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 and asked the BikeRadar team to bring you a bunch of our favourite presents for cyclists; ideas for someone who loves bikes but is impossible to shop for, frivolous gifts 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 cycling gifts under £20

If you’re on a budget or just looking for something small for your cycling friend, there are plenty of excellent cycling gifts under £20, from books and films to small accessories that will make their time on and off the bike more enjoyable.

Castelli Bandito Socks

Who doesn’t like getting socks as a present? These Castelli Bandito Socks are sure to be a popular present. They use a Merino wool blend for luxurious warmth, but are thin enough to avoid any discomfort in slim summer cycling shoes. The high 18cm cuff also helps keep plenty of warmth in.

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.

LifeLine Tubeless Repair Kit

• Buy now from Chain Reaction Cycles (£3.99)

A tubeless tyre repair kit is an essential part of any bikepacker or gravel rider’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).

Name Decals

• Buy now from Name Decals (from £5.99)

Having your name on your bike is a pro touch for the rider who has it all, and it’s made easy with NameDecals.com.

Through the website, you can design personalised stickers with a myriad of flags (and logos), a choice of five fonts and colour options too.

These aren’t your average stickers, either – these are high-grade, laser-cut decals (pretty much the same quality as the logos on your bike).

The stickers measure up at 11mm x 99mm, and with prices starting at £5.99 for a two-pack up to £25.99 for a pack of 40 with free global shipping, these are a great stocking filler.

The Rider by Tim Krabbé

If you’re thinking about treating any cyclist 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

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.

Tour de Force: My history-making Tour de France by Mark Cavendish

Mark Cavendish is one of cycling’s most thoughtful and articulate characters and Tour de Force promises to be a riveting account of his remarkable 2021 Tour de France.

The race saw him come back from being cast aside from the sport just eight months earlier, after suffering years of misfortune, poor form and ill health, and equal Eddy Merckx’s record for the most Tour de France stage wins.

Thinking back to his stage wins at the race still gives us goosebumps, and if your giftee has a passion for racing, we’re sure they’ll love reading about how the race unfolded from the man himself.

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.

Best cycling gifts under £50

If your budget extends up to £50, you can get some seriously nice tools, accessories and small things for in and around the home.

Abbey Tools Whip-It chain whip

• Buy now from Sigma Sports (£50)

Abbey Tools makes a wide selection of elegant and well-designed tools, and its Whip-It chain whip is the perfect example of what makes the tools so sought after. We think it would be a welcome addition to any home mechanic’s toolbox. After all, having the best-quality tools makes any job more enjoyable.

The Whip-It’s body is made from a 12-inch length of stainless steel, to give the user leverage when removing stubborn cassette lockrings, and Abbey specs the tool with plenty of chain for a secure hold on the sprockets.

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.

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 many 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.

Ergon TP1 pedal cleat tool

When replacing your cycling cleats, or setting up a new pair of cycling shoes, having a foolproof method to replicate your setup with precision is vital.

This is especially true if you’re the type of person who can’t shake a nagging feeling something might be a few millimetres off, once it gets in your head.

There are plenty of lo-fi methods you can try, of course, but the Ergon TP1 pedal cleat tool offers a quick and reliable way to get your cleats in exactly the same spot every single time.

We’re sure the cyclist in your life will be grateful for the time this little device will save them, but just make sure you get the right version for the cleats they use.

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.

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.

Rapha Rainproof Essentials Case

• Buy now from Rapha (£25)

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.

Sealskinz Waterproof Cold Weather Mid-Length Sock with Hydrostop

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?

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 for a plastic version, making it considerably lighter at a mere 28g. A classy stocking-filler if ever we saw one.

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.

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.

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 cycling gifts under £100

Spend between £50 and £100 on a cycling gift and you can find clothes and components many cyclists desire. You can also find high-quality gadgets and accessories that your average cyclist wouldn’t buy for themself.

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.

Continental Grand Prix 5000 tyres

• Buy now from ProBikeKit (£35.49) 

The Continental Grand Prix 5000 TL is a great do-it-all road 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)

Evoc Hip Pack Pro 3l

While not cheap, Evoc’s Hip Pack Pro is one of the best hip packs we’ve used, and we’re sure it will make any mountain biker’s day.

Wide wings and a padded back panel make it ridiculously comfortable and stable, even when stuffed to the gunnels and rattling over rocks and roots. Trust us, if you’re using a backpack for only a few bits and pieces, the freedom afforded by a bumbag is revelatory.

There’s plenty of carrying capacity, certainly enough for spring to autumn days, where you want a few snacks, tools and a spare layer. Extra pockets on the wings are great for stashing keys and cash, while there’s a pair of sleeves at either side to carry bottles.

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 means these gloves will keep your hands dry and comfortable during the worst of the weather.

Silca Sicuro titanium bottle cage

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…

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.

Best cycling gifts under £200

Many of the gifts in this category would make a cyclist’s day, with everything from gadgets that will take their training up a notch to seriously nice shoes, jackets and tools.

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.

If you’re interested in other options, check out our list of the best smartwatches we’ve tested.

Five Ten Trailcross Gore-Tex mountain bike shoes

It’s virtually impossible to put a price on warm and dry feet, so we think these fully waterproof mountain bike shoes from legendary manufacturer Five Ten are well worth the money.

Along with the impressive rainy-day and wet-trail performance, thanks to the Gore-Tex membrane, the Five Ten Trailcross Gore-Tex has almost identical flat-pedal grip as the brand’s Impact Pro shoes, which makes them near-perfect.

Whether the person you’re giving these to is a weather-hardened veteran or is just getting into riding, you can guarantee they’ll be grateful for having toasty tootsies.

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 10 built-in sleep/wake sounds.

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.

Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody jacket

• Buy now Women’s Nano Puff Hoody jacket from Alpine Trek (£164.01)
• Buy now Men’s Nano Puff Hoody jacket from Alpine Trek (£194.95)

The Patagonia 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, and it’s available in both men’s and women’s versions.

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.

Silca HX1 Home & Travel Tool Drive Kit in wood box

• Buy now from Bikester (£107.99)

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 cycling gifts over £200

If you have over £200 spend, it’s likely you won’t just make someone’s day, but you could really change how they ride a bike. This price bracket is where you start to see GPS cycling computers and other high-tech gadgets.

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.

GoPro Hero 10 Black

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 10, GoPro’s top-of-the-range device.

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