Updated on Oct. 1, 2023
Written by
Russell Holly
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There are a lot of specialized pieces of equipment that most cyclists prefer to pick out themselves, so buying gifts for them can be a difficult endeavor. It leaves you with trinkets left to give as gifts. As someone who has more than one quirky T-shirt identifying me as a cyclist, please let me help you pick out some different gifts for the gearhead in your life.
This gift guide includes some of my favorite road-tested items, which would make a great addition to the gear pile every cyclist owns.
Every cyclist already owns a set of tools, but when you run into problems on a ride, portability is key. There’s not a lot of space on most bikes, so being able to keep your tools in the smallest possible package matters. The Skwiki Multitool has 19 tools that work with nearly every bike, including mini screwdrivers and a hex key. It’s so small it can almost fit into a wallet (and easily fit into a backpack) and it’s a great addition to any existing toolkit that might be stored on the bike itself.
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Not all bike bottles are created equally, and I can tell you from experience that most of the ones claiming to be insulated aren’t really doing much to keep your drinks warm or cold. So when I go to ride in what may be considered extreme temperatures by some, I grab my Velo Canteen. It’s perfect for bringing a hot cup of coffee or something cold with lots of sugar in it, designed to fit in a bottle cage or a bike bag, and the lid can be personalized if you want to do something cool like put their name on it.
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I’m not the biggest fan of CO2 tire inflators, largely because the mini cartridges they use are difficult to recycle and typically end up in landfills. But I’ve also been stranded 35 miles from my car in the middle of nowhere with a flat, and my compact tire inflator saved me from having to walk or hitch a ride home. When used properly, these tire inflators are a miracle. You can tuck one into your bag and never think about it again, and for that reason every cyclist should have one.
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One thing every cyclist absolutely needs after a good ride is some time to recover. That usually means drinking lots of water, eating something rich in protein and taking care of your muscles. Most cyclists have a routine after a ride, but a good massage gun is a great gift that makes all the difference in the world. We have a great collection of the best massage guns, but the most compact and portable you’ll find right now is the Theragun Mini. If you want a great massage gun that can go with you anywhere, this is the best choice.
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Fun wheel lights like these WheelBrightz are fantastic for showing some flair when doing rides on special occasions, or just making sure you’re seen. You can use them to stand out on dark solo rides, or to make you and your fellow riders feel like part of a pack (especially if your co-riders are kids or young at heart). WheelBrightz lights deliver light in a ton of different colors to make the wheels truly shine.
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