Looking for great gift ideas for your favorite cyclocross racer? If the CX’er in your life trains year ’round for the sport or is just getting into it, JensonUSA had a few ideas, then we helped curate this list of deals to give you options at every price range. Check their site for more great early bird deals throughout Black Friday, week, too! Here’s our curated pick for the 2018 holiday season that any ‘crosser is sure to enjoy!
Gifts For About $10
- Gone tubeless? Then you need an extra bottle of sealant, and Orange Seal’s Endurance Sealant (from $7.99) should last you through a season.
- The Muc-Off Claw Brush ($5.99) makes quick work of all the crud that builds up in your cassette during a muddy or snowy race.
- ‘Cross is a mind game, and any rubbing noise can ruin your day. The Foundation Brake Rotor Truing Tool ($9.99) gets your brakes straight and quiet. Well, at least not rubbing.
- The Genuine Innovations Tire Plug Kit ($5.99) is one of the fastest ways to plug a puncture and get you back up to the start line.
Gifts Under $30
- Keep your head warm and (barely) shelter your eyes from those early morning races with the Giro Ambient Winter Cycling Cap ($25.00).
- Keep your bike at the ready, or put your “B” bike from laying in the grass, with the Shimano PRO Bike Stand ($19.99).
- Break a chain during your practice lap? Use the Wolf Tooth Components Master Link Combo Pliers ($29.95) for a quick fix. They’re a tire lever, too!
- Get a grip with the Cinelli Volee-Soft Handlebar Tape ($23.99) and its rubbery foam wrap that provides a bit of cushion, too!
Gifts Under $50
- Cyclocross is an excuse to get weird, so swap out those boring black (and probably crusty) cables and housing with one of nine colors in the Jagwire Pro Shift Kit ($30.99).
- The Maxxis All Terrane (from $40) tires are tubeless ready, have their EXO protection, and feature a fast rolling but bitey tread pattern perfect for grass and hard pack.
- A lot of us wet our toes in ‘cross with a less expensive bike just to see if we like it. Then we get hooked. Then we start upgrading to things like the Zipp Service Course Stem ($44.99). A stiffer stem will make more of a difference than you think as you push and pull on the bars, giving you more control over that finish line sprint!
- For most of us, ‘cross is an occasional sport, so saving a little coin without compromising performance is easy with the Crank Brothers Candy 1 ($41.95) pedals. They clear easy, but still have just enough platform to land on when re-mounting from the run ups.
Gifts Under $100
- A small pump is easier to pack in your gear bag, and the Lezyne Micro Floor Drive ($59.99) is compact, but high volume. Go for the one with the inline gauge.
- 1x drivetrains are awesome for cyclocross, but if you’ve converted without upgrading to a clutched rear derailleur, you may want the K-Edge Chain Catcher ($54.00) that clamps where your front derailleur was.
- A good warmup is important, but when it’s time to toe the line, you want to shed any unnecessary layers and weight. The DeFeet Armskins and Kneekers ($22.49, or in wool for $24.00) make a great combo for around $50.
Gifts Over $100
- If you have a little more room in your trunk, the Blackburn Chamber Tubeless Floor Pump ($149.99) makes it quick and easy to seat (or re-seat) your tubeless tires right before a race!
- The Shimano SH-XC5 MTB ($112.49) shoes make great cyclocross kicks because they’re flexible enough for off-the-bike runs and jumps, but stiff enough to power through the course. The rest of the year they make a great gravel and commuter shoe, too!
- Riding solo to and from the races? Check out the minimalist Yakima Singlespeed Tray Rack ($207.20).
