We’ve scoured our marketplace and come up with what we deem to be the ideal picks for all riders ranging from first-timers to die-hards. Notorious for loving gear and gadgets that complement their dirt-loving ways, mountain bikers are always on the hunt for robust and practical items to make their next trail jaunt a breeze.
So if you’re after a Christmas gift for that trail-loving mountain biker in your life that is practical, sure to be well received and won’t break the bank, the selections below are the perfect place to start your search.
- Related Reading: Mountain Bike Accessories: What You Need to Get Started
Tyre Liners
No longer a niche, and thought of as essential for gnarlier riding styles like Enduro or Downhill, tubeless tyre liners are a great gift for the dedicated mountain bike rider in your life. Manufacturers claim that tubeless tyre liners can increase the control, performance and durability of your tyres; best of all, they provide peace of mind. Typically made of polymer, a tyre liner replaces a portion of the air volume in the tyre, which, when confronted with a hard impact, protects the rim and negates the risk of flats caused by rim strikes.
Several popular options are available on the market; however, some popular offerings include those from Cushcore, Vittoria, and Tannus.
Tubeless Tyre Plugs
While tubeless tyre repair kits can come in many different shapes and sizes, the Stans NoTubes Dart pictured above is a neat option favoured by trail riders around the country. The Dart is a bullet-shaped repair solution comprised of a barbed plastic tip with a woven rubber plug. This efficient and effective trailside puncture repair tool works to seal larger gaping holes that tubeless sealant alone couldn’t possibly fill.
The kits themselves are available in options ranging from small pill-shaped units holding a couple of plugs to more complicated kits that incorporate a C02 canister for an all-in-one repair and inflation solution.
Full-Finger Gloves
Mountain bikers would be lying if they said they had never ended up with just one glove and no clue where the other had escaped to. Much like odd socks, just about any rider can relate to the odd-glove scenario occurring all too often.
Top up their kit drawer with a fresh pair of riding gloves. Mountain bike specific gloves will typically be a full-fingered design and have a thin, breathable fabric that protects the knuckles for increased overall hand protection.
Gloves on your hit list should feature a palm and thumb guard, breathable construction and additional silicone grip at the fingertips. Available in all the colours of the rainbow, a new set of gloves are sure to be a welcome addition to any cycling wardrobe.
Tubeless Floor Pump
Tubeless tyres are just about the norm in mountain biking these days, allowing riders to run lower pressures, reduce weight and prevent pinch flats. However, setting up a tubeless tyre can prove to be a bit of a challenge. Tubeless floor pumps allow the user to pump air into a chamber or ‘tank’ and release it quickly into the tyre, causing the tyre to seat onto the rim evenly and rapidly.
A good pump will typically be built robust from either steel or aluminium, fit both Presta and Schrader valves, feature a large and easy-to-read gauge, and a durable handle. Also, look for a pump with a durable lever for releasing the charged air chamber. Tubeless pumps such as this remove the need for a loud air compressor and have a rightful place in any home workshop!
Hydration Pack
A hydration pack is essentially a backpack that is light, compact and resistant to the elements...but has the added benefit of also carrying water! A well-used item amongst many outdoor enthusiasts, mountain bikers will appreciate a fresh hydration pack that can carry ride essentials such as tubes, tools, and snacks and ferry an adequate amount of hydration for a day out on the trails.
Mountain Bike Shorts / Jersey
Nothing sparks motivation to ride quite like some fresh kit. Unlike their road-going cousins, MTB kit is more of a casual affair, a little baggier whilst still retaining that all-important flexibility and breathability needed out on the trail.
Whilst unassuming to look at, there is more than meets the eye. [MTB shorts] are often reinforced around the inside chamois pad, are made of a tougher material to prevent ripping should you come off, and are stretchy so you can move around the bike. Quality mountain bike shorts will feature a subtle design, an adjustable waistband and a detachable chamois liner. Meet these standards, and your giftee will surely appreciate the update.
Similar to a technical t-shirt, Mountain Bike Jerseys, much like the shorts they accompany, are a little baggier while still retaining all-important flexibility and breathability. Short sleeve, ¾ sleeve and full-length sleeves are all popular options out on the trail; the main consideration here is the climate they’re riding in, as the longer the sleeve, the more heat they will retain.
Liner Shorts
Does your giftee spend long days in the saddle and complain about the discomfort caused by doing exactly that? Give them the gift of comfort this festive season with a pair of liner shorts. Yep, that's right, shorts that go under your shorts. A chamois, or padded insert, isn’t a feature that is included with all mountain bike shorts, as a result, liner shorts are a great way to blend the comfort that a chamois provides without the aesthetic.
As is the case with any padded short, look for options with dual-density padding that provides comfort where it is most needed. Also, factor in the weight and breathability too, most liner shorts will feature a breathable mesh material as opposed to lycra to ensure all-day comfort.
Mudguard
A minimalistic front mudguard is a cheap and effective aftermarket modification that just about any mountain biker will appreciate. Typically positioned under the crown or on the downtube, these fenders stay out of the way of your suspension and sit in a perfect position to keep your vision clear from trail debris. Popular options include the widely-copied Marsh guard, which is favoured due to its robust, minimal and lightweight design.
Knee Pads
If there is one thing that is sure to happen when mountain biking, it’s to crash. Part and parcel of our beloved sport, applying some damage control with some knee protection means the fun can continue on the trail. Out on the singletrack, body armour and knee pads are more commonly seen on all types of riders and are available in comfortable, minimal ergonomic designs, ensuring pedalling is still a breeze.
When sizing up the pads, make sure they are snug but flexible to allow for an unimpeded pedal motion. When it comes to retention, most pads will simply be elasticized; however, velcro or even BOA wires are also found to secure them comfortably.
Pads with hard plastic exteriors are designed to slide on impact and are great for adrenaline-based mountain biking. In comparison, softer pads are better for general trail riding and allow easier pedalling and better ventilation.
Bike Cleaning Kit
Upon return from a muddy or dusty day out on trails, a quick hose off is often as far as many will go with cleaning the steed before kicking back with an “I’ll do it later attitude”. However, having all the tools to do the job thoroughly might inspire more immediate action!
Cleaning kits will include the right chemicals for a bicycle that won’t damage your parts and specially shaped brushes to ensure a shiny, smooth-running bike.
A complete bicycle cleaning kit that includes cleaning liquid, sponge, washing brushes and a storage tub is sure to keep any bike looking nice and tidy, making this a great Christmas gift for your bicycle-obsessed friends and family.
Looking for more gifting inspiration? Our Ultimate Mountain Bike and Mountain Bike Accessory buyer’s guides are loaded with information sure to help you in your search
