Christmas Present for Cyclist??

[bella]

I am trying to do my shopping early, and stuck what to buy my OH.

In the winter he gets on the turbo in the garage, so last year I bought him a hill climb DVD which he does a couple of times a week and is understandably getting ever so slightly bored of it now.

Is there anything I can buy that would track his training, either as a stand-alone system or something we could link up to a laptop (got an old one we dont use)?

As you can tell, I am really new to this so would appreciate any advice.

Thanks

 

[gbb]

Not turbo related bella, but does he like to tinker with bikes. I ask because i just got Zinn and the Art of Roadbike Maintenance off Amazon. Something like £13 plus postage...and i'm loving just reading it. Cram packed with really useful information, not the usual general stuff you read but specific to different equipment...its making me want to strip my bikes down again

 

[bella]

Not turbo related bella, but does he like to tinker with bikes. I ask because i just got Zinn and the Art of Roadbike Maintenance off Amazon. Something like £13 plus postage...and i'm loving just reading it. Cram packed with really useful information, not the usual general stuff you read but specific to different equipment...its making me want to strip my bikes down again


Great idea!! He is always happiest in the garage having a 'tinker' !! Will check out Amazon now - thanks !!!

 

[cyberknight]

Depends on how much you want to pay and what turbo he has , something like?


http://www.cycle-ops.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b10s336p933&rs=gb

 

[dellzeqq]

Bella, are you sure this is the best thing? Cycling almost depends on being minimal. I defer to nobody in my love of bikes, but I don't have cycling 'stuff', other than what goes on the bike when I go out.

My advice, for what it's worth, is a cycling top or a pair of shorts. They'll get used. You might take one of his shirts down to the shop to check the size - manufacturers' idea of the body vary wildly.

 

[bella]

Bella, are you sure this is the best thing? Cycling almost depends on being minimal. I defer to nobody in my love of bikes, but I don't have cycling 'stuff', other than what goes on the bike when I go out.

My advice, for what it's worth, is a cycling top or a pair of shorts. They'll get used. You might take one of his shirts down to the shop to check the size - manufacturers' idea of the body vary wildly.

So much clothing it is unreal, just bought him new arm and leg warmers, has Shimano shoes, bib tights, jackets etc for when he goes on the road. I think I have exhausted the clothing side for presents over the last couple of years.

He works shifts so not always easy for road riding, hence ideas for when he is on the turbo.

 

[bella]

Depends on how much you want to pay and what turbo he has , something like?


http://www.cycle-ops...0s336p933&rs=gb

Wow - that looks good. I was looking at around the £100 mark though not sure what was available.

Only problem is, he is not too good with computers. Or heart rate monitors (which have been thrown across the garage when the instructions dont work.......)

I may have imagined it, or is there something linked to the Tour de France where you can cycle the route and it tracks your progress etc??

 

[gavintc]

I attended one of his turbo training sessions - excellent day. During the session, we were given a copy of the blue book. It is quite excellent as a manual for the turbo. I do not think you can buy it from a normal shop, but if you were to drop Pete an e-mail, he might well sell you a copy - just a thought.

http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=9064

 

[ufkacbln]

The problem with tracking training as such is that most systems require you to be mobile to measure. FOr this reason I have not mentioned any ofthe Bling GPS units!

One thought though is a Heart Rate Monitor.

Most of the reliable ones (Polar for instance) will download on to a PC and you can edit the milage etc manually.

Not expensive either. One which tracks heart rate, sets zones (with alarms if you go outside) and a sensible display is about £30 - £40

The only problem is making sure you can download data, some use sound so you need a microphone, others infrared or a cable.

You would need to seek advice as to what suits your old computer and its connections

 

[jay clock]

Completely non training related but three ideas

1 Merino Buff
2 Road ID bracelet http://www.roadid.com/Common/Products.aspx
3 Personalised ID stickers for bike http://www.vcgraphix....asp?subCatID=0

 

[terry_gardener]

i know it is not going to be a surprise but you could just get him a gift voucher for his favourite cycling retailer and then he can pick what he wants.

 

[Rob3rt]

The problem with tracking training as such is that most systems require you to be mobile to measure. FOr this reason I have not mentioned any ofthe Bling GPS units!

One thought though is a Heart Rate Monitor.

Most of the reliable ones (Polar for instance) will download on to a PC and you can edit the milage etc manually.

Not expensive either. One which tracks heart rate, sets zones (with alarms if you go outside) and a sensible display is about £30 - £40

The only problem is making sure you can download data, some use sound so you need a microphone, others infrared or a cable.

You would need to seek advice as to what suits your old computer and its connections

You can attach a speed/cadence sensor (gsc-10, or something like that) to a bike with a Garmin unit and then set it to use without gps As long as the rear wheel is spinning its working!Well you can on Garmin Edge 500 anyway. So that would allow winter training miles to be logged, and if you are running with a HRM would allow that to be logged against speed, cadence etc.