The best gifts for cyclists this Christmas: Present ideas they'll actually want

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.

At Cyclingnews we do understand that if you are not a cyclist, from the outside looking in it can seem like there are a thousand unwritten rules around what you can and can't buy a cyclist each year and what they will actually use. Fear not, our list of Christmas gifts will ensure the cyclist in your life will be really pleased with any one of these choices and the present in question won't end up in the back of the cupboard by the New Year. 

You won't find a list of expensive bikes in this list, but instead, a carefully chosen list of useful gifts, accessories and tools that will be useful for any rider and put a smile on their face when they open their gift.

Where to find great gifts for cyclists

If none of our ideas floats your boat, you may want to have a look at what the big online retailers have to offer. Here are links to the sites where we'll regularly find quality cycling products and which often offer a markdown to SRP as a bonus. 

UK:

AmazonPlenty of options for the cyclist from bikes to books and kit

Sigma SportsLoads of new products from leading cycling brands

WiggleCycling accessories and more from top marques

RaphaPremium cycling wear, from socks to down jackets

TredzBikes, turbos and everything to go with them

Evans CyclesBikes, parts and accessories from leading brands

Rutland CyclingLoads of top brands online and in stores

Chain Reaction CyclesEverything they need for indoor training

Oakley: Great looking and performing eyewear

Garmin: Great training aids for the gadget lover

Hargroves Cycles: All things bike online and in stores

Leisure Lakes Bikes: Cycling and casual apparel from top brands

USA:

AmazonLoads of cycling books, gadgets, and affordable kit options

Competitive CyclistA huge range of helmets from top brands 

Jenson USACheck out Gear Stoke to see what others are buying

BackcountryEverything for cyclists plus a load of other sports

REI CoopBikes and gear for a range of outdoor sports

RaphaNot just clothing: Get a Rapha Cycle Club membership for $95 

Chain Reaction CyclesHuge range of clothing from top brands

VelocioQuality cycling clothing from a niche brand

Mike's BikesTop brands from the Bay Area's largest cycle retailer

Garmin: Bike computers, wearables and other tech for the cyclist

Oakley: Eyewear, apparel and more

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

Premium gifts for cyclists

This section contains presents that are bigger in stocking fillers if you want to spend that little bit more on someone. They are all chosen by the expert Cyclingnews Tech Team and will all make a brilliant present for someone. 

There are a range of values here, from under £50/$50 to a few hundred depending on your budget. 

Books and prints

Christmas cycling gift hampers

There are lots of cycling-themed hampers and pamper kits out there that make a great present for cyclists. There's a lot to choose from so it should be easy to find a present for someone. Most will also fit through a letterbox so delivery is easy or you can just send it straight to someone if you won't be seeing them in person. Here are some of our favourites: 

Jewellery and trinkets

Gift cards for christmas

Sometimes it's just easier to let the cyclist in your life decide what they want for themselves. Keep it focused with a gift card from one of these online cycle retailers if they are super picky or you really don't know what to get.

UK: 

💳 AmazonPlenty of options for the cyclist from bikes to kit and more
💳 Sigma SportsLoads of new products from leading cycling brands
💳 WiggleCycling accessories and more from top marques
💳 RaphaPremium cycling gear, from socks to bikepacking 
💳 TredzBikes, turbos and everything to go with them
💳 Chain Reaction CyclesEverything they need for indoor training
💳 Cyclestore: Wide range of Specialized clothing and equipment
💳 Oakley: Great looking and performing eyewear, plus more
💳 Leisure Lakes Bikes: Cycling and casual apparel from top brands

USA:
💳 Amazon: Loads of cycling books, gadgets, and affordable kit options
💳 Competitive CyclistA huge range of helmets from top brands 
💳 Jenson USACheck out Gear Stoke to see what others are buying
💳 BackcountryEverything for cyclists plus a load of other sports
💳 REI CoopBikes and gear and lots of other sports too
💳 RaphaNot just clothing: Get a Rapha Cycle Club membership from $100 
💳 VelocioQuality cycling clothing from a niche brand
💳 Mike's BikesTop brands from the Bay Area's largest cycle retailer

Buying advice

What should I buy a beginner cyclist?

There's some obvious stuff a beginner cyclists is going to need to cycle comfortable. Obviously a bike is one and then there is a helmet which we recommend wearing. 

You can cycle in any clothing, but if you start riding more some dedicated cycling kit is going to help improve comfort and speed on the bike, so if your buying for a new cyclist cycling clothing is a great place to start. 

Spares are also required and are really handy so something like a pump, spare tube, tyre levers and patches are great buys for a new cyclist. 

What does every cyclist need?

There are certain staple items that every cyclist uses. These are things like water bottles, tools, tyre levers, bike cleaning and nutrition products. Things such as these aren't bike specific meaning you won't buy something that the receiver doesn't wear or doesn't fit their bike etc. 

Josh Croxton
Tech Editor

As the Tech Editor here at Cyclingnews, Josh leads on content relating to all-things tech, including bikes, kit and components in order to cover product launches and curate our world-class buying guides, reviews and deals. Alongside this, his love for WorldTour racing and eagle eyes mean he's often breaking tech stories from the pro peloton too. 


On the bike, 32-year-old Josh has been riding and racing since his early teens. He started out racing cross country when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s and has never looked back. He's always training for the next big event and is keen to get his hands on the newest tech to help. He enjoys a good long ride on road or gravel, but he's most alive when he's elbow-to-elbow in a local criterium. 

With contributions from