The 2023 Mountain Biker's Dream Gift Guide 1

The holiday shopping season is here and time is ticking. Stoke out the mountain biker in your life (or yourself 😉) with the gift of shred. Check out this list of our latest top picks:

Specialized made an exciting addition to the 2FO line of flat pedal shoes this year with the Roost Flat Syn. This version of the Roost features a sturdier synthetic upper while retaining the outstanding grip of the SlipNot outsole, comparable to Five Ten's Stealth rubber, and the comfort of the original suede version. The shoe offers a snug fit without being restrictive, and its lightweight design, coupled with Specialized's Body Geometry insole, provides power transfer, arch support, and comfort on both all-day pedaling missions and days in the bike park. One of our favorite shoes just got a bit more favorite.

Crankbrothers' Mallet shoe was designed to be the perfect complement to their Mallet clipless pedals. They are compatible with other SPD pedals as well. A long, ramped cleat box offers easy pedal entry and mud shedding while a Race Zone setback on the cleat track allows the cleat to be positioned further toward the heel if desired for added control and stability when descending. The BOA closure version offers smooth and fast tightening. The Mallet shoe series delivers a comfortable and performance-oriented clipless shoe option for riders and comes ready-to-ride out of the box with pre-install Crankbrothers shim and cleat.

BN3TH's underwear are known for their innovative MyPakage three-dimensional pouch technology. This feature helps keep the boys in check and is included in the BN3TH North Shore Chamois and bib short along with a 12mm STS Pad made with silver Ionic+ fabric to combat odors. The combination of the unique pouch technology and chamois pad provides excellent support without the constricted feeling often associated with traditional pads. From our testing, BN3TH's chamois liner stands out as the most comfortable we've experienced. You'll want a pair for every ride.

Made for everything from trail riding to downhill racing. The MT500 Burner Pants offer a great fit and features you'll appreciate such as 4-way stretch fabric, a knee-pad friendly fit, zippered pockets, and an adjustable waist. The MT500 Burner Jersey uses tough, extra-durable fabric in high-wear zones and a rapid-wicking material in the main body with stretch panels placed just so for unrestricted movement. A complete package for your rides on cooler days. For summer riding, we recommend Endura's MT500 Burner Lite Pant and Jersey, made for optimal breathability and comfort in the heat. 

CushCore's latest Trail Insert is a game-changer for all-mountain and trail riders. Slotting in between their Pro and XC inserts, it features sidewall cutouts for more flexibility and channels for better sealant distribution. Both reduce the weight of the insert and allow for a larger air volume in the tire. The benefits of these inserts are noticeable in our experience. They increase stability, enhance grip, smooth out square edges, and, of course, offer rim protection, encouraging you to carry more momentum through even the roughest sections. This insert meets the needs of riders facing off with challenging trail conditions.

Complete the package and make life easier with CushCore's Bead Dropper Tire Lever and the Bead Bro install tool. Using these, you'll have no issue getting those tire inserts installed.

5Dev Trail/Enduro Cranks stand out with their unique, eye-catching look and thoughtful engineering. Manufactured in San Diego, CA, these precision CNC machined cranks go beyond the standard. 5Dev offers several different lengths, allowing riders to opt for shorter cranks if they want to explore the potential advantages including more ground clearance, minimizing the risk of pedal strikes, and reducing fatigue. Striking a balance between weight and durability, these cranks are a great choice for riders looking for performance, aesthetics, and options.

Crankbrothers released the Stamp 1 Gen 2 Pedal this year with a revamped composite design based on its alloy counterparts. On the trail, the pedal is confidence-inspiring and does well in pretty much any situation. The pedal body itself appears to be very robust and with IGUS premium bearings, a durable seal system, and a 5-year warranty, these pedals are made to last. The Stamp 1 is competitively priced, and we would consider it one of the top contenders among composite pedals now.

The Hope F22 Pedal, an alloy pedal, left a great impression on us as well when it was released in early 2023. Bigger, more concave, and among the lightest pedals in this category. The F22 provides impressive levels of grip and a great feeling under the foot. It is among the more expensive options out there, but in this case, we feel that the F22 delivers value for the money. Based on the track record of its predecessor, the F20, it should see you through many a happy season of riding.

Continental tires have gained a lot of attention after introducing the Kryptotal, Xynotal, and Argotal models. Available with casings for Trail, Enduro, and Downhill and three rubber compounds to match, these tires have rapidly gained recognition, securing podium spots in World Cup DH and Enduro World Series events. Continental has joined Maxxis and Specialized as a standout tire choice for riders seeking confidence-inspiring grip, durability, and capability on diverse trails.

Outbound Lighting's Evo Downhill package will significantly enhance the quality of night rides. It includes the Trail Evo handlebar light and Hangover helmet light. These lights offer four different lumen modes including a unique adaptive mode, have a user-friendly interface, and strike a balance between light output, battery life, and weight. From our experience, the outstanding functionality, bright and even field of view, solid mounts, and convenient features might make this the best light combo on the market.

The OneUp V2 Dropper Seatpost set a benchmark in the market for its performance, reliability, and value. This dropper comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from a wee 90mm to a massive 240mm, and offers among the lowest stack heights and total post lengths of any out there. That and a clever shim system to reduce the travel up to 20mm means you can probably squeeze more travel out of a OneUp dropper than any other. This is a standout for riders seeking a versatile dropper post.

Ergon's SM Saddles cater to the individual needs of both men and women with specific versions and various models to suit each. Designed with input from elite athletes and scientists, these saddles feature a slim, flat shape, a relief channel for anatomical support, and 360-degree padding with orthopedic AirCell foam. The Ergon SM Saddles are an excellent option for riders wanting comfort mile after mile after mile.

A small Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tile can potentially help you find your bike if it is lost or stolen. One of these affordable, coin-sized tracking devices can be mounted to your bike, and in the unfortunate event of theft or loss, could help you track down your precious ride through real-time location information in a tracking app on your phone.

CeramicSpeed's UFO maintenance products will keep your drivetrain clean and running smoothly. The UFO Drivetrain Cleaner effectively removed dirt and grime, leaving the chain spotless. The UFO Drip Wax for Wet Conditions is the toughest one they make and is also suitable for dry, dusty conditions. While the curing process requires an overnight wait, the transparent coating didn't gather dust as quickly as other lubes, keeping the chain clean and silent even after several rides. Although the products are relatively expensive and the wax application process requires planning ahead, the performance is there if you're looking for that extra edge.

The Hope Pro 5 Hubs are the latest in a long line that established themselves as true classics in this space. The Pro 5 features several improvements including quicker engagement, minimized drag, and increased strength and stiffness. As with all things Hope, they are fully serviceable and rebuildable. Our first impressions are very positive and these are a promising choice for riders seeking durable, efficient, and fast-engaging hubs.

The latest SRAM Transmission drivetrain stands out for its innovative design and class-leading shifting performance under load. A direct-mount derailleur eliminates the need for a traditional hanger and the system's durability has been emphasized through unconventional stress tests such as standing on the derailleur. Other features like the "Magic Pulley," built-in skid plates, tool-free cage removal, and the ability to swap out derailleur parts rather than throwing the whole thing away after an unlucky crash are also big advantages. If we were to pick a drivetrain for our next dream build, without a doubt it would be Transmission.

Reserve's Fillmore Tubeless Valves address Presta valve limitations in tubeless setups with a design that integrates the valve cap as a bleeder port and eliminates the need for a removable valve core. This thoughtful design minimizes sealant build-up, offering a hassle-free tubeless experience. The valves provide increased air volume flow and simplify installation and maintenance. While initial tire seating may require a compressor, subsequent inflations prove efficient and straightforward.

For those who have wished they could run Schrader valves on their tubeless wheels, e*thirteen's Quick Fill Schrader Valves can make that a reality. These valves are compatible with standard Presta drilled rims and feature a larger diameter which makes filling sealant through the stem much easier and less likely to clog over time. A pretty nifty little solution to keep an eye out for when they become available.

If what you want isn't in stock right now, simply grab a Gift Card. Easy! Get that wishlist item later when it's back in stock at Jenson USA, Competitive Cyclist, evo, or TPC.

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out our MTB Deals section and other Gift Guides.