MTB
From stocking stuffers to the year's most desired products, everything on this list, which has been fully updated for Christmas, is guaranteed to make any mountain biker happy.
It comes around awfully quickly, doesn’t it? Christmas is now staring out at us from shop windows, themed adverts are popping up on the television, street lighting is distinctly winter-themed. Christmas is basically on our doorstep wherever we look. It all means it’s time to start thinking of what you’re going to wrap up for your friends, family, animals or the relative stranger you unfortunately drew out the hat for this year’s secret Santa at your place of work.
What makes a good present for a mountain biker though? Some riders like technical products to geek-out with, some like to be the ultimate fans of pro riders, while others just like to get outside and muddy.
Short on ideas? This guide should help you find the best MTB Christmas presents.
1. Endura Baabaa Merino Stripe socks
Price: £9.99/€12.99/US$14
Best for: Every mountain biker
Scotland-based Endura makes some of the best clothing for mountain biking and these Merino wool socks are no exception to that rule. The 50-50 merino-acrylic fibres mix ensures the socks stay pong-free (Merino wool has natural odour-controlling properties) while the synthetic fibres help keep a rider’s feet drier through their “excellent moisture-management properties".
2. Muc-Off refill
Price: £11.99/€14.11/US$19.99
Best for: Muddy mountain bikers
There probably isn’t a single mountain biker who hasn’t used Muc-Off to clean their bike at some point. The brand now has extensive international distribution. Muc-Off's distinctive pink colour branding is head-turning and the product itself is just as dazzling. Chances are the mountain biker for whom you're buying a gift already uses Muc-Off, so offer them this 'Eco Refill' package.
3. Hurly Burly 4, the 2019 downhill yearbook
Price: £15/€17/US$19 (worldwide delivery available from the UK)
Best for: Mountain bike racing fans
This book is a stunning photo-epic review of the 2019 UCI Downhill season – and what a season it was. But this yearbook doesn't belong on a coffee table; with round-up articles from each World Cup stop, stories and thoughts from the industry's leaders and biggest fans, and photography from Sven Martin, Boris Beyer and Sebastian Schieck, this is the perfect Christmas read when you're relaxing by the fire.
4. Trail Maps art print
Price: £14.95 [without frame]/€17.50/US$19.50 (worldwide delivery available from the UK)
Best for: Roaming riders
If your favourite mountain biker just can’t get enough of riding bikes, cleaning bikes, fixing bikes and talking about bikes, get them a nice print of their favourite trail or destination. Trail Maps make rides into a stylised graphic art print. For a little more money you can even customise a print using a saved Strava route.
5. Syncros Tailor IS Cage 2.0HV bottle cage
Price: £59.99/€69.95/US$64.99
Best for: Trail and enduro riders
Mountain bikes keep getting better every year, but no matter how much they progress, bolts will still need tightening, chains repairing and tyres pumped up. Syncros have developed this smart bottle cage with integrated multi-tool and pump so that riders can pick up their bikes and head straight out on the trail knowing they have the essentials fixed to the bike. The company also makes other versions of the bottle cage with differing tools and pump set-ups.
6. Bike park voucher
Price: Contact a local bike park for details
Best for: Gravity riders
Who wouldn't want a free day at a bike park to do as they please? This treat would make any mountain biker happy. Most bike park locations around the world offer gift vouchers that includes entry to the park and uplift to trails as standard. There may be other bonuses too, such as skill training and coaching depending on the bike park.
7. Hope R2 LED light
Price: £175/€220/US$230
Best for: People with too much energy
What better gift than more hours on a bike? Powerful lights allow mountain bikers to keep riding throughout the long winter, even after work or studies when it’s dark outside. Night riding is a pursuit that's more common than you might think – and a light like Hope’s R2 will turn night into day with its 1,000-plus lumens output. The R2 is a popular and reliable light that can be fitted to the bike or helmet.
8. Dirtlej Dirtsuit Core Edition
Price: £299.99/€319/US$350
Best for: People who love mud… or hate it
When it’s seriously wet and muddy out on the trails, perhaps the ultimate treat is to go for a ride and stay completely dry. How is that possible? With Dirtlej’s Dirtsuit, mud and water are totally sealed out – think of it as a onesie for winter mountain biking. The lower legs on the Core Edition suit can be removed too, so it’s practical for warmer weather riding. There are cuts of the Dirtsuit for both men and women
