Top 10 Gift Ideas for a Mountain Biker (Fun and Serious) [Video]

Overview

You might be asking yourself, “What the h*ll do I get them for Christmas (or Hanukkah & Kwanzaa)? All they do is drool over bikes and I know nothing about bikes!” Well for that reason we decided to put together a buyers guide to gift ideas for the holidays. Chances are you have tried to buy them a bike part before and if you haven’t, take our word for it, you will most likely never get it right. The point of this video is not to tell you what to get your significant mountain biker but rather to just help you slim down the options you have and to help eliminate any stress you might have before the big day. The best part is that you can reference this any time of year because most of these items are essential pieces to riding a mountain bike. This is our list of the top 10 gift ideas for a mountain biker.

1. Helmet

Safety is most important and we cannot stress how important it is to make sure that your or your loved one, friend, significant other or whoever you are shopping for is safe on each and every ride. A helmet makes for a great gift because the lifespan of a helmet is very small. Most helmets are really only intended for one impact so that means any impacts that could occur after this initial impact are not safe and could lead to serious injury. Helmets also tend to get thrown around, dented, scratched and smell from excessive sweat. Surprising your person with a new helmet will not only stoke them out but it will keep them safe when the time is right. Eventually, we all fall so it is better to be prepared!

Needed information:

The diameter of the head (hat size often works)

Riding discipline (half shell or full face)

Color preference (you gotta look good out on the trails)

2. Lights

Lights make for a great gift because of the time change. Riding your bike in the dark is extremely dangerous but when you work all day you might not have the time to ride during the day. Gifting a light to your person will allow them to get some time on the trails and keep them happy. No one likes a Grinch that came straight from the office and can’t go out and get a ride in to let some steam out. Lights come in a variety of costs and sizes and at the end of the day, they all do the same job. Keep it lit. jokes aside, some lights are stronger than others but if you don’t have the money to spend on a super effective light source, the less aggressive lights still manage to keep the trail bright enough to have fun. Although some do come with cords and rechargeable batteries, we do recommend going wireless for the ease of use and convenience.

3. Riding Jackets

Warm clothing is key for most riders in the Northern Hemisphere this time of year and although your person might act like a badass, badasses still get cold and a jacket will help them stay comfortable out on the trails. With the ambition of most riders to get out and ride rain or shine, companies have started to offer many weatherproof jackets from windbreakers to water resistant jackets, some company has what you are looking for.

4. Hydration Backpack

If you are not familiar with this invention, you can literally store water in your backpack in a bladder and suck it out at any point of your ride. This is extremely convenient as it allows you to carry more water than a bottle could fit on your bike and it also allows for the user to carry more items out on a ride like tools, tubes, food, toilet paper or any other items they may be carrying. These also come in a variety of shapes, costs, and sizes and there is one for every rider.

Needed Information:

Color preference (gotta look cool)

Size preference (don’t want to go too big!)

*make sure to get the bladder with the backpack as some are not included

5. Riding Shoes

Shoes are one of the most important pieces of gear for a rider and although it would be hard to keep this a secret, any mountain biker loves a new set of shoes. The things get worn down and abused almost daily so the life expectancy is very short. These are one of two contact point for a rider and their bike so making sure you get the right style is important. There are two types of shoes and this is why it is kind of a difficult gift to buy someone. You can see the different styles here:

Important information:

Make sure you know the correct shoe size

Make sure you get the correct style (ask your person or ask their riding buddies)

Make sure you get a color they will like

6. Coffee or Beer

It is known throughout the world that mountain bikers run off of Coffee and Beer, especially craft beer. Remember they liked craft beer before it was cool, just like they had a beard before it was cool. Surprising them with their favorite pick-me-up or frosty beverage to relax too is always a yes in our books. Maybe avoid this gift if your person is under the legal age or struggles with addiction…

Needed Information:

Remember they have a finely developed taste so the right beer is key, observe what they drink!

7. Food (Especially Cookies)

The Holidays are known for sweets and baked goods and every rider needs some fuel for the engine. They are easy if you literally can’t afford any of these other gifts. You can make them yourself which is even more sentimental. Give them a chance to pig out and enjoy themselves before New Years and they start a new diet. These baked goods might even be a good welcome back to reality once they fail their New Year's resolution.

8. Gold Chain

Whether your person is an up and coming SoundCloud rapper or not, every shredder needs a gold chain. For all seriousness, a chain would be a great gift since they are easily worn out and even broken. Carrying a spare chain could save your person ride and not leave them stranded in the middle of nowhere.

9. Bike Decorations

You person might have a dull personality and that might be why they spend so much time on the bike instead of out on the town with their buds. Help them flash up that personality by decking out their bike with sweet decorations like shiny flashy tinsel or some sweet protective coating to keep their bike looking nice. Kinda like the All Mountain Style Frame Guards

10. Cooking Utensils

Because everybody needs a pair of tongs to toss a salad, pick up hot items or even let your children pretend they have a robot arm. Don’t leave your person sitting there without any tongs during the holidays.