It can be tricky to buy Christmas gifts for cyclists. We cyclists are always buying ourselves useful bits and bobs that help us on and off the bike, so when Christmas time 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 they will actually use. Fear not, our list of Christmas gifts for cyclists will ensure your loved one will be pleased with your choice and the present in question won't end up in the back of the cupboard by New Year's Eve.
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 Christmas 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:
Amazon: Plenty of options for the cyclist from bikes to books and kit
Sigma Sports: Loads of new products from leading cycling brands
Wiggle: Cycling accessories and more from top marques
Rapha: Premium cycling wear, from socks to down jackets
Tredz: Bikes, turbos and everything to go with them
Evans Cycles: Bikes, parts and accessories from leading brands
Rutland Cycling: Loads of top brands online and in stores
Oakley: Great looking and performing eyewear
Garmin: Great training aids for the gadget lover
Leisure Lakes Bikes: Cycling and casual apparel from top brands
USA:
Amazon: Loads of cycling books, gadgets, and affordable kit options
Competitive Cyclist: A huge range of helmets from top brands
Jenson USA: More gift ideas for all cyclists
Backcountry: Everything for cyclists plus a load of other sports
REI Coop: Bikes and gear for a range of outdoor sports
Rapha: Not just clothing: Get a Rapha Cycle Club membership for $95
Velocio: Quality cycling clothing from a niche brand
Mike's Bikes: Top 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.
Gift cards for Christmas
As the clock counts down on Christmas delivery dates, a gift voucher might be the best solution to ensure it arrives in time. And sometimes it's just easier to let the cyclist in your life decide what they want for themselves anyway! 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.
USA:
💳 Amazon: Loads of cycling books, gadgets, and affordable kit options
💳 Competitive Cyclist: A huge range of helmets from top brands
💳 Jenson USA: Check out Gear Stoke to see what others are buying
💳 Backcountry: Everything for cyclists plus a load of other sports
💳 REI Coop: Bikes and gear and lots of other sports too
💳 Rapha: Not just clothing: Get a Rapha Cycle Club membership from $100
💳 Velocio: Quality cycling clothing from a niche brand
💳 Mike's Bikes: Top brands from the Bay Area's largest cycle retailer
UK:
💳 Amazon: Plenty of options for the cyclist from bikes to kit and more
💳 Sigma Sports: Loads of new products from leading cycling brands
💳 Rapha: Premium cycling gear, from socks to bikepacking
💳 Tredz: Bikes, turbos and everything to go with them
💳 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
Stocking fillers for cyclists
Available in a few different guises, the Topeak Ratchet Rocket is a pocket-friendly set that boasts a miniature ratchet and a variety of bike-friendly bit heads and useful additions. This NTX+ model also comes with an adjustable torque adaptor and a chain breaker, but a more budget-friendly version can be bought with included tyre levers.
This is a super-useful stocking filler for anyone who listens to music or podcasts while they ride. At £25/$25 (and often discounted), they offer IPX4 water resistance, which is enough for sweat-fest indoor rides. The eight-hour battery (32 with the case) is enough for pretty much every ride I've ever done, and I struggle to tell the difference in audio quality between these and others 10x the price.
When you sweat, you lose sodium, and without adequate replacement, your blood volume gradually decreases, increasing strain on your cardiovascular system. This 2015 study shows significant benefits of adequate replacement, but despite the evidence, it's often forgotten. This Christmas, treat your loved one to some sodium tabs to help them out or go the whole hog with a full sweat analysis session.
A handheld tyre pressure gauge is a hugely useful gift and will enable a cyclist to experiment with and tune the tyre pressures on any of their bikes. The right tyre pressure setup can provide more speed, comfort and grip and a gauge is more accurate than a standard pump. A really useful present that we guarantee will be appreciated and one that doesn’t have to cost the earth.
Another stocking filler, if your loved one likes riding gravel or mountain bikes, then the Dynaplug tubeless tyre plug is like giving them a get-out-of-jail-free card. In my (sadly very experienced) opinion, the Dynaplug system is hands down the best system on the market, and the Racer Pro is the best of the Dynaplug options. With a double-ended plug, it offers quick-access repair for two punctures, plus two more including a 'mega plug' for those serious issues.
This has very swiftly become my favourite light, and when I lost mine mid-ride thanks to an ill-advised mounting setup (my fault, not the lights) I was distraught. It’s the best light I’ve had the pleasure of testing for a few key reasons: It’s relatively cheap, the mounts are brilliant, it’s bright, the battery lasts longer than anything else, and it has a downward-facing LED that projects a cone of red light all around you for extra visibility.
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.
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.
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 bike 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.
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.
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.
Premium Christmas 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.
I think this might be the best jersey I’ve ever used. It doesn’t come in a wide variety of seasonal colours, only black and yellow, but that’s fine. It’s perfectly tailored for riding, comfortable, and stylish, but what really makes it better than any other long-sleeved jersey is the mesh back. Yep, the whole rear section below your shoulders is mesh, like you’d find on a summer climbing jersey. It sounds mad, but it’s wonderful for temperature regulation when riding hard, and makes it far more useful for layering too.
While the Assos jersey might be the best jersey I’ve used, this is the best waterproof jacket I’ve used, and it isn’t going to be around for long. A 5-star, 96% overall review score is a great summary, but the main thing to bear in mind is that this is the best that waterproofs will ever get. Regulations concerning the chemicals used in their manufacture mean that more modern jackets simply aren’t as good. I know, I’ve tried a lot of them. If you want a big-ticket gift that will be cherished for years, this is my pick.
I was asked about the Spatz Fasta overshoes recently for someone buying a birthday present, they will make a great gift for any cyclist. The Fasta overshoes by Spatz are one of the best options on the market right now. Their construction and fit are excellent and they will protect a cyclist's feet and lower legs in a wide range of conditions and temperatures. These are primarily for road use, look out for the more heavy-duty Pro Stealth option for max protection and if you want to spend a bit more, and the Tufr 2 for off-road riding.
If you want to spend more on a techy present then we recommend the Hammerhead Karoo bike computer. The 3rd Generation Karoo was launched this year, so it's bang up to date. It's one of the best bike computers and very intuitive to use. Its standout features are its excellent colour touchscreen and first-in-class maps for navigation. You can even use a Google Maps pin to make a route instantly, a downright cool and useful safety feature.
Fitting a power meter is a big upgrade for any cyclist looking to take their training to the next level. Favero makes some of the best power meter pedals for road and gravel, offering an impressive level of performance and data accuracy. Power meters are expensive although the Favero options are keenly priced, especially the single-sided options which give enough data for most riders looking to start training with a power meter.
A fantastic 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. We selected it as the best winter cycling jacket for racing or fast riding and it will keep the cyclist in your life very happy.
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.
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 Silca Impero is a classy frame pump that will reinflate a tyre in no time. It comes in four sizes to fit all bikes and is well made so it should last for years.
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 OpenRun Pro 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 2024 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, including those from Mark Cavendish, Kasia Niewiadoma and Romain Bardet.
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 routines, 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. 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 gift hampers for cyclists
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:
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 in the 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.
A custom top cap is the perfect personalised final touch to a loved one's carefully curated custom bike or a way to give a motivational reminder to keep the pedals turning. These are made from titanium and come in four base colour options on which you can scribe wise or witty words.
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.
Buying advice
What should I buy a beginner cyclist?
There's some obvious stuff a beginner cyclist is going to need to cycle comfortably. 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 you're buying for a new cyclist cycling clothing is a great place to start.
Spares are also required and are 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.
What does every cyclist not need?
As a passionate cyclist, I have been at the receiving end of all types of cycling-related presents, from treasured gifts to useless tat. Most long-term riders will probably already have a load of socks with pictures of bikes, mugs with pictures of bikes and t-shirts with... pictures of bikes on them. If you are struggling with ideas, the best way to avoid getting something that's just going to end up at the back of a cupboard is to get them something practical, consumable or from a brand that you know they like.
Worst case scenario, get them a gift voucher for their favourite retailer, it will always be well received.
