates to a favored bike shop are better. A card/certificate for a sports massage, to your favorite coffee shop on your favorite route, a night at a B&B along your favorite trail, etc. are more personal and show more thought was put into the gift.

RoadTire 

I'm thinking going out for pie and coffee, topped with a birthday card giving you loving permission to go buy some cycling accessories for your bike. Now you get to shop for your favorite toys on your own terms. Funny thing about marriage, it's shared money anyway.

Now go get 20 oz Polar bottles topped with Camelback pinch-nipples, Bontreger RL bottle holders, and a nice seat bag.

KenshiBiker

+1.

Nicest bell I've seen (and used), and this is coming from someone who already has Crane brass bells on my other bikes.

Other than that, I like the Camelback Podium Chill bottles, and I've been happy with my Specialized plastic cages (they're available with either left or right openings to suit any position).

As far as floor pumps go, I like my Silca, but I'd be OK with either a Topeak or Lezyne, as long as it had a decent head on it.

Seat bags, storms very much on how much you want to carry. I have an expandable Scion for "regular" rides, and I just got a Revelate Designs saddle bag for when I'm going to be out and more or less self-sufficient. They make a nice TT bag for holding phone, gel, keys, etc.

heffdiddy

Chainlove has had Zipp carbon bottle cages up for under $20 quite a bit lately. Any insulated Camelbak bottle would work great.

joeyduck

I just got one of these top tube panniers. It is pretty good in my opinion. Not really waterproof though, water resistant. But stores a fair bit of stuff.

ROSWHEEL

I can't recall what size I got but the one I got fits my Moto G very well, and it fits it with the phone in a Ziplock (tm) freezer bag for waterproofing. The zippers needed a bit of lube (I rubbed some bar soap on it) when I got it, but otherwise it is nice. I get sometimes get a bit of leg rub on my right leg only. It is easy to remove and swap between bikes also.

For the 12 bucks I got it online it was well worth it.

I got myself a new bike so doesn't need to worry about getting me a present. She was happy since I am difficult to shop for.

loimpact

Sorry for not replying sooner!!

Thanks for the ideas guys!! I love Spurcycle's "Catchup Bottle" that's pretty friggin' hilarious!

I know there's mixed sentiments on the gift-card thing, but trust me, she would rather I give her a list of things she could pick from herself & then challenge herself to buying on her own rather than me being any more vague.

And, yes, POwer Meter or Di2 setup would be great if I didn't think I'd get a slap to the face just for asking.

Nachoman

How about socks. Personal touch, tons of choices, yet inexpensive.

LeicaLad 

+1 on Lezyne pumps.

Also on the Topeak medium seat bag. I went for straps 'cause I've broken those little clips. The bag protects underside of saddle in damp riding conditions, and a light clips on easily/securely.

dalava

1) any Silca
2) Elite
3) Specialized bottles are available online from their own website: Specialized Bicycle Components
4) Don't do it.

loimpact

1) I'm in love with Topeak already so I'm thinking Topeak

2) Looks good. PB has these so that's good. (tho their Forte carbon-cages are sale priced right now too....Doh!)

3) Super-@$$ expensive.

4) Party pooper!! Why not************************************************************?

Pendergast

Not pro-looking enough unless you balance it out with a frame pump.

loimpact

Ha ha.....NICE!!!

One could laugh at the excess until they see what that bike is & what it's loaded with.

Are those "Elite" bottle cages on it???

linnefaulk

King Cage - Bicycle waterbottle cages handmade in Durango, CO

I just some a couple of Iris Cages. They hold Klean Kanteen Insulated Bottles