Top Christmas presents for cyclists

Christmas is fast approaching so you might now be thinking about what to buy for the cyclist in your life, or you might be a cyclist who has been challenged with that delightful question, 'what do you want for Christmas?'

For those not in the know, finding something a cyclist actually wants or needs can be tricky, which is why we’ve put together some suggestions to help anyone who needs a few ideas. And if you're a cyclist, looking to drop hints, slip a mention of some of these things into conversation, or just share this guide if you’re feeling less subtle.

Ask the rider what they want

This might not be a gift idea but it's probably a good idea. Most cyclists have a list as long as their arm of things they would actually like. So rather than just blindly buying something you think they might want, try and find out if there’s anything specific that they’ve been looking for. This will help you narrow down the choice and earn you extra points come the big day.

• Read more: GCN

At the very least, working out what type of rider they are will help point you in the right direction. So if they’re a road cyclist you can search specifically for road cycling items likewise if they are a commuter or a mountain biker.

Let’s take a closer look at our top suggestions.

KAPZ - from £10

Available here: Kapz

© Kapz

Kapz allow you to give a completely customised gift at a relatively low price

KAPZ is a customisable accessory brand that specialises in headset top caps. On the website, you can design a completely bespoke top cap for your loved one’s bike. Whether you want to start from scratch or tailor a predesigned one from the product library, this is one way to add a personal touch to your gifting.

Cycling art - from £15

Available here: Thehandmadecyclist

© Thehandmadecyclist

Cycling art can be a fantastic way to display your love for cycling even when not out on a ride

Does the person in question have a favourite race, rider, or place to ride? There are so many different styles of cycling artwork available and they’re ideal for hanging on the wall at home or putting up in a pain cave to help inspire them or just celebrate the culture they are a part of. There are also plenty of places to get this type of artwork. Etsy has some fab poster-style art from famous cycling destinations while the Handmade Cyclist has some great rider-inspired art. You should be able to find something very cool for your cyclist friends.

Strava premium subscription - £54.99/year

Available here: Strava

If you are buying for a serious cyclist then it’s quite likely that they’re a user of Strava, an online cycling app that lets athletes record and share their activities. Strava offers way more than this though, with segments that you can rank on as well as in-depth training analysis. However, these features are accessed through a premium membership. For a data nerd, this could be just the present they’re looking for, with memberships available both on a monthly or annual basis.

GCN Cycling Kit - from £49.99

Available here: Global Cycling Network Shop

© GCN

The GCN shop has a whole range of kit for all budgets

If the person in question is a cycling fan then it should go without saying that they are also a fan of GCN! A great idea then is some cycling kit, similar to the styles they’ll be familiar with from our videos. As well as the very cool GCN Castelli Aero design there are lots of different style jerseys, bib shorts, and socks available in men’s and women’s fits.

You should have no problem finding something for whatever budget you have in mind.

Bike fit - from £200

Available here: Sigma Sports bike fitting

This one isn’t that budget-friendly, so you’re going to have to really like this person if you’re considering gifting them a bike fit. However it can be one of the most beneficial investments a cyclist can make, so it would be sure to leave a lasting impression. This can be even more useful if they have recently got a new bike, although the reality is that anyone can benefit from a bike fit. Most studios will offer a gift voucher for their fitting services and this could end up keeping them pain and injury-free whilst riding. It’s a gift they could be thanking you for in years to come!

• Read more: Should all cyclists get a bike fit?

Event entry - from £20

Available here: UK Cycling Events

Does the rider in your life have a dream event, sportive, or race that they are desperate to take part in? Gifting them an entry to whatever they’ve had their eye on will be a lovely surprise on Christmas day but also help motivate them and generate lifelong memories come the time of the event.

However, take note, If the event you’re entering them into is a particularly big one then double-check that they genuinely want to participate. Not every cyclist wants to take part in a 1000km ultra-endurance race, so your thoughful gift might not go as planned. Unless you like to be a little sadistic in your gifting…

Coffee subscription - from £29.50

Available here: Origin Coffee

© Origin Coffee

A coffee subscription really is a gift that keeps on giving

Cycling and coffee go hand in hand. If there is anything we like almost as much as riding our bikes, it is riding our bikes and drinking good coffee. A great gift for the coffee aficionado is a coffee subscription where a different bag of fresh coffee is delivered at an interval you decide for as long as you like. It's a great way for them to try out lots of different coffee blends.

Wahoo Computer £199.99

Available here: Wahoo Element Bolt

© GCN

A bike computer like the Wahoo Element Bolt could be a welcome upgrade

A good bike computer can revolutionise the riding experience. They allow for training data to be collected and analysed along with route navigation and ride information. This is a particularly good idea for someone new to cycling who is yet to get themselves a GPS head unit. Equally, it can be useful for someone who’s looking to upgrade or replace their old head unit. These don’t come cheap but they do make for the ultimate bike tech gift.

• Read more: Wahoo revamps ELEMNT user experience with new 'Ready to Ride' update

Indoor trainer - from £449.99

Available here: Wahoo Kickr or Zwift Hub One

We’re covering all budgets here and this one is firmly at the higher end. An indoor trainer is up there with the best Christmas gifts for cycling. We’ve done a complete run-through of the Wahoo product catalogue that might help you work out which is the right one to go for. An indoor trainer brings cycling inside, so it is ideal for those cold winter months or for times when they’re unable to get out. Wahoo and Zwift also offer their trainers a year's Zwift membership to make this the ultimate cycling bundle.

Casual cycling clothing - from £12.99

Available here: Global Cycling Network Shop

© GCN

We have some amazing casual kit in the shop from hoodies to t-shirts and even hats

Excuse us as we slip in another plug for our own shop, but the fact is that even when we're not on the bike, cyclists like to show their stripes. We've got loads of different items and designs at every price bracket, so there's bound to be something that fits the bill (and the recipient).

Top tip: try and sneak a peak at what size they wear so you’re less likely to make a sizing faux pas.

Cycling books - from £8.99

Available here: The World of Cycling According to G

There is a wealth of cycling literature out there. Plenty of professional riders such as Peter Sagan, Chris Froome, and Mark Cavendish all have autobiographies, and they would all make for great gifts. We particularly like ‘The World According to G’ which is Geraint Thomas’ autobiography.

There are also plenty of cycling adventure books and top climbs of specific regions to keep them inspired with new ideas. One of our favourites is Lonely Planet’s Epic Bike Rides of the World, which will also provide plenty of ideas for cycling adventures in the coming years.

And don’t forget we have lots of great titles in our shop covering everything from Cycling Psychology to cooking and maintenance.

So there you have it, there should be no excuses for poor Christmas gifting!

If you have any great gift ideas for a cyclist or if you have your own wish list make sure to share it in the comments below. It might help others find the perfect gift for their loved ones!

All prices are correct at the time of publication.