When a cyclist already has everything, stop thinking about kit and start thinking about their riding. The gifts that land are personal (a print of a ride they are proud of), experiences they keep putting off (a bike fit, a riding weekend), or things they get through anyway (chain lube, good coffee, socks). Anything they cannot buy for themselves is a bonus.
If you want a wider list sorted by budget, my main cycling gift guide covers the lot. This post is just for the rider who seems to own it all.
Why cyclists who have everything are so hard to buy for
If you live with a keen cyclist you will know the problem. They have the bike (often more than one), the shoes, the lights, the computer and a drawer full of jerseys. Most of the kit is also personal. Saddles, shorts and shoes are a matter of fit, and the wrong one is worse than nothing.
So rather than guessing the right brand of bib shorts, I would steer you towards three groups: personal gifts, experiences, and things they use up.
A gift they cannot already own: a print of their ride
I make cycling prints for a living, so I am biased, but this is the one I would point you to first for a simple reason. They cannot already have it, because it is made from a ride they did.
A personalised ride map shows the route they rode, with their name, the date and stats like distance, elevation and time. It works especially well for:
- Their first 100 mile ride
- A sportive or charity event
- A cycling holiday or tour
- The local loop they ride every weekend
- A climb abroad they have been talking about for years
You can make one in the map builder from a Strava ride or GPX file. A3 prints start from £35, they are printed in the UK, and you check the design before anything is printed. Getting hold of someone else's ride is easier than it sounds, and there is a short guide to downloading GPX files from Strava. If that all feels like a faff, the Done For You option means I make the map for you and send a proof first.
If you want help choosing colours and stats, my Strava poster design guide has some tips.
Personal gifts
A poster of a famous climb or race
Plenty of riders have a climb they have done, or dream of doing. A poster of a Tour de France climb is a good way in, especially for someone glued to the racing every July. Have a look at the Tour de France posters.
Strava inspired art
For the rider who lives on Strava, a print based on the app's numbers and segments can raise a smile. Take a look at the Strava art prints.
A cycling book
Rider biographies, histories of the big races and travel stories by bike are all easy to find. Check their shelf first, or ask a riding friend what they have enjoyed.
Experience gifts
A professional bike fit
Lots of riders mean to get a bike fit and never get round to it. It can make long rides more comfortable, and it is exactly the kind of thing people put off buying for themselves.
A riding weekend away
You do not have to book the Alps. A weekend somewhere with good riding (the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, Wales or the Lakes) with a comfy bed and a big breakfast is a gift most cyclists would love. If they are into off road riding, the best UK gravel routes might give you an idea of where to send them.
An event entry
If they have mentioned a sportive they fancy, an entry can be a great present. Check the date works and make sure they actually want to do it.
A full bike service
Even riders who do their own spannering appreciate a proper service at a good local shop now and then.
Things they will use up
These are safe because cyclists go through them all the time.
- Chain lube and cleaning products. A decent cleaning kit always gets used.
- Ride food and drink mixes. Stick to what they already use if you can. If you want to know what riders actually take, I wrote about the best things to eat on long rides.
- Inner tubes and CO2 canisters. Check the tyre and valve size first.
- Good coffee. The café stop is half the point for a lot of riders, and many are fussy about their beans.
- Quality socks. You can never have too many, and fit is far less of an issue.
Gifts to be careful with
A few things are best left to the rider unless you know exactly what they want:
- Saddles, shoes and shorts (fit is personal)
- Bike computers and power meters (they will have strong opinions)
- Helmets (fit and preference matter)
- Upgrades to the bike itself
If you really want to buy kit, ask one of their riding mates what is on the wish list.
FAQ
What do you buy a cyclist who has everything?
Something personal, like a print of a ride they are proud of, or an experience such as a bike fit or a riding weekend. Consumables like chain lube and good socks are a safe backup.
Can I make a ride print without them knowing?
Often, yes. If you can see their ride on Strava you can usually download the GPX with your own free account, or send me the activity link and I will get the file.
Is buying cycling kit a good idea for someone who has it all?
Only if you know exactly what they want. Fit matters for shoes, saddles and shorts, so personal gifts or things they use up are safer.
Do you deliver outside the UK?
Yes. Prints are made in the UK, and international orders arrive in an average of 5 to 8 working days.
A gift they cannot already have
If you are stuck, think back to a ride they could not stop talking about. That ride could be the present. Have a look at the map builder when you have a spare few minutes, or browse the wider gifts for cyclists collection.
