None of us really need an excuse to buy more bike stuff – but Valentine’s Day is looming, so why not use it as a reason to get some cool goodies for the love of your life? There’s plenty of great stuff out there to suit any budget, so the team at BikeRoar have come up with a list of our top picks just for them and you...
Bike Love Cutting Board - from $45
These handmade cutting and chopping boards can be personalized with your names and feature various bicycle scenes and motifs. Made in the U.S.A. from wood, bamboo, or stone, they make a great addition to any cyclist’s kitchen and are as enduring and robust as true love. Get one on Etsy.
Valentine's Day Pro Tip:
Use the cutting board to prepare a special dinner rather than going out.
Skratch Labs Apples and Cinnamon Hot Hydration Mix - $20 per 20 pack
There are literally hundreds of electrolyte drinks on the market designed to provide sustained energy on long rides and to promote faster recovery, but most are designed to be consumed cold or at least at room temperature. The clever team at Skratchlabs have come out with a delicious electrolyte mix flavoured with apple and cinnamon that is mixed with hot water to spice up those cold lonely winter rides. It works just as well served cold, but let’s face it – it’s gonna be much yummier when it’s toasty warm!
Valentine's Day Pro Tip:
Cinnamon is often praised for improving metabolism, helping manage blood sugar levels, and acting as an aphrodisiac.
Assos Chamois Crème - from $23
Found at every bike race around the world, Assos sets the standard in chamois creams. Designed to reduce friction between your skin and your chamois, Assos Chamois Crème is formulated from 100% natural ingredients and is amazingly effective at protecting your, um... undercarriage against chafing and abrasion. Just take a small scoop pre-ride from the 140ml tub and rub directly onto the skin or onto the chamois in your bike shorts to guarantee a happy Valentine’s Day!
Valentine's Day Pro Tip:
For external use only.
Blackburn Local Cooler and Pannier - from $80
Every bikepacker and commuter cyclist needs a pannier (or a set of them). What could be better or more convenient for lugging around clothes, lunch, computers or homework? An insulated cooler and pannier in one, that’s what. These great panniers from Blackburn are double insulated and are perfect for picnics, groceries, camping trips and for taking your lunch to work.
The waterproof panniers also come with a welded waterproof stuff bag to keep your clothing dry in any weather, or to keep sweaty cycling gear separate from clean dry clothes. They are secured via Blackburn’s trademarked Interlock One Key system – the same key secures your bike, your pannier locks and the mechanism that attaches the panniers to your bike.
Valentine's Day Pro Tip:
Fill them with a bottle of champagne, some chocolates, and chilled strawberries for extra points.
1976 PISTA Vittoria Road Shoes - from $179
She’ll love these stylish handmade Italian shoes from Vittoria that commemorate the original PISTA shoe released more than forty years ago. The leather/ microfiber upper is supported by the full carbon UD Air System sole, which boasts incredible strength and rigidity coupled with a sole only 3mm thick. Specially designed cleat fixing slots allow lateral flex for comfort, and the surrounding area is coated in a cleverly-designed non-slip paint to guarantee cleat grip. Above all, though, these are some classy-looking shoes.
Bike Love Women's Tee - from $25
Sometimes the simple things are the best, and this tee is a great example. Inspired by the simple love of the bicycle, the design features a heart centered in a classic road bike. Made from 100% combed ringspun cotton, this tee features double-strength hemmed sleeves and a topstitched ribbed collar and comes pre-shrunk to avoid washing mistakes.
Velo Sock Bike Storage Bag - from $60
A dirty house or apartment can be a real downer on Valentine’s Day – keep yours spotlessly clean by covering your bike with the Velo Sock. Made from a blend of Spandex and polyester, the Velo Sock protects walls and floors from sand, mud, grease and road debris that you might inadvertently bring inside along with your bike. It fits all adult road, mountain and CX bikes and comes with a compact storage bag (I know, a storage bag for a storage bag!).
Thule T2 Pro XT 2 Bike Hitch Rack - from $579
Time to get hitched! Not so fast, we just mean it could be time you make it easy to drive to your next cycling adventure together with a hitch rack for your vehicle. The Thule T2 Pro XT 2 bicycle hitch rack is loaded with features to make it easy to load up your bikes and go. You don't need to remove wheels from bikes; secure them quickly with ratcheting arms that don't even contact the bike frames. This rack has an integrated cable lock, folds up when not in use, or tilts away for rear access. And should the time come, the Thule T2 Pro XT can be expanded to carry 4 bikes with an add-on (sold separately, 2” receiver only).
POC Tectal Race Helmet - from $212
POC is a Swedish company that manufactures some of the coolest helmets around. The Tectal Race is a lightweight, well-ventilated race helmet that offers exceptional coverage for the temple and rear of the head and is built specifically for the extreme cross-country and enduro mountain bike rider. The reinforced EPS liner provides a high level of protection, as does the unibody shell construction, and the lightweight size adjustment system guarantees a comfortable and secure fit.
Lucetta Magnetic Bike Lights - from $35
Whatever the occasion, safety is always important, so get your valentine a pair of these nifty magnetic lights from Italian company Palomar. These powerful little lights snap straight onto any steel-framed bike without any straps or attachments, and snap off just as easily at the end of the ride. They can be set to one of three modes: constant illumination, slow flashing (once per second) or fast flashing (4 times per second). Power is supplied by two CR2032 batteries and the run time is up to 40 hours, with the front (white) light putting out 19 lumens of illumination and the rear (red) about 5 lumens. These are great little lights, super convenient, easy to fit, and very affordable.
His & Hers Specialized Fat Bikes - from $1399
What says “I love you” better than a fatbike from Specialized? For him, it’s got to be the Specialized Fatboy, and for her the gnarly Specialized Hellga is right on the money. With their massive 5-inch tires providing maximum traction in any conditions, these bikes can go anywhere. Equally at home in a snowdrift as they are in axle-deep mud, these fat babies boast high-quality lightweight aluminum frames, ultra-reliable SRAM groupsets, Specialized’s own handlebars, saddles and cranksets and indestructible 26 X 4.6 Ground Control tires. Fat bikes are all about having fun in any and all conditions – the perfect Valentine’s gift.
Gore Bike Wear ONE 1985 Jacket - from $300
Back in 1985 Gore Bike Wear revolutionized cycling in foul weather with the release of the first ever Gore-Tex bike jacket. More than three decades later Gore have come out with the ONE 1985, with the latest GORE-TEX® Active SHAKEDRY fabric technology setting a new standard for all-weather cyclists. This beautiful high-end jacket is fully seam-sealed, waterproof and windproof. Despite this, it remains highly breathable to keep you or your valentine completely dry and comfortable, even in the worst of conditions. SHAKEDRY™ technology means water doesn't penetrate the fabric - a few shakes and surface water is removed. The partial stretch cuffs seal the jacket at the arms while a comfortable soft face collar seals at the neck. The full double zip benefits from an inner storm flap and the convenient rear zip pocket also acts as an integrated stuff sack. It’s warm, waterproof, packs small, and at just 116 grams it will get the nod of approval from even the most unforgiving weight-snob.
Science in Sport GO Caffeine Energy Gels, Variety Pack of 7 - from $7
Keep your Valentine firing on all cylinders with this handy variety pack from the energy experts at Science in Sport. The pack contains 7 x 60ml GO+ caffeine gels that will help stimulate and boost energy levels during any sporting activity. Vegan-friendly and packaged in convenient, easy-to-use packets, these little bundles of power contain 75mg of caffeine in the Cola and Berry varieties and a whopping 115mg in the Double Espresso. Each gel also contains 21.5 grams of carbohydrates, a formulation that delivers instant energy and is far more convenient and easier to consume than solid foods.
Cannondale Tandem 29er - from $3,199
Trail for two? Yes, please! Tandems are a great way for cycling couples to share quality time together, even if their abilities are different. So, grab a partner and enjoy the ride on a Cannondale Tandem 29er, an exceptionally stiff and surprisingly light aluminum tandem bike. With 29er wheels and and Magura disc brakes, you can tackle a variety of terrain "two-gether."
Valentine's Day Pro Tip:
A tandem captain (the person up front) is usually the guy, because tandems handle better when the heavier, larger rider is in that position. But remember, a tandem isn't a tandem without a stoker, so be sure the person behind is happy.
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