Gift Guide - Last Minute Local Gifts

Left it to the last minute? We have some gift ideas that you can grab quickly while supporting a local business. All of these items were found at my local bike shop or outdoor gear store, with the exception of the Knipex Pliers Wrenches but those are such a home run I couldn't help but include them. If your local doesn't have the exact items mentioned, don't worry. No need to get bogged down by the specifics. For the most part, any high end tools, waterproof socks, tubeless valves, handlebars grips, or bike tuneup packages will make great gifts for the cycling enthusiast in your life.

Knipex Pliers Wrench

Why buy a Knipex when there's a bundle of wrenches and pliers sitting in a toolbox in your place already? Tongue and groove pliers are great for most household applications, when working with steel hardware. However, bikes have aluminum or anodized parts that will be scratched by the teeth of a tongue and groove pliers, which aren't designed to work with nuts and bolts. Knipex Pliers Wrenches have smooth, parallel jaws that are made for turning fittings. Once I used the tool a few times, I couldn't imagine not having one. The lower and the upper jaw of the tool are always parallel to each other regardless of where the pliers are in their range of motion. This increases surface area when grabbing something and reduces damage. As it compares to an adjustable wrench, the Knipex Pliers Wrench can be tightened completely against a bolt or fastener, which reduces play, and the possibility of stripping.

When working on something that you want to avoid damaging, Knipex sells plastic soft-jaws that fit on all of their Wrench Pliers. As you apply pressure on the top handle of the tool, it forces the lower jaw to travel upwards in parallel. That means that you can apply a lot of torque when needed without relying on your grip strength or tiring your hands.

These tools are useful in an array of turning, gripping, holding, bending, or pressing applications. I use mine to hold BB tools, press shock eyelet bushings, pull out stubborn cables, or tighten brake compression fittings. I personally have the 10 inch and 7 inch versions, but if you have to buy one, the 10 inch is the most versatile. They're also useful for non-bike applications, as evidenced by the fact that my dad keeps borrowing them for plumbing or vehicle work. Hardware stores like Canadian Tire or Home Depot almost aways have these in stock.

• Replaces a full set of inch and metric open end wrenches up to 3 3/8" (85mm)
• Smooth jaws for damage free installation of plated fittings
• Adjustable tightening tool
• Excellent for gripping, holding, pressing and bending applications
• Zero backlash jaw surface pressure prevents damage to edges of sensitive components
• Multiple adjustment positions at the touch of a button directly on the workpiece
• Laser-etched scale allows the wrench opening to be set before gripping onto workpiece - metric and inch markings
• Parallel jaws allow infinitely variable gripping of all widths to the specified maximum size
• Lever transmission greater than 10-1 for strong gripping power
• The action of the jaws allows bolted connections to be tightened and released quickly using the ratchet principle
• Reliable catching of the hinge bolt: no unintentional shifting
• Available in 4", 5", 7 1/4", 10", 12", and 16" sizes

Knipex Pliers Wrench: 90 CAD / 65 USD

Waterproof Socks

With the rain and cold temperatures we get here throughout winter in the PNW, riding can be miserable. The combination of shorter days and reduced time exercising outside can take a toll on active people. With that said, braving the cold can be infinitely more enjoyable for a few hours with the proper gear. A pair of waterproof socks, or waterproof riding shoes can open a window for your rider to enjoy the trails in even the most abysmal riding conditions. Waterproof booties work wonders for road or gravel riding, but they are susceptible to getting chewed up on the mountain bike, and don't work with flat pedals.

I invested in a pair of waterproof socks a few years ago, rewarding myself with slightly less cold and wet toes. The Shower's Pass Crosspoint socks, reviewed by Andrew a few years back, feature a 3-layer construction consisting of a wear resistant knit exterior, a seamless waterproof membrane, and a comfortable lining. These are great in riding, snowshoeing, cold weather camping, and skiing applications. Available at most outdoor stores like MEC, REI, or Valhalla Pure Outfitters.

• Comfortable terry loop cushion along entire footbed
• Heaviest weight and thickness of Crosspoint socks
• Mid-calf (9.5" height) waterproof protection
• Moisture wicking, natural anti-microbial Merino Wool blend lining
• Inner: 39% Merino Wool, 39% Acrylic, 13% Polyester, 7% Nylon
• Outer: 80% Nylon, 14% Polyester, 4% Lycra, 2% Spandex

Shower's Pass Waterproof Socks: 60 CAD / 40 USD

Pedro's Tire levers

While it's never happened, I can only imagine that ending up in the ER getting stitches due to a broken tire lever during a Cushcore installation would be a properly lousy way to spend the holidays. I've used these levers for the last ten years while working in bike shops. I've never broken one, they don't flex that much, and they have a nice wide hook on the end to properly lever the bead of your tire onto the rim. They're not super expensive, and they're one of those products that just works exactly how they should. Available in yellow, green, pink, or orange, the levers snap together. If you do manage to break one, Pedro's will send you a replacement set for free through their lifetime warranty. Available at the majority of self-respecting bicycle shops.

• Award winning and universally loved.
• Molded box construction and proprietary plastic blend makes these the strongest levers available.
• Chisel tip shape is easy to insert beneath the bead and the slightly thicker shape keeps the tire lever from slipping.
• Bold shape makes it easy to remove the tightest of tires without bending or breaking.

Pedro's Tire Levers: 8 CAD / 5.50 USD

Muc-Off Anodized Tubeless Valves

Okay, so maybe the Ali G In-yo-house is in need of some 'bling bling', but doesn't subscribe to wearing watches, earrings, or necklaces? A set of anodized tubeless valves stems will dress up your special person's bike and get them ready for the ball. The Muc-off Tubeless Valves V2 are available in ten colours and three sizes - 44mm, 60mm & 80mm - well suited for both Road and MTB. They are made of aircraft grade 7075 aluminum, making them light and strong. Featuring 6 slots machined into the base of the valve stem, they are compatible with most tire inserts, enabling the air to flow freely in and out of the side of the base. The package includeds 3 sets of rubber inserts to fit a variety of rim shapes.

You can also mix and match the colour of your tubeless valves, with contrasting locking rings and caps wit their Tubeless Valve Accessory Kits. If you can't find the Muc-Off valves, Peaty's or Cush Core make a very similar product that work great as well.

• 7075 Aluminium machined cap
• 4mm machined Allen Key slot for easy installation / removal
• Includes Valve Core Removal Tool (integrated into spare alloy cap)
• Supplied with various rubber bases to optimise fit with multiple rim types
• Assortment of 10 eye-popping anodised colours
• Available in 3 different sizes - 44mm, 60mm or 80mm
• Suitable for MTB, gravel, and road
• Suitable for Presta Valves only

Muc-off Tubeless Valves V2: 50 CAD / 35 USD

Ergon Grips

Mountain biking, while emphatically amusing, can be damn tough on the body. Alongside going to the gym, body position on the bike, and touch points like handlebars, saddles, or grips can make or break a ride.

During the past few winters, I've been riding steel hard tails to improve my technical riding skills and reduce the maintenance that stems from sliding around in the PNW winter slop. As a result, my body takes a beating and I would frequently have to stop half way down a trail to reset because of sore wrists or numbness in my fingers and hands. That sent me down the path of trying different grips in an attempt to reduce this discomfort. Ergon does a ton of testing in order to design grips that limit pressure on the ulnar nerve and reduce arm pump.

I ended up on the GE1 grips (32mm diameter). I trust their R&D and they have certainly made my rides more enjoyable. AJ tested the Ergon GFR1 (30mm diameter) and noted that it is an excellent product for riders that like thin grips. If your rider has larger hand or wants more plushness, the GA2 Fat have a larger 33mm diameter. With Ergon it's imperative that the angle be set correctly so this may take a few rides to get perfectly tuned in.

Ergon Grips: 55 CAD / 40 USD

Contributing To Your Local Trail Organization

Maybe the mountain biker in your life isn't all that materialistic? Perhaps they just went to the bike shop and came home with a whole bunch of things the week before Christmas. I've been in this situation numerous times with people in my life whereby I've purchased a gift, wrapped it, and put it under the tree, only to find out the day before Christmas they purchased that exact thing because they 'needed to use it today'.

Most of us at NSMB contribute to our local trail building efforts in the form of volunteer trail days or with the purchase of an annual membership. This is the ultimate local gift that everyone can appreciate. Those associations could use the early membership cash to start planning and booking trail builder time.

Bike Maintenance Package

If you've read our other weeks of Gift Guide, scanned through my other recommendations, and nothing appeals, this is a pragmatic gift that every cyclist will use. After all, a mountain biker either needs tools to fix their bike themselves, or the ability to pay a professional mechanic to do it for them.

Even if your loved one is pretty handy, like with most professional trades, YouTube videos and self taught tutorials won't produce the quality of work that accompanies a career as a bike mechanic. Most shops sell gift cards for the value of their different tune up packages. Consider supporting your local bike shop during their slow season before the spring hits, when most shops are booking multiple weeks out for repairs. As a rough guide, 100 dollars gets them a basic tune, 200 dollars is an intermediate tune with a fork overhaul, and 400 dollars facilitates a full bike rebuild, which will have their bike feeling as fresh as the day they bought it.

Good luck with your last minute shopping.