Avid bikers, I need your suggestions

[Quilter]

DD said SIL just got new road bike. She suggested we look for biking gear for Christmas presents, aka padded shorts. He's very fit Army guy. Has lower back problem from jumping out of perfectly good planes.

Got suggestions?

 

[easyrider]

Is it a pedal bike or motorcycle ? When I hear road bike I think of my BMW GS1200 or a Harley.

Either way, an external sound system like a bluetooth bike speaker is on my wish list.

Bill

 

[Quilter]

Pedal

 

[Brett]

Pedal

from a not-very-fit guy riding an ebike

padded wide seats, USB chargeable attachable lights, rear rack storage bag,
bell

 

[heathpack]

Avid cyclist here.

Are you looking for recommendations for specific brands of bike shorts? FYI the pad in bike shorts is called a chamois which is pronounced shammy. Bike shorts are a very personal thing, the best ones are discovered by trial and error and preferences are pretty unique to the individual. It’s hard to buy bike shorts for someone else. Of course you might be game for being part of that trial and error process. But be aware you might buy him $100 bike shorts only to find he discovers those are the brand/model of shorts he can’t wear.

Or do you want recommendations for other bike related gift ideas?

Do you know what his cycling inclinations are? Does he just want to noodle around? Get hardcore workouts done? Participate in endurance events? Race? Where does he live?

 

[wackymother]

They make these fancy bike monitors that track everything you're doing. I don't know much about them--I met a guy a few years ago who had a super-fancy monitor and he was telling me all about it. I think they've come down in price. Here's a very basic article.

How to Choose Bike Computers | REI Co-op

The modern-day bike computer can be wired, wireless, GPS-enabled or synced with your smartphone, and there are now more choices than ever before. Start your search with this handy article.

www.rei.com

 

[artringwald]

My brother gave me a new pair of padded biking shorts that he liked, but I did not like them at all. For comfort, I prefer a narrow, gelled seat. I did have a large, wide seat, but as much as I sweat, there was too much friction with the sides of the seat, and I was more prone to get a rash. It's not as likely to happen with a narrow seat.

I've put many miles on bikes since I retired, and here are some on the accessories I'd recommend. The ones related to safety are listed first.

1. rear view mirror
2. front and rear blinking lights
3. bell
4. puncture resistant tires
5. water bottle holder
6. kickstand, rear stay
7. toe clips/stirrups
8. back rack
9. back bag
10. gel seat
11. odometer/computer

I tried several apps for planning and tracking my rides. By far, the app I like best is the free RideWithGPS. You can get a premium version with more features, but I don't really more than the free version.

 

[Snazzylass]

DD said SIL just got new road bike. She suggested we look for biking gear for Christmas presents, aka padded shorts. He's very fit Army guy. Has lower back problem from jumping out of perfectly good planes.

Got suggestions?

Yeah, you are going to need more hints. Does he want a computer? I loved mine!

Agree about the rear view mirror, but my fav is the $5 one I picked up at Walmart. I had cyclists notice it and ask me about it.

My kids bought me a new set of gloves one year. I love those. My mom bought me a beautiful jacket, but I've never worn it.

I know from being a golfer, too, there's lots and lots useless gadgets designed to be given a gifts.

Probably the best idea might be a gift certificate for his Local Bike Shop I've spent as much there accessorizing my bike as I did on the original purchase. I took my kid's bike, which I bought him a few years back, over to his Local Bike Shop to get road ready again the right way. It was $150 but worth every penny to have the bike ready to ride.
I headed to my Local Bike Shop here to pick up a new pair of shoes.

 

[Brett]

I need a rear view mirror but there's only so much you can put on the handle bars

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

Probably the best idea might be a gift certificate for his Local Bike Shop

I'm a casual trail rider and can't agree with this more. So many accessories are driven by comfort/need that you have no idea about. If he's doing road riding I've seen some lights (front & rear) that I've wanted to stop and tell bikers are useless and they were hardly noticeable and others that they were great and I noticed from a great distance. Anything like seats/padded shorts/clothing may or may not be what he wants. Most serious road bikers aren't looking for racks/bags as they are trying to keep their bikes as light as possible. I'd venture a guess that if someone bought me a gift for my bike use there would be at least a 85% chance I'd want to return/exchange it. One of the best things I've bought for my bike is a $10 bell I can use when coming up behind people walking on the trail I ride on. Many people comment on how nice it is. I found it in a small bike shop in Scotland that we rented bikes from while traveling.

 

[artringwald]

I need a rear view mirror but there's only so much you can put on the handle bars

With brakes, shifters, computer, blinker, and bell, the handlebar does get crowded. The mirror I got attaches to the end of the handlebar after you take off the cap.

 

[Snazzylass]

With brakes, shifters, computer, blinker, and bell, the handlebar does get crowded. The mirror I got attaches to the end of the handlebar after you take off the cap.

I think that's how mine is, too!

 

[Quilter]

Thank you. This has been very helpful.

Found mirror and bell on Amazon. Going to give those with gift certificate for local bike shop so he can pick out his own bike shorts.