A handful of people frequently ask me what I want for Christmas or my birthday or some other event, like Halloween or Easter. (My Mother believes these are gift giving occasions, and if anyone tells her otherwise I’ll start breaking kneecaps.) The answers elude me until it’s too late. Now I have wish lists. Scroll down to the bottom for non-bike stuff.
I need bicycle tools. Lots of this stuff can be had at your local hardware store. For the bike specific tools, ordering from Nashbar or Jenson might be a good idea. Nashbar has gift certificates and Jenson has giftcards. Local bike shops are also good, though their selection will be smaller and their prices higher.
First, the regular stuff you can get anywhere:
- small vise-grips
- a good pair of dikes
- flat and half-round metal files
- metal punches and chisels
- tapered reamer
- small metric-only tape measure (about 3 meters should be fine)
- taps (5mm x .8, 6mm x 1.0, 8mm x 1.0, 10mm x 1.0)
- bench vise
- snap ring wrench
Bicycle-specific tools. I’ve linked to Park Tools just to illustrate these, but anything similar with another brand name is fine. Gift certificates might be better if you don’t understand this stuff.
- Cone wrench set SCW-SET (2 of these) Each set is about $45 from most most online sources.
- Two Leg Stand
- Wheel Truing Stand
- Spoke Tensiometer
I wouldn’t mind a subscription to Bicycle Quarterly. Their book might be nice, too.
Stuff from Velo-Orange:
- Tektro cantilever brakes (x2, please)
- Model 5 sprung touring saddle in brown. Not black. I’d rather not have one if they’re out of brown.
A new tent, like this one. http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___28317. Or the one on my REI list. Either way, you’ll be my best friend.
Big Agnes has a wonderful sleeping bag system that is perfect for my needs. The Lost Dog, long size, and an Air Core rectangular sleeping pad, 20×78″, should work just fine.
Panniers. The Touring Store has the Lone Peak P-400 rear panniers in black to match my existing front panniers. I could also use some small rain covers for my front panniers and large for the rear.
A fender-mounted dynamo taillight with a stand light circuit. Like this one from VO or one of these from Peter White.
I’d like an Underwood No. 5. It doesn’t need to be pretty, but it should work properly. As far as antique typewriters go, these are plentiful and not too expensive.
