Gift Guide: Stocking stuffer and small gifts for mountain bikers

Now that December has begun, we’re officially in the holiday season. Those of you that are more organized may be well ahead on your seasonal shopping, but the rest of us are just getting started. Here’s a selection of our favourite things, from gear to grinds, for the small gifts and stocking stuffers gift guide for the mountain bikers on your list:

Trail association memberships

There’s a long list of reasons to join your local trail association. Keeping you favourite after work loop open and in great shape is just the start. North Vancouver’s NSMBA has a longer list of ways supporting your local trail association helps, but good trail Karma is never a bad thing. Sign yourself up and sign up a friend as a gift, while you’re at it. Or, if they’re already a member, join the trail association for your favourite not-quite-local weekend riding destination. Alternatively, you could donate to your favourite riding area on your friends behalf through Trailfork’s Trail Karma program.

Wolf Tooth Pack Pliers

Wolf Tooth’s new Ultralight Pack Pliers are an elegant and deceptively handy multitool. The pack pliers combine a master-link tool, with storage for two quick-links, a valve core removal tool, tire levers and a couple other functions into a sleek, machined aluminum body. The Minneapolis, Minn. company makes its pack pliers in house, with various colour options available so you can match your bike, your pack or your preferred riding kit.

Crowsnest Coffee

This Coleman, Alberta coffee roaster loves mountain biking, skiing, and supporting local races. Crowsnest Coffee lives the outdoor life, so the brand knows every good adventure starts with an early morning coffee boost. Having earned a bag of its espresso years ago at an Alberta XC race (you “earn” draw prizes, right?), it is great coffee. Crowsnest Coffee ships across Canada. Right now, its Santa’s Big Secret seasonal blend is back in limited supplies.

Forward Racing team socks by Sneaky Socks.

Sneaky Socks has limited quantities left of it’s custom socks, made to support Canadian cross country mountain bike team Forward Racing. The Canadian sock company is run by Forward Racing founder and former team rider Evan McNeely, and funds from the limited-run socks go towards helping current team members Andrew L’Esperance and under-23 XCO national champion Sean Fincham continue to race the World Cup circuit. If cyclocross is more your jam, Sneaky Socks also makes a custom Garneau-Easton p/b Transitions LifeCare team sock. There’s even a “sock of the month” club you can join.

New pads and protective wear

Everyone needs new pads sometimes. Even if your intended recipient already has pads, chances are that at the end of a long riding season those well-worn pads are haggard and smell like the inside of a hockey bag. Plus, it never hurts to have a second pair of pads, but it can hurt not to have a set when you need them. Racer protective wear makes a full line of gear, including the Motion Knee pad we reviewed earlier this year.

Shimano Saint pedals

Shimano’s line of clipless pedals have built a strong reputation for strength and durability. The newest addition to that line, the Saint M820 extends the brands XC and trail offerings into the enduro and downhill market. The Saint pedals are built tough, and feature eight replaceable pins, four per side. You can see our review of the Shimano Saint M820 pedals here.