What to Give a Beginner Cyclist: Our Gift Ideas

For a beginner cyclist, the best gifts make those first rides safer, more comfortable and more fun: a well-fitted helmet, good gloves, a rental day or a mountain bike lesson. There's no need to aim for a $3,000 bike to make someone happy.

It's a question we hear a lot at the shop, especially as the holidays get closer. Someone is looking for a gift for a partner, a parent or a friend who's just starting to ride, and ends up facing a wall of products without knowing where to begin. Here are our ideas, from the most useful to the simplest, with what we actually recommend to people starting out in the Laurentians and beyond.

Before you choose: three simple pointers

Three questions avoid most gift mistakes. Does the person already own a bike, or are they still deciding whether to buy one? What kind of riding appeals to them: bike paths, trails, family rides? And do you know their sizes? For a helmet or gloves, size matters.

If you're unsure, give us a call or stop by the shop. The team will advise you based on your budget and how the person rides. Live in Montreal or Laval? Treat it as a good excuse for a trip to the Laurentians. And if you'd rather order online, shipping is free on orders over $150 (bikes excluded).

A well-fitted helmet

This is the most useful gift. According to the Institut national de santé publique du Québec, wearing a helmet prevents between 50% and 69% of head injuries among cyclists. It's also the gift where size matters most: a helmet that tips backward or moves when you shake your head doesn't protect well.

The Fox Speedframe helmet ($149.95): light, well ventilated and easy to adjust for a beginner.

For a beginner, a light, well-ventilated model is all you need. Expect to spend about $150 for a helmet like the Fox Speedframe. Browse our selection of bike helmets and, if you're unsure about size, measure the person's head or come try on models together. Our guide on how to choose a mountain bike helmet by riding style covers what to check.

A good pair of gloves

Gloves are often overlooked, which is a shame. They reduce pressure on the palms during long rides and protect the hands in a fall. At our shop, short-finger cycling gloves start at $39.99 with Giant and go up to around $55 with Fox. It's an affordable gift, useful from the very first ride, and it fits nicely under the tree.

The Giant Pace short-finger gloves ($39.99), an affordable gift that's useful from the first ride.

A mountain bike lesson

For someone who dreams of riding trails but doesn't dare to start, a lesson is worth more than an object. Our mountain bike lessons are for curious beginners as well as more experienced riders. The instructors help riders progress and enjoy the trails with confidence. Lessons run during the riding season: the perfect thing to give now for the spring. Contact us for availability and rates.

A rental day to try before buying

Giving a ride is giving a test drive. For someone who's hesitant to buy, a day on the P'tit Train du Nord trail says more than a spec sheet. At RST, a hybrid bike rental costs $40 for the day, or $35 for 4 hours. It's an accessible gift, and it often makes people want to come back with their own bike.

Our full-day hybrid bike rental ($40), ideal for trying the P'tit Train du Nord.

Not sure which type of bike would suit them? Our guide on which bike to rent in the Laurentians for your ride helps you decide. Then get in touch with the shop to arrange the booking.

A tune-up at the workshop

Many beginners have an old bike at the back of the garage, inherited or bought years ago. A workshop tune-up makes it safe and enjoyable to ride, and removes the main obstacle to getting back on: "my bike isn't ready." Our service workshop handles maintenance in store, and our team provides after-sales follow-up. Contact the team for rates and turnaround times.

A maintenance kit and a few small accessories

On a tighter budget, a cleaner and a chain lube make an excellent gift. A clean, well-lubricated bike rides better and lasts longer, and it's a good way to learn the basics. Our bike maintenance collection covers the essentials.

The Giant Elements chain cleaning kit ($41.99) to learn basic maintenance.

If the person rides an e-bike, fall maintenance also includes the battery. Our article on how to store an e-bike battery for winter explains how to go about it.

What about the bike itself?

We advise against secretly buying a bike for someone who's just starting out. The type, size and settings are best chosen with the person sitting on the bike. Instead, offer a visit to the shop and let them try. For bike path or family rides, our hybrid bikes are an excellent starting point. Our guide with 10 expert tips for choosing your first mountain bike also helps clear things up.

And for someone who already rides an e-bike?

Needs change when you ride with electric assist. Our 5 gift ideas for e-bike riders are better suited to that profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good gift idea for a beginner cyclist?

A well-fitted helmet and good gloves are the two most useful purchases. If you'd like to give an experience, a rental day or a mountain bike lesson builds confidence from the very first rides.

What budget should I plan for a beginner cyclist's gift?

Expect about $40 for gloves, $40 for a hybrid rental day and around $150 for a helmet. Lessons and workshop tune-ups vary: contact the shop for rates.

Can you give a bike rental day as a gift?

Yes, it's a great idea. Get in touch with the shop to arrange the booking and choose the right type of bike for the person.

How do you choose the right helmet size?

Measure the head circumference about 2 cm above the eyebrows, then compare it with the manufacturer's size chart. The helmet should sit level, snug without being uncomfortable, and not move when you shake your head.

Is it better to give a bike or accessories?

For a beginner, accessories or an experience are the safer choice. The right bike depends on size, terrain and riding style, and it's best chosen with the person, in store.

In conclusion

A well-fitted helmet and good gloves cover the essentials of a first gift. A rental day, a lesson or a workshop tune-up offer an experience rather than an object, and the bike itself is best chosen with the person.

Our team at RST Vélosports loves advising people who are just starting out, it's often where everything gets decided. Visit us in store in the Laurentians, browse our bike accessories collection or book a bike rental to give someone their first ride.