This guide is for those of us who ride all the things, or are just getting into the sport and haven’t quite found our tribe yet. Some basics are loved by anyone who’s pedaling two wheels for fun or exercise.
Here are our top gift ideas for the cyclist (or cyclists!) in your circle, from budget stocking stuffers to roll-up-the-garage-door surprises at every price point…
Protect the head of the one you love
The Smith Engage Mips mountain bike helmet tackles trail protection with Zonal KOROYD technology and Mips brain protection system working together to manage impact forces. At $150, it includes 21 fixed vents plus AirEvac ventilation to keep your head cool when you’re huffing up those climbs, plus a dial fit system and extended back coverage for security on technical descents.
The helmet plays nice with Smith eyewear through integrated channels that let you stash sunglasses on the front and a two-position visor that flips up for goggle storage. Weighing 350g in size medium, it meets both U.S. CPSC and European CE EN 1078 safety standards, so you can focus on whether to hit that sketchy rock garden instead of worrying about certification paperwork.
REI has the Engage Mips in more colors than most outlets, including the new Matte Chalk, Matte Black, and Matte Midnight Navy across S/M/L sizes (black is also available in XL), for $150 each. For those looking for a deal, the previous season colors of Matte Sunrise/Forest, Matte Ash, Matte Rosewood, and Matte Berry/Lichen/Pacific are all on sale for 25% off at $111.93, in S, M, and L.
Sponsored Placement
Help Organize the Garage
The BLAT 4-Bike Modular system offers a wall-mounted storage solution that holds up to four bikes plus cycling accessories in one organized setup. The system includes adjustable bike hooks with rubber coating to protect wheels and carbon rims, along with dedicated storage for helmets, shoes, sunglasses, and other gear.
Built from powder-coated steel and aluminum, the rack supports up to 500 pounds total weight and mounts to wall studs spaced at 16″ apart. The modular design lets you adjust and reposition attachments using thumb screws, so you can customize the layout based on your specific bikes and accessories.
At $129.99 (direct from StoreYourBoard), the system comes with all mounting hardware and includes a lifetime warranty. The 68″ x 14.5″ x 45″ dimensions work well for garage spaces, helping free up floor space while keeping cycling gear accessible and organized in one central location.
Sponsored Placement
Always have the right tool at hand
Every cyclist needs a multi-tool along for the ride, and the Park Tool IB-2 ($20.95, available at REI and Competitive Cyclist) has most of what you’ll need in a tiny, lightweight package that fits in a saddlebag, jersey pocket, or even the tiny side pockets on some hydration pack waistbands. It’s a great starter tool or a perfect replacement for the weight weenie. (Check out all our favorite mini-tools here)
Put those aches and pains on ice
No matter what type of cyclist you’re buying for, they all have aches and pains. That’s why the KT Health Ice Sleeve ($36.49 at Amazon) is one of the best gifts for cyclists. We use ours a lot, and we’re convinced it’s resulted in more time on the bike with less pain. Unlike a traditional ice pack or bag of frozen peas, the Ice Sleeve is made from a soft, flexible fabric filled with a semi-solid gel that won’t ever leak. Not only does it stay in place so you can still move around the house, but it also provides gentle compression to help reduce swelling. Available in three sizes for use on knees, elbows, arms, legs, and other areas if you get creative.
Always be prepared for injuries
The Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 ($42.95 at REI) is a compact first aid kit in a waterproof pouch that fits in a jersey pocket. This means it’ll fit in a hip pack, hydration pack, or glove box just fine, too. We take one with us on almost every ride, and there’s a bit of extra room to customize it with whatever meds or little additions you want to add.
Put more comfort at hand
Ergon GE1 Evo Factory ($39.95, available at Competitive Cyclist) Most grips that boast relief from hand numbness, often end up feeling too vague and squishy, leaving the rider feeling less in control. The GE1 Evo Factory grips manage to accomplish the real job of offering relief from hand discomfort. Plus they offer great damping that doesn’t leave you feeling disconnected from the trail.
For $40, the Ergon GE1 Evo Factory grip is a low-cost, upgrade for your bike that will yield very noticeable differences in your ride feel and hand comfort.
Enjoy the art of suffering, without any pain
Rapha Racing Books
Unsure about what to get the roadie in your life? Are they too particular (like all roadies), and you don’t want to buy them the wrong gels or kits? Check out Rapha’s newly released coffee table books. They are the perfect addition to any roadie’s training den or living room.
Kings of Pain ($55) is a hardback book filled with beautiful photos of the sport’s most iconic days. It is also packed with short stories and information to engage even the most tangential cycling fan.
The Extra Mile ($45) is another highly recommended book by Rapha. It covers the start and progression of the brand through the years, what influenced it, what events it held, and everything in between.
Remember to refresh that sealant
Also, you should buy your favorite cyclist a liter of Stan’s No Tubes Tubeless Sealant ($34 at REI). Pretty much every serious bike rider has gone tubeless for all the right reasons over the past decade or so. But most of us forget that we have to actually refresh the sealant in our tires at least every year. Many new tubeless sealants have come and gone, but Stan’s was really the original. And you’d still be hard-pressed to find a better and more universally appreciated sealant than their original formula. This is a super practical one, like finding new merino socks under the tree. But we’re all adults, right? And this is a gift all of us would be happy to unwrap.
The holiday off-season is a great time to clean your bikes
The Muc-Off 8-in-1 Bicycle Cleaning Kit ($80, available at REI) gets you all of the essential brushes to clean every part of your bike, plus a spray-on cleaner that gently releases grime from your chain or road spray. We like this because it lets us add whatever degreaser and chain lube we like, and it’s half the price of their bigger kit while still giving you all the right brushes.
Give them a bell that will ring for ages
We are firm believers that every bike should be equipped with a bell to help stay safe by being heard. The Spurcycle Original Bell ($59 at REI) is not only our favorite, but it is a real thing of beauty. It can be heard pretty far away with its distinctive “ring”. It’s a sharp but pleasant ring that we’ve witnessed penetrate trail users’ headphones. These are precision-built in the USA for a lifetime of bell ringing. Comes with the ability to swap from a handlebar with a 2.22 diameter, to a bar with a 31.8 diameter.
Don’t forget your local bike shop
Don’t forget your Local Bike Shop! In fact, any of this stuff you can find locally should be bought locally. And let’s face it, there’s always going to be some repair we don’t wanna do ourselves or some part we need in a pinch. Buying local and supporting your favorite bike shop means they’ll be around when you need them! Grab a Gift Certificate to your cyclist’s favorite shop so they can get exactly what they need when they need it!
A pump that will outlast your next bike (and maybe you)
Sure, you can get cheaper floor pumps, but few, if any, will outlast a Silca. In fact, chances are this will get passed down to the next generation of cyclists from its original owner – and coincidentally, it’s one of the few things on this list that haven’t increased in price this year thanks to tariffs (even before it went on sale at Competitive Cyclist). The Silca Pista Plus Floor Pump ($129, available at Competitive Cyclist) is a do-it-all pump with its special Presta valve chuck that makes it quick and easy to inflate any bike you’ve got. And it’s fully rebuildable, so it won’t end up in the landfill if something does break.
Stay visible in darker seasons
Technically, this combines two under $100 gifts to save a bit of cash as one Knog Blinder 1300 & Blinder R-150 Rear Bike Light Set ($164.95 from Competitive Cyclist) because cyclists need to see AND be seen. So, while each is solid on its own, this combo is even better together. The USB-C rechargeable Blinder 1300 headlight is like a tiny super-powered flashlight that you can strap around a handlebar, clip to a helmet, or hang under your out-front GPS mount. It’s bright enough for extending your road, gravel, or most mountain biking in the winter months, and snaps securely on & off the bike in a second. The Blinder R-150 taillight is simply bright and easy to loop around a seatpost, and has a USB-A plug built into its mount so you never need a cable to keep its battery topped off. Simple bright lights mean your favorite cyclist doesn’t have to stop riding just because Daylight Saving is back.
Get those heavy bikes on the repair stand
Every cyclist should have a good work stand, and if you’re working on heavy e-bikes (see below), you’ll need a heavy-duty work stand. The Feedback Sports Pro Mechanic HD Bike Repair Stand ($525 at Competitive Cyclist) is a burlier version of their impressive work stands that’s meant to handle ebike heft. Even if you’re not working on ebikes, heavier bikes like long travel mountain bikes, commuter bikes, and anything else that isn’t lightweight will benefit from the bigger tubes.
Find your way back home (for the holidays)
Whether your favorite cyclist gets lost on purpose or by accident, make sure they can always make their way back with the wahoo ELEMNT ROAM 3 GPS bike computer ($465 at Competitive Cyclist). The smart navigation features are easy to use, which is wahoo’s calling card – no need to spend hours learning how to use your GPS, just get on and go. The 2.8″ color screen has just enough color to call out important information, but it’s still easy to see in bright sunlight wth adaptive brightness, and the battery lasts long enough for all but the longest adventures.
