Looking for gift ideas for your favorite cyclist? As die-hard riders of bikes obsessed with gear, we have a few ideas — here’s a list of gear that would put a smile on our faces to open up.
Camelbak Podium Dirt Series 21 oz Bottle — $13
Can you have too many water bottles? Ok, yes, but we do so love to hydrate using water bottles over hydration bladders and backpacks. But getting dirt in my mouth? Not so much. The Camelbak Dirt Series bottle features a removable flip-off nozzle cover to keep mud and grime out and for $13 they’re a nice and inexpensive gift. I still have several of the older models in rotation, and the new bottle shape is even better.
Buy on Amazon.com or CompetitiveCyclist.com
Feetures Socks — $12+
Who doesn’t love socks? Other than the 11 year old me of course, who would groan when opening socks on Christmas morning. And yet, those socks would be worn and be used. Until there was a hole or one of the pair disappeared. An affliction that continues today.
I pretty much just wear bike socks these days – I’m addicted – and the Feetures models are a nice weight, with a bit more heft that I find gives a bit more longevity.
I love the designs, but when it comes to buying socks for myself, I try to buy them in threes at least, just to make laundry day a bit more easy. No white socks, keep them basic, and that sock game strong.
Check them out at Feetures.com or shop at REI.com.
Showers Pass Water Proof Socks & Gloves — $37
Yes, more socks. Because it’s the wet season, and waterproof socks rule. When it comes to waterproof gear, Showers Pass is our go-to. We’ve been wearing their gear for years, and in the last few seasons they’ve expanded from their core commuter line to include some great pieces suitable for mountain biking and general outdoor adventuring.
Their waterproof socks are a game changer, and they added water proof gloves that work surprisingly well. If you’re headed out this time of year, these are must have additions to your mountain biking kit. Read up on our product reviews here or get to shopping at ShowersPass.com. REI also carries the line as well.
Tubolito Replacement Tube – $35
I know what you’re thinking — $35 for a tube? The thing is, we all need to carry a spare, and although we may never actually use it, that’s weight in our pack or on our bikes. But that’s also why the Tubolito makes such a great gift – we might never buy it for ourselves but we’ll sure be stoked to receive one. (We wrote about them previously here – my brother gave me one for Xmas last year and lives in a bag on my bike and I was stoked to get it)
In the event your tubeless plugs don’t take, or even worse you get a second puncture on a ride, having a tube will keep you from walking. If you’ve invested in a carbon bike, why would you subject yourself to extra weight? Instead, we carry the Tubolito. It’s light, takes barely any space, and lets face it, you probably won’t end up even using it. So why tote the extra rubber?
Shop Tubolito Tubes at retail partner JensonUSA
Tools
DynoPlug Tubeless Repair Kit — $48
Flat tires are the worst. Even with tubeless tires and sealants doing a great job at reducing issues on the trail, shit still happens. Fortunately, they happen far less often these days, provided you’re adequately prepared and keep your tires topped off with sealant. But before you stick that expensive (but small and lightweight) replacement tube in, they’re often able to be remedied with a tubeless repair kit. The one filling the space in my pack is the DynoPlug Tubeless Repair Kit. They’re small and minimal, and they do the job.
Buy on Amazon.com
Reserve Fillmore Tubeless Valves — $50
Fifty bucks for a set of tubeless valves seems pricey, but the promise of easy set up, airflow and minimal clogging sounds amazing. Another item that could be hard to justify buying for oneself, but dang if we wouldn’t be stoked to have a pair.
Get them at CompetitiveCyclist.com
Mountain biking Pants for Riding — $99+
In the last few seasons pants for mountain biking finally have hit the mainstream. Instead of running heavy moto pants suitable only for shuttles, pants suitable for longer trail rides have become available and more commonplace.
Not only do riding pants make clean up super easy, but for riders that get cold easily… well, they totally rule. We recommend owning at least two – one for wet weather, and for all around.
Here’s link to some of the ones we’ve been wearing. They still do sell out quickly so it can be challenging to get a pair, much less find them on sale so jump straight to the shopping with this link to CompetitiveCyclist.com‘s solid selection.
Bike Repair Stand — $180 to $350
Doing maintenance on a bike at home is made far easier when you’re able to mount the bike in a repair stand. Of all portable stands I’ve owned — models from Park Tools, Feedback Sports, and Topeak — the Feedback Sports and Topeak models stand out with their tripod leg designs that easily support light weight road bikes to 50 lb gravity sleds.
Shop for repair stands with retail partner CompetitiveCyclist.com
