The Perfect Gifts for Cyclists

Whether they're into Road, Mountain or Backcountry Bike adventures, chances are they’ve spent hours staring at their bike. Daydreaming of what to add or what to take away.

 

This eternal refinement of the near-perfect union of man and machine can leave loved ones frustrated when it comes to finding a gift. Luckily there are a few hidden gems at Wild Earth to take the guess work out of celebrating the festive season. Gifts to complement your loved one's obsession with all things two-wheeled.

 

1. Katadyn BeFree 600 ml Water Filtration Bottle

 

This collapsible flask removes bacteria, cysts and sediment from water. The perfect companion on a bike packing journey, the Be Free turns a roadside river into a viable source of water. The hollow core filter offers 1000L of use before it needs to be replaced. Great for emergencies or if you need to fill up your water bottle far from home. You also don’t need to backwash these filters and they’re relatively cost effective to replace the filters. The 42mm Filter will also fit a variety of other flasks made by Hydrapak.

 

Why I like it: Simplicity of use and compact size. Even the clearest flowing water can be deceiving. I once stopped at a pristine river in Tasmania, just downstream of a large waterfall. I’m sure many people have filled up their Nalgene in a spot like this without a second thought. In the water not far from the trail was a dead wombat. A filter like this + a purification tablet will be fine for most water sources in Australia.

 

2. Flex Tail Zero Electric Air Pump

 

You’ve hauled your fully loaded rig up countless hills to your campsite. The last thing you want to do is blow up your air mattress. This tiny USB C Pump can inflate your mat in under a minute and the battery lasts long enough for around two weeks of inflations!

With valves that fit the majority of air mattresses available on the market, these pumps are a touch of luxury that even the most hardcore traditionalist can appreciate. They can also be used as a fire starter and Flex Tail even make Vacuum Bags if you want to take your packing to the next level. Give it a try, you won’t regret it.

 

Why I like it: I’ll admit I was sceptical of these pumps when they first hit the market. After using one, I have to say it’s so worth taking one with you. They also allow you to introduce even less moisture into your mat since you’re not breathing warm air into a pump sack.

3. Tenacious Tape

 

Let’s face it. If you’re using your gear in the wild, at some point you’re going to damage it.  A tear in your rain shell, a hole in your tent fly or even worse, a rip in your sleeping mat.

Tenacious Tape has been around for a long time and for good reason. It works. Anything that needs a quick patch to keep you outdoors for longer, this tape can handle. Weatherproof and extremely adhesive, Tenacious Tape is a must have for emergency repairs. 

 

Why I like it: I have an Arcteryx Cerium Down Jacket that had a rip in one of the sleeves. A small piece of Tenacious Tape sealed the rip and has never come off after years and years of wearing the jacket.

 

 

4. Petzl Actik Core 600 Lumen Headlamp

Petzl knows a thing or two about making headlamps. Weighing just 88 grams, the Actik Core packs a whopping 600 lumens into a tiny package.

The lamp comes with a rechargeable battery, but you can also run regular AAA batteries in it as well. Petzl also makes a Bike Adapt 2 Mount for the lamp, so you can attach it to your bike as a backup light. USB Rechargeable, 600 Lumens and under 100 grams. It’s a near-perfect addition to your kit.

 

Why I like it: It’s rare that you actually need 600 lumens of light, but its nice to know that you have that option. Being able to recharge the battery via USB adds another layer of convenience to any lamp and also gives you the option to be able to use regular batteries in colder environments or environments where you’ll have limited access to charge your headlamp.

 

5. DD Hammocks Superlight Bikepacker Tarp

 

Weight and space are two of the biggest concerns on the bike. This lightweight shelter from DD Hammocks offers waterproof shelter for 1 Person anywhere on the trail.

15 attachment points give you plenty of options to pitch the tarp, which includes a bike anchor strap to use your bike as the primary support.

Shade or shelter, a tarp is just about the most versatile piece of gear you can carry with you on a bike if you're planning on sleeping on the side of the road or in your favourite scenic spot.

 

Why I like it: Humans like to overcomplicate. Sometimes a waterproof tarp is all you need. Less time setting up your shelter and more time enjoying the view. If you’ve ever have to camp on the side of a road where there’s no shade, you’ll appreciate having the option of a small tarp.

 

 

 

6. Osprey Escapist Frame Bag

 

Osprey bill this bag as a bike-packing frame bag, but they are a fair bit smaller than some of your bigger options from Ortlieb. This is handy if you prefer full access to all your bottle cage mounting points, or prefer rides to the cafe more than the trail. These frame bags are the perfect size to leave on your bike all the time, for that extra bit of storage.

There's plenty of room for your wallet, phone, keys, snacks and a rain shell. Waterproof zips keep moisture and dust out and the bag comes in 3 different sizes to suit most frames with double access zips to make life easier.

 

Why I like it: Osprey have a long tradition of making products that last. While these bike bags are not as durable as some of the heavy-duty options from Ortlieb, they strike a nice balance between usability and aesthetics. Perfect to leave on the bike all the time.

 

 

7. Widefoot Cargo Mount Cage

 

If you want to carry gear on your bike you need somewhere to mount it. Maybe you don’t want a rear rack, but you do want a versatile attachment point. This one-piece aluminium cargo cage has a plethora of options for attaching straps and can accommodate a Nalgene water bottle or a small dry bag. Add it to your forks or frame to increase your cargo options on the road or trail.

 

Why I like it: Who doesn’t love tricking out their bike with a nice bit of alloy! Again it comes back to versatility of use for me. A cage like this doesn’t limit your options to Water Bottles. Anything you can strap on that is appropriately sized for this cage will sit a comfortable distance away from the frame/forks.

 

 

8. Nemo All Season Air Mat

 

Nemo have refined the Tensor and brought it to new heights of versatility with the Tensor All Season.

While the 5.4 R Value is impressive, it's the compact size of these mats that has always been a big selling point. For a thick and comfortable mat they're about the same size as a regular water bottle. Easily shoved into a dry bag or strapped onto the bike, the Nemo Tensor All Season mat ticks just about every box.

 

Why I Like It: I have never had a Nemo sleeping mat fail or puncture. They managed to improve a near perfect mat whilst maintaining the compact size and improving the R Value.

 

 

9. Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bags

 

The perfect dry bag to strap on top of your rear rack. The Sea To Summit Big River series of Dry Bags are durable and can endure plenty of strapping and abrasion. Available in a variety of sizes and colours, they also have a couple of strapping loops on the outside which make securing them to your bike a simple process.

 

Why I like it: Durability. Whether you’re pack rafting or bike packing, these dry bags stand up to a serious amount of abuse. The addition of the strapping loops on the outside add a layer of security when you lash your dry bag to a moving object. Sea to Summit make a lot of products and every now and then they strike gold. They’re also cost effective and come in some great colours.

 

 

10. Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo 2 Person Tent

 

The luxury of extra space on any camping trip is something worth considering. Bad weather can dampen the mood of any trip and a 2 person tent gives you extra space to keep your gear dry.

The Hornet Elite Osmo 2 Person Tent from Nemo weighs under 1kg at a 935g Packed Weight. 3 Seasons should cover the needs of most trips and the compact form factor easily fits onto a rear rack or you can split up the components into your panier bags. A tent like this really is one tent to rule them all, perfect for hiking as well as biking.

 

Why I like it: A tent is one of the most expensive purchase you will make, so you might as well get one that ticks several boxes. A 2 person tent gives you more room when you’re on your own to keep your gear out of the weather and room for your significant other. A tent like this is so light that you’ll think you bought a 1 person tent. You can cut corners with some of your gear to save $$$ but I’m a firm believer in buying a tent that you can grow with. You’ll also enjoy the time you do spend in your tent more. Tents and Packs can make or break your experience in the wild, so make sure you get one that will last you for years to come.

 

 

These are just a few of the great options that Wild Earth has for the Bike Rider in your family. Give the gift of gear, the gift that keeps on giving! 

 

If you need any assistance at all with getting yourself fitting in the right footwear for you, chat with our friendly team of Outdoor Gear Specialists in-store or online today and don’t forget to share your adventures with us on Instagram by tagging @wildearthaustralia and #mywildearth in your next post.

 

About the contributor:

Kai Pantano is the Inventory Coordinator for Wild Earth Brisbane. Kai’s outdoor focus has always been exploration. He has completed a Technical Mountaineering Course in New Zealand and has extensive hiking, climbing and mountain biking experience. Kai is a Photographer and Professional Actor who has produced content for Lumix, Salomon, Wild Magazine, Trail Run Magazine and performed in feature film and television work including Ron Howards Thirteen Lives and as Ioan Gruffudd’s body double in Harrow.