The Best Gifts for Cyclists

Get used to riding buddies asking to borrow your crankbrothers F19 Multi-Tool, because this sleek little gadget has just about everything you need to earn a reputation as the mid-ride fix-it hero. The pocket-size companion comes with hex wrenches ranging from size 2 to 8, four screwdrivers, a Torx T10 and T25, four sizes of spoke wrenches and a chain tool—all wrapped up in in a slim magnetic sleeve that doubles as a handle extension. You may even find yourself reaching for the F19 for quick fixes at home, too. "Good compromise between space, and having the right tool. Great for on the road but utilize full size tools when at home," wrote one customer reviewer. Buy here.

What to give the bike aficionado who has it all? Easy: A Sicuro Titanium bottle cage made with handmade, aerospace-grade, seamless titanium tubing from Italian-born, American-based bike brand Silca. The elongated slotted mounting eyelets give the user 21 mm of fore/aft play to ensure perfect positioning for on-the-go sipping, but it's the cage's featherweight (a mere 30 g) that make this techy bottler holder a standout.

If you prefer the all-in-one convenience of having both maps and apps at your fingertips, the Squeeze Rotating Smartphone Bar Mount from Nite Ize is a secure way to mount your phone out front for on-the-go communication. A sturdy rubber strap attaches to your bike handlebars (or to jogging strollers, wheelchairs or even grocery carts) quickly and easily, while continuous-force springs actuated by "squeeze arms" securely hold your phone in either landscape or portrait mode. "It's easy to pop your phone into the mount," says Lau, the REI retail specialist. "It works really well and is great for commuters." We like this mount because it holds gadgets from 2.3 to 3.6 inches wide (which includes most phones), though some users reported experiencing trouble fitting phones with thicker cases. The tool-free mount system is sturdy enough to handle even bumpy off-road rides and the exploits of curb-hoppers. Buy here.

Folks on Santa’s Naughty List get coal. Those who’ve been really good: They get dirt, specifically the DRT e1.1 Electric Mountain Bike from REI’s own Co-op Cycles. Pairing a Bosch Performance Line mid-drive motor (with assist, it reaches up to 20 mph) with a versatile microSHIFT ADVENT 9-speed drivetrain and 100 millimeters of travel thanks to the SR Suntour XCM32 fork, this Class 1 e-bike offers bonus oomph for ambitious, fun days on the trail. The removable PowerTube 500 battery fully charges in about 4.5 hours using the included charger and has a capacity of 500 watt hours. If your giftee is better at riding than repairing, reassure them their new DRT e1.1 comes tubeless ready with a year of free adjustments and 20% off shop services under the Co-op’s Coast to Coast Support program.

Give the Smith Engage 2 Mips bike helmet, which features two complementary protection technologies, to any mountain biker. Updated for 2023, the Engage 2 combines the Zonal Koroyd® impact protection system (designed to absorb more kinetic energy on impact than traditional protection materials) with extended back coverage and the Mips® Brain Protection System, which reduces rotational forces caused by angled impacts to the head. In other words, safety comes first in this helmet. Then again, with its minimal 12-ounce weight, AirEvac™ ventilation system and dial-adjustable fit, comfort is far from an afterthought. Roadies (and those who love them), check out the Persist 2 Mips Bike Helmet.

The whimsical characters adorning the Nutz KinetiCore bike helmet from Lazer are sure to make any budding cyclist (and their big people) grin. But these brain buckets offer much more than kid-approved aesthetics. The Nutz KinetiCore includes both deep temple coverage for added protection and KinetiCore Controlled Crumple Zones that are designed to buckle in the event of direct or rotational impact during a crash. The helmet's fit system adjusts automatically for a tear-free yet secure fit. Nine vents let a kiddo feel the wind, but a built-in insect net over the front vents keeps the bugs out. Tiny riders will dig the Lazer Pnut KinetiCore Bike Helmet - Toddlers'.

Giving your cycling pal a bike this holiday season might be out of your price range. But if you think about it, gift-wrapping the Hiplok SWITCH Folding Lock is arguably (almost) the same thing. The sleek Folding Lock, which earned a bronze-level theft resistance rating from independent certification house Sold Secure, comes in an easy-carry package made with hardened steel bars linked with steel rivets. The entire 2.5-pound device folds down to a 6-by-1.6-by-1-inch package (roughly the size of a burrito) that can be carried on your cycling buddy's body or their bike frame using Hiplok’s CLIP + RIDE system and innovative bracket. To deploy, your (extremely grateful) giftee simply unfolds the accordioning lock to secure their ride.

With a streamlined interface and multiband GNSS technology, the Garmin Edge 540 bike computer is there to guide your giftee before, during and after their ride. The user can plot out a route using ride-type-specific maps showcasing popular roads and trails or take advantage of daily workout recommendations and training prompts (including encouragement to complete missed workouts). Out on the ride, the ClimbPro ascent planner shows remaining elevation gain and grade so the user can moderate their effort accordingly. When paired with a power meter and/or heart rate monitor (not included), users can check the power guide for power target suggestions and stamina insights. Post-workout, they can check stats, classify strengths and review how their ability stacks up against the demands of a specific course. Prefer a touch-screen option? Upgrade to the Garmin Edge 840 Bike Computer.

Have a cyclist and pun-lover on your list? Give this gift idea a spin: Tell them they light up your life with a visibility-boosting bike light from Night Ize. The SpokeLit Disc-O Select rechargeable wheel light has five color settings (red, blue, green, white and color-changing Disc-O mode) and installs quickly without tools on most bike spokes. Its dual LED bulbs last up to 6 hours on high and recharge in just 90 minutes. Another great pick, the See'Em Mini Spoke Lights, allow for a more customizable color-band aesthetic.

Add some hip to your cyclist buddy's giddy-up with new flat bike pedals, available in fun colors. Since pedals are the point at which the power from your leg transfers to the bike, choosing the best pair for your needs can increase pedaling efficiency. The top-rated Race Face Chester pedals have been upgraded with a refined pin placement of 11 per side for better grip and easier foot adjustment. Plus, Race Face offers a lifetime warranty that includes crashes—a vote of confidence that their pedals can be put through the paces.

Bigger wheels mean a little more speed and freedom to roll for a child who is growing into a larger bicycle. Co-op Cycles uses a quality, light aluminum for the frame of the Rev 16—the same 6061 aluminum used for many adult bikes—and also adds a steel fork for extra durability. The result is a bike that's modeled after their larger-size bikes in quality and value. The aluminum upgrade adds a little weight, but this bike handles up to 80 pounds. That's key if you're looking for a bike that can grow with your child or be handed down from one kid to the next. And training wheels detach without tools when it's time to fly without an assist.

The Rev 16's more upright geometry helps keep the rider sitting up and comfortable, while the handlebars (which do not adjust) and stem are inspired by BMX designs. The inflatable 1.75-inch tires are built for cruising pavement but can handle dirt paths, too.

Not to be overlooked: the fun factor. Each Rev 16 comes with a bell and a pack of stickers to customize the frame. You can even mount streamers (sold separately) to the handlebars. "The bike is lightweight, hubs spin smooth and free, and my little girl is FLYING," says one customer reviewer. "She LOVES her stickers."

More and more singletrack trails across the U.S. are welcoming e-bikers. Help your favorite cyclist get out and explore them with the new DRT e3.1 Electric Mountain Bike from Co-op Cycles. A feature-rich Class 1 e-bike, the DRT e3.1 has pedal assist up to 20 miles per hour thanks to a Bosch Performance Line CX mid-drive motor and lockable, removable PowerTube 625 watt-hour battery and calls on its SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain to handle a variety of terrain with ease. Rocks and roots are no match for the RockShox Recon Silver RL fork (140 mm of travel), Deluxe Select Plus RT shock (130 mm of travel) and built-in dropper post, while Tektro four-piston hydraulic disc brakes provide on-a-dime stopping ability with minimal hand force. An LED remote connects your e-bike to the eBike Flow app and facilitates changes in the riding mode. Read more about the DRT e3.1.

Our go-to bike routes are rideable from our front door, but the best rides often require a bit of drive time. That's where Thule comes in with its easy-to-use T2 Pro XTR 2-bike hitch rack. Ready to haul up to 100 pounds (with a single bike weighing up to 60 pounds), wheel diameters 20 to 29 inches and tire widths up to 5 inches without adapters, the T2 Pro XTR can accommodate nearly all bike types (e-bikes, fat-tire bikes, kids' bikes and more) with zero frame contact. Generously spaced bike mounts facilitate side-to-side adjustments to prevent rubbing between the bike frames. Need to open your vehicle's back hatch while the bikes are secured? No problem. Just tilt the payload backward using the HitchSwitch lever. Post playtime, the tool-free AutoAttach system and integrated wheels make it easy to remove and store until your next outing. Available in 1.25- and 2-inch options.