The best urban cycling gifts for the holidays

Looking for that ideal gift for that special someone that spends most of their time cycling the urban wilds of the big city? Here are 10 of our favorite gifts for cyclists this year from big-ticket items like new folding bikes to sweet hip packs and more.

Tern Link A7 folding bike, $549

For cyclists new and old, the holiday season almost always prompts vows to use our bikes more in the coming year. Want a surefire way to help a loved one follow through? Gift them a folding bike. The Tern Link A7 is a quality city bike that’s eminently portable but rides like a much bigger (and more expensive) bike. 

The Link A7’s fast, compact fold and lightweight aluminum frame make storing and transporting the bike a non-issue. It won’t fit in a stocking, but you can stash it most anywhere else—in the trunk of your car, next to your seat on a train or bus, or under your desk at work. 

The bike’s small folded size opens up a ton of options for the recipient. They’ll be able to plan a multimodal commute without worrying about bike restrictions and explore new territory without worrying about theft (they can just pick up the folded Link and bring it inside with them). It’s pretty hard to beat the gift of more opportunities to ride.

A great gift should be at least as fun as it is practical, and the Link A7 has plenty to offer here. For starters, the bike’s ride quality really sets it apart from other folders in this price range. A long wheelbase and high-quality build come together for a ride that’s surprisingly smooth and stable—it’s easy to forget you’re on 20-inch wheels. The bike’s seven speeds are enough to make city riding feel dynamic and exciting, and the Shimano twist shifter is fun to use.

The Link A7 isn’t loaded, but the bike’s designers managed to pack in quite a bit of quality for the money. Thoughtful touches like ergonomic handlebars and a front chainring guard make this bike feel more refined than a typical entry-level model. The Link A7 is a great value, but it’s also a bike that almost anyone—from newbies to collectors—would genuinely enjoy owning.

Gifting something as personal as a bike comes with some risk, but the Link A7’s customizability makes things a lot easier. You can adjust the bike’s seat post height, handlebar height, and handlebar angle using quick releases, so riders 5’2”-6’3” (142 – 190 cm) can quickly create a perfect fit. Optionally, the recipient can use the bike’s built-in eyelets to attach a rear rack or fenders.

To purchase, visit your local Tern dealer or store.ternbicycles.com.

Kryptonite 610S Folding Lock, $114.95

Kryptonite is the name in bike security products, so if there is someone on your holiday gift list who has a new e-bike or bicycle that is looking for some serious security, the new Kryptonite KryptoLok 610 S Folding Lock could be just the thing. Although thieves are relentless in their pursuit of shiny, two-wheeled gems, a good lock with a heroic name such as Kryptonite emblazoned across it can help guide scoundrels to seek out other easier targets.

This hefty and heavy-duty lock can be folded down to a compact size of 2.5 x 8.5 x 1.5 inches to fit into the easy-to-install mounting bracket. The click-tight bracket makes an audible sound when it snaps off the mounting bracket by simply depressing the side buttons, making it even easier for cyclists to use.

The lock is constructed of six 5-mm hardened steel bars, and it expands to a 100-cm opening, which will fit around a frame, wheel, and locking post. The lock also has a durable rubber coating to protect the bike frame.

The new lock ranks 6/10, or moderate, on Kryptonite’s Security Scale, making the KryptoLok 610 S eligible for the brand’s Anti-Theft Protection Offer, which you must register for on the Kryptonite website. It is suitable for short stops in metropolitan areas as well as longer visits and all-day stops in rural areas.

Thousand Heritage Bike Helmet, $89

A fantastic option for city bikers wanting a touch of vintage style and a splash of color with their choice of helmet. Thousand helmets are well-designed and include a number of options that we love, including the secret chamber behind the logo that allows users to snake a u-lock through to secure a helmet along with a bike. We also love the magnetic lock and the dial-fit system. But honestly, the vegan leather straps just put this hard hat in a category all its own.

Brompton Electric C-Line folding bike, $3499

The Brompton Electric C-Line is a wonderfully peppy and fun folding bike ideally suited for commuters and travelers that will also have people out cycling much more often. For Brompton’s foray into e-bikes, it chose its classic C-line folding bike to rev up. And why not? The C-Line has an awesome steel frame with brass details that looks fantastic and is built to survive the punishment of urban riding.

The Brompton Electric is recognized as the most lightweight and compact foldable e-bike on the market. The bike features a removable battery that can be carried separately from the bike in a stowable bag making the bike incredibly easy to carry up stairs, store in small city apartments, or use in addition to public transit for a commute. 

Available in two- or six-speed models and featuring three levels of pedal assist, Brompton Electric gets you from A-to-B quickly, powering your ride up to 15 mph.

The trick with folding bikes is that the small wheels sometimes make it difficult when negotiating an awful stretch of road. Opting for a steel frame lessens the impact to some degree, although it is a point of some debate. And with a folding bike such as a Brompton, there is a good degree of maneuverability that allows one to avoid most of the serious road issues.

What’s great about the compact size is that the Brompton can be taken onto the subway and commuter trains during rush hour without any hubbub. Indeed the London Underground uses the Brompton as a measuring stick for what is allowed and what is not allowed.

We took the C-Line onto the subway in Toronto, at a station with plenty of ramps and stairs. It takes about 30 seconds to fold up the bike to its compact form, but for this option, the handlebars stay extended, which allows riders to roll the bike up the ramp to the station and onto the subway car. If needed for more room once on the car, one can easily fold down the handlebars in a couple of seconds.

The battery, which is 300Wh, has a range is 40-80 km. It is also equipped with a built-in USB port to charge your device while cycling.

The Brompton’s design makes it quite speedy. The small wheels are balanced by a different gear ratio than larger bicycles. Smaller wheels allow the bicycle to pick up speed even faster. In addition, the motor on the Electric C-Line is fantastic.

The bike is equipped with an automatic light system, phone charger, and kickstand mode. One of the best features of a Brompton is the many ways in which it can be customized to suit the individual rider’s needs.

For instance, at 6’2” our reviewer needed a telescopic seat post, which was ideal. There are also regular and extended seat post options for no charge. In addition, it comes in a two or six-speed model, there are a couple of choices of saddle, the aforementioned rolling wheel upgrade, bells, grips, color, rear rack, and more.

The Brompton Electric C-Line is finely engineered and handcrafted and will last a long time. We guess that you will find yourself out cycling far more often than you ever had.

Terry Transit CC Jacket, $199

Looking for a jacket ideal for commuting but packs a multi-functional punch? Check out the Transit CC Jacket.

This top-notch rain jacket features Terry’s ARTEX waterproof membrane and fully taped seams to provide serious protection against the wet stuff, while also allowing body heat to ventilate properly. The Transit has a soft brushed interior, a large rear vent, and core vents with waterproof zippers making it easy to cool down when necessary.

The Transit CC jacket features Clean Color Technology using Bluesign System-approved dyes, which keep harmful chemicals out of the manufacturing process, protecting people and the planet.

Two Wheel Gear Dayliner, $119.95CAD

The Dayliner Handlebar and Truck Box bag, at 20 liters, is actually four bags in one convenient and stylish package. As such, it is an ideal gift for the urban commuter about town. Attach it as a trunk bag on a standard front or rear rack, or mount it to handlebars (all attachments included). It’s also designed to fit in most bike baskets.

At your destination, take the Dayliner out by utilizing the removable shoulder strap. Features include a roll-top closure, internal organization, and an outer quick zip pocket. Fluorescent cover included. This bag is built to last and features reflective and waterproof material.

Kryptonite Avenue R-75 COB Lights, $48.95

We want our loved ones to stay safe out there on the roads during the winter, and a high-quality lighting system is key. And, the Kryptonite Avenue R-75 Light is, well, kinda perfect.

This rear light features a whopping 75 lumens of light and 10 hours of running time, making it ideal for city cycling conditions. The Avenue R-75 offers six lighting modes for all manner of cycling activity including high flash, medium steady, low steady, daylite pulse, nitelite pulse, and economic flash ranging from 10 to 75 lumens.

The battery is fully USB rechargeable with a battery life of two to 10 hours. There is a built-in battery indicator, as well. When the power button is green the charge is good, and it turns red when it is less than 25 percent. The power-saving function kicks it at 10 percent or below, and it automatically switches to the lowest output to keep cyclists safe for as long as possible.

One of the features we loved about the Avenue R-75 is the side illumination ports, which allow cyclists to be seen when making their way across lanes.

The light is compact, durable, and easy to install with a hassle-free mounting port.

Opus E-big City electric bike, $3499

There is no better way to get to work or another urban destination than a bicycle. It’s healthy, fun, and fast. Bicycle commuting also makes economic sense. But not all city bikes are made the same. An ideal bicycle for the city needs to be nimble, work well in all weather conditions, and be reliably safe to name just a few important points. That’s why it was such a pleasure to review the E-big City from Opus, $3,499CAD, an electric bike designed with the city in mind.

From the first pedal, the powerful Shimano E5000 motor and 418Wh battery that drives the E-big City impressed. The battery is housed on the down tube. Although different models of e-bike have the battery in different locations, the down tube is ideal for commuters who can easily lock up the bike, and then unlock the battery and carry it up to work for charging before the ride home. Operating the locking system is a breeze.

This pedal-assist e-bike has a display control that sits beside the left handgrip. Here, basic information is displayed regarding speed and distance, as well as allowing riders to choose from three levels of power assist. The 1-9 gear ratio worked well, and we certainly weren’t missing anything on this point.

With the E-big City, the pedal-assist automatically cuts out at the legal limit of 32 km/h. So, this bicycle is not a speedster, and that’s just fine. It has its own purpose. It’s also got some weight to it, clocking in at 43.6 pounds with the battery.

The battery has a range of 125 kilometers on a full charge with will last approximately six hours.

The E-big City is equipped with the perfect tires to tackled city streets. The Kenda Kwick Seven.5 27.5 x 2.4 are substantial in thickness, but not overbearing. Meaning, there were no issues pedaling over obstacles, avoiding any streetcar track issues, or really anything the city threw in front of it. But, with an aluminum frame and fork, it was also nimble and maneuverable.

The Opus E-big City is also equipped with front and rear fenders that did wonders, and are essential equipment for any serious two-wheeled commuter. There are also front and rear rack mounts.

It is a fantastic e-bike for the city that would make commuting a breeze.

Chrome Tensile Hip Pack, $100

The Tensile series is Chrome’s exploration into making the lightest and toughest bags possible. The Tensile Hip Pack is all about structure and strength. It’s built from recycled, lightweight, laminated ripstop nylon and finished with our Truss 5 Bar Construction for continuous reinforcement. It’s got separate main compartments for organization and can be worn at the hip or crossbody style. The Hip Pack is the ideal light and tough bag for your EDC essentials. Guaranteed for life. Guaranteed a great gift for cyclists.

Bike Nook Bicycle Stand, $60

With the cold weather, there is a greater need to find safe-and-sound storage for our two-wheeled wonders. But, we don’t all have a nice garage or even a basement. The Bike Nook is a fantastic way to position your finely-tuned machines right in the living room by providing vertical storage with the convenience of a floor stand. Affordable, easy to install, and simple to use.

AfterShokz Aeropex headphones, $159.95

Bone-conduction headphones allow listeners to enjoy audio while at the same time leaving the ear canal open for ambient noise while in a city environment. AfterShokz is a leader in this style of headphone, and the Aeropex is its top option for sporty types. Here, the headphones can fit seamlessly under a helmet and wrap around the back to the head to sit on the temple. The Aeropex is equipped with Bluetooth and is waterproof with an eight-hour battery life. Check out a podcast, listen to directions and traffic reports without pulling over, or take a call on the fly.