1. Where to find gifts
2. Stocking fillers
3. Premium gifts
4. Books and prints
5. Hampers
6. Trinkets
7. Gift cards
8. Buying advice
It can be tricky to buy gifts for cyclists when Christmas rolls around each year. We cyclists are always buying ourselves useful bits and bobs that help us on and off the bike, so when Christmastime nears, it might appear that we already have everything we need. Despite that, there's always something new that we've got our eye on, so to help you work out what that could be, we've pulled together a useful list of options to help you get the cyclists in your life something they will really like and will want to use year-round.
Where to find great gifts for cyclists
Christmas gifts for cyclists
You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.
Stocking fillers
A perfect small gift to improve visibility and safety - The Cateye Orb handlebar lights are two battery-powered lights that replace handlebar end plugs and serve as an extra set of lights. When approached from behind they ensure cyclists look wider on the road which helps improve road safety. They take small CR3032 batteries and have several light modes.
Keep things comfortable on long days out - Chamois creme is always an awkward one to talk about in polite company, but it can be a real lifesaver on longer rides. Chamois Butt'r is a tried and tested option and utilises tea tree extract and aloe vera to minimise chafing and ensure comfort on long days in the saddle. It's the sort of thing a cyclist may not buy for themselves but it could end up being a firm favourite. Everybody likes to be comfortable!
A useful gift for the home mechanic - If the cyclist you buying for does all of their bike maintenance at home, why not treat them to this heavy-duty mechanic’s apron from Park Tool? It has all the pockets they need to keep the most essential tools to hand while carrying out a tricky fix whilst keeping their clothes away from oily chains and sprockets, and is made with a durable cotton canvas that stands the test of time.
I've used this apron as a mechanic myself and valued its lightweight nature that still allows you to move and work freely.
The best, strongest tyre levers around - No cyclist should be without tyre levers, as they’re essential for when the inevitable happens and you have to fix a flat. With more and more gravel bikes coming equipped with tubeless tyres, it’s more important than ever that off-road riders are equipped to handle the sometimes ludicrously tight tyre-rim combinations. From our testing, Muc-Off's Rim Stix are the only ones you need to buy. They're strong, large, easy to use and come with a tubeless valve core remover too.
A Park Tool AWS-10 is a feature of every professional workshop; it's a bit of a staple. Its burly and simple design just makes it a really solid multi-tool to use. Its smooth plastic and rounded corners feel great in hand, and it will take a fair bit of abuse. It's a good one for the garage as well as out riding, though you may want to carry something with more capability with you. I've not far off built a whole bike with one. It's a hex key-only tool and they range from 1.5,2,2.5,3,4,5,6mm.
Storage for tools, spares or valuables to keep them safe - The Muc-Off Essentials Case is reasonably affordable, with a retail price of under $20/£20, it's something that most cyclists will get use out of, and it's an easy gift that isn't size-specific and good whatever their style preferences.
An essentials case is designed to go into a rider's pocket, and it can be filled with anything they want, whether that's their phone and cash, their keys, or their spare tube and multi-tool. Depending on the chosen use case, it will keep the rain/sweat from phones, protect jersey pockets from key damage, and keep all tools together so it's all there when they need it.
A minimalist accessory that adds a touch of class to the cockpit - While a bell may seem like a trivial gift, the Knog Oi is a very classy addition to anyone’s cockpit. It features in our best Bells buyers guide. Its slimline, minimalist design doesn’t take up much space, and adds a touch of sophistication, while the sound it emits is polite and distinctive. It’s easy to install, fits around cables without any issues, and comes in a range of colours and two size options for narrow and wide-diameter handlebars.
Give them the gift of coffee, universally loved by all cyclists - If they are a cyclist they are probably a coffee lover - the two go hand in hand after all. Surely all cyclists these days love a coffee stop to gulp down a flat white or an espresso before carrying on their way. Why not treat them to a coffee care package? This kit comes with ground coffee, a V60 brewer, a coffee scoop, paper filters and instructions.
Compact-yet-powerful lights that punch well above their weight - A good set of lights can make all the difference to a ride, especially when it turns out to be much longer than initially planned. You don't have to worry about them getting caught out riding home in the dark if they have a decent pair of lights to hand. The 200-lumen Ion lights are small and easy to stuff into a pocket for emergencies, and they give off a powerful flash that can be seen from 2km away. The lights are specifically designed to be seen easily during the day, helping cyclists stay safer.
Gravel-specific bar tape with extra comfort built in - A small but effective upgrade cyclists can make to their bike is to replace the bar tape with something designed specifically for going off-road, like this Terra tape from Fizik. Made with Bondcush material, it’s designed to cushion the rattle transmitted through the bike to the hands and wrists, absorbing those vibrations and maintaining comfort for longer.
A full-winter cycling cap that works as a helmet liner for your helmet - made from Merino wool, it shields your head from the cold, is washable and moisture-wicking, and perfectly integrates into your Kask helmet to keep your loved one warm and cosy on their bike this winter.
Belgian beer from the home of Cycling - Belgium is often regarded as the spiritual home of cycling and sometimes beer as well! Lots of cyclists love to enjoy a Belgian beer while watching the Belgian Classics race such as the Tour of Flanders, and this mixed pack of Chimay beer, brewed by Trappist monks in Belgium may hit the spot! I was given a few bottles of this brew by a cyclist friend last Christmas and it was some of the nicest beer I enjoyed all year. Any beer lover will not be disappointed.
Whether it's strapped to your helmet for an extra beam while riding or added to your bikepacking bag to help you set up camp in the dark, this USB-C charging head torch boasts 300 lumens of brightness, IPX6 waterproofness, a run time of 2 hours and an easy-adjust strap.
This might seem an odd inclusion for a cyclist, but there's a motivation for it. I'll caveat its inclusion by saying it's probably not going to appeal to a cyclist that already has a bike computer such as a Garmin or a Wahoo, but for those who want to mount their phone onto their handlebars, the Everyday Case is the first step. Pair it with the Peak Design Out Front Mount and the phone can be mounted 'out front' of the handlebars safely and securely to act as a makeshift bike computer (built into the Apple Fitness app for those with iPhone) or purely a navigation device. Once the ride is done, the case then becomes an 'everyday' case, providing double use!
This low-cost heart rate monitor not only works for measuring beats, but it does a few interesting things besides. For example, for those who ride indoors, it will act as a 'bridge' and allow them to connect their ANT+ devices to their Bluetooth computer. It will also record all the data from rides, including power data from paired devices, meaning if anything happens to the bike computer or laptop, data won't be lost. The perfect gift for those who love to pore over their stats after a ride.
Premium gifts for cyclists
A fanatastic long sleeve jacket - Castelli Perfetto ROS 2 Jacket is one of the best all around winter jackets out there. It can cope with a really wide range of temperatures and whilst it isn't fully waterproof will deal with showers and light rain really well. The second version got a slightly more relaxed cut and an additional rear pocket. I chose it last year in my own gear of the year pick for Cyclingnews, it will keep the cyclist in your life very happy.
Plush winter base layer - If your loved one is cycling this winter, a good quality winter base layer will make the perfect gift and keep them warm on the bike. The Rapha Pro Team Thermal makes our best base layers buyers guide and with it's high neck and Polartec material will keep any cyclist snug and warm out on the bike in the cold. This is a gift the receiver can start using straight away and a real treat.
Great gift for a commuter to keep their bike clean - If your loved one is a cyclist who likes to take care of their pride and joy, or they just generally come home dirty, help them to keep their bike running for longer with this all-in-one cleaning kit from Muc-Off. It contains all the tools needed for the job and if they are new to bike maintenance will help them learn how to clean their bike properly.
Surely caffeine is the ultimate gift for a cyclist? Cycling and coffee go hand in hand, and with the ever-growing popularity of enjoying a brew in the great outdoors, what better present to give than a packable Aeropress kit that fits inside their dangle mug? The Aeropress makes great coffee on the go and it has everything you need to brew up the perfect cup of joe while admiring the view, or getting a boost for the next leg of the ride. I use mine most mornings and it's excellent for travelling with.
A great, affordable aero jersey - New cycling kit always goes down well and the Aeron Lab Raceline jersey from dhb was our favourite budget aero jersey that we've tested so far. It will represent a nice reminder in the depths of winter that warm summer rides are not so far away and will definitely save them a few watts and save you a few pounds (or dollars).
An excellent tool to keep on hand - Nothing's worse than getting caught out with a puncture, especially when your hand pump has had it and you almost lose an arm trying to reinflate your tyre afterwards. Unlike most hand pumps that can tire you out very quickly, the Lezyne HV Micro Floor Drive acts like a miniature track pump and features in our best pump guide. With a fold-out foot that you can use to stand it upright and push down to the pump. It also includes a pressure gauge and makes an excellent addition to their tool stash.
The best cycling sunglasses for the fashion conscious - Any road cyclist will appreciate the gift of some high-quality cycling sunglasses, and the Oakley Sutros are up there amongst the most popular and best, thanks to their large lenses that offer a good field of view, the visual clarity that comes with Oakley's Prizm lenses, and the secure and stable fit.
Premium hex keys in a wooden presentation box - Silca make some of the most desirable tools around and the HX1 tool kit is no exception. The kit comes with eight ball end hex keys, as well as a magnetic adaptor to use the other hex and screwdriver bits with. This would make a fantastic present that will last a lifetime.
Bone-conducting headphones for the great outdoors - If you're buying for someone who likes to listen to music while out on the roads, offer them a safer option with these bone-conducting headphones from Shox. Instead of blocking their ears, like regular headphones, the OpenrRun uses bone-conduction technology to deliver a dynamic and stereo audio experience while leaving the ears open.
Books and prints
Perfect for any fan of the sport - The Road Book series began in 2018 and provides a fantastic and detailed record of every single World Tour race of the year. The 2023 version contains nearly 1000 pages on every big bike race of the year - nearly 200 in all. As well as essays and special features. An edition of the road book will make a fantastic Christmas gift for any cyclist and a lovely record to look back on in years to come. In this year's edition, there are winners' words included from Mark Cavendish, Victor Campenaerts, Lotte Kopecky and Demi Vollering.
The brutal history of the Tour de France - The Tour de France is an annual touchstone for every keen road cyclist, and while it's undoubtedly one of the most gruelling races on the calendar it's not quite as extreme as it once was. With 'A Race for Madmen' Chris Sidwells threads together tales from historic editions to inspire the modern rider.
Sure you're unlikely to have to repair your own frame mid-race at a local blacksmith or carry a broken wheel for thousands of miles so that it leaves a sprocket-shaped scar in your back, but these tales might help when your dad needs to fix a puncture. You could even treat him to a lobster and champagne dinner a la Jacques Anquetil.
Perfect if they want to learn more about how their bike is put together - The cliché of the cyclist loving to spend time in their shed is well-worn but based on some sort of truth. If they like to squirrel themselves down the bottom of the garden to work on their bikes then maybe something to elevate his workshop from a scruffy storage space to a bicycle boutique maintenance centre is in order.
Perfect for the Sunday Club rider - If the cyclist in your life is a dedicated Sunday Club rider, then this made-to-order, personalisable wooden block print is a lovely gift idea. Choose the landmarks to add, personalise them to their life and routine, and give them something they can display with pride.
All the inspiration they needs to get out and adventure - Has your other half ever mentioned 'the good old days? If this is the case then why not treat them to a beautiful photobook chronicling the rides of the world's oldest off-road cycling club, the Rough Stuff Fellowship.
A pocket guide to the greatest climbs the UK has to offer - This little pocket guide to all the hardest hills in the UK might be just the inspiration a cyclist needs at Christmas after gorging on food and drink for a week or more. Avid climber Simon Warren has scoured the British Isles for the toughest, longest and most interesting climbs on offer. Challenge the cyclist in your life to try and tackle them all, though it may take them some time.
A recipe book full of healthy sweet treats from the former pro chef - If there's one thing cyclists love more than riding their bike, it's riding it to the cafe for a well-earned sweet treat. Given we love cake so much, this Cake Cook Book from former Tinkoff-Saxo cheg, Hannah Grant, should be a well-received gift.
They needn't worry about their waistline either; all of these cakes are vegan, gluten free, dairy free, with no added sugars, and they're all made using vegetables.
A beautiful book to inspire their next adventure - If your other half is a fan of travelling with their bike, and particularly if they've been dying to get out on another adventure, then this beautiful book from Lonely Planet could be the thing to inspire their next trip. Now the majority of travel restrictions are lifting for most parts of the world, there's nothing to stop them from delving into its pages and dreaming up the next big journey.
A roadmap for the 40+ year old rider who wants to train hard, ride fast and stay healthy - In his debut book, Phil Cavell - co-founder of Cyclefit and renowned biomechanics pioneer - has put together a manifesto for cyclists over the age of 40. It explores the trend of middle-aged and older cyclists seeking to achieve high-level performance and uses contributions from a variety of experts, including ex-pros, leading coaches, and pro-team doctors, to provide a roadmap for the mature cyclist.
Elinor Barker the multiple world champion said of the book 'I am blown away by the level of detail Phil Cavell brings to his work.'
Christmas cycling gift hampers
This recovery gift hamper can be personalised with a handwritten message and comes with bath salts, an electrolyte drink powder, SIS Isotonic Energy gel, a loofah, a spa treatment body pouch, a selection of vegan-friendly snacks, a coffee bag, and relaxing and energising tea bags.
Add a handwritten personalised message to this letterbox gift set that contains 10 stretch cards, three food or drink items, two sachets of Epsom salts, and a gift card.
Not quite a hamper by traditional sense, but for any cyclist looking to train hard or complete a long ride, they'll need fuel and the multi-pack of gels from SIS will let them try various flavours.
Jewellery and trinkets
Regardless if the cyclist in your life runs SRAM Red or Shimano Tiagra, a set of chain link cufflinks is sure to add a nod to their favourite hobby when dressed up smartly.
Someone worn out their wallet? If so then maybe a sustainable, recycled one made of innertubes might be the one to go for. Plus, when it wears out they should know how to patch it, too!
Treat them to this personalised stainless steel helmet hook and they will always have somewhere to hang their helmet up, and they will hopefully never bother you again when they can't find it before a ride.
This bottle opener should go down a treat with any cyclist (or beer drinker) after a long ride. It has a sturdy wood handle and a stainless steel bottle opener. Just warn your giftee not to follow the slogan as chronological instructions.
This coaster uses a bicycle chain set in resin, it's a great way of recycling an old chain any cyclist will get a kick out of using it. Each coaster is unique and there are rubber feet on the bottom to protect your coffee table.
If a cyclist is training indoors or even racing a towel is never far from them. This personalised, lightweight towel can be customised with their name.
Gift cards for christmas
Buying advice
