The best gifts for cyclists in 2021

If your loved-one is into cycling, you’re probably aware that it’s a dangerously acquisitive sport. Shiny new things power the average rider almost as much as the joy of getting out on the bike. 

But whether you’ve already reached the stage of having a ‘pain cave’ in your home or are buying for a budding young road or mountain cyclist, you’re on to a winner with cycling related gifts. 

We’ve trawled the web to bring you a bunch of our favourite presents for cyclists; ideas for someone who loves bikes but is impossible to shop for, frivolous ideas for those who seemingly have everything, novelty cycling presents that are a little bit silly, and even some for more serious moments like fixing punctures at the side of the road. Discover our top picks of cycling gifts for 2021.

Best gifts for road cyclists

Like a strong tailwind, rich coffee and a smooth road without cars, here are cycling gifts guaranteed to make any roadie smile.

Breaking Away film

There aren’t many decent cinematic representations of cycling, but Breaking Away is a true classic, combining some good old-fashioned cycling with a heartwarming coming-of-age storyline.

Breaking Away is a good film in its own right, not just because it happens to include bikes, so it’s one non-cyclists will still enjoy, too.

• Best cycling films about roadies

The Rider by Tim Krabbé

If you’re thinking about treating any cyclists you know to a book, ditch the usual autobiography and buy them this lean, hardboiled classic instead.

Part memoir, part novel, The Rider follows cyclist Tim Krabbé and his travails on an amateur cycle race in southern France in the summer of 1977. Filled with laconic observations, dry humour and existential angst, this has developed a cult following among bibliophiles and cyclists alike since it was translated from Krabbé’s native Dutch in 2002. 

Check out our best cycling books list for more recommendations

The Road Book 2020

• Buy now from The Road Book Store (£50)

First launched three years ago, The Road Book is an annual almanack of events across the cycling world. The 2020 edition is, of course, a record of a truly extraordinary year, and one that’s had a colossal impact on professional cyclists and competitions alike as Covid-19 put normal life on hold across the globe.

This gift is the perfect way to look back on an unprecedented period in the years to come.

• Buy now from The Road Book Store (£50)

Topeak Ratchet Rocket Lite DX

Some multi-tools suffer from quantity over quality, packing too many functions into a small package, but not actually being good at anything.

Topeak’s handy little ratchet sets keep things simple and as a result, they’re very effective. The bits provided cover most eventualities, but your giftee can always swap them for alternatives if they have an unusual fastener on their bike.

The Ratchet Rocket set is highly portable and it includes an extender and two small tyre levers for emergencies. 

Continental Grand Prix 5000 tyres

• Buy now from eBay (£34.00) and Tweeks Cycles (£37.99) 

Okay, so tyres might not sound very exciting, but they’re arguably the single most affordable way to give a bike a real performance upgrade, and any roadie will delight in a new set.

The Continental Grand Prix 5000 TL is a great do-it-all tyre from Continental, the successor to the all-conquering Grand Prix 4000S II.

It’s available in a range of sizes as well as a tubeless (TL) option, so make sure you surreptitiously check the spec before ordering a set on someone else’s behalf.

• £59.99 (each) standard clincher 
• £69.99 tubeless (but sometimes heavily discounted)

Bianchi Merino Wool Cycling Jersey

Bianchi is the oldest bicycle-making company still going. Founded in 1885, it pioneered the use of same-sized wheels with pneumatic rubber tyres.

The likes of Mario Cipollini and Jan Ullrich wore this now retro cycling jersey and either the long- or short-sleeved version would make a great gift for many cyclists. 

Silca Sicuro titanium bottle cages

Bottle cages come in all manner of designs and they don’t have to be expensive. However, a set of posh titanium cages can be the finishing touch to an exotic build, and few are more elegant than the Sicuro from Silca.

Weighing 31g each, there isn’t a roadie on the planet who wouldn’t delight in these. Note that it’s customary to buy cages in pairs…

Best gifts for mountain bikers

Got a mountain biker to buy for? Look no further. 

Fabric 16-in-1 multi-tool set

Perfect for tinkering on-the-go, there should be a tool for every need or occasion.

The stylish, compact design and low weight mean this multi-tool is likely to become a life-long partner in anyone’s riding bag. A perfect, useful gift, then.

• Best multi-tools

100% Brisker gloves

Ideal for people truly addicted to riding their bike, these Brisker gloves are great when the weather’s rubbish, especially if it’s cold.

The insulated hand section keeps mitts warm when they’re clinging on to the bars, and the palm is relatively thin so feedback through the bars isn’t lost. They’re a veritable bargain, too!

• Best mountain bike gloves

Mudhugger FRX front mudguard

Even the most-seasoned mountain biker doesn’t like mud and spray in the face. The FRX mudguard is an elegant solution to that problem, virtually stopping all muck flying off the front wheel.

As a bonus, they’re made from 100 per cent recycled materials and can be fitted to almost any fork and wheel combination.

Muc-Off Pressure Washer

Know someone who spends more time washing their bike than riding it? Yeah, we do too.

The Muc-Off Pressure Washer will make anything they can aim the high-powered jet at sparkle without breaking your bank balance.

Included is a bike-specific wand that reduces the washer’s power, limiting damage to delicate bits on frames.

MBUK magazine subscription

You can currently save 51 per cent on print and 41 per cent on a digital annual MBUK subscription, meaning 13 editions delivered directly to your door or devices for just £37.99.

You’ll find everything from route guides, skills tips, maintenance advice, product reviews and features to stunning photography inside. This is one gift that will keep mountain bike lovers pumped year-round.

• Buy a MBUK subscription right here (£37.99)

Best gifts for gravel bikers

If you know someone with an appetite for adventure, here are some gift ideas to help them on their way.

Sealskinz Waterproof All Weather Ultra Grip Knitted Glove

Keeping your hands warm and dry is of paramount importance on a big day out. These Sealskinz gloves have a three-layer, waterproof construction that keeps your hands warm without adding too much bulk.

The palm and fingers are printed with silicone for added grip and the thumb and forefinger are touchscreen friendly, so you can get your shots for the ‘gram without having to take the gloves off.

Zipp Vuka Alumina Clip aerobars

Aerobars are a bit of a controversial topic among gravel racers, but there’s no doubt they can help an intrepid cyclist travel further and faster for less effort – so what’s not to like?

Zipp’s Vuka Alumina Clip aerobars are available in either above or below the bar mounts and come with a good amount of adjustability to help you achieve an optimised position. They also have large armrests with generous padding for increased comfort in the aero position.

We got on really well with its predecessor, the Zipp Vuka Alumina system, so we’re sure this version will be just as good.

WTB Resolute Tyres

WTB makes some of the best performing and best looking off-road tyres, and its Resolute is a BikeRadar favourite, with one reviewer calling it “an outstanding all-condition gravel tyre”. 

While its chunky 42mm+ width might struggle to fit in some frames (we found they tended to run larger on modern wide rims), if it does, you’ll be laughing.

Shimano RX8 shoes

Combining the lightness of a road shoe with some of the key elements from cross-country shoes, Shimano’s RX8 gravel cycling shoe is a great premium option for the roadie transitioning into riding off-road.

Constructed with lightweight PU uppers, a carbon sole and bonded TPU rubber grip sections, it has a Velcro and Boa closure system that will be immediately familiar to most road riders.

• Shimano’s RX8 gravel shoe now available in a limited-edition ‘prickly pear’ fade

LifeLine Tubeless Repair Kit

• Buy now from Chain Reaction Cycles (£4.99)

A tubeless tyre repair kit is an essential part of any bikepacker’s luggage, and this one by Lifeline contains everything you need to fix a stubborn hole in your tubeless tyre, thick or thin.

It’s super cheap, but potentially worth its weight in gold if you find yourself in a sticky situation (because your tubeless tyre has a puncture that won’t seal and you’re consequently covered in sealant).

Best cycling gadgets and tech gifts

Solo Stove Lite

If you’re buying for a bikepacker or someone who generally loves to sleep out under the stars, and they’re still using gas-powered camping stoves, then make them give gas the boot. 

Rather than carting around metal containers, they can still go on their micro-adventures and use renewable energy with a twig-powered Solo Stove Lite.

It’s small and lightweight so they can fit it in a bag, and they no longer need to carry their fuel because it’s there on the ground.

Fitbit Versa Smartwatch

If you just can’t get enough data, you can gather health and fitness data even when you’re not riding by using a smartwatch.

Fitbit is one the biggest players in the smartwatch market, and its Versa model offers a range of useful features such as heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, GPS, Bluetooth connectivity, compatibility with Strava and other apps, plus a claimed battery life of over four days.

GoPro Hero 9

More and more cyclists are looking for action cameras to record their rides. They could do far worse – but not much better – than the Hero 9, GoPro’s top-of-the-range device.

Not for nothing is GoPro doing for action cameras what Hoovers did for vacuum cleaners: the GoPro name is now pretty much synonymous with these ruggedised recording devices.

The Hero 9 will record your ride in 4K detail, with each bump you hit beautifully corrected by its ultra-smooth image stabilisation technology.

Lumie Bodyclock Glow 150 Alarm Clock

For many amateurs, sleep is one of the great uncharted areas for performance gains, and traditional alarms are a nightmare in this regard – often shocking you awake right in the middle of REM sleep and leaving you feeling tired and groggy.

The Lumie Bodyclock Glow instead wakes you up gradually, in customisable 20, 30 or 45 minute windows, by using LEDs to mimic real sunlight and help you wake up feeling naturally refreshed and awake.

Additionally, it can mimic sunset to help you wind down at night and has ten built in sleep/wake sounds.

Garmin Edge 530

If anyone you know is looking for a GPS bike computer, Garmin’s Edge 530 makes for an excellent option, with a winning range of performance metrics and navigational features.

As you can read in our Garmin Edge 530 review, we were hugely impressed by its versatility, and gave it four stars. All but the most serious of riders will appreciate the ride-recording, turn-by-turn navigation and various stats that this bike computer delivers.

Rapha Rainproof Essentials Case

A zip-lock sandwich bag will do just fine for carrying your phone, cards and cash, but the cyclist who likes a more stylish get-up would surely prefer a more graceful solution.

Rapha’s Rainproof Essentials Case is constructed from a waterproof coated fabric and features a soft divider that will lovingly cosset a precious phone and keep cards separate for easy organisation. There’s also a zipped pocket for small valuables such as coins or keys.

Silca HX1 Home & Travel Tool Drive Kit in wood box

• Buy now from Bikester (£123.99)

The HX1 Home & Travel Tool Drive Kit contains six Torx bits, two Phillips heads, two flat heads and eight hex keys, all beautifully packaged in a box made from CNC-machined sustainable Beech Wood.

It’s a tool set that looks the part. 

Best budget cycling gifts

Need a bike-themed gift for your favourite cyclists but have a limited budget?  This is the list for you…

The Cycling Cartoonist: an Illustrated Guide to Life on Two Wheels

Even if you don’t know Dave Walker’s name, you’ve probably seen his cycling cartoons.

His distinctive work beautifully captures the everyday pleasures of riding bikes, as well as the minor absurdities.

Cycling Souvenirs retro team cup and saucer

• Buy now from Cycling Souvenirs (£16.99) 

It turns out that coffee tastes even better when it’s served in crockery that looks as good as this.

There’s a whole bunch of classic team liveries to choose from as well as various styles of mug for almost any beverage.

TrailMaps.co.uk prints

• Buy now from Trailmaps.co.uk (£15) 

Have you had a transcendent experience on a mountain climb? Or do you just love your local trails?

TrailMaps.co.uk offers these stylish graphical renditions of the places you love to ride, including Tour climbs such as Ventoux, numerous trail centres, and more.

As well as ready-made designs, it offers custom prints based on your own GPS files.

Personalised model cyclists by Fonderie Roger

• Buy now from Cycling Souvenirs (£31)

Yes, you can buy a loved one a miniature version of their cycling self.

These miniature model cyclists started out life as parts to a board game about cycling, but demand for them soon outstripped that of the game itself.

The figurines carry a lead time of around two weeks and can be customised right down to sock colour.

Cycology boxer shorts

• Buy now from Cycology (£15) 

Much like socks, everyone needs underwear, so why not showcase your bestie’s buns in some bicycle-themed boxers?

Cycology offers a huge range of designs along with other kit (men’s and women’s) for both on and off the bike.

Best gifts for commuters

Gift ideas for those who are committed to cycling to work, including plenty of gifts that will keep them pedalling through all seasons.

B’Twin 500 Waterproof Panniers

Ideal for carrying your everyday items, these B’Twin panniers from Decathlon will keep your possessions dry for considerably less than big name options.

They’ve got a loop for attaching a light should you want to increase your visibility, plus their universal fastening mechanism can be replaced individually should it wear out.

Abus Granit X-Plus 540 D-lock

The Granit X-Plus 540 from Abus is a D-lock for someone who really, really loves their bike.

Not only does the X-Plus 540 get a gold rating from security test house Sold Secure, but it also achieved seriously impressive results in BikeRadar‘s own extensive test to find the best bike lock, which saw our expert lock picker unable to compromise its state-of-the-art mechanism.

Even crooks equipped with serious tools will be forced to take their time thanks to its clever design.

It weighs less than 1.5kg, which is perfectly reasonable considering how much protection it offers.

Gore C5 Gore-Tex gloves

A good set of winter gloves can be the difference between enjoying and enduring your commute, so here’s a pair that are really outstanding.

Gore-Tex’s excellent balance of weather protection and breathability mean these will keep your hands dry and comfortable during the worst of the weather.

Topeak Mini 20 Pro Multi-tool

A good-quality multi-tool is infinitely useful for any cyclist and we were impressed by the Topeak Mini 20 Pro.

It has a wide-ranging tool arsenal, including all popular Allen keys, as well as Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, a T25 Torx driver, a metal tyre lever, a chain tool, a variety of spoke wrenches and, of course, a bottle opener.

For more reasons why they’ll love this gift, read our full review of the Topeak Mini 20 Pro Multi-tool.

Muc-Off 8-in-1 bike cleaning kit

This kit from Muc-Off contains what’s needed to get a bike looking seriously good, hence why we think it makes a great gift.

There’s a litre of Muc-Off’s effective yet biodegradable cleaner and a soft sponge as well as several brushes for detailed cleaning. The brand’s post-wash Bike Spray is also in the kit and should help guarantee a lasting finish.

Spurcycle Compact Bell

Since all a bike bell needs to do is ring, you might as well go for one that makes a sound that’s crisp, clear and with a wonderful sustain, right?

This finely-made, stainless-steel bike bell swaps out the brass clapper of its predecessor with a plastic version, making it considerably lighter at a mere 28g. A classy stocking-filler if ever we saw one.

Best gifts for cyclists who have everything

We all know the scenario: you know someone who’s so into cycling that all they’ll want is bike stuff, but what could you possibly get them that they don’t have already?

Alpe d’Huez Cycling Print

• Buy now from Cycling Souvenirs (from £22)

Ideal for the living room wall of a cycling obsessed household or for a little inspiration while climbing Alpe du Zwift on their indoor trainer, this print features the legendary Tour de France climb of Alpe d’Huez and is available in a number of different sizes from 8 x 10in to 24 x 36in.

It’s sure to please even the most discerning of armchair critics.

Chris King components

Chris King says the “the joy of cycling is intrinsically tied to the health of our environment,” and we couldn’t agree more.

His company has spent decades reducing its carbon footprint and exploring more eco-friendly ways to produce the oh-so shiny products it’s famous for.

Some of King’s planet-loving actions include using domestically grown soy, recycling waste-metal shavings and hand-polishing every part before anodising to reduce the toxicity of this process.

• How green is cycling? Riding, walking, ebikes and driving ranked

Segafredo Massimo Coffee Beans 1kg

Cycling might have once had a bad reputation as a bit of a drug-fuelled sport, but there’s nothing wrong with using a bit (or a lot) of caffeine to surreptitiously boost your performance.

These premium coffee beans from Italian coffee producer Segafredo – co-sponsor of the Trek-Segafredo professional cycling team – are said to be full bodied with hints of chocolate, and perfect for espresso, latte and mocha coffees.

• Coffee and cycling: which options are best

Thought Bamboo socks

• Buy now from We Are Thought (£5.95)

It may seem like a cop-out, but socks really are the quintessential gift to give, and unlike most people who might roll their eyes, a cyclist will appreciate this beautiful gift box. 

Not only do these socks have very fetching bikes on them, they’re made from bamboo and are incredibly soft and comfortable.

Arundel Dual

• Buy now from Arundel Bike ($18.95)

One of the most elegant saddle bags on the market, Arundel’s Dual saddle bag is so called because it has room for two 700c inner tubes, plus a few tyre levers and a multi-tool, yet it’s slim enough not to contact the inner thigh or spoil the look of any of its fine steeds. A small patch of leather also protects the seatpost clamp from wearing a hole in the canvas.

It’s available in black with a number of different colour pipings, but unless you’re absolutely certain you’re choosing the right colour we’d recommend all-black just to be safe.

Best gifts for cyclocrossers

Does your beloved enjoy riding a sorta-road-bike through a muddy obstacle course, occasionally hopping off to jump a hurdle and inexplicably run with their bike? If so, it sounds like they’re a cyclocross rider. We’ve rounded up cycling gifts that ‘cross riders will love. 

Discover the best cyclocross bikes rated and reviewed by BikeRadar’s experts.

Silca T-Handle Folio wrenches

Cyclocross is hard on bikes and ongoing maintenance is unavoidable. It’s always less of a chore (and sometimes actually easier) to use good quality tools like this set of Allen keys and Torx wrenches from Silca.

Designed to be draped over a workstand (or the top tube of your bike), the T-Handle Folio set includes 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10mm Allen keys plus T25 and T30 Torx. All feature a sliding T-handle, and they live in a bag made from sturdy waxed canvas.

Thermos Direct Drink Flask

Hot drinks are a godsend when you’re outside all day and this 470ml thermal flask is designed to keep your coffee warm for up to 10 hours and can be used for cold drinks too.

It’s big enough to hold a healthy amount of your preferred liquid while not being so unwieldy that you couldn’t slip it into a rucksack. There are some more eye-catching colour options if you prefer, too.

Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody jacket

• Buy now Women’s Nano Puff Hoody jacket from Alpine Trek (£146.39) 
• Buy now Men’s Nano Puff Hoody jacket from Alpine Trek (£182) 

There’s a lot of standing around outside in ‘cross, whether you’re cheering on fellow racers or eating frites post-effort, so a warm jacket like this one from Patagonia is essential.

The Nano Puff has a polyester ripstop shell that’s 100 per cent recycled, and it’s treated with a DWR coating for water resistance. Primaloft Gold insulation keeps things toasty and there are two hand-warmer pockets on the front.

The internal chest pocket doubles as a stuff sack — did we mention that this thing is portable? Oh, and it’s available in both men’s and women’s versions.

Airshot tubeless inflator

While many ‘cross racers are still running tubulars, plenty favour tubeless tyres for their practicality. When everything goes right with a tubeless setup it’s great, but sometimes getting a tyre to seat can be a pain.

That’s where a tubeless inflator comes in, and the Airshot is about as simple and effective as they come. It’s essentially just a metal canister that you pressurise using a standard track pump, releasing the air in a single blast when you open the valve.

Sealskinz Waterproof Cold Weather Mid-Length Sock with Hydrostop

Overshoes aren’t necessarily the most practical accessory for cyclocross because they tend to cover up the tread on your shoes (which you need for running) and are easy to damage. Many racers just accept cold, wet feet, but a good pair of waterproof cycling socks can avoid that.

Sealskinz is the benchmark in waterproof socks, using a multi-layer construction with a membrane sandwiched inside the fabric.

The cold weather version includes a Merino lining for maximum snugness, while the Hydrostop seal around the inside of the cuff makes it harder for water to work its way in. Lighter versions are available if you don’t need as much protection.

They’re expensive, but can you put a price on comfort?