Top Gift Ideas for Cyclists of every speed

Lagging behind? We've put together a list of some excellent cyclist gift inspiration to help you find something that they will love. In this list, we've got bike computers to help keep them on track and pushing their limits. We've also got a whole bunch of bike accessories that will make all the difference in keeping you safe on the road at any time. 

Bike Computers

If you've never used one or never heard of them the Garmin Edge series are phenomenal bike computers that help guide your ride, coach you on optimal training and recovery along with a plethora of other features. 

The Edge 1030 has gained quite a bit of popularity this season, especially with its improvements to battery life and battery extending options from the previous iterations. Strava routing integration has also seen a lot more development. The touchscreen is even more responsive and ‘snappier’ not quite smartphone speed but a step up from the 820. You still have button controls on the top, and the sides for glove support and the screen works brilliantly in both bright daylight conditions and dusk/night.

The unit itself is going to display all of your training stats both in summary form on the device itself and in full depth on Garmin Connect. The rider-to-rider messaging is also a great way to avoid reaching for your phone to message fellow riders when you pull ahead or fall behind. You can send prewritten notes from your Edge device to theirs to let them know if they should go on ahead or you’ll catch up soon. You can also receive notifications missed phone call or texts from your phone and respond via your Edge unit as well.

The Edge 820 does slightly less than the Edge 1030 (it doesn't display vO2 max the new Training effect (aerobic), race activities, and a couple of others it's also smaller and has less battery life but is a significantly lower price point, but it's still a perfect cyclist companion. 

Garmin Edge 1030 vs 820 vs 520 Tech Specs

General

Edge 1030 Edge 820 Edge 520

Physical dimensions

58mm x 114mm x 19mm 1.9” x 2.9” x 0.8” (49.0 x 73.0 x 21.0 mm) 1.9” x 2.9” x 0.8” (49.0 x 73.0 x 21.0 mm)
Weight 123 g 67.7 g  60 g
Water rating IPX7 IPX7 IPX7
Battery rechargeable lithium-ion rechargeable lithium-ion rechargeable lithium-ion
Touchscreen Yes Yes  
Display size 3.5" (88.9 mm) 2.3” (58.4 mm) 1.4” x 1.9” (35.0 x 47.0 mm)
Display resolution 282 x 470 pixels 200 x 265 pixels 200 x 265 pixels
Color display Yes Yes Yes
Battery life up to 20 hours up to 15 hours GPS training mode up to 15 hours
High-sensitivity receiver   Yes Yes

Maps & Memory

     

Ability to add maps

Yes Yes  
Basemap
Yes Yes Yes
Storage and Power Capacity 16 GB plus microSD™    
Waypoints/favorites/locations 200 200 200
Routes 100 Courses 100 Courses 0
History up to 200 hours up to 200 hours up to 180 hours

Clock Features

     

Time/date

Yes Yes Yes

Sensors

     

GPS

Yes Yes Yes
GLONASS Yes Yes Yes
Barometric altimeter Yes Yes Yes
Accelerometer Yes    

Daily Smart Features

     

Smart notifications

Yes Yes Yes
VIRB® remote Yes Yes  

Activity Tracking Features

     

Calories burned

Yes Yes  

Training, Planning and Analysis Features

     

Customizable data pages

Yes Yes Yes
Auto Pause® Yes Yes Yes
Advanced workouts Yes Yes Yes
Auto Lap® Yes Yes Yes
Virtual Partner Yes Yes Yes
V02 max Yes    
Training Effect (aerobic) Yes    
Race an Activity Yes    
Auto scroll Yes Yes Yes

Running Features

     

Foot pod capable

  Yes (Some versions) Yes (optional)

Cycling Features

     

Courses

Yes Yes Yes
Time/distance alerts (triggers alarm when you reach goal) Yes Yes Yes
Interval training Yes Yes Yes
Compatible with Vector™ (power meter) Yes Yes Yes
Power meter compatible (displays power data from compatible third-party ANT+™-enabled power meters) Yes Yes (records data approx. 1 per second) Yes (records data approx. 1 per second)

Garmin Connect™

     

Garmin Connect™ compatible (online community where you analyze, categorize and share data)

Yes Yes Yes
Automatic sync (automatically transfers data to Garmin Connect) Yes Yes Yes

Additional

     

Additional

Recovery Advisor Smart notifications displays texts and calls only Compatible with Varia™ bike radar and lights: yes
Connectivity: Wi-Fi®, ANT+™, Bluetooth® Internal memory: 16 GB Edge® remote compatibility: yes
Ambient light sensor Personal cycling records: yes LiveTrack: yes
Integrated in-ride power capable Compatible with Varia™ bike radar and lights: yes Advanced performance and power analysis, including new Time in Zone, FTP tracking, cycling-specific VO2 and recovery and cycling dynamics
Set-up streamlined via app Edge® remote compatibility: yes Bike trainer profile for compatible Turbo trainer data display and control
Physiological measurements LiveTrack: yes On-device segment compatibility for dynamic and engaging in-ride competition
Advanced power GroupTrack: yes Operating temperature: -20°C to +55°C
Segments: Strava Advanced performance and power analysis, including VO2 max, Recovery Adviser, FTP/Watts/kg tracking, Performance condition/lactate threshold/stress score as well as advanced cycling dynamics and connected features Connected features via a smartphone: yes
Connected capability: Upload, LiveTrack, weather, notifications, incident detection, GroupTrack, audio prompts, rider to rider messaging Bike trainer profile for compatible Turbo trainer data display and control Compatible with Garmin Connect™ and Garmin Connect™ Mobile: yes
3rd-party app access: via Connect IQ™, including preloaded Strava and Training Peaks On-device segment compatibility for dynamic and engaging in-ride competition: yes Compatible with VIRB® action cameras: yes
Preloaded Garmin Cycle Map Operating temperature: -20°C to +55°C Integration with Shimano Di2 electronic shifting: yes
FTP / watts/kg tracking Connected features via a smartphone: yes Weather alerts: yes
Training status/training load Compatible with Garmin Connect™ and Garmin Connect™ Mobile: yes Preloaded Garmin cycling map: no
Navigation via device, apps, popularity routing and recalculation Integration with Shimano Di2 electronic shifting: yes Wi-Fi® compatible: no
Open API available with select partners Weather alerts: yes Round-trip routing: no
 Compatible with Varia™ bike radar and lights: yes Wi-Fi® compatible: yes Route planner: no
  Edge® remote compatibility: yes Ambient light: yes ¹ Advanced workouts require a Garmin Connect account
  Round-trip routing: yes  
  Route planner: yes  
  Incident detection: yes  
  Training plans/workouts: yes  
  Connect IQ™ compatible: yes  
  Audio prompts: yes  
  Auto start (timer starts automatically at custom speed): yes  
  ANT+™ electronic shifting compatibility: yes  
  ANT+ bike trainer compatible: yes  
  Strava Segments compatible: yes  
  Stress score: yes  
  Battery save mode: Extends battery life up to 50 percent while still tracking ride detail  
  ¹ Advanced workouts require a Garmin Connect account  

The Garmin Edge 1030 is available for $849 RRP

The Garmin Edge 820 is available for $599 RRP

Sena X1 Cyclist Helmet

This idea is a bit out there, but the Sena X1 series helmets are a very unique helmet and come with some functionality that we haven't seen on any cyclist helmets. Sena is well known in the other big two-wheel industry (motorcycles) but are now moving into the cycling industry with their X1 series helmets. The helmets primary function is open-ear audio, riding with earphones in can be quite dangerous as you can miss traffic cues but with more and more people wanting to listen to something while they ride the X1 helmets might represent the best solution.

I know what you're thinking, I would rather not have my embarrassingly excessive amount of Britney Spears songs playing for everyone to hear but the X1 has focused speakers that allow the noise to travel to your ears and not a great distance further. The other useful feature is its Bluetooth functionality which allows for GPS navigation, easily speak via intercom to your fellow riders alerting them if you need to make a quick stop or that you'll catch up. All of this functionality is controllable via Sena's compatible Bluetooth remotes so that you don't need to take your hands off the handlebars.

Best Features Worst
HD audio Comfort before Speed regarding Design
Great Intercom feature Only 4 Riders via intercom mode (Good for family less good for big pack rides)
Audio still allows you to hear vital traffic cues
Can connect via cellular data to keep in contact with more riders

The Sena X1 range is available in different sizes and colours for $269 RRP

Garmin Vector 3s

The Garmin Vector 3 is Garmin's latest flagship for the pedal power-meter industry. The best part is that the new pedals don't have the dangling pods as per the old iteration (slightly less battery time then the vector 2 due to this though) they still have a long battery life (120 hours) so less maintenance in that regard.They work via ANT+ and Bluetooth, and they're still friendly with Keo cleats. You do need a Garmin Edge Bike computer to get access to all the cycling dynamic metrics (Edge 520, 820, 1000 or 1030 are all compatible). There's a lot of information available right in front of you, so if you love stats and metrics, this will be right up your alley though I'll be honest I'm not 100% sure on what to do some of the information displayed. 

There are two models available the 3s and the Vector 3. The 3s only comes with one pedal while the 3 comes with both.

Best Features Worst
No more pods Slighty less battery time then Vector 2
Very accurate  Need Garmin Edge Bike Computer
Advanced Cycling Dynamics  

The Vector 3s is available for $899 RRP

The Vector 3 is available for $1499 RRP

Garmin Varia Smart Bike Bundle

These lights are no joke and will make sure that other cyclists and drivers know exactly where you are and you'll also know exactly where you're going.

The Varia smart bike lights work well on their own, but if you have a Garmin Edge Bike computer, the Varia system can adjust to changing light conditions as well as bike speed when paired with select Edge computers. As speed increases, the headlight automatically projects light further ahead to where it's needed most. As the ambient light fades or gets brighter, both the headlight and tail light adjusts automatically when paired with a light-sensing Edge 1000 bike computer. The beam cutoff prevents headlight from blinding oncoming drivers. Manual on/off controls allow you to use the lights for daylight rides as well.

Best Features Worst
Powerful light Expensive 
High beam mode - Useful for riding in unlit areas at night Connectivity issues
  Not ideal to set up and mount

The Garmin Varia Smart Bike Bundle is available for $389 RRP

Joel Clement:
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