Last minute mountain bike gift guide

It’s getting right down to the wire this holiday season, with only a few shopping days left before the holidays. You’ve yet to finish, or even start your holiday shopping, sure, but you thrive under pressure and crunch time is where you shine, right? Here’s a list of quick gift ideas to help shop for the mountain biker on your list or, if you’re the rider, to pass along to the poor soul stuck trying to interpret mountain bike standards to buy something for you:

Dynaplug – Tubeless tire repair kit

Carried over from Dynaplugs motorcycle repair kits and adapted to the specifics of mountain biking, these tubeless tire repair kits are tiny, but can save a ride when flats strike. Dynaplugs have even adapted their kits to the different mountain biking personalities, offering Racer, Air (CO2 equipped), Carbon Ultralight, and MicroPro kits. Whichever style you go for, these will keep you going where tubeless tire sealant fails.

 

Chromag – Headset spacers

Chromag offer these headset spacers in a range of colours to match, or compliment any frame. From black to purple, these are as loud or subtle as you want them to be. CnC Machined in Whistler out of 606a Aluminum. Leave carbon spacers to the weight weenies, ride metal.

 

 

 

One-Up Components – EDC Tool (Everyday Carry)

Make sure your essential tools are always with you, every ride, by stashing them away in your steerer tube. The Everyday Carry takes a bit of weight out of your backpack, and takes some time out of your pre-ride preparations. With the EDC, Squamish’s One-Up Components have made the perfect gift for “that” friend who never seems to remember to bring their own tools.

 

 

 

 

 

Gloves

The ones from last summer that were “perfectly worn in” were actually kind of gross, and definitely smelled like hockey equipment when you put them away. After months in a drawer, they’re toxic. Whether you want to ride right now or plan ahead for spring, here’s some options to freshen up your kit:

POC – Resistance DH

POC borrows the EVa padding from their protective padding to neatly incorporate added knuckle protection to the Resistance DH glove’s lightweight, breathable package. Good news for those who’ve recently upgraded to wider bars.

Fox – Ascent

With goatskin leather palms, these feel way too good to be a mountain bike glove. Clean branding with minimal colour accents make these look as good as they feel. Nothing makes you ride faster than thinking you look cool. Skills can wait for spring, but now you’ll have the gloves.

Pearl Izumi – Select Softshell Lite

If your winter riding still involves getting out on trails deep in the woods, Pearl Izumi’s midweight glove might be the right pick. With wind and waterproofing on the outside, and some extra warmth on the palms, the Select Softshell Lite combines the dexterity you need to ride hard with enough protection from the elements to keep the feeling in your fingers.

Tires

Like gloves, everyone has that friend who puts off buying new tires too long. Unlike gloves, they don’t smell, but worn out tires can still ruin a ride when they fail. Buy these for the friend that really needs new tires or for the friend that always likes to have the perfect tire for every situation.

 

E*Thirteen – TRS race (27.5 x 2.35 or 29 x 2.35)

TRSr is the stickier version of E*Thirteen’s tire offering, with extra soft rubber added to the already tacky TRS+ version. If you’re riding anywhere with slick roots, rocks, or anything described as a “slab” this winter, TRSr’s are worth a look.

Bontrager – Gnarwhal Fat Bike Tire

As the name suggests, the Gnarwhal is big and it is aggressive. Studded tire gives you traction on basically any frozen surface, with all the added traction benefits of a high volume fat tire. Available in 26 x 3.8, with or without studs, and 27 x 4.5, stud-ready. Mount up the Gnarwhal and set sail on winters frozen seas. Err, trails.

Maxxis – Minion 2.8 DHF Plus(27.5-plus or 29-plus)

With extra volume and sizeable lugs creating an uncanny resemblance to a moto tire, Maxxis new up-sized Minion will give you more traction than you can imagine. Perfect for wet weather and slippery conditions.

 

Zwift

Not everyone can, or wants to ride outside over the winter. For the friend looking to escape the cold and stay fit, or add volume and intensity to their outdoor riding, Zwift offers gift certificates for their monthly memberships.

 

 

 

Bollé – Trackdown MIPS

Starting the new year with a new helmet is always a good idea, even if you don’t remember falling hard last year (especially if you don’t remember and fell hard last year). There’s a wide range of helmets on the market, but one new arrival is Bollé. With vent covers that can be installed for warmth in cold weather, and an interchangeable liner for different season, the French company is a good option for the year round rider. Their Trackdown helmet is available in MIPS, too.