22 of the Best Gifts for Mountain Bikers (2024 Gift Guide)
Do you know someone who spends most of their time shredding the gnar on a mountain bike? Are you lost when it comes time to get them a gift because you don’t really even know what “shred the gnar” means, much less what a mountain biker would want? We’re here to help with this ultimate guide to the best gifts for mountain bikers!
Michael, my husband, is an avid mountain biker, and in this gift guide, he shares all his favorite gift ideas for mountain bikers. (I’ve also gotten in to mountain biking since I’ve moved to Colorado, and it’s so much fun!) From a do-it-all bike tool to a cool sport watch to the perfect little pack, we’ve tried and tested all of these possible presents for mountain bikers.
THE BEST GIFTS FOR MOUNTAIN BIKERS
We have split this gift guide for mountain bikers into a few sections to help you find the perfect gift:
Gifts for Mountain Bikers Under $25 (if you’re on a budget)
Gifts for Mountain Bike Maintenance
Gifts for Mountain Biker Safety
Essential Gifts for Mountain Bikers
Splurge-Worthy Gifts for Mountain Bikers
If you’re looking for specific kinds of gift ideas for mountain bikers, go ahead and skip ahead to that section!
Please note: The below post contains affiliate links.
GIFTS FOR MOUNTAIN BIKERS UNDER $25
1. RACE FACE HANDLEBAR GRIPS
When you’re off the saddle ripping some berms, shoes and handlebar grips are your only two contact points to the bike. Grips are pretty straightforward but what you mostly want is that they are lock-on and have a good texture, with a medium to soft feel so they absorb the bumps. As a bonus, handlebar grips are a way to add a bit of customization to your bike.
2. MOUNTAIN BIKE MAGAZINE
A good magazine will stoke the daydreams of any mountain bike enthusiast, and a publication full of top-notch photography and trail guides is the perfect gift for mountain bikers. A magazine subscription will give your favorite mountain biker the ability to keep on top of their favorite hobby and make a plan for their next riding destination – maybe Bend, OR or Mammoth Lakes, CA?
3. EXTRA BIKE TUBES
A mountain biker never wants to be without a tube on the trail, so some extra bike tubes make a practical gift that they will truly appreciate. You’ll have to determine what size tube (27.5 or 29), then get as many as you can since you really can never have enough. Eventually every mountain biker will get a flat, and this gift will keep them from getting stranded on the trail when that inevitably happens.
4. TIRE PLUG & TUBE PATCH KIT
Another thing mountain bikers always want to have handy is a patch kit. There are two types of patch kits, one for tires and one for tubes. If a tubeless tire gets punctured, the rider will need a tire patch kit to seal it back up. Tube kits are also super useful for a quick fix, even if you ride tubeless tires.
5. EXTRA GREASE & CHAIN LUBE
Bike chain lube is a must for riders, as the chain needs to be lubed roughly every 3 rides or after cleaning the bike. Chain lube helps keep things running smoothly and prevents weird dry metal on metal noises that will drive anyone nuts.
The grease works in a similar way but is used for nuts, bolts, thru axles, pivots and other parts on the bike. Keeping everything lubricated not only decreases noise, but also increases the lifespan of the bike.
GIFTS FOR MOUNTAIN BIKE MAINTENANCE
6. CRANKBROTHERS BIKE TOOL
Any mountain biker would appreciate the gift of this small, lightweight tool that can come to the rescue if their bike falls apart on the trail. Believe it or not this tool actually has everything you need to work on your bike! In fact, if you are going out on the trails without one, you are really just waiting for disaster to strike at any moment.
7. TIRE PUMP
A tire pump is crucial to keeping your mountain bike tires ready to roll! A standard pump is great for filling up a tire that has deflated over time or after you just put a new tube in.
To set the bead in tubeless tires, you’ll want to invest in the over drive pump. Since you simply can’t pump fast enough to set the bead, this pump allows you to pre-load/pump the chamber which essentially turns it into a mini air compressor. When you put the hose onto the valve you get that entire chamber of air all at once with the click of a button. I have one of these on my personal wish list!
8. PARK TOOL MECHANIC BIKE REPAIR STAND
A bike repair stand is one of those things that you don’t realize the true usefulness of until you get one, which is why it’s the perfect gift for a mountain biker who might not buy it for themself.
Bike stands can be pricey, so it took me a while to get one, but I was incredibly stoked when I did. This Park Tool bike stand will make working on and washing a bike a breeze, and it is easy to store in the corner of your garage or living room.
9. PARK TOOL CHAIN GANG CLEANING SYSTEM
This is a luxury item that any mountain bike enthusiast will absolutely love because it gets your bike chain cleaner than you will ever get it by hand, plus it increases the longevity of the chain.
You could also bundle this with bike lube (one of our Under $25 gift recommendations) which is good to use after cleaning to increase functionality and longevity.
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GIFTS FOR MOUNTAIN BIKER SAFETY
10. NITERIDER LUMINA BIKE LIGHT
When mountain biking, you can’t simply use a regular head lamp or clip on flashlight because they are not strong enough. Bike lights like the NightRider Lumina are specifically made to be extra bright for when you are night riding while going fast and you need to see far ahead of you to make split second decisions. While this light is expensive, it’s the perfect gift for mountain bikers who like to ride at night to keep them safe.
11. KNOG OI LUXE BIKE BELL
A bike bell is super important to warn hikers and other bikers that you’re approaching. The Knog Oi Luxe Bike Bell is sleek and stylish and sits very low-profile on your handlebars. It comes in two colors (silver and black) and two sizes, so you can find the perfect fit for your bike.
12. SUNGLASSES
Mountain bikers always want to have something to protect their eyes from dirt, debris, or wayward branches. The most important thing when choosing sunglasses is that they stay on, but it’s also really nice to have a pair that lets you see clearly both in the bright sun and under a canopy of trees. I really like and recommend the Tifosi Aethon because they are well constructed sunglasses with clear lenses that are also very durable and scratch resistant.
13. CAMELBAK HYDRATION HIP-BELT PACK
I used a backpack for my first 6 years of mountain biking, but eventually I realized that I didn’t need quite as much space as I thought. While that backpack will come in handy again when I do loooong rides or ride in cold temps where I need a place for a jacket, for 80% of rides, this lumbar pack is works better.
The Camelbak hip-belt pack has an incredibly low profile, is comfortable, and is able to carry what I need – including 1.5 liters of water. Plus, the lower center of gravity makes for better maneuverability on those fast downhills.
ESSENTIAL GIFTS FOR MOUNTAIN BIKERS
14. BIKE TIRES
If you want to impress an avid mountain biker with a great gift, consider getting them bike tires. Don’t worry that this is a boring gift – in fact, nothing will transform one’s riding experience more than new tires. Tires are the only contact to the ground that a rider has, yet mountain bikers often put off investing in new tires for themselves.
Basically, tires are responsible for half the performance of riding a mountain bike, and even if the person you are gifting them for doesn’t quite “need” them yet, they will be stoked to have them when their old ones wear out.
Just make sure to buy the right size. The most common tire sizes are 27.5” and 29”, and the ones recommended below are 29” tires.
15. BIKE SHOES
There are two different types of mountain biking shoes – platform and clipless. Platform shoes are used with regular flat pedals, and clipless shoes (confusingly enough) clip on to the pedals. You’ll want to probe that lucky person that’s going to be getting some new kicks to see what kind of shoes they need.
I have owned both these shoes and loved my experience with them. They are both very durable and protect the toes extremely well, especially for how lightweight they are.
16. CHAMOIS BIKE SHORTS
Just about every mountain biker has a lingering memory of a sore ass after their first long bike ride. Chamois shorts provide added cushioning and compression for a more comfortable ride. Most mountain bikers only have one pair of these, so if they ride multiple times a week, it would be awesome to get an extra pair as a gift.
17. DAKINE COVERT BIKE GLOVES
Get a better grip on the handlebars with the Dakine Covert Bike Gloves! These lightweight, minimalist gloves are stretchy and breathable with suede palms and silicone pads on the index finger and thumb for better control when braking and shifting gears. The gloves are well-constructed and very durable, so they’ll make a good lasting gift for mountain bikers.
18. PEAK DESIGN UNIVERSAL BAR MOUNT
A phone bar mount would make a truly awesome gift for mountain bikers who don’t already have one! The Peak Design Universal Bar Mount is designed to fit on the handlebars of any bike so that the rider can easily access their phone to look at maps or keep in touch.
I love Peak Design for camera gear because it’s designed so well, and this is no exception. It’s super easy to take a phone on and off of this bike mount (although you do need a special phone case that is compatible with this mount).
SPLURGE-WORTHY GIFTS FOR MOUNTAIN BIKERS
19. GARMIN VENU WATCH
When it comes to keeping track of outdoor activities, I look for a watch that can track a variety of activities and has great battery life. so I can keep track of progress. I also like a watch that looks nice yet can withstand some abuse in the outdoors, which is why I always choose Garmin. Garmin has an extensive line of watches, but the Venu is my favorite.
I’ve put the Venu through the wringer, and it has everything I want in a watch (GPS, multiple activities including running, mountain biking, hiking, etc.) at a fraction of the cost of the top of the line Garmin Fenix watches. If your favorite mountain biker likes to take extensive trips into the backcountry, I would probably suggest the more expensive Fenix, but for everyone else, the Venu would make an excellent gift.
20. GARMIN EDGE 130 PLUS BIKE COMPUTER
If you’re buying a gift for a someone who is totally focused on biking (or who already has a smartwatch), the Garmin Edge 130 Plus Bike Computer is the perfect splurge for the mountain biker who can’t get enough stats.. The Garmin Edge 130 Plus combines a GPS with tracking the ascents, jumps, and more along each ride. It easily mounts on the handlebars and is easy to read in any lighting conditions.
21. WAHOO FITNESS BIKE TRAINER
Sometimes the weather just does not cooperate and sometimes your personal life gets in the way of training for that next big race you signed up for. That’s where the Wahoo Fitness Bike Trainer comes in, allowing you to turn any room in your house into a state-of-the-art training center (or at least close to one!). This cool gift will help any mountain biker increase their pedaling time significantly, even when they don’t have much spare time.
22. RINSEKIT PLUS PORTABLE SHOWER
Mountain biking gets super dirty, and this portable sprayer is the perfect way to clean a dusty or muddy bike. Simply fill it up, and the pressurized nozzle works like a portable hose to rinse off a bike.
The RinseKit Plus holds 1.8 gallons of water and can spray continuously for about 3.5 minutes. RinseKit also makes bigger options if you want to splurge a little more on a gift for mountain bikers with multiple bikes.
Hopefully, this gift guide has helped you find some great presents for mountain bikers! If you still need more mountain bike gift ideas, reach out in the comments below! And be sure to check out some of our other gear resources, too!
Other Gear and Outdoor Gift Guide Resources:
Cheers,
Allison - She Dreams of Alpine
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