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Five cool things for time off the bike: a bike bag that claims to pass as a suitcase, books, headphones + fresh socks

This week's five cool things cover your time off the bike in the form of books, travel and music! And a pair of socks...

Cycling culture is really all-encompassing and goes beyond the obvious cycling, bikes and cycling clothes. The greasy fingers of the bike world easily infiltrate every aspect of your life, from your coffee table to your sock drawer, holidays… and everything beyond. 

To confirm this, we've compiled this mixed bunch of five cool things - these are things that often fall between the cracks in our listings as they are not directly attached to bikes, but simultaneously make equally great gifts for enthusiasts and those that just like bikes. Apart from the transfer case!

Before we dive in, as usual, don't forget to check out our reviews page frequently, as new reviews are added there on daily basis - including the below five cool products...

Coffee First, Then the World by Jenny Graham - £16.99

2023 Coffee First, Then the World by Jenny Graham

Even though I have not been as much into professional cycling, around the world type cyclists have always been a huge inspiration for me, and Jenny Graham - since I first found out about her - is one of those people that I admire hugely. Graham is not only an incredible cyclist but now also an author -  and her first book takes readers to relive her remarkable world-record-breaking Round the World adventure in 2018, taking on four continents, 16 countries – and countless cups of coffee. 

This quote: “'The relief was immense: no longer was I talking, thinking or worrying about this. I was just actually doing it. I, Jenny Graham, was riding around the actual world!” kind of encapsulates the spirit of Graham perfectly, and I love how she has managed to tie in coffee in the title, as well. As far as first impressions go, this would make a great coffee table book indeed... 

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Jan Ullrich - The Best There Never Was by Daniel Friebe - £25

2022 Jan Ullrich The Best There Never Was by Daniel Friebe

The Best There Never Was is the first biography of Jan Ullrich, the pro rider who became the first ever German Tour de France winner, and some say is the most naturally talented cyclist of his generation… and also one of the most controversial champions of the Tour. 

42 of the best cycling books — check out the books every cyclist should own

The book takes a look at how UIlrich never quite fulfilled all the expectations that were piled on him from a young age, and how the complicated childhood and morally crooked sport reshaped his destiny. 

Read more
 

 

This Is Cambridge Merino Socks - £19.50

This Is Cambridge Fluro Wave Merino Socks

Cycling socks, there are never too many pairs you can have… These This Is Cambridge (TIC-CC) merino socks claim to offer premium warmth for your feet without any bulk. The three-season socks are made of 80% merino and 20% polyamide blend - which should keep you warm and dry. 

TTIC also says the updated construction and longer cuff should enhance rider comfort and foot stability. They don't look all that bad, either.

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OneOdio Openrock Pro True Wireless Sports Open Earbuds - £121

OneOdio OpenRock Pro Wireless OpenEar Air Conduction Earbuds

There is a plethora of open-ear cycling headphones available nowadays, in a number of different styles to suit a variety of heads - and ears. OneOdio’s Openrock Pro wireless earbuds have an adjustable ear hook to keep the buds in place, and the headset should offer you up to 46 hours of listening time (when re-charged from the carry-case). If you’re in a hurry they charge an hour of listening time in five minutes. 

The earbuds have IPX5 waterproof rating which means they’re not fully waterproof but should tolerate some heavier sweating and light rain. These also feature dual-noise cancelling tech which means you should be able to have a chat with someone without annoying background noise - perhaps from your freehub - making them sound like an ideal pair for cycling. Are they that? You'll need to wait for our full verdict. 

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Post Carry Co Transfer Case - $400.00

2023 Post carry co transfer case

The Transfer Case from an American manufacturer Post Carry Co is a very satisfyingly compact bike travel case for your full-sized road or gravel bike. 

Because of the small size, it should pass as regular luggage when you're flying with your bike, which means you'd save on bike fees (review is pending publication, but the testing has proved this is true). The compact size requires you to disassemble the bike quite thoroughly, but the bag comes with detailed instructions on how to do that, making it a lot easier than it first seems. It comes with two wheels for easy rolling around the airport, but also features backpack straps so you can easily haul it around your destination on your back.

Best bike boxes and bags 2023 — bike-specific luggage cases to keep yours safe when flying

And for those who are eagerly waiting to get their bikes on the Eurostar... this bag could be a great problem solver as it would just about squeeze within the baggage dimensions so you don't need to worry about the special bookings. Will this bike bag mean no more paying over the odds for taking your bike abroad? The full review is coming soon...

Read more


 This article contains links to retailers. Purchases made after clicking on those links may help support road.cc by earning us a commission, but all of our reviews are fully independent.

Suvi joined F-At in 2022, first writing for off-road.cc and then road.cc and ebiketips too until August 2024. She contributed to all of the sites covering tech news, features, reviews and women's cycling content. A lover of long-distance cycling, Suvi is easily convinced to join any rides and events that cover over 100km, and ideally, plenty of cake and coffee stops. 

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8 comments

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Kim Chee | 1 year ago
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Remember that Ritchey single speed Breakaway that was priced $999 but Bike Doctor had for $699 (or $799)?..one of my lifes biggest regrets. A fixed gear and a front brake would be all the bike a traveler needs. MKS EZY pedals...Oh if they woud only rerelease it but taking 38mm tires...see pic #5

https://www.bikeradar.com/news/core-bike-2009-fixie-round-up-cinelli-rit...

Avatar
pasley69 | 1 year ago
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There is a huge market for après-ski wear, similarly for beach wear out of the water, surely someone can come up with a decent collection of après le cyclisme clothing.
I.e. something that says cycling without everyone in the neighbourhood edging away from the expected sweaty smell.
 

Avatar
peted76 | 1 year ago
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Just had a look at that bike bag.. it looks amazing.. I was getting sucked in by their website, even feeling okay that the rear derailleur has to come off, then I saw that the fork has to come out.. even disc rotors need to come off wheels, basically beyond cable routing.. it's a whole bike build! 

Avatar
mark1a replied to peted76 | 1 year ago
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I was thinking exactly the same, until I concluded there's a reason why I have the Scicon AeroComfort 3.0. Wheels & pedals off, pad spacers in, that's about it.

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peted76 replied to mark1a | 1 year ago
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I guess it's a bag for confident bike mechanics... there's a niche for everyone... so, why not eh  1

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Paulhino replied to peted76 | 1 year ago
0 likes

I've been travelling with the post carry bag for 4 years.Apart from the extra work required to remove the fork, it's no different from packing the bike for my bigger case.

I

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RoubaixCube | 1 year ago
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With all the wind noise as you are cycling. Youre not going to be able to hear a single thing from those expensive headphones. Buy a pair of Aftershockz instead. Some models might work out cheaper as well at £60-80

otherwise there are still cheaper cheaper options than aftershocks too.

Avatar
Steve K replied to RoubaixCube | 1 year ago
1 like

I've got the similar Oladance headphones.  I can hear with them at least as well as I can with the Schokz headphones, and the sound quality is better.  (You are right about price, though.)

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