Review: The #creakybottombracket 2021 Holiday List

Cover photo lifted from biehler-cycling.com. We do not own the rights to the photo.

(2021) It’s been a year. Three-hundred-sixty-five days of uncertainty, hope, social distancing, race schedules, lockdowns (again), vaccines, and lots and lots of trainer miles. The last fact is why last year’s Holiday List was dominated by indoor accessories. Now we can’t get far enough away from the thing, though it has come in handy too many times to insult it. We even added lights to our service course shelf for nights when a trainer ride is avoidable.

In the past twelve-month the cycling landscape has changed with the social side. Movements have taken hold, and we are totally here for it. Shops have borne the brunt of shortages as well as frustrated customers. Organized rides have sought diverse riders. Events have searched inward to question where they reside in the cycling landscape. We at creakybottombracket.com have listened to - diverse - riders’ stories to learn about cycling cultures around the country and world. A lot can happen in twelve months. How much more can happen over the next few years with continued momentum?

Our 2021 Holiday List has items that caught our interest throughout the year. Nearly everything on this list can be a unique gift for the cyclist in your life. Or, as we say every year, it could be the website ‘accidentally’ left open for one to find. Either way, we tried to capture our passions around the culture of cycling: bikes, apparel, coffee, and straight razor shaves. When in doubt, the gift card to the Local Bike Shop (LBS) is a good bet. We here cannot thank you, the reader, enough for checking out our content. After six years, we still hear from people who want to hear more across all facets of the cycling world. Let’s hope in 2022 we can meet up and check out some new miles. Happy Holidays and be safe.

Gift Card to the Local Bike Shop

It must be tiring to repeat to bike customers how the pandemic has been a blessing and a curse to local bike shops. It’s been a blessing because more people have migrated back to experiences by bike; it’s been a curse because there is little-to-no supply for the shoppers. Imagine having the ideal situation for sales but having empty shelves. No company in the world could rest easy with circumstances such as these.

Last year we stated ‘eventually’ bikes and parts will return to shops. A year later and the same story is being repeated. A recent visit to a local bike shop and happily supply has shown up, albeit limited. But signs of change are apparent. That’s why an investment in a gift card can loft the local bike shop through the holiday season in preparation for the new year. We’d love to say a tidal wave of equipment is coming, but something about truck chassis and lots of floaty boats in the ocean are in the way. Take care of the local bike shop and it will take care of the community.

Heel Tread Socks ($12)

For a spell Volvo raced the estate 850 in BTCC and it was as awesome as you could imagine. Heel Tread carries on the memory through their track socks.

What is it about racing liveries that capture the imagination? Part complementing colors, part icon, race cars of previous generations still inspire artists today. From poster prints to cycling kits (even lonely cycling websites), motorsports colors never go out of style. Heel Tread, a sock company based in Portugal, has catapulted noteworthy colorways onto socks. The 80% cotton sock can be worn on the bike or at the office. A note of caution- be prepared to talk racing when your socks get noticed. 

A few years ago Heel Tread caught our attention with socks inspired by iconic motorsport colors. Liveries such as the Mazda 787B, Silk Jaguar XJR, or the Porsche Beast can be found in the digital racks of Heel Tread. With design heavy colors like the Audi Quattro rally sock or the more reserved Martini Lancia rally sock, there are designs that can match many kits. Who knows, maybe a quick glance down at the socks mid-race can be just the motivation for the final kick.

One Up One Down Coffee Beans (varies)

Trenton-based One Up One Down Coffee caught our attention a couple of years ago. We assumed we would have hit them up by now on our commute from work, but then we were transferred to another location! With Trenton being within our long day out ride range, it’s caffe (Italian spelling) is open seven days a week. With their name and logo stemming from their border collie, we have every right to call out of work for a ride to their location on Cass Street.

But should the wintry weather take a turn, One Up One Down Coffee offers mail order and coffee clubs. Also available are attractive brewing pieces for the discerning coffee drinker. Always fans of the darker stuff, we’ve been itching to try Guatemala Cubulco Medium Roast for those apres-ride feels when the cold has penetrated the core. Maybe we could use some of the pour-over equipment purchased from their store. Petting our shop dogs will put the final touch on the post-ride feels. Hopefully it will have been a ride to and from One Up One Down Coffee.

Ridge Supply Every Month Sock Subscription ($15.99/ month)

We have featured Ridge Supply on our Holiday List before. We have even picked up a couple non-Ridge Mountain designs for warmer days. We thought we had experienced them to the fullest until they slipped in a little something-something of encouragement- Sock subscription.

That’s right- once a month for either three-month or twelve-month subscriptions Ridge Supply will send a pair of socks to the person of your choosing. These are the iconic Great Smoky Mountains socks other companies mimic. To have Ridge Supply socks matched to a great kit speaks volumes on the road. It’s in-the-know style with silent swagger. All that is left is for the rider to ride hard with Ridge Supply standing out. With other designs, it will be truly a gift that keeps on giving all year ‘round.

Stone Field Shaving Company LTD (varies)

Welcome to the center of wet shaving materials. Stone Field Shaving Company stocks endless supplies of wet shaving items such as razors, brushes, and aftershaves. But it’s the shave soap we are featuring on our Holiday List.

Store-bought shave cream is overpriced and wasteful. There’s the overengineering of a simple process. Granted one needs a shave brush to achieve the full experience, but shave cream from a can is an example of things that have not been improved by modern technology. Stone Field Shaving Company offers pages upon pages of various scents. They offer sales guidance to shoppers looking for the appropriate pairing. Being suckers for the barbershop scent, we have put a couple items on the ‘to watch’ list for the holidays. Being fresh shaven while sweet smelling is the ideal way to ring in the new year.

Peaty’s AW21 RideWear Whippet T-Shirt ($25 USD)

We have gravitated to sighthounds over the past few years. Though not the same as our beloved Jack Russell Terriers, sighthounds such as Greyhounds, Whippets, and Italian Greyhounds have shivered their way onto our laps and proceeded to push us out of our own bed. Though these dogs conjure images of race dogs, they always seem to loaf about as if exhausted from a full day of riding.

Peaty’s has produced a fun t-shirt for the dog-loving cycling enthusiast. Extra points will be handed to anyone who has a sighthound for a shop dog. (Most likely they shiver through the colder three seasons any time the inside temperature falls below 80F.) The front features a whippet - conspicuously looking like Santa’s Little Helper - holding a handlebar in its mouth while sporting a pair of downhill goggles. Whatever the motivation to order up this t-shirt, it’s entertaining on about thirty different levels.

Peaty’s X Chris King Tubeless Valves ($34)

For the Tubeless crowd, valves have become a sort of expression lately. An often overlooked piece of kit, bargain valves serve just fine until they don’t. They easily get gunked up with sealant after months or years of inflation. Peaty’s Tubeless Valves claim to be serviceable and reliable. They even point out Alejandro Valverde relied on them for a win. But honestly we like the Chris King collaboration colors here.

Peaty’s USA teamed up with Chris King to match valves to the King line of hubs, bottom brackets, and headsets. Made from aluminum, the whole valve houses a valve core remover cap as well as a spoke key cap. Who knew tubeless valves would open doors for in the field repair? I guess now we should look into wheel repair classes. One last challenge inspired by the valves is color choice. Peaty’s offers all twelve current Chris King colors as well as further colors on their site. The choice of flashy or reserved is up to you.

Cadex Classic Tubeless Tires ($105)

In the past year we have furthered our education of the road tubeless game. We have been lucky to have overwhelming success with tubeless tires that work with the hookless OEM rims. Because of blow-out concerns, we have done extensive research on which tubeless tires are added to the road bike. Once on, they better perform. Cadex, now an arm of Giant Bicycles, has released Cadex Classic tubeless tires for hookless riders.

Designed to check many boxes, Cadex claims the Classic is fast, supple, and puncture resistant. Late autumn/ winter riding conditions are road hazard city, so having tires that can hold up to road debris, salt piles, cinder rows, and potholes is important to avoid roadside repair in arctic conditions. Here is the season where riders tend to opt for ‘cross tires if possible. Since Cadex is a subsidiary of Giant, seamless integration is expected. Tire confidence when needed is delivered. Priced at the upper end, these fit the bill as items to splurge on for gift-giving.

Pedal Mafia Artist Series Jersey Past Times ($129)

Australia-based Pedal Mafia continues to crank out simple-but-beautiful cycling gear that is vibrant as well as comfortable. We rode all summer in their bibs. Their jersey kept us cool on hot days and dry when getting caught out. We even bring out the Artist Series jersey occasionally which features warbird mouths around the arms. Naturally the Past Times jersey stopped us from scrolling to admire the simplicity and drama of great design commands.

Our pick is from the Yellow vs Brown colorway that would complement our navy bibs perfectly. A unique yellow with brownish/ reddish horizontal stripes breaks the trend of jerseys that blend in with the countryside. Last I checked, I want to be seen, not camouflaged amongst roadside flora. The long sleeves are satisfying to pull on and the vented fabric indicates this garment is meant for soaring down roads on summer rides. While it’s possible you’re getting faster, it’s most likely that you feel pretty rad wearing this jersey. That equates to watts certainly.

La Passione Boonenberg Winter Tights ($206)

A year ago we had minimal amounts of La Passione kit. Now we have a steady rotation of the Italian company’s style. Initially pulled in because of their Gulf-styled livery, we kept exploring the range of their bibs and jerseys. We even ordered up a pair of gloves, something we rarely use when riding. Each item is comfortable and sturdy for the demands of riding in all seasons.

Then they went and gave Tom Boonen a platform for cycling style and naturally we put it on the list. But it’s not because we are superfans or because it features Tommeke’s gold signature on it. We think La Passione has the goods to make a quality winter tight. It even sports something called ‘Cobble Grip’! With cold weather coming, winter legging solutions can make a cold ride great or actually pose a health concern. Insulated and labeled for the hardest winter days, these tights could get us outside to ride after seeing the trainer too much recently.


Cafe du Cycliste Alexia Three Season Gilet ($230)

If there is one cold weather garment we encourage to bring to the winter group ride, it’s functional riding poof jackets. But it’s not as simple as ordering a down jacket one size smaller and heading out for icy miles. It takes a cycling apparel company to have a go at this style to make it functional for riding. Cafe du Cycliste delivers with the Three Season Gilet.

Finally a piece of kit for the other three seasons. Using recycled fabric and Responsible Down Standard (RDS), Cafe du Cycliste strives to create a gilet that settles into your riding position, not the other way around. With water resistant shell and down, this gilet is perfect for keeping the core temperature toasty without the hassle of variable sleeve length or warming weather. Then there is the rear pocket, a massive place to store ride gear. When not in use, the Alexia stows into its own pocket. A gilet that is toasty, versatile, and packable is one of the few off-season garments that check all boxes to get us rolling out the door into the frosty countryside.

Boxer Custom Razors (Varies)


One look at Australia-based Boxer Custom Razors and it’s easy to imagine their razors as the choice blade for Beowulf. Intricately sculpted, both blade and scale, these razors are both functional as well as display-worthy. We always promote straight razors for their reduction in waste, but they obviously serve as incredible heirloom pieces for generations.

Navigating the Boxer Custom Razor website is akin to a trip to the museum. Blades with scaled spines and demon-like tails may take their place next to Hrunting, Beowulf’s sword used to fight Grendel’s mother. And speaking of Grendel, some of these pieces look like his portrait. For those looking for a bit more traditional routing, have no fear. Boxer Custom Razors will design yesteryear-inspired shaving blades. Just an observation, no blades are featured with cycling chain spines just yet. Planks for a velodrome as scales would be the finishing flourish of the ultimate cycling straight razor.

Abbey Tools Team Issue Tool Box ($1350)


There are bike tools and then there is Abbey Tools. Striving to build the best quality tools on the market, Abbey Tools looks to make the everyday tool as best as possible. Scrolling through their online shop, one can find dozens of tools that would look wonderful in the service course. The only problem is isolating which handful of tools make the educated cut. 

Instead, Abbey Tools offers the Team Issue Tool Box. Starting with a Pelican Case, Abbey Tools arranges a ridiculous amount of cycling tools at the disposal of the home mechanic. The case can be unloaded and arranged along the service course tool wall, or the Team Issue weapons can be housed within the case, ready at a moment’s notice. This is the tool box for the discerning cyclist on your list. There’s even an engraving option to stamp the name of the owner of this incredible purchase. With at least twenty-five tools housed among three separate layers, the recipient will never have to go looking for specialized tools ever again. Considering just how lustworthy this case is, it wouldn’t be too outlandish to attach a handcuff loop to the handle to prevent theft while being carried through the ‘cross pits next year.

Baum Cycles Custom Bike (varies)

Melbourne-based Baum Cycles makes bikes so appealing it caught the attention of Rapha. Darren Baum, owner and founder of Baum Cycles, has managed to create a brand that is iconic and beautiful while making it look effortless. Those looking for one-off bikes, say using the iconic Martini pinstripes of motorsport heyday, Baum Cycles is the place to send anyone who is picky about bikes on your shopping list. 

Scrolling through Baum Cycles’ website and one can see anything is possible. From traditional liveries to indiscreet finish, Baum Cycles can make any geometry from any generation. Aluminum, steel, titanium, and carbon. The four materials that have dominated cycling for over a century are used to create a rig that meets a custom desire. For those looking to surprise the cyclist in their life, Baum Cycles is certainly the path to explore for a bike that can honestly be viewed as, “the only one like it in the world.”