Are you looking for the best gifts for the mountain bikers in your life? Cyclists, in general, are tricky to buy for, and mountain bikers can be downright impossible — especially during the winter months. That’s why we’re here with suggestions to help you find the best gifts for your favorite mountain bike riders.
Bundle Up
It’s winter, so for most people in the northern hemisphere, that means cool to cold temperatures are the norm for the next few months. So, whether you’re heading to the trailhead or doing some long-overdue bike maintenance in the garage, chances are you want to stay warm. The Men’s North Face THERMOBALL Hooded Jacket ($220 at The North Face) is a go-to favorite for its just-right level of insulation, comfortable fit, and versatile style. It’s windproof with synthetic insulation that stays warm even when wet, it has a DWR finish to repel moisture, and it packs down super small. Throw it in your pack to stay warm during breaks on winter rides or at camp on your next bikepacking excursion. Bonus points for a timeless style that fits in everywhere you go, so that you can wear it all the time.
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Get a Grip
If you’re in the market for something more affordable, a new set of grips is one of the most inexpensive ways to refresh a bike’s look and feel, while also enhancing comfort and control. There are numerous options to choose from, but we’ve been particularly impressed by the latest offerings from the ergonomics experts at Ergon. They’ve got something for everyone, from the tacky and nicely cushioned GDH Team ($40 at REI) to the grippy and ergonomic GE1 Evo ($35 at Backcountry, in standard and slim diameters).
Art for Your Feet
While we’re on the topic of a refresh, you can breathe new life into your mountain bike shoes with a quality set of aftermarket insoles. Whether you need to improve arch support, add some cushioning, or take up some volume, a fresh set of footbeds can make your shoes feel like new. Remind Insoles ($45 to $60 at Remind Insoles) makes a huge range of performance-oriented insoles for skiing/snowboarding, running, and high-impact sports. With three thicknesses and varying levels of cushioning and arch support to choose from, Remind has something for everyone. The artistic designs inspired by the brand’s professional action sports ambassadors are just icing on the cake.
Keep Your Pants Up in Comfort
Nothing says Christmas quite like an impersonal gift, like a belt. Arcade Belts are different, though. Giving a person an Arcade Belt shows that you recognize that they are sporty and you care about their comfort. The brand has seemingly cornered the sport belt market with its stretch belts that move with you. The Atlas Belt ($40 at Backcountry) has become a go-to because it doesn’t squeeze your belly or restrict your movement on the bike while keeping your mountain bike shorts or pants comfortably in place. They are adjustable, available in two lengths, and come in a whopping 16 color options.
Speaking of Pants
Mountain bike pants are all the rage these days, and they are particularly appropriate in the winter months. While many pants can be too warm to wear year-round, Velocio turns that notion on its head with the Ultralight Trail Pants ($209 at Backcountry for Men and Women). These pants are impossibly lightweight and impressively breathable, offering the widest temperature range of any pants we’ve tried. You can wear these on everything from cool shoulder season rides to mid-summer outings. As with everything Velocio makes, the fit is also dialed, and these pants are as comfortable as they come.
Natural Fibers
We’re big fans of natural fibers, and Smartwool is one of the best in the business when it comes to merino wool. The brand’s ¾ Sleeve Mountain Bike Jersey ($85 at Smartwool for Men and Women) is not only stylish, but it is also crafted from a merino wool blend, which naturally regulates temperature and resists odor. This helps to keep you more comfortable while exerting yourself in cooler temperatures, and it won’t stink like synthetic fabrics. The ¾-sleeve length is the happy medium, providing a little more warmth and arm coverage while remaining a viable option for riding year-round.
The Good Kind of Inflation
Electric mini-pumps have taken the cycling industry by storm, and they are among the trendiest gadgets of the year. These pocket-sized wonders are quickly replacing mini-pumps and CO2 cartridges. With surprisingly powerful little air compressors and rechargeable batteries, these devices can inflate multiple tires on a single charge. They are lightweight and compact, making them easy to fit in your pack, saddle bag, or jersey pocket. We’ve tried a few different models this year, including super super-light Cycplus AS2 Ultra ($120 at Amazon), the long-lasting TopPeak E-Booster Digital ($145 at REI), and the affordable Trek Air Rush ($100 at Trek Bicycle).
Throwback Shades
While we might be using modern tech to inflate our tires, Smith is throwing it back 30 years with the relaunch of its iconic Sliders sunglasses ($197 at Smith Optics). These shades helped popularize interchangeable lenses and ushered in a new era for performance eyewear back in the 90s. Now you can relive your glory days, but with updated frame materials and lens technology that’s sure to make these better than the originals. And if you’re not feeling the retro vibes, Smith has plenty of modern options to choose from, too.
Modern Head Protection
Show your loved ones you truly care by getting them one of the safest mountain bike helmets on the market. Virginia Tech’s Bicycle Helmet Ratings have become the de facto source for comparative impact testing data. Competition at the top of the ratings has been fierce, with numerous brands vying for the title of “most protective.” On that list, the POC Cularis ($260 at Backcountry) is rated as one of the “safest” options that money can buy, with modern coverage, Mips rotational impact protection, and classic POC styling. The Fox Speedframe RS ($320 at Backcountry) is hot on its heels with the Mips Integra Split System, all the modern touches, and a distinctly Fox aesthetic.
Take Care of Yourself
Too cold, snowy, or dark to get out and ride? Sounds like the perfect time to work out so you’re in top shape to tackle the trails when the weather turns in your favor. Indoor bike trainers are a great way to stay fit, but mountain bikers should also focus on their upper body and core strength. MTB Hopper’s Core Balance Board ($89 at MTB Hopper) is a great addition to any home gym setup. From balance training to push-ups, this tool can be used in a variety of ways to improve your strength and fitness, specifically for mountain biking.
Take Care of Your Bike
The cold and dark months are also an ideal time to attend to long-overdue maintenance tasks. Just think about starting the season with a clean, quiet, and perfectly functional bike. Well, your workbench will look better, and your bike mechanic experience can be improved with a high-quality set of tools like the Feedback Sports Modular T-Handle Kit ($200 at Backcountry). This 10-piece tool kit has all your bolts covered with hex sizes 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8, along with T10, T25, and T30 Torx sizes. The ergonomic T-handle design makes them easy to grasp, reach bolts, and apply torque as needed. While you’re at it, a quality bike repair stand like the Feedback Sports Pro Mechanic ($425 at Backcountry) will turn your workspace in your own personal repair shop.
Take Your Bike Places
Taking care of your bike also relates to transportation, and in the winter months, you may find yourself driving further to reach your riding destinations. Thule has long been a leader in bike transport, and the brand’s latest top-tier hitch rack continues that tradition. The Thule Verse ($1,000 at Backcountry) is a 2-bike tray/platform style hitch rack that’s impressively easy to use and will fit virtually any bike you own. It comes in 2” and 1.25” receiver sizes, and Thule sells a 2-bike add-on to expand its capacity to 4 bikes. Hot tip: Pick up the Verse Transport Wheels ($50 at Backcountry) so it stands on its own and you can roll it around.
“Game-Changing” Tires
Bike tires aren’t necessarily cheap, but they are one of the most affordable ways to improve the ride quality of your bike. Schwalbe’s latest tires with the Radial casing construction are among the most highly acclaimed tires you can buy, with reviewers going so far as calling them “game-changing.” These tires conform to the trail surface differently, providing class-leading grip and traction while being run at higher pressures and reducing the chances of flats. The Albert Radial ($104 at Backcountry) and the Magic Mary Radial ($98 at REI) are both great options for the aggressive trail riders in your life.
Mountain Bike Specific Computer
For the mountain bike racer or data-hungry rider, the Garmin Edge MTB ($400 at Backcountry) is the first mountain bike-specific bike computer. It takes the navigation and tracking functions everyone already knows and loves about the Garmin bike computer lineup and cranks it up for singletrack purists. It has a more robust, durable build, and it comes with multiple mounting options. It also comes preloaded with Trailforks maps and MTB profiles. Tracking has been increased to 5Hz for descents to improve accuracy, and Garmin has introduced virtual timing gates, allowing riders to create and track progress with split times. This enables racers to examine their performance on a granular level as they prepare for enduro and downhill domination.
Let Them Choose
Can’t decide what to get the mountain biker in your life? Let them choose! Send an e-gift card to an online retailer like Backcountry or REI, and let them pick from the huge selection of bike apparel, accessories, components, and even complete bikes.
Winter is the time for maintenance, and mountain bikes can use more than most. Getting the mountain bikers on your list a Gift Certificate for service from your Local Bike Shop is a great way to start the season. Your local shop will make sure your ride is in primo condition, get your fork serviced, and dial in your ride for the winter months ahead.