What to buy for my sons birthday

[User16390]

My son has purchased a Giant Propel, his first proper bike as an adult. He loves sport is very competitive and is a big guy 6' 5'', he says he wants to enter competitions and triathlons etc. He lives and works in Jersey so whatever I buy him I need to buy online and have it sent to him.

I want to buy him one or two quality items to get him started. So what do you ladies and gents suggest?

 

[vickster]

A helmet?
Tri bars for the bike?
Clipless shoes and pedals?
A jersey or two?
Bib shorts?
Mitts?
Cycling glasses?

Wiggle or Chain Reaction Cycles are good places to start

 

[jefmcg]

Depends what he has and what he wants, but here's some thoughts

1. track pump
2. portable pump
3. Garmin - if cycling is all on the island, he can probably do without maps, so you don't have to stretch to an 800/810/1000. But maybe with HRM and cadence sensor.
4. Clothes - glasses, gloves, shorts, jerseys.
5. clipless shoes and pedals

 

[jefmcg]

damn @vickster, always one step ahead of me.

 

[vickster]

Depends what he has and what he wants, but here's some thoughts

1. Clothes - glasses, gloves, shorts, jerseys.
2. clipless shoes and pedals

Great minds...

 

[User16390]

He texted me to say getting his helmet and lycras this weekend.

I was thinking possibly track and portable pump. I will never buy him clothing even if it is cycling, I made that mistake when he was a teenager and had to return it

Excuse my ignorance what are tri bars?

 

[Cuchilo]

If hes a member of a tri club offer to buy him some of the club kit . A skin suit would be an idea . The garmin 520 is out soon or if the propel had di2 then a garmin 1000 .

 

[vickster]

They are sticky outy bars that go on the handlebars upon which triathletes and time triallers place their arms to get a more aerodynamic position

e.g. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/profile-legacy-alloy-aerobars

I'm sure someone like @Cuchilo above could advise on some good uns

 

[User16390]

Just replied he hasn't got pedals yet, he is thinking of buying spd sl. I dont use SPD on my touring bike so have no idea what are good spd pedals for him.

 

[Cuchilo]

They are sticky outy bars that go on the handlebars upon which triathletes and time triallers place their arms to get a more aerodynamic position

e.g. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/profile-legacy-alloy-aerobars

I'm sure someone like @Cuchilo above could advise on some good uns

I'm not sure tribars would work on a propel . Ive never seen one with them . Then again triathletes are a funny breed , they run and swim for a start

 

[vickster]

Just replied he hasn't got pedals yet, he is thinking of buying spd sl. I dont use SPD on my touring bike so have no idea what are good spd pedals for him.

How much do you want to spend? something like this? http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-r550-spd-sl-clipless-road-pedals

 

[vickster]

I'm not sure tribars would work on a propel . Ive never seen one with them . Then again triathletes are a funny breed , they run and swim for a start

Isn't it just like a super uncomfortable roadbike?

Edit - looks like you can put tri bars on a propel. Giant do their own specific ones too it seems

 

[Cuchilo]

Just replied he hasn't got pedals yet, he is thinking of buying spd sl. I dont use SPD on my touring bike so have no idea what are good spd pedals for him.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-dura-ace-9000-spd-sl-carbon-pedals/

 

[vickster]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-dura-ace-9000-spd-sl-carbon-pedals/

Or maybe an in betweeny option?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-ultegra-spd-sl-6800-clipless-road-pedals/rp-prod106702

 

[Citius]

Buy him some performance coaching. Easily the most useful thing he could possibly have, if he plans on entering competitions...