2024 Gift Guide - Week 2

You've probably been hearing about Black Friday since Labour day, and although it's tomorrow the sales seem to start earlier each year. Speaking of things creeping up on you, the Black Friday sales, and a desire to avoid the last minute peril of shopping for your loved ones make a strong case to get that holiday shopping done early this year. We'll have four weeks of gift ideas for you or the mountain biker in your life. In case you missed it you can find week 1 of the Gift Guide here.

This week's edition features a few things to maintain your bike and the trails, and keep you warm during the ride and the après.

Stanley The Milestones Stacking Pint Cup 16 oz.

The first sip is always great, but five minutes after you crack that post-ride brew, that icy fresh feeling is gone. Not with this pint cup. I've given these to friends and family, and everyone is psyched to get one, but I also often hear from them later about how much they loved it even more than they thought they would. Once you start using them, you don't want to stop.

It may not be patio season for us in the northern hemisphere, but these pint cups will keep your hot chocolate hot as well. This year's special edition celebrates some of Stanley's past classic colours and favourite designs of the 1920s, 1940s and 1960s. Durable and vacuum-insulated, these stainless steel pints are built for life.

Will keep your drink hot for 45 mins, or cold for 4 hours.

• The Milestone Collection
• 18/8 stainless steel, BPA-free
• Double-wall vacuum insulation
• Dishwasher safe
• Stacks infinitely

Stanley Milestones Stacking Pint Cup 16 oz.: 22 USD / 29 CAD (currently 50% off)

Salsa Blackthorn Trail Bike

The Salsa Blackthorn is an affordable trail bike that makes for a great first foray into full suspension. Its sturdy aluminum frame is tough and affordable. It uses a split pivot suspension that balances pedalling efficiency and control under braking. A flip chip in the rear triangle lets you tune the geometry - a more upright position for better climbing or a slacker position for aggressive descending.

A Rockshox Gold RL fork and Super Deluxe shock handle suspension duties with 160mm of travel up front and and 140mm out back. The Shimano Deore 1x12 drivetrain is reliable, affordable, easy to shift and has a wide gear range to tackle steep climbs.

The TransX dropper comes in frame size specific lengths from 125mm for the Small to 200mm for the XL.

Maxxis tires, a WTB saddle, and mounts for bottles, frame bags, and tools round out the Blackthorn, making it a perfect starting point for a new rider to discover mounting biking, or an existing one to take their riding to the next level. Currently 50% off at MEC.

Salsa Blackthorn Bicycle at MEC: 2,324.50 CAD

Stan's Incredible DART Tubeless Repair Tool

Stan's Incredible DART builds upon the success of the original DART by pairing it with Daysaver's line of modular tools, designed to easily stow in the bike or on the rider. Stan's has a history of quality within the tubeless realm, and many of our reviewers swear by the original Stan's Dart as being the most straightforward and effective system for those without experience plugging tires.

The Incredible DART can be installed inside a handlebar (with the Stan’s Incredible Handlebar Mount, sold separately) for those that like to avoid wearing a pack on shorter rides. Without the mount, the lightweight, aluminum tool can be stashed in a bag or hip pack. When needed, the spring-loaded arm deploys, providing ample leverage to tackle large holes or tears in bicycle tires. The Incredible DART uses the same DART heads that Stan's has been refining since the release of their original DART tool - they are designed to react when exposed to latex sealant to create an effective chemical bond and an effective airtight seal.

• Include 3 DART heads
• Precision engineered in Switzerland
• Compatible with Daysaver’s modular Incredible tool ecosystem
• 6061-T6 alloy body

Stan's Incredible DART Tubeless Repair Tool: 72 USD / 100 CAD
Stan's Incredible DART Handlebar Mount: 34 USD / 48 CAD
Stan's Incredible DART & Handlebar Mount Bundle: 106 USD / 148 CAD

Maxxis High Roller III

The legendary High Roller returned this past summer with an updated tread pattern designed to roll fast and provide plenty of grip in a variety of conditions. Cam reviewed the HR3 in August and was impressed by its performance in hard and dusty conditions, especially considering its widely spaced lugs that perform great in the wet.

The High Roller III slots in between the Assegai and the Shorty within the Maxxis gravity range. The ability of the High Roller to clear mud and perform in the dry make it a versatile tire that can handle an array of conditions.

• 3C MaxxGrip rubber compound
• EXO+, DoubleDown (2×120 TPI), or Downhill (2×60 TPI) casing options
• 30-35mm rim width recommended

Maxxis Highroller III: 105 USD / 146 CAD (29 x 2.4 DD and DH versions currently 25% off)

Feedback Pliers Family Tools

We're big fans of Feedback Sports tools and bike stands. Earlier this year, they released their pliers family, and they're all great additions to any workshop (rider or no). The Adjustable Pliers Wrench is one of those 'if you know you know' tools that serves a multipurpose role. Parallel-clamping, slip-lock jaws fit any nut up to 1-1/4" (35mm). The beauty of the pliers wrench is that the user’s grip adds clamp force which helps prevent the tool from camming off and rounding the edges of wrench flats the way a traditional box-end wrench can. The compact size accommodates precision work in tight spaces and will compliment professional-grade portable kits and DIY home workshops alike.

Who doesn't love a good set of Mini Needle Nose Pliers? Compact size, hardened steel jaws, and textured rubber grips give these little beauties a lot to love in the hand and while at work. A good set of needle nose pliers is one of those tools that you'll reach for over and over. Great gift for the bike mechanic or mr or mrs fix it in your life.

Lastly, Feedback's Mini Diagonal Cutters are a great addition to any toolkit. The flush cutting working edges are ideal for trimming cable ties, soft solid-strand wire such as safety wire, and crimping braided control wire end caps. Textured grips and a nice feel in the hand make them a pleasure to work with. Once you have these in hand, you'll be off in search of zip ties to cut flush wherever you can find them. Tidy up those loose tails!

Adjustable Pliers Wrench: 50 USD / CAD
Mini Needle Nose Pliers: 25 USD
Mini Diagonal Cutters: 25 USD

Velocio Signature Rain WX Gloves

We've had lots of product from Velocio recently, with Pete reviewing the Trail Access Hardshell Jacket in the spring and Matt covering an array of their winter apparel this month. Finding the perfect glove for wet PNW weather can be trying - they have to be breathable, waterproof, warm enough, quick-drying, and still provide grip and dexterity. After a few months of use with the Signature Rain WX Glove Matt noted that it firmly cemented itself as his favourite winter glove.

The thin merino liner combined with a soft shell face fabric make the gloves waterproof, warm, and breathable. Keeping your fingers warm until temperatures drop below 5º C/40º F, they're perfect gloves for rainy winter riding. The stretchy fabric facilitated a solid grip on the bar, without bunching in the palm. A rubberized palm and fingers add grip and brake and durability. Just note that these gloves run slightly small, so if you're in between, size up.

The combination of dexterity, waterproofing, and quick drying makes a strong case for these gloves.

Velocio Signature Rain WX Glove: 107 CAD / 79 USD

Backslope Tools Charley Bucket

Not all aspects of trail building are glamorous, especially moving bucket after bucket of dirt to shape into a new berm, lip, or landing. The Charley Bucket has a webbed handle on the top and a bottom handle that allows you to carry and precisely dump heavy loads. While still stacking and holding 5 gallons like a traditional bucket, this design is sure to help reduce the effort and risk of injury associated with trail building (and the bottom handle has a magical ability to reduce buckets from sticking together when stacked).

We'll have more on Backslap Tools soon. In the meantime, the Charley Bucket is perfect for building or choring. Grab one for your favourite trail builder. Trust us, they'll love you for it.

• Allow more accuracy when pouring
• Minimizes risk & effort
• 90 mil thickness
• Dimensions: 11.94” Top Dia. x 14.5” Hgt.
• 100% American Made
• Available with a metal handle or a Backslope Tools proprietary webbing handle

Backslope Tools Charley Bucket: 26 USD / 37 CAD