Gifts & misc

The Shelter Frame Protection Tape Kit is light years ahead of those awful clear/carbon effect sticker sets that lifted on the first wash. Shelling out £27 for eight pre-cut sections seems exorbitant though.

Then again, set against the cost of refinishing a frameset, this bundle of assorted bike plasters seem very reasonable. Methodical, unhurried preparation and sterile surfaces are essential if they're to last in the long run.

This (iL) Soigneur coffee is well-balanced and full-bodied – just right for a pre-ride espresso or two.

GSI's Java Drip is  gadget for camping cycle tourists with an uncompromising caffeine addiction, the Java Drip promises fresh filter coffee without a weight penalty or palaver. Weighing only 12g, it fastens onto your mug with three plastic legs/clips, and then the dose of ground coffee is placed in the mesh followed by hot water. It then simply drips through, as the name suggests, and can easily be cleaned out afterwards. The result is a perfectly acceptable brew, far more enjoyable than the instant granules that are normally the only option of the weight conscious tourist.

Pedros are well known for their tools and lubes and their distinctive yellow and black styling adorns many a workshop. Pedros sound like they come from somewhere hot, like Spain or Mexico and it's only natural that if you're working somewhere hot you'll be wanting to open a cool drink occasionally, which is why they have designed this Beverage Wrench for your benefit. With a rubberised handle it's easy to grip and you could probably open bottles for several friends without developing blisters.

A mixed bag, this one. On the one hand we found it in the park last time it was snowing, and it's been waiting in the cupboard ever since, so it's not like we had to fork out our hard-earned or anything. For general going downhill duties it put up with plenty of runs and though it wasn't the fastest sledge on the hill, it was quick enough for some laughs.

Like coffee? Like cycling? Get this.

If starting a ride with a strong espresso is a good thing, then starting a ride with an espresso drawn from beans supplied by an ex-pro cyclist must be a double-plus good thing, right?

Damn right.