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Unless you're a cyclist yourself, buying gear for the cyclist in your life during the holidays can be a daunting task. For something as simple as riding a bike, there's a surprising amount of nerdy and technical bike lingo to filter through before you can figure out if a specific product is what you're looking for.
Don't worry, though! Like a spandex-clad Santa, we did the heavy lifting for you and complied a list of some of the newest cycling gear on the market that all cyclists would be excited to find under the tree.
Compiled with both men and women (and different cycling disciplines) in mind, this list includes everything from bright blue high-end road racing shoes you might be able to see from space to a recovery device that looks like a bear trap.
Let's roll.
Garmin Edge 530
Who cares that the Garmin Edge 530 GPS cycling computer offers dynamic performance monitoring and insights to help the cyclist in your life improve? Well, they do! They'll get insight into how heat and altitude affect their performance, as well as how many meters are left in an intense climb. They can even see proof of their epic jumps with metrics that track jump count, jump distance and hang time.
Ride like a local by using advanced navigation capabilities, on- and off-road maps and route recalculation. Get peace of mind with safety features and bring your favorite training apps on board from the Connect IQ Store. Edge 530 is the ultimate integration of performance, navigation and safety features—only from Garmin.
Tacx NEO 2T Smart Trainer
If you really want to help your cyclist reach their full potential this holiday season, the Tacx NEO 2T Smart Trainer is the ultimate indoor training tool. The latest version is quieter and has a more comfortable, accurate and realistic ride. Paired with the Tacx software or Zwift, it can mimic different road surfaces and incline changes, and it even allows for movement to the left and right while cycling. It's compatible with most training apps and sensors, or to keep things simple, your cyclist can use it as a standalone training tool that simulates a flat road.
BUY: Tacx NEO 2T Smart Trainer, $1,399.99
ROKA Lockhart Sunglasses
ROKA, who put itself on the map with its triathlon wetsuits, has released a line of sunglasses designed for active lifestyles. The Lockhart is its retro-inspired option that includes premium optics, has no-slip grip and comes in multiple frame and lens colors. Your cyclist will be able to wear these glasses out to dinner or on a ride (best of both worlds!). Plus, for a limited time, ROKA is offering up to 50% off products as a part of its Black Friday sale.
Ibex Journey Long Sleeve Crew
No matter if your cyclist enjoys an early morning cruise around the neighborhood or hitting the trails on their mountain bike, this Journey Long Sleeve from Ibex is the perfect companion. It's incredibly soft, comfortable and stylish, and it's made from ethically and sustainably sourced merino wool that's both breathable and durable.
BUY: Ibex Journey Long Sleeve Crew, $98
ACTIVE Advantage Gift Card
An ACTIVE Advantage Membership makes it affordable to live a healthy lifestyle. Get discounts on gear and services you already use for fitness, cooking, health and fun. This premium membership comes with exclusive perks from top health and fitness brands, like Adidas, HelloFresh, Aaptiv and more! Plus, save on fun with discounts on camping, live events and hotels. Give the gift of savings with the ACTIVE Advantage Membership eGift Card. Whether they're into marathons, yoga, personal training, cooking, camping or travel, the discounts will give them more of what they love for less. Buy an Advantage Membership eGift today! Learn more about all the benefits included with ACTIVE Advantage here.
BUY: ACTIVE Advantage Gift Card, $89.95
Roll Recovery R8 Plus
It's one of the craziest-looking recovery devices we've seen, but your cyclist will appreciate how the R8 Plus from Roll Recovery will help keep them pedaling at their best. It's been redesigned with an adjustment dial mechanism hidden in the frame, allowing your cyclist to reduce or increase the force as needed to help them roll out lactic acid and knots in their legs and arms.
BUY: Roll Recovery R8 Plus, $168
Pearl iZUMi Expedition Thermal Jersey
Drawing from classic cycling aesthetics and designed to look like a sweater, your cyclist won't just be the best looking on the road, they'll be the warmest, too! The Expedition Thermal Jersey by Pearl iZUMi features a midnight thermal stretch fleece fabric, a zippered side-access security pocket, three rear pockets with a smartphone flap pocket and BioViz reflective elements to keep your cyclist seen in low light conditions.
BUY: Pearl iZUMi Expedition Thermal Jersey, $130
BioLite HeadLamp 750
This is BioLite's most performance-oriented headlamp to date, designed to eliminate bounce and ideal for mountain bikers putting in the miles during dark hours across uneven terrain. The lamp offers 750 lumens on 'Burst' mode, a constant 500-lumen setting and near-infinite runtimes with pass-thru charging capabilities allowing the headlamp to connect to an external battery pack. Also, the headlamp offers two rear red-light modes, increasing visibility at night.
BUY: BioLite HeadLamp 750, $99.95
Ride with GPS Premium
Does your cyclist enjoy planning far-flung adventures or exploring new areas by bike? Ride with GPS is a subscription-based service that allows cyclists to map, analyze, record and share their bike rides. It also has a new feature called "surface types" designed for both road and trail. The starter version is free, but the premium subscription includes more powerful route editing software.
Lazer Cameleon MIPS
For gravel riding, road riding or when your cyclist is hitting the trail, Lazer's Cameleon MIPS helmet is a unique mix of style and safety. The Advanced Rollsys retention system and Adjustable Head Basket design combines to create a comfortable fit that's easy to adjust, and the Cameleon features an integrated visor to keep the sun off your cyclist's face while 13 vents ensure their head stays cool on hot rides.
Shimano S-PHYRE RC902 Road Racing Shoe
If you want to gift your cyclist the best of the best cycling shoe, look no further than the S-PHYRE RC902 racing shoe. It's been redesigned after extensive scientific research and testing with top professional athletes, and every aspect of the S-PHYRE shoe is designed to maximize power transmission, comfort and performance (and we think the bright blue color looks great, too).
BUY: Shimano S-PHYRE RC902 Road Racing Shoe, $425
DÆHLIE Sportswear's Challenge Jacket
Designed for a broad range of winter activities, DÆHLIE Sportswear's Challenge Jacket is a wind- and water-repellent soft-shell jacket that's loaded with features. Not only does it have a brushed interior for extra warmth, but the fabric surface protects against light rain and sleet. Only the front of the jacket is insulated with Thermore Ecodown fiber, which will keep your cyclist warm on fast descents while the vents on the back will keep them from overheating on hard climbs.
BUY: DÆHLIE Sportswear's Challenge Jacket, $190
Muc-Off Ludicrous AF Chain Lube
Spending almost $65 on chain lube might seem ludicrous, but we guarantee your cyclist would disagree. This new formula from Muc-Off is its fastest race lube yet. It's designed to marry speed with sustainability, as it has an ultra-low coefficient of friction and works in almost all conditions. Oh, it was used by teams in the 2021 Tour de France, too.
BUY: Muc-Off Ludicrous AF Chain Lube, $64.99
CASTELLI Entrata Thermal Bib Knicker
You shouldn't have to break the bank to find bib shorts that are made well and have high-end features. The CASTELLI Entrata Thermal Bib Knicker is made with its anatomical KISS Air2 seat pad, minimalist and flat bib straps and flat leg grippers. Most importantly, though, the mid-calf length provides a little extra warmth without being too hot on those chilly fall and winter rides.
BUY: CASTELLI Entrata Thermal Bib Knicker, $109.99
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