A gift guide for mountain bikers: Part 1
Looking for that special something for your favourite mountain biker this holiday season? Here are some our favourite new products from the last year. From action cameras to fancy shoes and stylish shades. There’s even some more practical items on the list, because functional can be fun!
GoPro Hero 8 Black ($530, gopro.com)
Launched in early October, the GoPro Hero 8 Black is the latest iteration of the action camera. It has improved stabilization and a new night-lapse video setting. With additional mod kits, the camera can be outfitted with a directional mic, flip-up display or light.
Osprey Savu mountain biking lumbar bottle pack ($80, osprey.com)
The Osprey Savu mountain biking lumbar bottle pack keeps weight low and around a rider’s waist. It can accommodate two water bottles on quick rides on nearby singletrack.
Bontrager Ion Elite R/Flare R City set ($177, trekbikes.com)
When it’s dark in December, give light. The Bontrager Ion Elite R/Flare R City set will brighten the way ahead and behind. The Ion Elite R has five settings that can cast 300 to 1,000 lumens in front of a bike, with a maximum daytime visibility of 2 km. The Flare R City sends 35 lumens to the rear. Both can pair with an ANT+ device, such as a Garmin head unit.
O’neal Mayhem gloves ($57, oneal.com)
The O’Neal Mayhem glove is a light piece of hand protection for the mountain biker on your list. The silicone on the palms and fingertips add grip and braking control. The synthetic leather palms make the gloves durable. The graphics are wicked, too.
Pirelli Scorpion MTB M Lite tire ($150 for 29 x 2.4, velo.pirelli.com)
The Pirelli Scorpion MTB M Lite tire is a do-it-all tread for both dry and wet conditions that might include hardpack and soft soil. The Lite model is about 810 g, roughly 40 g less than its non-Lite sibling.
Smith Attack MTB glasses ($290, smithoptics.com)
The super user-friendly MAG system for swapping lenses is now on the trail with the Smith Attack MTB glasses. With two simple clicks, a mountain biker can remove and reattach the temples. This set comes with two visibility-enhancing ChromaPop lenses: one for sunny conditions and one for low light.
RELATED: Review: Smith Attack MTB sunglasses
Bontrager XXX LTD Mountain bike shoes ($560, trekbikes.com)
Melding high-performance features with trippy graphics, the Bontrager XXX LTD Mountain bike shoes will help a cross country rider or a cyclocross racer rip. The pattern is called caMooflage. The bovine-themed design from the Wisconsin-based company, however, really does pop. The lacing system keeps pressure off of the top of the foot, while the sole provides maximum stiffness.
Liv Energize Off-Road rain jacket ($200, liv-cycling.com)
The Liv Energize Off-Road rain jacket is for the mountain biker who’s not afraid of a little shower out on the trail. The jacket’s ProTextura fabric is breathable and has a water-repellent finish. The hood can fit over a helmet. A rider can stow a few of her essentials in the front pocket.
