Review: The #creakybottombracket 2025 Holiday List

The last twelve months have been a roller coaster year for your local bike shop. Your muse did not return to a shop this year due to uncertainty due to a word that has become one of our themes this year: tariffs. Meanwhile cycling events share the same stresses but in a different way. Participants continue their gravitation toward gravel racing and bikepacking. Racing has small places on this year’s list, but tariffs and off-piste cycling dominate our collection.

This past year has seen local bike shops getting further squeezed simply because they exist. Online retailers further pinch the shop down the street, a gloomy foreshadowing that does not seem to deter buyers in the local cycling community. Meanwhile when adventurers have a malfunction, the first order of business is to find a local bike shop. Praises are rained down when the shop delivers top-notch service to save a bikepacking outing only to have buyers go back online for their next part.

Speaking of the last fifty-two weeks, we’ve lined up at some great events. We endured cold rain for Hell of Hunterdon, monsoon season for Battenkill Race, and a dry fast course for Black Fly Challenge. We missed out on the excitement of Fifth Street Cross for all but one week, and we made it to Sly Fox Cross only to earn a DNS hours before the start. Either way, it felt great lining up for these events. One area of criticism this year was the lack of seasonal listings of local races. Just when we thought no one read our content…

Which leads us to our many thanks for reading our articles. Much like the bike shop trajectory, things have been up and down at the office. Some injuries have plagued our writers. Enjoying the feeling of riding meant missed deadlines and holes in the content, but you stuck around. Readership has trended upward. This year, the article that was most in demand was the Giant Revolt 2 review. We hope this year's audience engagement continues. It’s always great hearing from readers. This year we celebrated ten full years of posting the cycling community. Enjoy the tenth edition of the creakybottombracket.com holiday list. Happy holidays, thanks for reading, and ride safely in 2026!

Gift Card to the Local Bike Shop ($ Any)

Bike shops need our help. Even when I have found items cheaper online, I reach out to various bike shops to see if anyone has an account with the product I’m interested in, and go from there. Oftentimes, shops will be eager to order your request and discuss pricing. We reiterate that gift cards and vouchers to local bike shops don’t stop at the sum on the account. Once in the shop, people will spend more and support the shop further. It’s the perfect way to help the shop just around the corner.

In the past twenty years, our crew has worked at more than ten bike shops. The experiences at these shops define who we are. It’s been difficult hearing the stories of owners trimming work forces, inventory, and event sponsorship because of the uncertainty particularly with tariffs. Interacting with the public, talking bikes to a prospective buyer, and holding shop tents down at events are some of what make the local bike shop an important part of a healthy community. Without bike shops, neighborhoods become bike-free areas or collections of bikes in need of repair. Let’s continue to support the local bike shop.

ALMSTHRE Signature Bar Bag ($70)

Our love affair with the bicycle has been altered in a way that shows the world is wide enough for both racing and adventuring. The concept of loading up a bike has led our group to start considering unique bike rides to explore new roads. Adventure bike riding is a little bit of uncertainty with just enough of a safety net to bail if things don’t work out. Having the right gear to increase the chances of a successful bikepacking trip is necessary.

San Diego-based, ALMSTHRE strives to encourage their riders to go further because of their bike bags. The Signature Bar Bag is a 2.0 liter bag full of straps, cords, and zippers to maximize storage from the handlebar. With the out front bag, the waterproof zipper and hard shell construction provide protection. That’s  just in case a turn becomes a little more exciting and the contents need to be protected. With seven colors, matchy-matchy is even easier. You could even add a local bike shop gift card in the bag to keep the adventure considerations going.

Sockeloen Del Crosso Off Road Shoe Covers ($90)

Jasper Ockeloen, founder of Sockeloen, is not only passionate about cycling socks, he’s managed to obtain endorsements from top level riders across multiple disciplines. While the socks tend to be on the pricier side, they are definitely my go-to socks on days when bringing out the race kit is called for. Whether it’s our Classic Cycling Socks or the Merino Winter Cycling Socks, we tend to gravitate toward them when it’s time to look serious out there. The hole that’s in our footgear are cycling shoe covers for when the weather mimics Netherland days of cold, cloudy, wet days.

Sockeloen Del Crosso Off Road Shoe Covers are designed for whatever the gravel path throws at them. The waterproof rating is the most enjoyable aspect, but the ‘white that stays white’ claim could have us veering into muddy puddles just to see how white they remain. The bottom portion is anchored by velcro patches for a snug fit. Sockeloen points out that the Del Crosso is not as aerodynamic as their other options, but as off road shoe covers go, we’re more interested in having dry feet when stampeding through forest gravel tracks and frosty unpaved roads.

Thiers Issard Straight Razor Storage Box ($105)

There is immense relaxation in the wet shaving process, particularly in the winter time. This time of year, the skin is tested daily with cold, dry temperatures. Post long ride wet shaves are a ritual to end the weekend as the bathroom is steamed up to make the process easier. Since the start of my wet shaving journey more than ten years ago, one aspect has escaped me. I was never satisfied with storing my straight razors. Cardboard boxes, while traditional, hid the elegance of two particular razors.

Thiers Issard, a leading French cutlery and wet shave company, creates a deluxe two-razor storage box in elm burl, oak, or painted aluminum. Fully handmade in France, the box goes a step further to solve our problem of storage and visibility by offering a glass window. The razors are stored upright in their own slot. In case you were wondering, yes, I ogle my razors from time to time to admire the craftsmanship. It’s been a suggestion to explore wooden boxes for the two customized razors. This solution allows protection and visibility all in one. 

Osprey Escapist Velocity 3 ($110)

I’ve fought the urge to consider a vest for gravel riding, but after three attempts at the Black Fly Challenge, it’s time to consider the Osprey Escapist Velocity. Each race has me crossing the line with two full water bottles. It’s not that I forgot; it’s that I didn’t trust the gravel surface enough to take my hands off the bars while crossing at full speed. I so badly wanted to remain hydrated, satiated, and prepared with a multitool. It’s not that I couldn’t do any of those things, but a vest consolidates all three requests.

Holding a 1.5 liter reservoir and magnetic hose, the Escapist Velocity 3 also makes space for storing sunglasses, vertical zippers to store nutrition and a phone, and locations for a pump and multitool. Moving these items to the back can become one less area of stress on race day. Removing bottles and cages moves the weight to the back, allowing the rider to focus on the race at hand. When not competing, the Osprey Escapist Velocity 3 is the perfect sized addition to the bikepacking storage to go farther up the road.

Vittoria A Dugast Small Bird Tubeless Ready Tire ($115)

Let’s face it, most of us are not professional racers. Some of the more serious racers in crits have an extra wheel set. Some in cyclocross have an extra bike. So when it comes to off road tires, compromises on surface ability comes in the form of checking as many boxes as possible. As a resident of the mid-Atlantic region, our unpaved and off-road areas can go from scrabbled shale to packed dirt. One moment the parcours can be dry and the next instance it’s wet. Or the humidity has ushered in frost and slippery thawing conditions.

Vittoria’s A Dugast tires are easy to recognize at ‘cross starts with their cotton sidewalls and stamped badges. The Small Bird is Vittoria’s all-round tire with outer studs being twice as high as the middle. This provides phenomenal cornering grip. Plus the rubber compound is extremely soft, allowing for a smoother ride when mixed with the cotton sidewalls. Plus the lower tire pressure allowed by running tubeless gives the Vittoria A Dugast Small Bird casing the best chance at the ‘squish factor’ when it comes to locating a one-and-done tire. 

Prestacycle Prestaflator GO Rechargeable Inflator ($130)

The face of field tire maintenance has changed. No longer do cyclists carry tubes and CO2. A cycling wallet is now filled with sealant, plug kits, and a rechargeable inflator. I’ve carried tubes, boots, and cartridges until recently solely for bailing other cyclists out. Only recently has the tubeless system offered confidence to ditch the tubes and gas and pivot to the tubeless repair system.

Given the varied tire systems and pressures, Prestacycle’s Prestaflator GO offers a wide offering of presets. Spanning from 4 - 120 PSI (0.3 - 8.2 BAR), the Prestaflator GO has riders covered at their most desperate time. The aluminum body provides sturdy construction. Taking only one hour to charge, the Prestaflator GO provides several inflations on one charge. Having a rechargeable inflator in the back pocket takes the anxiety out of tire maintenance where inflation is the final step of the solution.

AbsoluteBLACK Premium Oak Bicycle Wall Hanger ($150)

Several years ago, I worked at a bike shop in Trexlertown, PA, across the street from the outdoor velodrome. A host of characters frequented the store from Olympians to Mennonites on titanium road bikes. Somewhere in between was a niche group of cyclists who carried picture books around of their bikes. These were serious collectors. Think Tour de France stage-winning bikes and famous builder items. If you doubt the seriousness, the pictures of these bikes were done in a studio by a professional photographer. How they were stored was always a question.

AbsoluteBLACK, the family-owned precision bike company from England, takes bike storage to a detailed level. The Premium Oak Bicycle Wall Hanger is made from beech and oak veneer and finished with Italian suede leather to swaddle your bike as it hangs on the wall. Accommodating bikes up to 48 centimeters wide, this wall mount was heavily researched to allow bikes to appear naturally lifted instead of precariously teetering. This gift recognizes the importance of the bike in your cyclist’s life and the desire to store it on a wall as a conversation piece. The problem with this rack is that it becomes just as much a conversation topic as the bike it holds.

Acaia Pearl Scale and Timer ($150)

Cyclists love numbers. It’s a side effect from all the training paces from timed efforts to watts-per-kilos. Once finished a session, the next love of cycling kicks in - coffee. Coffee, like cycling, can be a numbers game, too. Over the years, we’ve added a few coffee brew methods to our kitchen. But there’s one item (believe it or not) that has been elevated to a strong desire. Having a scale to measure beans and water is great. Having a timer is necessary. Having both in one spot would allow for accurate measurements and bloom times. 

The Acaia Pearl scale and timer is the perfect gift for the cycling coffee addict on your list. The scale features a real-time flow-rate indicator to up the coffee brewing skills. It can also conquer the basic features of weight and timing. The USB rechargeable scale has a battery life of 30 - 40 hours and can handle up to 2,000 grams. The scale is available in pitch black, classic black, or classic white. With a scale like this, we’ll reliably sling coffee pours to help dial in the exact specifications to the best tasting pour overs.

D2R2 Entry ($150)

Advertised as ‘The Original Gravel Grinder,’ the Deerfield Dirt Road Randonee has been running since 2005. Indeed, for years, we heard the odd event called D2R2 discussed across the countryside. Lately, the Deerfield Dirt Road Randonee has attracted our attention because of a desire to spend all day on a bike route not yet explored. With registration opening for the August 2026 event on December 1, 2025, entering the cyclist on your list could be the greatest gift ever given.

D2R2 advertises the event as a community, not a competition. Perhaps that’s why the event has been written up in Sports Illustrated, the Boston Globe, and the universally recognized cycling website: creakybottombracket.com. D2R2 offers several routes starting with a family ride featuring minimal hills up to the original 180 kilometer route showcasing a whopping 14,000 feet of climbing according to ridewithgps. That’s a lot of up! But do not despair, D2R2 has on-site camping for everyone to roll into their tent and collapse until the after party begins. Remember, D2R2 is about community, so the event continues well past the finish line.

AeroPress Premium Coffee Maker ($200)

So the cycling person you are shopping for has a drip coffee maker, a Chemex, and French presses. Is there possibly any other coffee delivery device that could reflect the thought put into shopping for them? AeroPress has you covered. Here we explore AeroPress’ Premium, their glass and metal maker, but many bikepackers rave about their Go Compact Travel Coffee System ($50). The travel system is perfect for those looking to get deep in the woods as long as they have their coffee.

Claiming to be part French press, part pour over, and part espresso, the Aeropress takes the best of all three to deliver a smooth cup of coffee. Any time glass and metal are prioritized in the coffee industry over plastic, we certainly take a second look for its minimalist footprint. And according to the Aeropress, from start to cleanup, the process takes fewer than two minutes. Gifting an Aeropress is definitely a unique gift that gives a nod to the caffeinated side of our hobby. 

HORST Cycling Cross Spikes Pro Vault Titanium ($210)

We have Project Mayhem Cyclocross to thank for HORST Cycling spikes. While spikes are not typically necessary in off road cycling such as cyclocross and gravel, having the Cross Spikes Pro Vault Titanium at the ready is a benefit to any outing. Using HORST Engineering’s precision from the aviation field, HORST Cycling’s cross spikes are a great gift for any cross rider on your list.

The Pro Vault has all the spikes needs covered. In the vault are four spikes of each length: short, medium, and long. The Pro Vault also comes with a spike wrench, hex key, thread locking compound, and a convenient case to keep it all together. HORST advertises their threads are compatible with most cycling shoes. HORST doesn’t just offer titanium spikes. They offer four packs of each spike length, including the ice spike not included in the Pro Vault, in both titanium and steel. The HORST Cross Spikes were the most talked about component for the 2025 season. Somehow they made running up steep dirt hills enjoyable.

Rodeo Labs Flaanimal 5.0 ($1400/ Frameset)

Steel is still real, and Rodeo Labs agrees. Though the Flaanimal has a titanium version, why mess with a tried-tested-and-true material like steel? Introduced in 2015, the Flaanimal line takes a progressive approach to gravel/ adventure bike builds. Having won the Tour Divide, the Flaanimal has proven its moxie in all cycling disciplines. And just because there’s a lot of talk of gravel and adventure riding, doesn’t mean the Flaanimal isn’t capable of sporting slicks and hammering through Wednesday Night Worlds. That’s why Rodeo Labs’ Flaanimal is our featured bike on this year’s holiday list.

The Flaanimal is customizable. Frames are available in five sizes from 52 to 61 centimeters. Further customization includes nearly twenty options in finish. Rodeo Labs also offers nine varieties of completing the bike, and they offer a frame facing. Some interesting specs include a slider position for adjustable chainstay tuning for tire clearance and the continued capability to run a 2x crankset. The carbon seatpost is where the weight savings can be found as it plunges into a T47 bottom bracket. The list goes on and on about the intricate planning that goes into a Flaanimal so a customer can say they ride a ‘one of one’ Rodeo Labs. That’s a pretty neat holiday gift.