Are you looking for the best gifts for mountain bikers in your life? Cyclists, in general, are tricky to buy for, and mountain bikers can be downright impossible — especially for the winter months. That’s why we’re here to help you find the right gift in the proper price range.
Best Gifts for Mountain Bikers Under $25
If you ride mountain bikes, chances are you’re riding tubeless (or will be soon if you’re a newbie). Pouring the sealant in from the bottle is good enough, but if you like to keep your garage and clothes free of sealant goop, the Stan’s NoTubes Injector ($10, available at REI and Competitive Cyclist) is the way to go. It’s cheap, works like a charm, and will be a hit guaranteed.
Flow Formulas ($5, available at Flow Formulas) endurance drink has what you need to ride hard and long, but it’s the Race Tubes that make a great stocking stuffer. They’re single serve, so you can try all the flavors but then refill and re-use the tubes to stash extra mix in your pack or jersey pocket for longer rides or stage races where who-knows-what will be in those aid station jugs.
If you’re a kid, you get candy canes in your stocking; if you’re a mountain biker, you get chain lube. Not just any chain lube, though; the “world’s best lube” from absoluteBLACK ($20, available from AbsoluteBLACK) is the way to go. This wax-based chain lube is excellent for riding in the winter and is just at home on the trainer — keeping the friction low and the watts high. Plus, it comes in a super cool, stocking-friendly package, with no wrapping required.
Keeping on the stocking stuffer trend, the new Muc Off Punk Powder ($20, available at Muc Off) is a concentrated bike wash formula in a powder that you mix into your favorite spray bottle. It has the same cleaning power as the original Muc Off Bike Cleaner, just way more eco-friendly to ship and fun to activate.
New grips are always a hit; it feels like getting a new bike without the cost. PNW Loam Grips ($24, available at REI) come in tons of colors — so make sure you know what color bike you are shopping for. The texture of the Loam Grip is a mix of control and vibration damping, with just enough tackiness to keep you locked in.
After the New Year, some of us had just enough partying that we needed to take a break. But, you know, we still want a nice cold one after the group ride. For that, there’s Athletic Brewing, a delicious non-alcoholic beer that satisfies the post-ride/race thirst without the hangover afterward. Plus, at 70 calories each, they can quickly help you get to your New Years’ racing weight goals!
Best Mountain Bike Gifts for Under $50
Every mountain biker needs more gloves, whether they know it or not. Handup gloves ($36, available at Handup Gloves) serve up the most fabulous designs that keep your digits happy and friends smiling when they see you. Designs range from NASA, Party Time, Beer Me, and way beyond. The palms are grippy with fun phrases sure to get a smile at your local group ride, and the tactile feel is fantastic. These gloves aren’t just for flat bars; they are great for road and cyclocross as well, with warm, normal, and cool weather versions available.
If you’re shopping for the best gifts for mountain bikers with a new E-Bike, the new Muc-Off e-bike essentials kit ($50, available at Amazon) packs everything you need to clean, lube, and maintain your electric bike. The motors put a lot of extra strain on an eMTB drivetrain, and this kit will help you keep it clean so your chain, cassette, and chainring last longer!
Cold feet suck, and for some reason, it always seems colder in the woods. The Rapha Deep Winter Sock ($37, available at Rapha) is the best winter sock we’ve tested. Superb warmth, stretch, and breathability, without having to resort to chemical heat packs. The tall length keeps them in place under tights, and merino wool keeps them smelling fresh all the while.
For hydration pack wearers, the Crank Brothers Klic HV Gauge ($48, available at Backcountry) pump has a slick magnetic hose that threads onto the valve stem before attaching the pump, and that extra flex makes it easier to put some oomph into your inflation efforts without worrying about snapping the valve off. The built-in gauge takes the guesswork out of getting it right, too. The only downside is the hose rattles inside the tube, which is why we don’t mount this one to the frame, but it’s perfect for a pack.
Best Gifts for Mountain Bikers Under $100
If you’re riding through the winter, or just prepping for the likely wet spring conditions, chances are you’ll need a meaty, grippy, and super tough tire. The Specialized Eliminator Grid T9 tires ($70, available at Backcountry) are ready for the gnar, with a new T9 compound that keeps them gripping through all conditions, across all terrains. The Grid casing is highly cut and puncture-resistant, which is great for the winter (who wants to change a flat in the cold?) and it’s tough enough for eMTBs. It’s even sturdy enough to run super low pressures so you can maximize your footprint for crawling through fresh snow.
If your MTBer is using an old, cheap, or roadie’s high-pressure pump, the ToPeak Shuttle Gauge ($67 at Amazon) is perfect for helping them dial in a lower, more appropriate MTB pressure. It attaches to your valve stem or pump and gives a digital read-out that’s way more accurate than that tiny analog gauge way down at the bottom of the pump. The rotating head works with all valve types, including air forks and shocks, and an air release button allows fine-tuning pressure.
Flats suck, but a crappy pump sucks even more. We love these two high-volume mini pumps for MTB, but for different reasons. The OneUp EDC Pump ($65) combines with their EDC V2 Tool ($65) and Plug Pliers Kit ($39.50) to hide a mini tool and tire plug kit inside the barrel, and it mounts under your water bottle cage. If you ride with a hip pack or no pack, it’s a great way to carry the repair bits you need without having to wear it. And it’s a great pump, too.
Velocio new Trail collection is more than riding gear — it is super comfortable clothing, hands down. The Delta long sleeve ($100, available at Velocio) is a favorite of Jordans for the comfortable stretchy material, and rip-resistant fabric. You can wear it out before and after the ride (ride intensity depending). We recommend checking out the entire trail line, but this piece of kit has us truly stoked, plus it comes in a super-wide range of sizes and colors.
Best Mountain Bike Gifts for Under $150
If the mountain biker on your list (or you) has taken a fall or two last season, it’s time for a new helmet. The Specialized Tactic 4 MTB Helmet ($120, from Specialized) is just the right mix of trail and enduro protection, breezy ventilation, and great features. With a MIPS liner, sunglass storage, visor compatibility, fixed visor, and a highly adjustable fit system, it’s even rated for eMTB riding, making it the one mountain bike helmet to cover almost every type of riding and terrain. Virginia Tech rated it as the safest bike helmet of 2022. Plus, it comes in a lot of cool colors!
The AbsoluteBlack PVD Rainbow MTB chainrings ($120, available in SRAM and Shimano direct-mount versions directly from the brand) are light, stiff, and gorgeous. Don’t be fooled by the arty appearance though, these rings have great chain retention and longevity, too. Go for the oval version and they’ll be surprised at how much more efficient they feel climbing, too! Just be sure to get the right version (SRAM or Shimano), and match the tooth count they’re currently running…or ask, they may want to try a different size.
Jaybird Vista 2 Earbuds ($150, available at Amazon) is one of the best action sports earbuds around. They’re true wireless, meaning you can use just one at a time to maintain outside awareness, and they’re waterproof and stay put even on the roughest trails. Plus the sound quality and battery life are great! The newer Vista 2 adds more features, but we’ve found that the original blocks wind noise better at riding speed, and they’re $50 less!
If you’re like us, you like to bring lots of gear with you for the ride to make sure you have the right combo. The Thule Round Trip Bike Duffle ($160, available at REI and Amazon) keeps it all organized and ensures we don’t forget anything! It covers all the bases; a large compartment for clothing, that you can segment to fit smaller bundles and stay organized. The beefy zipper is perfect for overpacking (we all do it) and separate side compartments are ideal for muddy shoes.
Best Gifts Under $250
Winter is cold, but that doesn’t mean you have to be. The Endura Freezing Point Pants ($200, available at Endura) will keep you warm on whatever bike you’re riding. The DWR coating, PrimaLoft Gold insulation, and stretchy material will ensure you can ride for as long as the daylight allows. These pants are perfect for the fat biker on your list and pack a killer double punch as the best sled riding pants in the world!
If you’re looking to add some core and strength training to your winter routine, the Praep Pro Pilot Moto Kit ($220, available at Praep) is how Kate Courtney and top downhill pro racers do it. The ProPilot uses a free app that connects you to race footage to help keep you engaged while developing sport-specific balance and strength. Don’t let the pros’ apparent ease of use fool you, this is difficult, especially on the hardest balance setting.
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.
Best Gifts for Mountain Bikers at $250+
The Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Smartwatch ($350 from The Pro’s Closet) is the ultimate gift for an avid Mountain Biker. With a variety of features like GPS mapping, wrist heart rate, pulse Ox2, grade-adjusted pacing guidance, and music syncing, your favorite mountain biker will be able to log all sorts of ride and workout data to keep them on track toward their cycling and fitness goals. The battery lasts for up to 14 days between charges, so they’ll never have to worry about their watch keeping up with them! *Sponsored Inclusion from The Pro’s Closet
Pair their pants with the Endura MT500 Jacket ($330, available at Backcountry and Amazon). It’s warm, waterproof, and offers tons of natural movement. Pit zips and multiple ventilation points prevent overheating, and the MT500 looks like a casual jacket, so it’s great to wear out on a hike or other winter outdoor activities, too
If you can’t stand the trainer and crave the feel of the trails, there’s only one thing to do — locate the nearest Indoor Bike Park and grab a season pass. Parks like The Wheel Mill, Ray’s Indoor, and more are all gearing up for the winter rush and you should take advantage of the season pass sales. Indoor Bike Parks are the perfect place to dial in your handling, have some fun learning new tricks and connect with the cycling community. Plus — you don’t have to get decked out in winter gear to ride! If one of these MTB funhouses is close by, a pass can easily top the list of best gifts for mountain bikers.
Winter is all about recovery and letting your tired body get some rest. If you can’t get to the local sports masseuse regularly, the next best thing is the Marc Pro ($700, available at Amazon). This electro-stim unit is the most widely trusted and professionally used in the sports world. It doesn’t have fancy programs or claims to strengthen, but it facilitates recovery and helps bring nutrients to tired muscles. The Marc Pro has a single pulse program with intensity knobs so the user can customize the level of stimulation. Highly recommended for those dealing with constant leg cramps and back pain.
