11 Best Christmas Presents For Cyclists

Name a more iconic Christmas gift than a bike, I’ll wait… But not that long, because we’ve got ten other gift ideas for bike riders that don’t have two wheels but will still be sure to delight on Christmas Day.

 

Whether the recipient of your future gift is a cyclist, bikepacker, downhill mountain biker, or anything in between, we’ve got gifts for all kinds of riders and surfaces. 

If it’s road riding attire they’re after, check out these six sustainable cycling brands. If they need a sleeping mat for bikepacking, we’ve got that covered too. This list of Christmas presents for cyclists is about making the gifting season a lil bit easier. Got a suggestion we’ve missed? Throw it down in the comments!

Bike riding is for all! This Santa inspired shot comes from Jessie McCrae‘s family fun ride on New Zealand’s Otago Central Rail Trail

Best Christmas Presents For Cyclists

1. Camelbak M.U.L.E Frame Pack With Hydration

RRP: $259.99

Pedalling is thirsty work, so the perpetual thirst-quenchers at Camelbak have figured out a way to help you take more water on your bike rides, more easily.

As well as providing 1 or 1.5L space for general storage, the Camelback M.U.L.E Frame Pack has a 2L hydration reservoir and handy hose so you can ride and hydrate without skipping a beat.

The reflective detailing adds another layer of safety, especially for night riders. Plus is has adjustable attachment points so it will fit snug and look flash regardless of the frame it’s getting put on.

Note! This one comes in two sizes so make sure you know what size bike you’re buying for.

 
Shop Camelbak Mule

2. Restrap Bikepacking Bar Bag

RRP: $254.95

Whether your mate’s bikepacking, touring or commuting, the 14L capacity Restrap Bikepacking Handlebar Bag attaches to your bike’s handlebars within seconds and doesn’t require any mounts or screws. Perfect for the travelling cyclist or that mate with a different bike for every day of the week.

The handlebar bag has a magnetic attachment so you can add on the included smaller easy-access 1.5L snack bag too. It’s strong enough to withstand the sudden stops and bumpy terrain of mountain biking with ease.

It’s a perfect gift for the mate headed out on bikepacking trips.

Shop Bikepacking Bar Bag

3. Restrap Bikepacking Frame Bag

RRP: $209.95

Why stop at a handlebar bag? The Restrap Bikepacking Frame Bag makes use of all available space on a bike, without impacting the rideability.

This 4.5L frame bag comes in three different sizes to suit any frame and has a tough textured nylon outer. Rubberised strapping provides extra grip to the bike frame and inner mesh pockets ensure all the essentials stay organised.

An extra cable slot is provided for dynamo cabling too – nice touch.

This frame bag comes in three different sizes to suit any frame and has a tough textured nylon outer. Rubberised strapping provides extra grip to the frame and inner mesh pockets keep gear organised.

Shop Bikepacking Frame Bag
 

4. Trail Brew Endurance Energy Sports Drink

RRP: $43.00

Remember how we said pedalling was thirsty work? Well Trail Brew have a remedy and it tastes like raspberry.

The Trail Brew Endurance Energy Sports Drink is a nice little stocking stuffer that has all the ingredients to keep your biker friend in the seat longer. And with 1kg in the bag it’ll keep em energised for ages. Win.

If the cyclist in your life is training hard, also consider grabbing them a few Ultimate Recovery Smoothies from the team at Radix Nutrition to enjoy after their ride is over. So many gifts for cyclists are tailored at time on the bike, but this one can help them level up in their downtime. It’s also the perfect gift idea for the biker who has all their cycling equipment sorted.
 

Shop Trail Brew Sports Drink

5. GoPro Hero12 Black 

RRP: $579

This is about as serious as Christmas presents get and despite the size, it’s obviously no small gift to give someone. 

If you’re up with the latest in tech you’ll be aware that the GoPro Hero13 is already out. Don’t worry, we know. That’s actually the reason we’re recommending the Hero12. It’s just as good for riding as the 13, but it’s a lot more affordable now that it’s been ‘superseded’.

We’re all about getting quality gifts, but we’re also pretty keen for a bargain. The Hero12 gives you the best of both worlds.

The Hero12 is an improvement on all models before it. It’s waterproof. It shoots in both 4K and 5.3K, has video stabilisation and a 177° field-of-view. It also has Bluetooth audio support for Apple AirPods and other headphones to record sound and give remote voice commands.

That means no more shaky footage as you hurtle around berms on a downhill lap, or across gravel on a long bikepacking trip. The mounting possibilities across helmets, handlebars, and chest straps are also endless.

Shop GoPro Hero12 

6. Goodr Wrap G’s

RRP: $51.73

A pair of riding glasses that don’t skimp on style, the Goodr Wrap G’s are a versatile pair of polarised sunglasses that are perfect for protecting your eyes from the onslaught of bugs, wind, and rays while on the bike.

The no-slip fit on the nose bridge and temples ensure they stay in place, no matter how rough the riding gets. The anti-fog coating will prevent cloudy vision, no matter how sweaty you get.

Anti-bounce features make these just as suitable for mountain biking as for casual bike rides to the market on Sunday mornings.

Plus, they look snazzy as and come in a bunch of colours. These are awesome Christmas presents for cyclists provided your buddy doesn’t have prescription lenses. 

Shop Goodr Wrap G’s Sunglasses

7. Sea to Summit Stretch-Loc Straps

RRP: $44.99

Also commonly known as ‘ski straps’ or ‘voile straps’ after the brand who popularised them, these TPU Sea to Summit Stretch-Loc Straps can be a lifesaver on the trail.

While not as essential as items like a bike bell, or in the realm of high tech gadgets like the GoPro, these seemingly innocuous little straps are more than deserving of being included in this ultimate gift guide for cyclists.

Perfect for mounting something to a bike in a pinch, to help secure your bike to a rack or just kept wrapped around the frame for an emergency repair down the track, these straps come in a range of sizes and are a serious crowd pleaser.

Shop Stretch-Loc Straps

8. Specialized Ambush Helmet

RRP: $260.00

Want to ensure your mate always wears a helmet when they’re riding? Buy them one.

And there’s nothing not to like about this trail helmet by Specialized.

Our editor Tim reviewed the Specialized Ambush with ANGi Mountain Bike Helmet last year and called it ‘Exceedingly comfortable’.

Available in a range of colours and with ANGi compatability — an app that calls for help in case of a crash – Tim unpacks it all in his review. It’s mind-blowing stuff.

Plus, it’s been out for a year so it’s almost always on sale. Head bangin’ bargain right here.

Shop Specialised Ambush Helmet

9. Smartwool Cycle Zero Cushion Print Crew Mens Cycling Socks

RRP: $37.95

You know what every cyclist hates buying for themselves? Cycling socks. Not only are these great underfoot for your cycling enthusiast, but they’re really good for the noses of other cyclists and cafe-goers when the bunch stops for their post-ride coffees.

Seriously. Nothing clears out a cafe faster than the 7am crew rocking some whiffy socks.

Thankfully you can put a stop to this madness with these Smartwool Cycle Zero Cushion Print Socks. Just as good for mountain bikers as road riders, these cycling socks have a virtually seamless toe, breathable mesh zones, a Shred Shield, and Indestructawool technologies for durability.

Plus, the ZQ-certified Merino wool naturally regulates foot temperature and prevents your cycling friend from grossing out anyone who happens to be around when their shoes come off.

These are easily one of the best gifts for cyclists on this list. They’re affordable. They’re a practical gift. They’re just as handy (ha!) in cooler weather as warm weather. Plus, thanks to the washing machine vortex of lost items, you can never have enough socks.

Shop Smartwool Socks

10. Nemo Dragonfly Bikepack 2P Osmo Tent

RRP: $1099.90

We sent the Andy Shea, the owner of a South Australian bikepacking store on an overnight adventure to test and review the 2P Nemo Dragonfly Bikepacking Tent, and it exceeded his expectations. And if it impresses the owner of a shop who sees heaps of bikepacking tents come and go, well, that’s a testimonial worth paying attention to.

It’s a great tent choice for ultralight riders, weighing in at only 1.2kg, which is lighter than competing popular bikepacking tents like the Mont Moondance (1.8kg), and the Big Agnes Copper Spur (1.6kg).

Colour-coded X-shaped aluminium poles and webbing at each corner make for a breezy set up. It also includes a bunch of nifty features like a nightlight pocket, landing zone storage tub, internal storage pockets…and frankly a whole heap more. It’s a wicked tent and as far as Christmas presents for cyclists go, it’s well worth the investment. 

Shop Nemo Bikepacking Tent

Shot by James Tugwell

11. Specialized MTB Trail Jersey

We fitted Kate Donald out with a range of Specialized’s mountain biking apparel and let her loose on the trails around Jindabyne. We wanted to see how they performed and particularly whether the women’s apparel was up to scratch.

Suffice to say the gear passed with flying colours and Kate was very pleased to hear she didn’t have to give any of it back. 

For mountain bikers, it’s hard to beat a well-fitting, durable jersey and Specialized make some of the best we’ve come across. 

Shop Men’s Trail Jerseys

Shop Women’s Trail Jerseys

@expedimage

FAQs Christmas Presents For Cyclists

What’s a good gift for my mate who likes mountain biking?

Anyone who spends time riding outdoors will appreciate gifts that help them feel good and stay on the bike for longer. The Camelback M.U.L.E Frame Pack comes with a hydration bladder to ensure they can stay hydrated on the go. This is typically an item used by bikepackers or people doing multi-day rides so it’s unlikely your MTB mate will have one already.

Do you need a bike frame bag if you only do single day bike rides?

The best gifts for cyclists are the ones that they’ll actually use. If your mate doesn’t already have a bag on their frame and is rocking a backpack, then a bag to affix to their frame is going to rock their world. Start small with one that’ll fit a couple snacks and their multi tool. The Ortlieb Frame-Pack TopTube Bag is ideal.

What’s a good bikepacking tent?

One of our Explorers, and a seasoned bikepacker, Andy Shea, reviewed the 2P Nemo Dragonfly Bikepacking Tent earlier this year and said it ‘exceeded expectations’. He’s used a lot of tents in his time so if you’re on the fence, rest assured the Dragonfly is a safe bet. Plus, Ultralight Hiker have sales pretty often so you might score a bargain!

What are some gift ideas under $50 for cyclists?

It’s all well and good to read a list of the best gifts for cyclists but if they’re out of your budget, well, they’re not exactly the best are they? We hear you. If you’re on a budget, consider grabbing your buddy a cycling cap, bike bell, energy gels, recovery shakes, compact multi tool, new straps for their handlebars, or socks to keep their feet warm and comfy year round. There are plenty of options!

If nothing sounds quite right, check out our list of outdoorsy gift ideas under $50 too!

Missed our earlier gift guides?

• Best Christmas Gifts For Hikers
• Christmas Gift Ideas For Campers
• Best Christmas Gifts For Kayakers & Paddlers
• The Best Outdoor Gift Ideas Under $100
• Best Gifts for Outdoor Women: Christmas Gift Ideas
• Best Outdoor Gifts for Men: Christmas Gift Ideas for Nature Loving Blokes

Cover image courtesy of @henry_brydon

Table of contents image by Ryan Baldwin