8 father’s day gifts under $50 for your favorite road cyclist

The most requested Father’s Day gift among the guys in my bike club? A fresh pair of legs. So they said when I conducted my admittedly unscientific poll. On an ascent. In high humidity.

While fresh legs may not be in the cards, dads are sure to appreciate these cycling gifts, each for under $50, to help make the road ahead a little smoother:

Cycling Gloves: You know that crusty pair that’s tough to touch even when it emerges from the wash? Sneak a peak at the size, then deliver an upgrade to cush. Castelli Rosso Corsa Bike Gloves feature mesh palms with silicone grip padding, easy pull-on and thick terry pads at the thumbs. They fit like, well you know. List $49.99

Multi-Tool: The Crank Brothers Mulit10 Minitool packs all the features Dad needs for speedy roadside adjustments.  The aluminum frame is super-slim and houses sturdy, extra-long hex wrenches, Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers and a t-25 torx wrench for disc rotors. The finish reminds Dad he’s good as gold. List: $49

Top-Tub Box: What velojoy likes about the Louis Garneau Gel Box is that, unlike other models with mesh tops, this one comes with a removable rain cover to protect Dad’s stuff in case of an unexpected shower. Small feature, big benefit. List: $7

Spare Battery: If your dad is using his iPhone for GPS mapping, you may have heard him grouse about the battery drain on long rides in the boonies. The Griffin PowerBlock AC Charger and Rechargable Backup Battery charges phone and a detachable backup battery, which fits in Dad’s jersey pocket. Great for business travel, as well. List: $39.95

Smartphone Mount: Keep Dad’s smartphone secure and within easy view, in case you need him to pick up a carton of milk on the way home. The Arkon Bicycle Mount for Blackberry is designed for use with the Curve, Tour and Bold 9700. Comes in an iPhone version, too. List: $19.95

Latest Books: Dad has probably been reading the Bikesnobnyc  blog or Bikesnob’s column in Bicycling magazine. Now he can revel in the smart, snarky and no-longer-anonymous voice of Eben Weiss in the new book:  BikeSnob: Systematically & Mercilessly Realigning The World of Cycling. Chronicle Books. List: $16.95

If Dad’s taste runs more toward history, then choose The Lost Cyclist: The Epic Tale of an American Adventurer and His Mysterious Disappearance. Author David Herlihy chronicles the joys, hardships and intrigue surrounding 19th century bicycle adventurer Frank Lenz . Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. List: $26

Recovery Socks: Help dad minimize soreness from today’s workout for tomorrow’s ride. 2XU Compression Recovery Socks help improve circulation and flush out lactic acid. Long-haul business flyers appreciate these too. List: $50

Finally, you can’t go wrong with a gift certificate from Dad’s favorite bike shop. Too impersonal? What could be more loving than encouraging a passion?