Here we are, Gear Break Gift Guide #2. The Christmas shopping season is in full swing, and for those who haven’t yet finished their shopping, we have a few more suggestions to help get you ready for gift-giving. We’ve got a handlebar bag from Handlestash in a bold colorway, some sturdy TPU tubes from Pirelli, and we are featuring a beautifully colored bell from Spurcycle. For recovery, there’s a massager from Bob and Brad to assist your recovery. We’ve provided a giveaway from Nix, with a little info on their skin sensor. Lastly, and having a little fun, a white elephant gift suggestion for dressing up your favorite mate’s helmet.
Handlestash Bigmouth Burrito Handlebar Bag — $79
Tired of spilling their coffee while out cruising,the folks at Handlestash had one goal: make a cup holder for bikes that actually works. People said they were crazy, and they might be, but the love for their shock-absorbing cup holder was overwhelming. Based on their experience, they decided to expand their product offering and add handlebar bags and insulated stem bags in 2023.
In the 2025 Gift Guide #2, we are featuring the Bigmouth Burrito Handlebar Bag in its new colorway: Princess Pink. This piece of kit is sure to grab some attention and make your next adventure a little more fun and enjoyable. If Princess Pink isn’t for you, check out Handlestash’s site for their full color range.
Andy Sez: “The bag delivers. It is stable, can be stuffed with all your favorite snacks, it is easy to open, and did I mention stable? Friction buckles lock down the mounting straps, ensuring that the bag doesn’t sway or sag once you’ve got it set up. There’s really nothing to not like about the bag.”
Mounting
As you’ll note from the photos, the use of this bag precludes it from being ideal with an out-front mount. Bike packers and adventure tourers will have already determined a proper mounting solution for GPS and lights. And, since that’s who would use this bag, this is not an issue.
A really cool feature of this bag is that the user can reverse the mounting straps for rear facing orientation of the “big mouth.”
Stashing your snacks (and retrieving them)
Unzip it and fill it. I only tested it with a handful of energy bars, a few drink mix sachets, and a compact tool wrap. That said, it didn’t move. Meaning, it didn’t bounce, it didn’t rotate, it just stayed in place. I only test rode with the opening oriented toward me as shown in the second photo. When I tested it, it was -12°C (10°F) and I was wearing deep winter lobster mitts. No issues grabbing the zipper pulls, and no problem reaching into the bag. Too bad everything inside was frozen solid!
The Bottom Line
This is a good piece of kit. When used as (I think Handlestash) intended, opening facing the rider, this is one of the best handlebar bags I’ve tested/used. The stable mounting, and easy access, make this a no brainer. Verdict: if you need a new handlebar bag, for any season, I recommend this.
BOB AND BRAD ThermoRed Heating Pad Belt Massager – $169.99
Features and Specs:
- 4-in-1 Comfort & Tension Support: BOB AND BRAD cordless heating pad vibration belt for lower back provides targeted warmth with dual-wavelength red light (660nm) and near-infrared (850nm) technology. The design reaches deeper layers for a soothing experience.
- Dual-Wavelength Red Light and Infrared Belt: The heated back wrap with massage features 50 dual-light beads that cover the lower back muscles. Delivers 660nm red light for surface comfort and 850nm near-infrared (penetrating 30-50mm) for deeper tissue comfort.
- 4-Temperature Heat Soothing (104°F-131°F): Built-in electric heating pad with 15-min auto-off timer and overheat protection delivers 4 warmth levels—from gentle heat for daily tension to deep heat for post-activity relief.
- 4 Adjustable Vibration Modes with Dual Motors: Two precisely placed motors deliver balanced massage to your lower back. 4 distinct vibration modes to choose from.
In the box: 1 – ThermoRed Heating Pad Belt Massager, 2 – belt extension strap, 3 – USB-C charging cord
Chuck Sez: PEZ readers will know that I’ve used different BOB AND BRAD massage guns over the years. They’re great for my legs, but massaging my lower back isn’t always the easiest (and I can’t always convince my wife or daughter to be a masseuse). The BOB AND BRAD ThermoRed Heating Pad Belt Massager solves that problem!
BOB AND BRAD say about 4 hours to fully charge a nearly empty battery
Using the BOB AND BRAD ThermoRed Heating Pad Belt Massager
In a word: it is “easy-peasy,” okay it’s two words if you don’t hypehante it. Here’s how:
- Charge it up (USB-C charging cord included)
- Wrap the belt around your waist with the heating pad centered on the lumbar region. (There is an included extension strap if you have more … um … girth…)
- Using the velcro straps, adjust for a snug but comfortable fit
- Turn the power on
- Pick your desired settings for
- Heat (four levels: 40C, 45C, 50C, 55C)
- Vibration (four levels: integrated, relaxation, soothing, exercise recovery)
- Light intensity (four levels: low, low-medium, medium-high, high)
- NOTE: The user manual also has instructions for upper back and shoulders, thighs, calves, arms, and feet — BOB AND BRAD make clear that it’s not suitable for neck or facial use
Green arrow – reinforcement strap to fine tune fit. Red arrow – control unit.
It’s always a good idea to start at the lowest settings and work your way up based on the way your body responds. Based on my prior experience with massage, heat, and redlight/infrared, I settled on:
- Heat: 45C (113F)
- Vibration: Level 4 (exercise recovery)
- Light intensity: Level 4 (high)
Also, the unit has auto-shutoff after 15 minutes, which is more than long enough for you to feel it and for it to have a positive/beneficial effect.
All those little white squares are the infrared lights
1 – power on/off, 2 – heat control, 3 – vibration control, 4 – light intensity
Despite my “long and low” riding position, riding hasn’t caused me any lower back issues. But, I also play golf and the rotational forces/torque can definitely stress my back. So after stretching and using a vibrating massage roller, I now use the BOB AND BRAD ThermoRed Heating Pad Belt Massager in my daily morning routine. This is part of my overall “the older I get, the faster I was” preventive body/muscle maintenance. (FWIW, my chiropractor thinks using it is good idea.) And unlike using a massage gun or a massage roller, I can enjoy my morning latte while doing so! (I can also use it in the late afternoon enjoying a Negroni!)
Nix 12 Days of Giving
I realize this started on December 3rd, but the Pez Crew figured we should tell you anyhow. As of today, December 5th, there are 10 days left in this promotion, ending on December 14th. During the Nix 12 Days of Giving, each order on Nix’ website is automatically entered to win the daily featured giveaway item.
If you aren’t familiar with the Nix Biosensor, you can learn more about this legal, performance enhancing technology here. In short, their sensor continuously analyzes your sweat in real time and keeps you informed for proper hydration and electrolyte balance. With an app on your phone, it gives you all the data you need to stay on top of your hydration without complicated lab sampling.
There are over $3,200 worth of tech, gear, and hydration products being awarded during the timeframe. Products include Zygo Underwater Headphones, a Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2, Asics SONICBLAST Running Shoes, 60 Day SOS Electrolyte Bundle, an elite plan from Vitality Blueprint and much more.
How to win the goods
Orders must be placed before 11:59pm EST daily. If you are not selected for that day’s giveaway item, you are automatically entered to win the giveaway for each following day. The earlier you shop, the more chances you have to win.
Day 1: Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2 $139 Value
Day 2: INFINIT Nutrition Custom Fuel and Hydration Blend & Coaching Session $175 Value
Day 3: ROKA Matador Air Sunglasses $240 Value
Day 4: LMNT INSIDER Bundle & Stay Salty YETI Rambler $180 Value
Day 5: Fuel Goods Holiday Box $76 Value
Day 6: Asics SONICBLAST Running Sneaker $180 Value
Day 7: SOS 60 Day Electrolyte Variety Pack & Bottle $100 Value
Day 8: Narwhals Palm Cooling Device $399 Value
Day 9: Blank’s Sport Nutrition $100 Gift Card $100 Value
Day 10: One Year Eternal Membership $499 Value
Day 11: Zygo Underwater Headphones $329 Value
Day 12: Vitality Blueprint Elite Plan $800 Value
The Bottom Line
These are some compelling products. Even if you don’t win, they make a good list to pick a few extra items for your favorite rider this Christmas. Perhaps most compelling of all, the Nix Biosensor itself would make a great gift. The offer a starter pack at $189. There are also various training bundles and refills available on their site.
Pirelli Cinturato Reinforced Smartube
Two weeks ago, we featured the updated Pirelli Cinturato gravel tire lineup. So, it’s only natural that we also inform you about their new “reinforced” TPU tubes. Pirelli now offers a robust Thermoplastic Poyurethane tube for the gravel and adventure cyclist. While it is about 60% heavier than the non reinforced, it is still significantly lighter than butyl, and promises to be far more durable.
Reports in side-by-side comparisons suggest that these are not the supplest feeling TPU tubes, due to the thicker tube material. But, the rider that this tube is aimed at will gladly sacrifice a few % of liveliness for the durability these promise. Pirelli specifically engineered these tubes to be worry free. Regardless, being TPU, they are still far lighter than butyl, and far more compact. This matters to bike packers, adventurers, and gravel racers carrying these if they have to air up a slashed tire with one.
This comes at a cost. Where a butyl tube runs $10-12 a tube, and latex $20-25, these are running between $35-40 MSRP. But, again, durability is the selling point. Please visit Pirelli’s site to find the dealer nearest you.
Spurcycle Denim and Indigo Bell
This is what the “best bell ever” looks like when it gets even better. We last featured the Spurcycle Bell in a Gift Guide back on December 8, 2020. It should be noted that it was priced at $69, the same price it sells for today. The featured bell here has a unique coloration on the dome with a deep indigo striker.
Extra special treatment of the Dome makes “Denim” bells extra bling! Extra work too. We take our standard all Black Dome with Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating and lightly brush it for a “stonewashed” texture. The resulting patterns are unique—some Domes more silver and others more black—and distinctly beautiful from bell to bell. Next, we Cerakote each Dome with a clear, glossy layer that locks in the look and protects against weather.
The Indigo Hammers has a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating instead of our usual anodization. PVD coatings are especially durable with extra rich and lustrous color that resists fading. The total effect is a uniquely gorgeous assembly with “distressed denim” vibe. If you’re looking for top of the line, you’ve just found it. More importantly, this is a bell that will last forever, with just a little care.
Head over to Supurcycle.com to check out this unique piece, or any of the other colors or items they offer. MSRP: $69.00.
HelmetFlair
Headed to a holiday party with your bicycling mates, and you want to pass on a gag gift? Maybe your pals actually don’t take themselves too serious, and they’d get on with some fun. Whatever the reason, if you’ve been to a race, or event, where folks are out to have some fun, you’ve seen these—or something like it.
HelmetFlair offers a few options to dress up your helmet and tell the world the wearer doesn’t take themselves too serious…which probably means they are there to have a good time, or their FTP is monstrous. Who knows? Either way, have some fun!
Attached by a magnetic “nubbin” that is adhesive backed, these can be swapped out easily to suit the mood of the rider…one minute its cat ears, the next its devil horns, and then its a banana?
Makes a neat gift, or conversation starter. You decided. Head over to HelmetFlair, and check out the whole range. MSRP: $34.95, with discounts for additional items purchased.
hj
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The post Gear Break: 2025 Gift Guide #2 — Handlestash Big Burrito, Bob and Brad ThermoRed, Nix 12 Days of Giving, Pirelli Cinturato TPU tubes, Spurcycle Bell, HelmetFlair appeared first on PezCycling News.
