The holiday season is here and flying by quickly. For some, it’s time (or perhaps overdue) to start thinking about gifts for the cyclist in your life. Don't stress though. We're continuing our 2017 gift ideas to help make sure it is a Merry Crossmas for one and all.
For most cyclists, the holidays are a time to feel like kids again as Santa delivers bike-related goodies. However, for cyclists with families, giving gifts to their children that will help foster a life-long love of riding bikes is infinitely more rewarding.
For today's gift guide, we have some children's bikes and accessories that we, and young recruits, have looked at recently. Our list includes:
- Islabikes Beinn 20
- Prevelo Zulu Three and Alpha Three
- Frog Bikes Hybrid
- Aerotech Designs clothing
- Islabikes jersey and shorts
- Tail Wags helmet covers
Learn more about each item and why they might be the perfect fit for your little ripper using the slider below.
Of course, it needs to be said, Cyclocross Magazine receives no compensation from companies for inclusion in our Holiday Gift Guides. We only consider products we’ve had experience with. No advertorial here.
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Prevelo: Zulu Three and Alpha Three 20″ Bikes
Prevelo delivers a lot of off-road bike for a little one with its Zulu Three 20″ wheel mountain bike. © Cyclocross Magazine
Why is it a good gift?
A front-suspended mountain bike might be overkill for cyclocross, but most little ones do not have the skills or plush tubulars to absorb all the hits that you might. Plus, if offseason riding involves off-road riding, the gear range, suspension, hydraulic disc brakes and even clutch derailleur could offer way more utility than a more cyclocross-specific ride.
Prevelo’s Zulu shrinks most of the features us adults would want on a hardtail while keeping to modern day standards like 31.8mm handlebars, 10-speed Shimano cassettes and normal-sized 160mm rotors. The good or bad news is your kid can cannibalize your bike should she need a spare part.
$899 is a lot to spend on a kids’ bike, but this 20” wheel model should provide a few years of joy for your kid and many more years of enjoyment for all the other kids waiting in line for hand-me-downs or a Craigslist deal.
Prevelo Zulu Three 20″ wheel mountain bike features a Shimano Zee clutch rear derailleur to keep the chain quiet and on the chain ring. © Cyclocross Magazine
If cyclocross and pavement are going to be the bulk of the little one’s riding, Prevelo offers its Alpha Three option. The Alpha Three, previewed here, is closer to a flat bar cyclocross bike for the little ones.
The $499 Prevelo Alpha 3 ofers a low standover height and eight speeds for young cyclists and cyclocrossers as young as five. © Cyclocross Magazine
Just as with Islabikes and Frog bikes, Prevelo offers plenty of different models and sizes for all ages.
Who is it a good gift for?
If your little one is ready to graduate from an intro off-road bike and has shown an affinity for off-road biking, the Zulu Three will provide them with a solid, versatile bike with features like front suspension that should help them continue to build their love of cycling.
Your recipient’s possible reaction?
“Mommy and Daddy, let’s shred some singletrack?”
Price: $899 (Zulu Three), $499 (Alpha Three).
More info: prevelobikes.com
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