Crankbrothers M19 Multi-Tool<\/h3>\n<\/h4>\n
$29 at Amazon<\/u><\/a>$37 at Backcountry<\/a>$37 at CompetitiveCyclist.com<\/a>See more options<\/a> $44 at Amazon<\/u><\/a> $86 at Ornot<\/u><\/a> $196 at Amazon<\/u><\/a>$200 at Adorama<\/a>$200 at QVC<\/a>See more options<\/a> $40 at Amazon<\/u><\/a>$40 at Backcountry<\/a>$40 at CompetitiveCyclist.com<\/a>See more options<\/a> $36 at Walmart<\/u><\/a>$36 at Amazon<\/a>$67 at Backcountry<\/a>See more options<\/a> $55 at PS Bagworks<\/u><\/a> $109 at Patagonia<\/u><\/a> $13 at Amazon<\/u><\/a> $31 at Amazon<\/u><\/a>$31 at Backcountry<\/a>$31 at CompetitiveCyclist.com<\/a>See more options<\/a> $280 at Amazon<\/u><\/a>$280 at Backcountry<\/a>$280 at CompetitiveCyclist.com<\/a>See more options<\/a> $250 at Ortlieb<\/u><\/a> $29 at REI<\/u><\/a> $90 at Backcountry<\/u><\/a>$90 at Lowe’s<\/a>$100 at Amazon<\/a>See more options<\/a> $380 at Target<\/u><\/a>See 10 more<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s an inevitable fact of cycling: at some point, something will go wrong or a part will need adjustment during a ride at the worst possible moment. For those occasions, a compact multi-tool is a lifesaver. Of all the models I\u2019ve tested, I like the Crankbrothers M19<\/a> the most. It\u2019s affordable and comes with nearly everything I\u2019ve ever needed to work on my bike, including several different sizes of hex wrenches and a chain tool. Even if your friend or family member is lucky enough to never have to use a multi-tool out on the road, they\u2019re still indispensable for any regular maintenance a bike needs. \u2014 Igor Bonifacic, Contributing Reporter<\/em><\/p>\n $29 at Amazon<\/a>Explore More Buying Options$37 at Backcountry<\/a>$37 at CompetitiveCyclist.com<\/a><\/p>\n With the days getting shorter, a rear bike light is essential for keeping your loved one safe out on their cycling adventures. The Knog Rear Plus<\/a> is one of my favorites because it features a clever design that uses a USB-A port, instead of (shudder<\/em>) microUSB, for charging. It\u2019s also no slouch when it comes to battery life, with Knog claiming users can get up to 40 hours of run time when using the light\u2019s Eco-Flash mode. At $20, it\u2019s also affordable enough that your giftee won\u2019t mind replacing the Rear Plus if something were to ever happen to it. If you’re willing to spend a little more, the $45 Knog Blinder Rear<\/a> light ups the brightness to 100 lumens and the battery life to 60 hours, plus it has a slightly better IP67 rating and the same integrated USB-A charging. \u2014 I.B.<\/em><\/p>\n $44 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n There are two schools of thought when it comes to how to best transport snacks, your phone and other essentials on a bike. Some prefer to carry those things in a jersey or another piece of clothing. Others, like me, enjoy offloading them onto the bike itself. Cycling bags come in a lot of different forms, but my favorite is the handlebar bag. The amount of choice here is nearly endless, but a safe bet comes from San Francisco-based company Ornot. It recently redesigned its excellent handlebar bag<\/a> to add a dedicated phone holster and rear-facing cargo webbing for easy access to snacks. The bag features a 3-liter internal capacity, and is made from recycled Ecopak fabric that Ornot has treated to make it water-resistant. Plus, the mounting system means the bag is easy to attach to most handlebars, including both drop and flat bars. \u2014 I.B.<\/em><\/p>\n $86 at Ornot<\/a><\/p>\n Let\u2019s be honest, riding alongside cars can be nerve-wracking, even for the most seasoned cyclist. One gadget that can give both newbies and seasoned riders more confidence on the road is Garmin\u2019s Varia<\/a> rearview car radar. It can detect vehicles up to 140 meters away and provide the rider with audio and visual alerts when a speeding car is approaching. While it works best with a compatible bike computer, it\u2019s possible to pair the Varia with a smartphone. Plus, it doubles as a tail light. At $200, the Garmin Varia is pricey, but I find the safety and peace of mind it offers is worth every penny. \u2014 I.B.<\/em><\/p>\n $196 at Amazon<\/a>Explore More Buying Options$200 at Adorama<\/a>$200 at QVC<\/a><\/p>\n After a rear light, arguably the next most important accessory for keeping safe on the road is a bike bell. While it\u2019s certainly possible to get away without one, I\u2019ve found that a bell is a far more effective means of communicating with pedestrians and drivers than using my voice. One of my favorite models is the $40 Oi Luxe from Knog<\/a>. It\u2019s loud, fast and features a nifty design that won\u2019t crowd a handlebar. It\u2019s also easy to install and comes with a built-in channel to accommodate a bike\u2019s brake and shift cables. \u2014 I.B.<\/em><\/p>\n $40 at Amazon<\/a>Explore More Buying Options$40 at Backcountry<\/a>$40 at CompetitiveCyclist.com<\/a><\/p>\n If your loved one depends on their bike for their transportation and fitness needs, why not gift them a lock to protect their steed from theft? When it comes to bike locks, few companies enjoy the reputation of Kryptonite and its line of \u2018New York\u2019 U-Locks<\/a>. I\u2019ve used the company\u2019s more affordable Kryptolok<\/a> model since 2020, and (knock on wood) it\u2019s kept my bike safe each and every time I\u2019ve had to lock it outside. \u2014 I.B.<\/em><\/p>\n $36 at Walmart<\/a>Explore More Buying Options$36 at Amazon<\/a>$67 at Backcountry<\/a><\/p>\n As great as smartphone cameras have become in recent years, I find I often reach for my Fujifilm X-E3 before jumping on my bike. Of course, the tricky thing about carrying a camera on a bike is avoiding damage to the body and lens. Enter the Rider Strap from PS Bagworks<\/a>. It\u2019s a stylish, 1-inch webbing camera strap that comes with a stabilizer to hold a camera in place on the rider\u2019s back while they\u2019re pedaling. PS Bagworks offers the Rider Strap in four colors, and three different attachment options, including Peak Design Links<\/a>. If your friend or family member already owns a camera strap they love, the company also sells the stabilizer<\/a> on its own. \u2014 I.B.<\/em><\/p>\n $55 at PS Bagworks<\/a><\/p>\n After being caught in one too many summer showers, I bought myself a Patagonia Houdini rain jacket 2021. It\u2019s available in both men\u2019s<\/a> and women\u2019s models<\/a>, and I love how small it can pack down, thanks to Patagonia\u2019s decision to include a stow pocket. This makes it perfect for cycling since it can fit in most handlebar and top tube bags. The Houdini\u2019s recycled nylon shell doesn\u2019t offer the waterproofing of a heavier Gore-Tex jacket, but in a pinch, it will protect the cyclist in your life from a sudden rainstorm. \u2014 I.B.<\/em><\/p>\n $109 at Patagonia<\/a><\/p>\n Another gift that can help keep your loved one dry, particularly if they ride on a leather saddle, is Planet Bike\u2019s Waterproof Bike Seat Cover<\/a>. This one-size-fits-all cover is made of water-resistant fabric and is easy to store when not in use. It\u2019s best to avoid leaving a bike out in the rain, but if the situation calls for it, the Planet Bike Waterproof Seat Cover will make the ride back more comfortable. \u2014 I.B.<\/em><\/p>\n $13 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n If there\u2019s one bit of maintenance every cyclist should find time to do regularly, it\u2019s cleaning their bike\u2019s chain. Doing so will not only extend the life of a drivetrain, but it\u2019s also a great wave to save money over the long run on expensive components. Plus, it\u2019s more enjoyable to ride on a clean, quiet chain. One tool that can take much of the tedium out of cleaning a bicycle drivetrain is a chain cleaner. Plenty of companies make their own version, but I’ve had success with Park Tool\u2019s Cyclone Chain Scrubber<\/a>. I like it because it\u2019s durable and the company sells replacement parts, so there\u2019s no need to replace the entire package once the internal brushes wear down. \u2014 I.B.<\/em><\/p>\n $31 at Amazon<\/a>Explore More Buying Options$31 at Backcountry<\/a>$31 at CompetitiveCyclist.com<\/a><\/p>\n If the cyclist in your life has a competitive streak in them, a bike computer can go a long way toward helping them meet their fitness goals. In my experience, there\u2019s something about having my Strava Segments right in front of me that helps motivate me to push harder than I normally would. When learning a new route, it also helps to have turn-by-turn navigation in a form factor that isn\u2019t distracting.<\/p>\n The Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V2<\/a> is one of the best entry-level models on the market thanks to a recent refresh that added USB-C charging and a color display to Wahoo\u2019s most affordable bike computer. For something more budget-friendly, one option is a smartphone mount like the Out Front<\/a> model made by Quad Lock. At less $50, it costs significantly less than a dedicated bike computer and will save your loved one the hassle of learning an entirely new user interface. Instead, they can simply use the smartphone they\u2019re already familiar with. \u2014 I.B.<\/em><\/p>\n $280 at Amazon<\/a>Explore More Buying Options$280 at Backcountry<\/a>$280 at CompetitiveCyclist.com<\/a><\/p>\n Adding panniers to my bike transformed it from a hobby machine to a capable errand runner and potential car replacer. Ortlieb Back-Roller panniers<\/a> come in a set of two and each one holds 40 liters and up to 20 pounds. That\u2019s a lot of groceries, gear or whatever else your cyclist needs to carry \u2014 for me, they can carry more than I\u2019m able to ride around with. The quick lock system is simple enough once you get used to it and the shoulder strap makes it easy to carry into a store. I\u2019ve used them in rainstorms and nothing inside felt a drop. While Ortlieb\u2019s mounting system is compatible with a number of racks, I use the PakRak from Ibera<\/a>. Panniers and a rack may not be the spiciest gifts, but they\u2019ll up the utility of any bike out there. \u2014 Amy Skorheim, Commerce Writer<\/em><\/p>\n $250 at Ortlieb<\/a><\/p>\n It might seem counterintuitive to put sleeves on when it\u2019s hot, but pulling on these ActiveIce Sun Sleeves<\/a> feels way better than slathering sunscreen on before a ride (it\u2019s faster, too). The quick-drying fabric feels cool while you ride, particularly when you work up a sweat, and the SPF 50 has kept my arms from getting sunburned numerous times. They have thumb holes and go all the way down to the knuckles, protecting a rider\u2019s hands, a place that sun damage can be particularly unkind to. \u2014 A.S.<\/em><\/p>\n $29 at REI<\/a><\/p>\n Steadyrack\u2019s vertical bike rack<\/a> is great for apartment dwellers, but even if the cyclist you know has a garage, this can keep the bike from getting buried behind the lawnmower. It takes about 25 minutes to install in either a stud or masonry with basic tools. Then, to hang the bike, just pop it up on its back wheel and roll the front wheel into the swing arm. The whole bike can swing to the side to save a little more space and (I think) it looks pretty cool on a wall. \u2014 A.S.<\/em><\/p>\n $90 at Backcountry<\/a>Explore More Buying Options$90 at Lowe’s<\/a>$100 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n My kid pretty much knows how to ride a bike, but I\u2019m not ready to expose his new-found skills to city traffic. The Kazoo Trailercycle<\/a> has been a great way for him to experience the rules of the road while still being fully in my control. There\u2019s an odd, fishtailing sensation when he\u2019s pedaling harder than I am, but I got used to that pretty quickly. It\u2019s heavy at 20 pounds, but I\u2019d rather it be sturdy than flimsy. It also requires a special rack (which is included) that replaces any you have currently installed. Once it\u2019s on, it\u2019s ridiculously simple to attach and detach the trailer, which means you\u2019re far more likely to make that split-second decision to bike rather than drive. \u2014 A.S.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Knog Blinder Rear Light<\/h3>\n
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Ornot Handlebar Bag<\/h3>\n
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More options<\/a><\/p>\n
Garmin Varia Cycling Rearview Radar with Tail Light<\/h3>\n
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More options<\/a><\/p>\n
Knog Oi Luxe Bike Bell<\/h3>\n
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More options<\/a><\/p>\n
Kryptonite New York U-Lock<\/h3>\n
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PS Bagworks Rider Strap<\/h3>\n
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Patagonia Houdini Jacket<\/h3>\n
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Planet Bike Waterproof Bike Seat Cover<\/h3>\n
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More options<\/a><\/p>\n
Park Tool Cyclone Chain Scrubber<\/h3>\n
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More options<\/a><\/p>\n
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V2<\/h3>\n
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Ortlieb Back-Roller Plus Panniers<\/h3>\n
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Outdoor Research ActiveIce Sun Sleeves<\/h3>\n
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More options<\/a><\/p>\n
Steadyrack Vertical Bike Rack<\/h3>\n
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Burley Kazoo Trailercycle<\/h3>\n
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Crankbrothers M19 Multi-Tool<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Engadget<\/p>\n
Crankbrothers M19 Multi-Tool<\/a><\/h3>\n
Knog Rear Blinder or Rear Plus Lights<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Will Lipman Photography for Engadget<\/p>\n
Knog Blinder Rear Light<\/a><\/h3>\n
Ornot Handlebar Bag<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Will Lipman Photography for Engadget<\/p>\n
Ornot Handlebar Bag<\/a><\/h3>\n
Garmin Varia Radar<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Will Lipman Photography for Engadget<\/p>\n
Garmin Varia Cycling Rearview Radar with Tail Light<\/a><\/h3>\n
Knog Oi Luxe Bike Bell<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Will Lipman Photography for Engadget<\/p>\n
Knog Oi Luxe Bike Bell<\/a><\/h3>\n
Kryptonite New York U-Lock<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Kryptonite<\/p>\n
Kryptonite New York U-Lock<\/a><\/h3>\n
PS Bagworks Rider Strap<\/h2>\n
<\/a>PS Bagworks<\/p>\n
PS Bagworks Rider Strap<\/a><\/h3>\n
Patagonia Houdini Jacket<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Patagonia<\/p>\n
Patagonia Houdini Jacket<\/a><\/h3>\n
Planet Bike Waterproof Bike Seat Cover<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Engadget<\/p>\n
Planet Bike Waterproof Bike Seat Cover<\/a><\/h3>\n
Park Tool Cyclone Chain Scrubber<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Park Tool<\/p>\n
Park Tool Cyclone Chain Scrubber<\/a><\/h3>\n
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V2<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Will Lipman Photography for Engadget<\/p>\n
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V2<\/a><\/h3>\n
Ortlieb Back-Roller Plus Panniers<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Engadget<\/p>\n
Ortlieb Back-Roller Plus Panniers<\/a><\/h3>\n
Outdoor Research ActiveIce Sun Sleeves<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Engadget<\/p>\n
Outdoor Research ActiveIce Sun Sleeves<\/a><\/h3>\n
Steadyrack Vertical Bike Rack<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Engadget<\/p>\n
Steadyrack Vertical Bike Rack<\/a><\/h3>\n
Burley Kazoo Trailercycle<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Engadget<\/p>\n
Burley Kazoo Trailercycle<\/a><\/h3>\n