15 great stocking fillers for cyclists this Christmas
If you’re stuck for what to buy the cyclist in your life – or you need some inspiration for what friends and family can get you – we’ve got you covered.
At prices to suit every pocket, we’ve rounded up a selection of gifts, from accessories to keep you warm this winter and tools for the home bike mechanic, to bike donations and bike computers for mountain bikers. And not a single novelty pizza cutter in sight!
For the first time ever, you can send your gift with specially designed Cycling UK Christmas card. Featuring hand-drawn cycle-themed artwork by Dave Walker in four designs, a pack of six cards costs £5.49.
1. DHB Windproof Cycling Gloves
Price: £24.99 (reduced from £49.99)
Available from: Evans Cycles
Made from a lightweight insulating material, these gloves are thin enough that they don’t interfere with use of your bike’s controls yet will keep you warm in all but the coldest conditions. Silicon grippers on the index and middle fingers mean you can use them on touch screens.
They’re also lightly water resistant and offer padding for comfort. The flashlight colourway has a neon yellow back with reflective hexagons.
2. Billockby socks
Price: £31.50 (reduced from £42)
Available from: Sealskinz
Available in three colour-block patterns (a bit like a Klee painting), these waterproof socks have been designed with cyclists in mind. The waterproof membrane will protect your feet from rain and the bamboo inner layer wicks away sweat. The fabric’s anti-microbial effects will keep the socks fresh too.
The lightweight fabric will fit comfortably inside your shoes while providing sufficient warmth to keep you cosy in most conditions.
3. Btwin Night Visibility City Bike Rain Poncho
Price: £34.99
Available from: Decathlon
Ponchos and capes are a great way to stay dry while cycling without resorting to a boil-in-the-bag plastic jacket. This one has been designed for commuters. Its loose fit means you can wear it over your normal clothes and a backpack.
It comes in three colourways and reflective strips improve visibility at night. It can be easily packed into its own front pocket.
4. Lumos Ultra winter kit
Price: £118.30
Available from: Lumos
If you choose to wear a helmet, this one is a good choice. It comes with integrated front and rear LED lights and turn signals, helping you see and be seen. The large range of colours means there’s sure to be one that matches your style.
The winter kit comes with a liner that fits under the helmet which is water resistant and breathable and keeps your head and ears cosy, making your winter rides more comfortable.
5. Ortlieb Velo-Sling
Price: £81
Available from: Ortlieb
Ortlieb’s classic bar bag has been given a makeover: it’s now available in the company’s new ‘cyber blue’ colourway, a bright combination of blue and pink. A master of versatility, the bag doubles up as a shoulder bag, making it ideal for trips to town or the pub.
The roll top keeps your belongings safe, while the straps and additional rubber band attached it securely to your handlebar. Cycling UK members can claim a 10% discount on all Ortlieb products purchased online.
6. Knog Blinder Bike Light Twinpack
Price: £74.99
Available from: Knog
These bright lights – 400 lumens for the front, 100 for the rear – are compact, light and easy to attach to your bike. They’re bright enough to get you seen at night. They have eight different light mode settings and two flash patterns: a cross and a square.
The set performed well in our group test. They make a great spare set if you get stuck at work or need to lend some to a cycling friend, or if you just want to be extra bright.
7. Smart Lever and Bead Lever
Prices: £22.50 (Smart Lever), £14.50 (Bead Lever)
Available from: Smart Lever
For anyone who’s ever struggled with getting a tyre off its wheel when fixing a puncture, this set is, according to Richard Peace when he reviewed it for us, “next level”.
The stainless steel handle is stronger than plastic counterparts, while a bolt allows the handle to pivot so you can more effectively use your effort to remove the tyre from the wheel. The Bead Lever allows you to unseat particularly tight tyres. Ideal for anyone with tubeless tyres or lacking mobility and strength in the hands.
8. Park Tool IB-3 Multi-Tool
Price: £36.99
More information: Park Tool
This compact multitool combines 15 essential tools into one handy package, allowing cyclists to carry out most trail- or road-side repairs. It includes hex wrenches, screwdriver, chain tool, tyre lever and spoke wrenches.
It’s small and light enough to easily fit in a saddle bag or even jersey pocket, making it ideal for on-the-ride adjustment of brakes, handlebars, saddles or derailleurs.
9. Cycplus AS2 Pro mini pump
Price: £82.52
Available from: Cycplus
This tiny electric pump takes all the effort out of pumping up your tyres. Compact and lightweight, it will fit into a bag or jersey pocket. It’s very easy to use – just set your desired tyre pressure, fit it to the valve and set it going. It’ll stop when it’s reached the right pressure.
Anyone with limited mobility in their hands, or who simply doesn’t want to be stuck at the side of the road or trail for longer than necessary, will surely appreciate this little gadget. It impressed in our review.
10. Gift Cycling UK membership
Price: from £3.44 per month – saving 25%
Available from: Cycling UK
What do you get the cyclist who has everything? A membership to Cycling UK of course!
They’ll get a whole year of third-party cycle insurance and legal advice, should the worst happen. They’ll also benefit from discounts with top outdoor brands, money off fully comprehensive insurance, a free copy of Cycle magazine delivered to their door every two months and more.
You’ll save 25% off the full price, and your money helps support our essential work making cycling better for everyone.
11. Donate a bicycle
Price: £22
Available from: Concern Worldwide
If you want to give a gift that will truly make a difference, this is for you. Concern works with people affected by conflict, climate change and other crises. Just £22 will buy a bike for a family living in poverty.
A bicycle means children living in rural communities can get to school. It means parents are able to travel to market where they can make an income, keeping tables full and school fees paid.
12. A cycling experience
Price: various
Available from: various
What could be better for a cyclist than spending more time on the bike, learning new skills or? There are many places around the country where you can get coached sessions or try out new cycling disciplines, from bike parks and trail centres to BMX tracks and velodromes.
You can buy gift vouchers from Bike Park Wales, National Cycling Centre, Lee Valley VeloPark and Herne Hill Velodrome, or you can buy tickets to places such as Cairngorm Mountain Bike Park and many forest trails are free. An internet search will turn up any near you.
13. Adventure Series art prints and official route guides
Price: £23 (art print), £19 (route guide)
Available from: Cycling UK shop
Our Adventure Series comprises seven iconic long-distance bikepacking routes. The guidebooks offer detailed descriptions, Ordnance Survey mapping and fascinating information about what you’ll see on the ride. The A3 art prints depict the route and elevation profile of each of the routes.
Together, they are excellent for commemorating a challenge achieved or inspiration for getting your kit together and planning a ride to come.
14. Wahoo Trackr Radar
Price: £179.99
Available from: Wahoo
This combined rear light and radar features a bright, dual LED light with four different light modes and a radar system that detects approaching vehicles behind the cyclist at a distance of up to 150m. It also features a brake light, warning drivers that you’re slowing down.
It connects to Wahoo’s Elemnt bike computers and the Wahoo App to warn the rider of close by traffic using both visual and audible alerts. The price means it’s more at the luxury end of the stocking filler market, but for the security-conscious cyclist it ticks all the boxes.
15. Garmin Edge MTB
Price: £339.99
Available from: Garmin
Garmin’s first bike computer aimed at mountain bikers features a more rugged design, new rider profiles and increased accuracy on the trails. A rubberised cover over the buttons keeps mud and water at bay. The screen’s tough Gorilla Glass should stand up to the rigours of mountain biking, while a new frame mount keeps the device out of harm’s way.
It tracks ascent and descent and the preloaded maps mean you can find out trail information in advance. It’s not cheap, but the data-driven mountain biker in your life will surely appreciate it.
