Shopcast

This week we're excited to share a selection of gifts for the student. When you're commuting to and from campus, biking can help save money (free parking!) and time (convenient parking!). But, when you're a student... the reality is you can't always afford the niceties (and even necessities) that make the commute a little easier. This holiday season, why not treat the scholar in your life to something special?

1 - Delta's Cargonet will hold a lock and a jacket or stretch to fit a large stack of books in a pinch

2 - Klean Kanteen 27 oz. sport bottle

3 - Abus' Bordo lock is the perfect combo. It's both light and compact while being incredibly secure.

4 - Basil Memories Malaga XS makes a great lunch box

5 - The Touchscreen Gloves Kit from Brit & Co. includes conductive thread and needles that will help you give your favorite gloves (and the included pair) touchscreen-friendly fingertips so you can check your schedule on the go while still keeping your hands cozy in the Minnesota winter

6 - Pair the Arkel Bug backpack/pannier with a laptop sleeve from Ortlieb to get your student (and his or her laptop) to and from campus safely

7 - Hamburger Bell

8 - Chocolate Milk Nutcase Helmet

9 - Brighten up a drab dorm room with a BIKE poster by Minneapolis artist Laura Brown. (psst... if you're in Minneapolis, contact Laura for info about local pickup, and mention that you're a Shopcast reader)

10 - Bike commuting 101: Never leave home without reliable rain gear. We love O2's Calhoun jacket for men and the Club Pro jacket from Shower's Pass for women.

11 - Logo Evo rack from Tubus. Set your student up for life: invest in a rack that's built to last.

12 - Bookman Light Set

13 - Woodie 8 Multitool from Soma

Welcome to the first in a series of Holiday Gift Guides from Perennial Cycle. First up, Brompton Edition! See below for how you can find these ideas at local Minneapolis shops and at PerennialCycle.com.

1 - Wool Hemp Walz Cap

2 - Brompton's waterproof Mini O Bag by Ortlieb

3 - Schwalbe Marathons in 16 x 1-3/8 (349) are just right for the Brompton and offer improved flat protection

4 - New from across the pond, the Brompton Tool Kit is the perfect gift for the Brompton owner who has everything!

5 - A distinguished Woodgrain notebook from the Walker Shop in Minneapolis

6 - In Turkish Green, Black, and Grey the palette of this Raccoon Screen Print from Minneapolis-based Small Talk Studio is sure to win any Brompton fan's heart.

7 - Nutcase's Union Jack helmet

8 - GP-2 Ergon Grips. Many of our customers have made this upgrade and love the added hand positions, the boost in comfort, and improved handling when climbing hills these grips provide on a Brommie.

9 - Brooks B17 Flyer Special

10 - Po Campo's Six Corner Wristlet works great with any Brompton handlebar (even when folded) and coordinates well with all of Brompton's colors.

11 - You'll make a Brompton owner's year when you give the gift of the Oratory Jacket

12 - A striped scarf from Faribault Woolen Mills, proudly made in Minnesota

13 - A Lamy fountain pen and ink from Art Materials Uptown (also available at South Minneapolis' Russell and Hazel) for jotting notes on the run.

14 - The City Folder from Carradice, available in Black or Green waxed cotton duck with leather detailing. Pair with a matching Zip Roll for a truly dashing ensemble!

If you're considering winter biking, but aren't sure what you'll need—we'll help make it easy.

What's necessary? What's not? Some love lobster claws and balaclavas, others swear by the best lights for those dark, cold mornings and evening rides home. Dressing right is certainly key, and it's hard to underestimate the ability to see (and be seen), but besides keeping you warm & visible, we want to make sure your bike is taken care of, no matter what. That's where our new Winter Maintenance Membership comes in. For year-round commuters (and those of us who aspire to it), the membership is an investment that will help extend the service life of your bicycle by offering you the opportunity to frequently service your bicycle during the harshest part of the year in Minnesota.

Best of all, with a Winter Maintenance Membership from Perennial Cycle, there is no reason to buy or build a second bike for winter. We'll help you take care of the one you already have.

How does it work? Regular maintenance and cleaning during the winter months aid in the prevention of rust and corrosion from snow and salt on the roads. As a Perennial Cycle Winter Maintenance Member, your initial membership fee of $99.97 will cover up to once a week service (yes, you read that right) beginning November 1 through March 15. This includes:

• Lubrication of key areas
• Light-duty cleaning
• All Adjustments
• Wheel truing

Prior to purchase, the registered bicycle must receive a thorough check over by a Perennial mechanic to ensure the bicycle is not in need of more services that the membership could reasonably cover or would prevent the bicycle from safely making it through the winter.

Where's the fine print? All of the above maintenance is included, but replacement parts & installs are not. Likewise, tuning and adjustments will be limited to a la carte needs; a full tune-up service at one time may be purchased separately. Winter Maintenance Memberships may not be applied toward bearing overhauls or unnecessary service and/or parts installations. To guarantee your bicycle will be serviced while you wait, a phone call prior to your arrival is a good idea. While you wait service may not be possible at all hours of the day. For more details, please stop in or give us a call: 612-827-8000.
- common sense goes a long way here...the last hour of the day will likely not give us enough time to get it done... Fridays and Saturdays will always be busier times (making it harder for us to slide in the WMM services)

Ride more than one bike in the course of the winter months? You're welcome to buy a membership for each bike you'd like to use through the season. Each membership covers one specific bike. While the membership is not transferrable from person to person, members will be allowed to transfer a membership from one bike to another should the originally registered bicycle be replaced or rotated out of use in the course of the season.

Happy Riding!

With Saturday set to end with the giveaway of a Yuba Boda Boda, the big question on everyone's mind started with a hypothetical: "If I were to win tonight..." Would my life change? What would I do with a cargo bike? Thus, we set up a photo booth in the shop with a racing-green Bullitt by Larry vs. Harry and asked you to share with us, "What would you carry?"

Some of you were inspired by your favorite food or drink. Others were led by love. Our younger shoppers offered that they might carry notebooks or books... even the family dog. Nick, from Rock-It Bicycle Delivery (and proud owner of a Clockwork Bullitt), responded with a question of his own: What wouldn't I carry?

Click here to view these photos at your own pace in our Flickr gallery. Thanks to all who stopped in our What would you carry? photo booth.