It’s been said that if you take care of your mountain bike it will take care of you. Does that make us codependent? Obsessed? We’ll let the psychologists work that one out, but in the meantime, we pulled together this list of splurge-worthy mountain bike upgrades along with the latest tech and best mountain biking gear so you can give the ultimate gift to that special mountain biker (even if it is you!)
For more gift ideas for mountain bikers, we’ve just added dozens of new products to our holiday gift guides: Best MTB Gifts Under $50, Best MTB Gifts Under $100, and Great Gravel Bike Gifts.
1. SRAM T-Type AXS Eagle Transmission
- Price: $1,099 (GX Groupset)
- Buy from Jenson USA
The future is here! Get that fast, smooth shifting with a brand-spanking new electronic SRAM Transmission drivetrain. The latest GX drivetrain shifts well under load and is very robust and reliable. Effortless wireless shifting has got to be at the top of every mountain biker’s wishlist this year.
2. RockyMounts GuideRail Bike Rack
- Price: $849.95
- Available from RockyMounts
A tire-hold bike rack like the RockyMounts GuideRail will keep your bike secure on the road without ever contacting the bike’s frame. This rack can fit bikes with wheel sizes from 20″ to 29″, up to 3″ plus tire widths, and yes, heavy e-bikes, too. An integrated lock and sleek, modern design make the GuideRail a functional work of art to display — and transport — your mountain bikes.
3. OneUp EDC Lite Tool
- Price: $44.00
- Available at Jenson USA and other retailers
Besides bikes, what does a mountain biker always need? More tools. That’s right, we always need more because we keep them everywhere — in our pockets and hip packs, in our kitchen, and you better believe it, hidden in our bikes. The OneUp EDC Lite Tool quickly and stealthily stores in the steerer tube so it’s on every ride whenever you need a basic multi-tool.
4. HoverAir X1 Portable Drone
- Price: $445 ($399 sale or $379 with Amazon coupon)
- Buy from thehover.com and Amazon.
Flying a drone has never been easier thanks to the preset flight patterns of the HoverAir X1 portable drone. We’ve had a lot of fun with this drone at the trails and other outdoor adventures as it can hover, orbit, zoom in, zoom out, and follow the subject all while capturing 2.7k video or 12MP stills. The drone is lightweight, tough, and simple to use.
5. Park Tool TS-2.3 Pro Wheel Truing Stand
- Price: $399.95
- Available at REI and other retailers
Is that millimeter of wheel wobble so ANNOYING?! Actually, anyone can learn the basics of truing a mountain bike wheel and a stand just makes it easier. Let your favorite mountain biker joyfully tinker and tighten spokes for hours with a pro-level wheel truing stand.
6. Specialized Epic EVO
- Price: $4,000 (standard, $3799.99 sale), $4,750 (Comp), $7,000 (Expert), $8,900 (Pro, $8099.99 sale), $11,000 (S-Works)
- Buy from Specialized
This super light climber has fun on the descents too. For endurance and downcountry mountain bikers that are in it for the ups and downs, the Specialized Epic EVO has it all. High-end builds like the Pro have Kashima-coated suspension and dropper, SRAM X01 AXS drivetrain, plus SRAM G2 RSC 4-piston brakes with 180mm rotors.
7. Wolf Tooth Resolve Dropper Post
- Price: $349.95 (no remote)
- Buy from Wolf Tooth.
Surely obsessed mountain bikers are obsessed with the latest and great component tech. This dropper post from Wolf Tooth Components with a self-bleeding cartridge promises to one up the bleed mechanism featured on the beloved Bike Yoke Revive.
8. Orucase B2 MTB Bike Travel Case
Is it even a vacation if there’s no bike riding? Of course mountain bikers are gonna want to take their bike with them on every single trip, including flights out of the country. The 17-pound Orucase B2 MTB Bike Travel Case is possibly the lightest and smallest bike case we’ve come across. The case and the high-quality wheel bags keep the bike and components in place and can potentially save costs on extra baggage fees depending on the airline.
9. RockShox Pike Fork
- Price: $1054 ($843.20 sale, Pike Ultimate Charger 3 RC2)
- Buy from Jenson USA.
The RockShox Pike is one of our favorite mountain bike forks for trail bike builds. The DebonAir air spring is incredibly tunable and trail chatter is relegated to background noise thanks the Pike’s low friction design and Buttercup pucks. If you like to obsess over your suspension the Pike offers all the knobs and spacers you need to dial in the perfect ride feel.
10. Silca Italian Army Knife – Venti
Yes, another tool! This Italian army knife of mini-tools has 20 built-in tools, with the common hex and torx bits plus handy ones like an 8mm socket for tightening pedals, two hidden magnetic slots for a masterlink, a disc pad spreader, a valve core remover, and spoke wrenches.
11. Crankbrothers Stamp 11 Flat Pedals
- Price: $299.99
- Available at Crankbrothers and Amazon
There are a lot of really great composite and aluminum flat pedals out there and for anyone wanting to level up to a slim and lightweight, rebuildable pedal, the Crankbrothers Stamp 11 is the perfect fit. With a titanium spindle, the Stamp 11 is the lightest (and most expensive) flat pedal in Crankbrothers lineup and weighs approx 325g for the pair. Available in large and small sizes for varying shoe sizes, and naturally, there are shoes to match.
12. Muc-Off Pressure Washing Bundle
The Muc-Off Pressure Washer lets mountain bikers clean every nook and cranny of their bike with adjustable pressure — so they can blast off the caked-on stuff and also be gentle on their baby’s bike’s more delicate areas. The pressure washer makes this dirty job go quickly and the bundle comes with Muc-off’s planet-friendly soaps and cleaners for a thorough detailing.
13. TRP Slate EVO Brakes
- Price: Starting at $139.99 per side for the TRP Slate EVO brakes.
- Available at Worldwide Cyclery.
We’ve had good luck with TRP brakes over the years, and the Slate EVO brakes give riders a lot of bang for their buck. For the truly obsessed, upgrade to the DHR EVO brakes for an even flashier look and feel.
14. Apple Air Tag
- Price: $99 four-pack ($86.88 sale)
- Available at Amazon
A stolen bike has to be worse than busting your front teeth out mountain biking. The horror! While not totally fool-proof, a hidden air tag can help track a stolen bike.
15. Smith Shift Split MAG Photochromatic Sunglasses
- Price: $269 – $289
- Available at Smith Optics
A high-tech mountain biker needs high-tech lenses like the Smith Shift Split MAG. The lenses are easy to swap out should you want to remove the color-enhancing Chromapop, light-changing photochromatic shield lens for clear ones.
16. Park Tool End Cap Crimping Pliers
- Price: $29.95
- Buy from Amazon
Ok, you’re obsessed with mountain bike but you might not have this tool (yet): End Cap Crimping Pliers. The Park Tool EP-1 was released in 2022 and it’s become one of these items that has us thinking, why didn’t this exist sooner? No more lost ferrules or frayed cables for us!
17. Showers Pass Merino Tech Shirt
Why are mountain bikers so obsessed with Merino wool? Merino wool is natural fiber and commonly used in technical apparel for its breathability, thermo-regulation, and anti-stink properties, plus it’s comfortable (not scratchy!). This Showers Pass Merino shirt is made of 87% Merino and is an ideal weight for most outdoor activities and most seasons.
18. Velo Angel Revo Saddle
- Price: $125
- Available at Velo Saddles
Give the gift of comfort! The Velo Angel Revo is designed to keep mountain bikers comfortable enough to ride all day (and all night) without getting saddle sore. The massive cutout cuts weight and adds just the right amount of flex while the nitrogen-infused padding is like a cushioned running shoe for your butt.
19. Ninja MTB Hopper Coach
- Price: $575 ($489 sale)
- Available from Ninja MTB Skills
We all seek progression in our mountain bike skills. This portable ramp can help mountain bikers practice their jumping skills at home or any open area. And the adjustable height dials in just the right amount of challenge for beginners to advanced riders. Perhaps the only thing better for learning to jump would be an actual clinic with the Ninjas themselves.
20. SKS Flap Guard
- Price: $16.99
- Available at Amazon
A little mud is inevitable for the mountain biker who has to get their ride in no matter the temperature or season. A simple MTB front fender can keep the dirt and grit out of our eyes (and fork) on damp, wet rides.
21. Garmin Edge 1040 Solar GPS
- Price: $749.99 (or $599.99 for the standard, non-solar version)
- Available from the Pro’s Closet.
For mountain and gravel bikers obsessed with long rides and tracking every detail, the Garmin Edge 1040 is the perfect gift. This unit features a solar charger which enables up to 100 hours of continuous tracking and is the first to include multi-band technology. The upshot: super accurate tracking in all conditions, and in all places on the planet. Check out this detailed Garmin Edge 1040 review for more info.
22. Pearl Izumi Prospect Thermal Jogger
Pedaling is hard. Apres-ride in these comfy joggers with a brushed fleece interior that is warm and snuggly. Plus, they move well enough for casual rides and other cool-weather outdoor activities.
- Price: $105
- Buy from Pearl Izumi
23. EVOC Hip Pack Pro + 1.5L Bladder
The EVOC Hip Pack Pro is the Eagle Scout of mountain bike hydration packs. There’s no need for a bulky backpack when this hip pack offers 3L of storage capacity for a full day of ride essentials and more, plus the divided storage areas keep everything well organized. It comes with a removable hydration bladder and pockets for two extra water bottles so you’ll always be prepared.
- Price: $150
- Available at evocsports.us
24. Grax Drivetrain Cleaner and Wax-Based Lube
- Price: $19.95 (Drivetrain Cleaner) & $19.95 (Chain Lube)
- Available at Competitive Cyclist and other retailers
Some people like the sound of ocean waves gently crashing on the shore; the obsessed mountain biker gets that same peaceful feeling from a smooth, skip- and crud-free spinning chain. After using the Grax drivetrain products we experienced a noticeably cleaner drivetrain and longer lasting lube.
This article contains both sponsored products and Singletracks staff-selected products.
