Many of the customers we help find premium cycling apparel are, frankly, shopping for themselves. It’s not that they’re selfish, but the relationship between a rider and his or her kit can literally as close as fabric to skin. So what then, is a spouse, relative, or office coworker to do when their Secret Santa pick is a cycling-obsessed, weekender or elite athlete?
We at Cento, have a few tips, for the innocent shopper exploring the unknown realm of shopping for a cyclist!
1. It’s Cold During The Holiday Season (Like, seriously cold, why would anyone be out riding this time of year!?)Committed athletes maintaining off-season race shape, and carbon-zero daily commuters, need nothing more than to stay warm during their rides when the mercury drops. If you’re hesitant to spring for an outer shell or base layer, remember the extremities. Gloves and shoe covers are critical components of a cold weather kit.
Reaching for the handlebars, the Showers Pass Crosspoint gloves are a perennial favorite. The high visibility orange and fluorescent yellow have been popular among commuters seeking to be seen, while the black is best with muted kits. New this year, are the grey wool knit crosspoint gloves, delivering a versatile color option made with a sustainable textile.
On the toes, (in addition to socks ) search no further than Sealskinz Overshoes and Booties this season. The Halo editions are especially enticing as the offer visibility on the road with a blinky light pocket, and comfort on the rider with varying levels on insulation. We even carry a high-visibility, neon yellow version of the neoprene shoe cover that is exceptionally bright on cloudy days.
2. Where There’s One, There’s Two
The bicycle, as we all know, has two wheels. (It’s a wonder that tires aren’t always sold in pairs.) For the rider’s kit, the pair can be an important guide post for unsuspecting holiday shoppers.
Cycling kits, like other sporting uniforms, are designed around a top and bottom to complete the ensemble. Professional teams in particular like to match their jerseys with shorts, caps with gloves, socks, and so forth. Increasingly, brands like Suarez and Santini, are designing stylish kits for enthusiasts who appreciate the performance of serious apparel, but also want to look complete with their bike or at the cafe.
Suarez, for instance, offers different components to their Colombia kit. The national cycling federation versions have an official look to them, with bold, clear lettering, and prominent flag elements. The Colombia collection however, celebrates these elements more modestly for the bespoke rider. The flags stripes adorn the kit as accents, often overlooked by a field of crimson and dashes of yellow.
In addition to the UCI Collection, Santini has an Australia collection of bib shorts and jersey combinations to match with the Tour Down Under leader’s jerseys and kit.
3. Keep it Classic
Vintage apparel celebrates the best that cycling has to offer - it’s heritage.
Beginning with legends like Fausto Coppi, epic stories of his panache and prowess grace the ‘La Dama Bianca’ jersey, and his likeness sits center on the Coppi-Bianchi cycling cap.
Eddy Merckx, the unmatched man of Belgium, also has his own storied season of 1974 emblazoned on The Cannibale jersey. The mark he left on sponsor Molteni, is additionally celebrated in the limited edition black cycling cap bearing his name and unmistakable UCI stripes.
In fact, our full catalog of cycling caps by Apis, are ripe with vintage and retro teams like 7-Eleven, San Pellegrino, Mapei, Colnago, and many more.
