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Holidays during a pandemic are different. You might not have a big gift exchange with extended family or your group ride buddies, and stay-at-home orders might make shopping challenging, even when local small businesses are desperate for your dollar and support.

Gift-giving this year is different. Timing matters less, gifting experiences is fraught with uncertainty while material goods are making a comeback. Thankfully, we’ve got a few great last-minute gift ideas and stocking stuffers for the cyclist in your life that may be available from your local bike shop or online retailer. They’re also great cycling essentials that can keep you riding into 2021 in comfort and style.

Here are three items that have brought joy to our cycling lives. Stay tuned for more tomorrow.

Note: None of these items are sponsored or paid, and we’ve tried them all. We might earn a small commission via related product affiliate links.

2020 Last-Minute Gift Ideas for the Cyclist

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Stuffed Burritos, Tasty Tubi with Bacon

For the past 29 years Topeak has delivered a dizzying array of innovative high-quality cycling accessories and tools. Two items have found their way into our everyday ride kit, and they’re practical gifts that will help ensure your cycling loved one makes it home and won’t be calling you for a ride.

Tubi 18

The plug are stored in a compartment on the tool. The metal disc is to help with plug installation. © Cyclocross Magazine

The plug is stored in a compartment on the tool. The metal disc is to help with plug installation. © Cyclocross Magazine

The Tubi 18 multi-tool has a few features not seen on other multi-tools in a crowded field.

It seems like a lot of pieces to misplace, but a hole plug and cover are to stop the air hemorrhage while you prepare the plug. © Cyclocross Magazine

It seems like a lot of pieces to misplace, but a hole plug and cover are to stop the air hemorrhage while you prepare the plug. © Cyclocross Magazine

Among the 18 tools (hence the name) is a tubeless tire plug tool, a compartment with plugs and a detachable ‘air stop’ tool to plug the hole in your tire to stop the hemorrhage as you prepare the plug for insertion.

The so-called "bacon strip" plugs are stored in a compartmen of the Topeak Tubi 18

The so-called “bacon strip” plugs are stored in a compartment of the Topeak Tubi 18

There is even a disc so when you pull the plug tool out, you don’t pull the plug out with it. Finally, there is a serrated knife to cut the remaining plug flush with the tread. The knife and plug tool lock in place for safety.

The locking blade is useful for cutting the excess bacon strip. Topeak Tubi 18. © Cyclocross Magazine

The locking blade is useful for cutting the excess bacon strip. Topeak Tubi 18. © Cyclocross Magazine

The other tools include the standard array of Allen keys from 2.0mm to 6mm, Torx T25 and T10, and a Phillips head screwdriver, all made from chrome vanadium steel held in an anodized aluminum body.

Combined with a chain breaker such as the Clever Standard Chain Barrel and perhaps a couple of multipurpose tire levers like Topeak’s own Power Levers or Clever Standard’s Flat Out you should be covered for most trailside repairs.

Burrito Pack

Cycling essentials and gift ideas: Topeak Burrito saddle roll/bag. © Cyclocross Magazine

Cycling essentials and gift ideas: Topeak Burrito saddle roll/bag. © Cyclocross Magazine

Among the accessories, Topeak makes are several bags to carry your accessories at various places on your bike. Toptube handlebar and frame bags are popular. We’re still fans of carrying your repair kit under your seat- It’s out of the way, and doesn’t affect handling or get in the way of pedaling or water bottle access. To help the organization of the various pieces of your repair kit, a compartmentalized tool roll makes sense. Many of these we’ve seen in the past are a bit small for the myriad of tools that longer adventures on gravel bikes with larger tires need. Larger tubes, a chain tool, and an extra derailleur hanger are accessories a road rider or a rider closer to civilization can do without.

Cycling essentials and gift ideas: Topeak Burrito saddle roll/bag. © Cyclocross Magazine

Cycling essentials and gift ideas: Topeak Burrito saddle roll/bag. © Cyclocross Magazine

The Topeak Burrito Pack offers the organization of a tool roll with the capacity to carry your trailside needs. Not only is the volume adequate, three compartments organize tools with an elastic strap sewn within the pockets to separate tools. a velcro-closed flap covers the compartments and two elastic loops to hold the roll closed.

The volume of the Topeak Burrito Pack is larger than another popular seat roll. © Cyclocross Magazine

The volume of the Topeak Burrito Pack is larger than another popular seat roll. © Cyclocross Magazine

A wide rubberized velcro strap secures the whole wrap to your saddle rails beneath your saddle. The thick, coated nylon with a texture of denim keeps everything clean and dry. If you like a tool roll style bag, we’ve not yet found one better.

More info: Topeak.com

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