12/08/2022

Christmas gift guide for mountain bikers 2022

Well, Christmas is nearly upon us, isn't it? I did a Christmas gift guide for mountain bikers a few years back and it did really well. I think because we, mountain bikers are quite hard to buy for it you don't actually mountain bike or are just lost for gift ideas. So I thought It is time to update the list and get some new products on your radar. 

Anyways let's get to the gift guide I hope this helps you find some lovely gifts for your loved ones or yourself. Some of these items I haven't tried myself but have been recommended to me and are on my list. So let's get to the gift ideas. 

Bigger items 

 
Clothing 

I am obsessed with Endura kit. Everything they make is amazing and you would be doing any mountain biker a favour with any item from Endura but I can't put them all in the guide so here are a couple of top picks. 

Endura X Hope Tech long-sleeve jersey Two of my favourite brands on a jersey! yes, please. Plus just look at it that's one cool jersey. 

WOMENS MT500 SPRAY BAGGY TROUSER II women's or men's MT500 trousers are hands down the best winter trousers I have ever owned you will see a full review on here it you look at the gear tab. 

 MT500 BURNER FLAT SHOE I mean they look good and keep your feet planned on the pedal. 
These teamed with Hope Tech flat pedals are my sweet spot. 

THERMOLITE® II SOCK these are the reason my feet are toasty. I suffer really badly from cold feet until I found these. I also recommend Endura waterproof socks.

MT500 FREEZING POINT WATERPROOF GLOVE I have written a full review of these so check that out. 

Hope Technology 


We all know how good any Hope Technology products are so I would be doing an injustice if I didn't mention Hope Technology.  

I have also been a Hope Tech lover for many years. I actually got my first set of Hope Tech E4 brakes for a birthday many years ago. I credit them with changing my riding for the better I am not exaggerating. Hope Tech products just hit differently. I fully recommend if you are going to buy one big item from Hope Tech to start your love affair with, you need their brakes. They are ride-changing.  They have this year realised a new version of their cult breaks and I will write a full post on them but to put it simply they are game changers. 

I also need to mention their pedals with the release of their new union clip pedals everyone has covered whether you are a flat pedal user or like to be clipped in.

I mean if we are going there is no spending limit have you seen their bikes? I mean My HB130 is pretty special, right? And if you fancy something hot off the press you need to check out the HB916 that is almost too nice to ride. 

But if you are on a budget why not buy some Hope technology bling for the person's bikes. They do everything from top caps to handlebars. The choice is endless. 

Bike wash 

This is the Mobi V-15 Portable Bike Pressure Washer. I have an older version of this and it is amazing for the van conversion. We use it to clean bikes and as a shower. I will be writing a full post on this soon. but defo one for the Christmas list. 

What the brand says
"With its variable pressure output - from 45.5psi to 130.5psi - this portable pressure washer will clean everything from your dog to your bike and anything in-between. Extremely portable and versatile, it's ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. Plus, its 15-litre capacity ensures you'll be able to tackle the job at hand.
Light and Quiet Operation. Irrespective of water pressure, the Mobi V-15 model remains quiet when in operation. At only 5 kilograms for a 15-litre capacity, it's lighter than its rivals in the UK market.
Portable and Mains Powered. Suitable for use at home or on the go, it can be plugged into a 12V vehicle power outlet for convenient use"

Smaller but mighty gifts 


A stunning calendar by the amazing Pete Scullion. This man is well-known in the mountain biking industry for his photography skills, Pete has won many awards and he's pretty nifty on a bike too. 

You might know him for his endless cover shots in Single Track World magazine and for his bike reviews. This man has photo skills for sure he can even make me look good on a bike. 

You can buy his amazing calendar by contacting the man himself on Instagram. I promise this will impress the mountain biker in your life. This year's calendar is filled with incredible mountain shots. Hey, you don't have to be into mountain biking to love these calendars. All photos were taken in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Only £20 delivered They are super high-quality A3 size with the cover in a Matte laminate. I don't want to spoil the calender too much but this is my favourite photo. 

Mudguard


mudhugger these are fantastic mudguards for your bike. Mudhugger does a huge range of options in mudguards and accessories. I have the Evo bolt-on, on my bikes. I love that these are customisable too.  You can buy decals for your mud hugger. They are hands down the best mudguard I have used. It keeps the mud out of my eye and looks pretty good too. Mudhugger has numerous awards and they really are awesome for this time of year. Another awesome British brand. 


Bike protection

Rimpact is also known as the thing that saves your wheels. I have tyre inserts in all my bikes they are worth their money ten times over. Especially with the type of riding I do. I would not be without tyre inserts. 

What the brand says

"There is more to a good tyre insert than meets the eye. We learned this the hard way, buying some off the shelf foam, shaping it and proceeding to wreck our wheels. We've tested prototypes, learned, redesigned and tested again. And again. And again. The result is two high-performance products that are unique in providing an improvement in performance without any of the drawbacks tyre inserts from other brands cause"

Goggles 


My Goggles of choice are 100%. I have never had so many questions on IG about goggles then when I started posting these 100% Accuri 2 MTB Goggles. I was looking for ages for a pair that matched my Endura full facer and I also wanted a bit of pink. Because well it's me. I really like these goggles and they fit my helmet really well. They don't steam up and the field of vision is really good too. Plus they just look cool. 100% have a massive range of goggles and price ranges. 

The Accuri 2 returns to set the benchmark for a premium performance goggle. Delivering utmost protection, visibility and comfort for sight to line while performing, with an ever wider field of view that ever before.

Phone and GoPro accessories


Using a GoPro is becoming commonplace. So with this, you need to mount it somehow to yourself or your bike. Enter Snap mounts for your GoPro. These are gaining popularity in the MTB community. They look super clever and are an interesting way to mount your GoPro instead of the normal harness. 

What the brand says 
"The versatile, two part magnetic GoPro action camera mount that allows you to mount your GoPro and DJI Osmo Action to any material less than 1/4″ as well as most metallic surfaces. Compatible with GoPro Hero 9 also the GoPro Hero 3/4/5/6/7/8 and Session 4/5. Two part, magnetic compression design allows for quick and easy attachment to shirts, jackets, backpacks, windows or any ferrous metal surface."
Next up a recommendation from my other half. Quad lock phone cases. My husband has had this for ages and swears by it. It uses it on his bike and in the car for mounting his phone. He uses it more on his road bike and Zwift than on his MTB but this does look really good. The case it really protective too. 

What the brand says
"Quad Lock® is the strongest and most secure mounting system in the UK that integrates your smartphone into an active lifestyle. The unique approach of integrating the mounting interface into a slim and durable everyday case allows the Quad Lock® mounts to be much smaller than any other mount on the market."

We all know Muc-off they do a great range of bike cleaning products. But I am talking about their Essentials Case. This is currently on sale for £4.50. Perfect for keeping your phone or repair kit safe in your riding bag. I know I am always worried I'm one big crash from having to pay for a new phone screen. 


Looking for a hard-as-nails Essentials Case for your phone, essential tools and/or puncture repair kits? Roger that! We’ve engineered a handy storage solution, ideal for all bike riders; from the trails to the tarmac and everything in-between.

Fitness


Something that has changed my riding for the better was joining Zwift. I have been on Zwift for quite some time. I credit this to my bike fitness. If you don't know what Zwift is about click the link above. It is basically an online road biking app. But it is so much more than that. It is where my fitness and my weight loss have come from. Zwift itself is not expensive £14.99 a month but you do need quite a bit of equipment so I have put it in this section. 

What the brand says
"Zwift blends the fun of video games with the intensity of serious training,
helping you get faster. Level up in the virtual worlds of Zwift with a community
that motivates you every minute. Choose from training plans, group rides,
races, and more. You’ll get fitter and stronger. Discover the world of Zwift today."

Trail dog - Ruffwear


There is no getting away from the quality that Ruffwear offers. We have used their front-range harness for years and I have to say they are the best. Mylo has just been sent the new Flagline™ Dog Harness with Handle and I think this might be our new favourite for trail dogs. It's light but has great handles for control and it looks really good on him. 

The Flagline Harness is a fast, light, and comfortable body harness with a nimble design that keeps dogs in their flow, from scrambling in the backcountry to conquering everyday obstacles.

A handle and load-dispersing chest/belly panel make for easy lift-and-assist in a minimal design good for all-day wear. High adjustability and easy on/off make the Flagline secure and accessible, especially popular among tripods, deeming it the harness of choice for giving dogs a little boost and a lot of freedom when the path ahead is anything but flat
There are no bad products from Ruffwear if you need any advice pop me a dm on Instagram, 
 
Multitool
This is our favourite multitool Topeak Mini 20 Pro Bike Multitool - Gold. This has everything you need on it for hitting the trails. A must for every rider. 

What the brand says 

"Professional quality, one piece, a lightweight folding tool offering hardened steel tools with 20 functions. A forged aluminium body resists torque. 

Tools Include : 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10mm Allen keys, T25 Torx wrench 

Tools include : Hard-anodised alloy tyre lever, Spoke wrenches (15g/14g/Mavic M7/Shimano compatible), Phillips & flathead screwdrivers and Steel bottle opener with spoke holder 

Chain tool - compatible with all chains except Campagnolo 11-speed hollow pin chains. Includes Chain Hook. 

Includes a self-tightening tool and a neoprene bag. The perfect tool for endurance racing, training and touring"
This is a very helpful gift Dynaplug Air tubeless MTB tyre repair and inflation kit. If the worst thing happens and you get a flat tyre on the trail. This handy kit can save the day. 
  • An all in one tyre repair and reinflation solution, there is no faster way to get yourself back up and rolling than the Dynaplug Air
  • Dynaplug is the fastest, easiest and all-round best way to repair a tubeless tyre mid-ride. When needed, just remove whatever caused the puncture, firmly push the novel insertion tube straight into the hole and extract the tool depositing the repair plug in the tyre, done!
  • The Air system has an added twist. If a tyre has lost too much pressure, just discharge the CO2 cartridge to reinflate the tyre before withdrawing the plug insertion tool, leaving you ready to go in seconds
  • The sealant-friendly repair plug is a unique viscoelastic impregnated rubber that bonds instantly and permanently with your tyre, and the nonabrasive brass tip will not scratch your rim or puncture your rim tape
  • No need to remove the tyre, no messy glues or solvents, just plug and ride!
  • Long MTB version designed to ensure the CO2 vents end up well inside the tyre, even past aggressive treads, for 35c or smaller road tyres please use our ROAD Air with a shorter insertion tube

Stocking fillers.

Ducks


Well, isn't this the cutest little thing! This is a bike duck. I have to say I had never heard of these but apparently, they have a bit of a cult following. I would like to thank the admins of a woman's MTB group I am part of for this entry. To be honest they helped a lot with this guide. So thank you, lovely ladies. But how friking adorable is this little fellow. No more lonely solo spins when you have your Bike duck. They come in a range of styles and they are lights and bell and under £4. I mean how can you not order one? 

Books 



Bikepacking: Mountain Bike Camping Adventures on the Wild Trails of Britain (Mountain Bike Adventures) This book is for the adventurer who wants to hit the trails bike packing. This has come highly recommended to me. You just need to talk a look at the reviews on amazon to know this is a winner. 



I have this book sat beside me to read and it looks incredible. Making it the perfect gift. 

What the author says
It’s time we celebrated women in adventure

"What does "toughness" mean to you? Perhaps it’s being physically fit and mentally resilient. Perhaps it’s doing something no one else has done before. Perhaps it’s breaking down boundaries and proving what you can do, in spite of the naysayers. Perhaps it’s travelling alone, immersing yourself in new cultures and meeting new people. Perhaps it’s running ultramarathons in the blistering heat and beating the competition. Perhaps it’s conquering your fears.

The badass adventurers in this collection are all fearless, intelligent, compassionate and curious about the world – and they all happen to be female. From endurance obstacle races to arctic expeditions, from mountain climbing to wingsuit flying, from horse trekking to swimming the English Channel, they have set the bar high for what women are capable of. Let yourself be inspired by their stories of grit, courage, determination, triumph and heartbreak – you never know, it might lead to something incredible!"

The little helpful bits you don't think about.

These are hands down the best tyre Levers they are the Pedros Pink Tyre Levers (Pair). You can get other colours If pink is not your style. What I will say is the pink ones are the cheapest. These clips together so you don't lose them and you can fit them in your pocket or bag. 

What the brand says
"Ergonomic shape is easier to remove tyres rather than standard levers. Made from strong, durable plastic, that won't bend and break. Ideal for difficult tight-fitting tyres"


Next up we have Spokey Pro . This is the best spoke wrench we have ever owned. I have managed to find these in amazon as we used to actually order them from the USA. 

What the brand says

"Professional standard spoke wrench in a classic design.
Comfortable to use with its large round shape.
Brightly coloured and easy to find in your tool box.
Two alloy inserts grip the maximum surface area on all four sides of the nipples surface.
Perfect for use with alloy and coloured nipples.
Fits US and Euro spoke sizes (3.25mm)."

Trail snacks
One of my fave sweets is Candy Kittens I love them they do a wide range of flavours and gift options. Some of their products are Vegan too. So if you are vegan they are for you. These are super tasty sweet treats to push you around the trails. 


More on the healthy side why not get some really good quality trail snacks. Like these 
Stoats Banana & Chocolate Porridge Oat Bars. Stoats are a nice little British brand that offers fantastic oat bars in a range of flavours. Come on food puts a smile on most riders' faces so Why not buy them their favourite snack as a thoughtful gift. 

I hope you have enjoyed this little gift guide. I hope you have found some interesting gifts for the mountain biker in your life. I tried to ver away from the big brands and showcase some amazing smaller ones. This year is the year to support the smaller brand in the industry. I am not saying to forgo your favourite brands but what not include a couple of gifts from smaller brands. 

Happy Christmas & Feel free to share this post.