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Every year, Christmas arrives sooner than expected. And then it starts, the hunt for presents. But it shouldn't be just anything, it should be as meaningful as possible and show that you know the person receiving the gift well and know what they will be happy about.
Ass Savers Win Wing is a mudguard that can be fitted in seconds and successfully and cost-effectively keeps dirt and splash water off your back and backside - provided the chainstays are not too low on the seat tube. A rear light tip from my colleague PeterThe Supernova Airstream2 Upside Down lights up for 2.5 - 14 hours depending on the level and is StVZO-compliant. And for the heart? I bought myself a Heart rate monitor from Garmin that can be clipped onto a sports bra. A gadget that I didn't realise HOW good I thought it was until I had it.
Ass Savers Win Wing
For the Win Wing from Ass Savers You don't have to dig deep into your pockets. The small mudguard is available from 26 euros plus shipping. And if you've heard of Ass Savers before, those are the small plastic parts for under the saddle. Yes, the parts are from the same manufacturer. However, the Win Wing is in a completely different league. It is simple and elegant and reliably keeps a lot of splash water and dirt away from your back and arse. Well, there's a prerequisite - or two.
- The seat stays must not be too low on the seat tube. The Win Wing doesn't perform sooo well on the Cannondale Topstone.
- The Win Wing must be fitted correctly. This means that there should not be too much space between the protector and the tyre and the plastic must be pre-bent to keep it in shape.
Of course, the lightweight, affordable and effective mudguard is available in a wide variety of colours. There is sure to be a version to suit the recipient's bike. There is a version for gravel bikes (for tyres up to 60 millimetres wide) and one for racing bikes (for tyres up to 35 millimetres wide). Fitting is child's play. If you want to keep the Win Wing on a bike for longer, you can also protect it from thieves with cable ties. However, it is also practical to leave out the cable ties, because then it can be quickly removed on dry days - or it can be moved to another bike.
The Ass Savers Win Wing ensures a clean and dry bum - but please note that your bum will still get wet if it rains. The rain comes from above, the Ass Savers Win Wing only protects against splashing water. Before things get out of hand here, it's better to go straight to the next tip.
- Price: from 27 Euro >> available here
- Weight: 72 grams (gravel version)
- Tyre widths: up to 60 mm
Supernova Airstream2 Upside Down
Light is probably even more important than staying clean, because light shows you the way and light makes you visible to others. The Supernova Airstream2 Upside Down is my always-on front light for gravel, road bikes and everyday use.
The lamp comes with a rubber holder with which you can Supernova Airstream HBM holder The light can be positioned in the centre under the stem. This keeps the cockpit tidy and attractive - and the light beam exactly in the centre.
- Price: 199 Euro >> available here
- Light duration: 2.5 - 14 hours, with 4 light levels
- Charging time: 80 % fast charging in 4 hours, 100 % in 6 hours.
Garmin HRM Fit - heart rate monitor for clipping onto a sports bra
When the Garmin HRM Fit heart rate monitor for women or for people who wear a sports bra, I thought: what kind of rubbish is that, I don't need it. Then I tried it out. Well, and who would have thought it? Since then, I haven't touched my old heart rate monitor because I found the new one surprisingly comfortable.
The clip-on heart rate strap is a little more bulky due to the three clips, but there is no need for the strap to be placed around the chest and clipped under the sports bra. And because the sports bra is often already tight enough, it's nice not to have the strap.
And does it chafe? I haven't yet had any chafing from a heart rate belt when cycling. But I have when running. When I was still running marathons, it was always chafed all round afterwards. This no longer happens with the not-so-new belt, at least not all the way round. It got sore for the first time recently on a brisk half marathon. Probably more due to the wide waistband of the sports bra than the heart rate sensor.
It also has one disadvantage. Wide underbust cuffs are not practical. The heart rate sensor sits very far down and there is more movement, at least for me. And more movement means more (sore) rubbing.
- Price: 159,99 Euro >> available here
- Weight: 53 grammes
- Battery: CR2032
Can't find the right gift?
... or do what my family and I do: one bakes stollen, one bakes biscuits, one buys coffee... and we give them to each other. The same thing every year, always something to use up.
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
