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BUYER'S GUIDE

Gifts for cyclists — last minute Christmas gifts, very last minute Christmas gifts + lots more for your bike-riding loved one

All you need to know if you've left it late: winning cycling gift ideas, final purchase dates for online retailers and major brands, plus other vital present-buying information

This article contains links to retailers. Purchases made after clicking on those links may help support road.cc by earning us a commission but all of our reviews are fully independent. Find out more about road.cc buyer's guides.

If you're still searching for a present for that special cyclist in your life, we're here to get you out of a fix with some last-minute suggestions. Let's get cracking, because we really don't have much time left now! 


Last year Covid restrictions meant the internet was our best friend when it came to doing our Christmas shopping, but this year Royal Mail strikes might mean you can't leave your ordering quite so last minute. 

That being said, this doesn't impact Amazon or other couriers but will mean they're busier than usual, so you will need to plan accordingly.  Alternatively, you can always keep it local by visiting your local bike shop and asking what they’d suggest from the brands they stock.

Our advice would have been to get on the case immediately... but as it's now just five days before Christmas as we write this, I guess if you're still looking then you've left it rather late! 

If the only courier option for the item you want is Royal Mail, then unfortunately final posting dates for everything except for Special Delivery Guaranteed has now passed. That means you'll have to cough up quite a bit more than standard delivery to get your item on time, and the final date for this posting option is Wednesday 21st December 2022

Next day delivery final posting dates to the United Kingdom for some major retailers are Thursday 22nd December 2022 for Wiggle, Chain Reaction Cycles, Evans Cycles, Halfords, ProBikeKit and Proviz

*Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycles final posting date for bikes has already passed.


E-vouchers 

You can buy online until pretty late, although you have to factor in delivery times (unless you collect in-store). That isn’t the case with e-gift vouchers, though. These are usually sent out automatically via email so you could even order them on Christmas morning if you really had to.

Right then, here are our top last-minute picks for cyclists this Christmas. You can also check out our other 2022 Christmas Gift Guides if you want more choice, as some of those you may be able to sneak in on a next day delivery too...

Last minute Christmas gifts for cyclists

Last-minute stocking fillers

Giro Xnetic H20 Socks

Giro Xnetic H20 Socks

8
It's traditional
Buy now for £29.99 from Tredz
Waterproof
Breathable
Warm
As bulky as most waterproof socks

Socks? Christmas? It’s traditional. Most cyclists will be only too happy to get a pair of cycling socks – there are loads to choose from too (check out our cycling sock guide).

These waterproof socks have a layered construction that does a good job of keeping your feet dry (and relatively unsweaty). They are also comfortable and warm when the weather gets nasty.

These can be purchased from Tredz who use Royal Mail for their standard delivery, so order before their final posting dates as listed above. Bikes must be ordered before Wednesday 21st December.

CloseTheGap HideMyBell raceday dm (direct mount)

Closethegap HideMyBell Raceday Handlebar Cycling Computer Mount With Bell

9
Stylish bell for a race bike
Buy now for £41.99 from Bike Inn
Stylish
Quick to reach
Easily removable
Secure and rattle-free
Expensive upgrade if you already have an out-front mount
Doesn't work with handlebar bags

Cyclists can be very particular with the accessories they add to their favourite bike, and we found that the HideMyBell Raceday is a fantastically well-made solution for adding a bell to a sleek race bike.

It features an out-front cycle computer mount made from unidirectional carbon for its stiffness and low weight, as well as a bell hidden away beneath the computer mount. It's secure, easy to reach, doesn't jingle on rough roads and you can also remove the bell part easily for actual race days. 

Final postage dates in time for Christmas are Wednesday 21st December if ordering from Bikeinn

The Art Of Cycling by James Hibbard

The Art Of Cycling by James Hibbard

8
A classic Christmas gift
Buy now for £9.71 from Ebay
Well written, enjoyable read
Mind-broadening topics
Nice change of pace to other cycling-related books
Can be a tad heavy on the philosophical language

Another staple for Christmas is a good book, and The Art Of Cycling by James Hibbard proved to be a nice change of pace from other cycling-related books. 

Cyclists will often read cycling autobiographies, but you don't often get such a fascinating insight into the mind of a rider questioning everything they've trained and dedicated their lives to. This book will be thought-provoking to the avid reader it is bought for. 

Meglio Skipping Rope Extreme (Indoor Use)

Meglio Skipping Rope Extreme (Indoor Use)

9
To include plyometric drills in your training
Buy now for £2.99 from meglio
Made from aluminium and steel rather than plastic
Works smoothly
Great price
Lightweight cable could be too fast for beginners

The Meglio Skipping Rope Extreme is a lightweight steel cable skipping rope with anodised aluminium handles. 

You might be thinking why skip if you're a cyclist... plymometrics is arguably the main reason. Adding plyometric drills in your training can help maintain bone density whilst bringing speed and strength, which simpling pedalling can't do. 

Overall, this is easy to use (with a bit of practice), well made, durable and priced very low – currently on sale for £2.99, making it a bargain stocking filler. 

Meglio uses Royal Mail so check their final posting dates listed above. 

Ergon TP1 Pedal Cleat Tool

Ergon TP1 Pedal Cleat Tool

9
Millimetre accuracy
Buy now for £19.99 from Wiggle
Allows repeatable cleat installation/replacement
Pretty much indestructible
Scrunches pretty small
Instructions could be clearer

Wiggle has a Gift Finder service that helps you decide on presents and Chain Reaction Cycles has a dedicated Christmas section making it easier to choose that last-minute gift.

An item you can find from both of these retailers is the Ergon TP1 Pedal Cleat Tool which is a foolproof way to guarantee your cleats are perfectly aligned, every time, for the detail-orientated cyclist in your life. Just check what cleats they use first!

Cyclists change their cleats regularly so this tool is essential for guaranteed correct cleat placement, replicable replacement and injury prevention. The Ergon TP1 Cleat Tool should be on every serious cyclist's tool list.

> The importance of a bike fit and riding position

Standard delivery to the United Kingdom from Wiggle in time for Christmas is Monday 19th December 2022, and next-day delivery is before Thursday 22nd December 2022. 

Last minute presents to wrap

Santini Guard Nimbus Jacket

Santini Guard Nimbus Jacket

8
For windy and wet days
Buy now for £87.49 from ProBikeKit
Sleek but stretchy, unrestrictive fit
Breathes well
Nice big zip pull
Bright colours available
Scrunches pretty small
Sleeves and tail could be just a little longer
Shoulders can flap a little if the back rides up

Our reviewer Steve said this jacket is up there with the best waterproof cycling jackets for high performance and packability without paying premium prices. It's an excellent slim-fitting jacket for windy and wet days, most suited for temperatures ranging between 5°C and 15°C. For a jacket that delivers everything it promises to, this would make a great last-minute gift for the cyclist in your life. 

You can order this from ProBikeKit. Standard delivery is before Tuesday 20th December 2022 and up to Thursday 22nd December 2022 for next-day delivery.

Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones

Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones

8
Work well with helmets and glasses
Buy now for £127.96 from Amazon
Great sound
Work well with helmets and glasses
Safe in rain
Easy to use on the move
Excellent connection
Hard to hear with 20mph+ wind

The Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones use bone conduction to leave your ears entirely unblocked, making them ideal for cycling as you can still hear your surroundings. 

 The battery life offers 10 hours of calls and music and a 5-minute quick charge provides 1.5 hours of usage.

They are available from Amazon until 23rd December, with next-day delivery. 

Topeak Alien X Multitool

Topeak Alien X Multitool

8
The gift of gadgetry
Buy now for £50.48 from Amazon
All the latest bits and use cases covered
Quite large

You can give the gift of gadgetry without blowing the budget in the form of a multi-tool... they will always be welcome! The Topeak Alien X Multitool impressed us covering pretty much every option the cyclist in your life will ever need. 

> Check out the best bike multitools 2022 

Available from Amazon until 23rd December, with next-day delivery. 

FWE Compact Folding Workstand

FWE Compact Folding Workstand

7
To make bike fettling easier
Buy now for £47 from Evans Cycles
Inexpensive
Clamp is better than average at this price
Folds down well
Build tolerances are a bit loose
Unstable at full height and for heavier bikes

Make it easier for the cyclist in your life to fettle with their bike with this Compact Folding Workstand. 

The new FWE Compact Folding Workstand has been redesigned to be more feature-rich, more stable and easier to store - perfect for the home or travelling. A workstand makes repairing your bike an easy task with good access to your drivetrain, wheels and underside of your bike.

> How to get your bike properly cleaned and lubed

It is available from Evans until 22nd December, with next day delivery.

Garmin Varia RTL515

Garmin Varia RTL515

8
Combines a radar and a rear light
Buy now for £143.49 from Amazon
Great rear light
Alerts you about overtaking objects well before you can see or hear them
Expensive

Feeling safe riding on the roads is paramount. The Garmin Varia combines radar and a rear light to give an effective early warning for 'objects' overtaking.

Our reviewer said: "I didn't think I needed Radar. Now, I'm convinced it makes my riding safer, because it alerts me to overtaking objects before I can see or hear them." 

> Check out the best rear bike lights 2022

It is currently available on Amazon and can be ordered up until  23rd December, with next day delivery. 

Proviz Reflect360 Cycling Backpack - 30 litres

Proviz Reflect360 Cycling Backpack - 30 litres

8
A highly practical cycling gift
Buy now for £62.99 from Proviz

The Proviz REFLECT360 Backpack is unisex and fully adjustable. It's designed to be an extremely comfortable fitted rucksack that fits closely to your body.

> Check out the best cycling backpacks 2022

Using 100% CE EN 20471 certified reflective material, the Proviz REFLECT360 backpack's millions of integrated reflective beads help other road users to identify your position on the road at night.

It's available from Provizsports.com until 22nd December, with next-day delivery. 

Last minute children's gifts

Hoy Napier Balance Bike

Hoy Napier Balance Bike

7
Awarded best buy by Mumsnet
Buy now for £110 from Evans Cycles
Good value
Very reflective
No internal zip pockets
The chest strap's a bit short

The Hoy Napier is styled after the BMX bikes of Sir Chris Hoy's early BMX racing days, and the Napier Balance Bike is a great starting point for a young rider.

There are lightweight aluminium tubes, a saddle with a grab-rail for easy carrying and a stopper in the headset to stop kids over steering.

It comes in a choice of three colours - red, blue and green - and is available from Evans Cycles until 22nd December with next-day delivery. 

Nightrider Kids' Fleece-Lined Waterproof Jacket - Navy Blue

Nightrider Kids' Fleece-Lined Waterproof Jacket - Navy Blue

10
A jacket for all conditions
Buy now for £44.99 from Proviz

The fleece-lined Nightrider waterproof jacket for children has been developed to give your child a jacket that can be used in all conditions. It's waterproof and the fleece lining provides extra warmth. 

It's ideal as a school coat giving extra reflectivity than most school coats, or equally useful on cold days for walking or cycling. 

You can order up until 22nd December for pre-Christmas delivery when selecting DPD next-day delivery from Provizsports.com. 

Emily is our track and road racing specialist, having represented Great Britain at the World and European Track Championships. With a National Title up her sleeve, Emily has just completed her Master’s in Sports Psychology at Loughborough University where she raced for Elite Development Team, Loughborough Lightning.

Emily is our go-to for all things training and when not riding or racing bikes, you can find her online shopping or booking flights…the rest of the office is now considering painting their nails to see if that’s the secret to going fast…