FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE
STOKE OUT YOUR DADS…OR YOURSELVES
Sponsored by CompetitiveCyclist.com
Looking for a subtle way to suggest that you’d like some new goodies for Father’s Day? Take a look at this mountain biker’s gift guide and pass it along to your lovely family and let them do the rest. In this list we’ve put together a variety of products from more affordable soft goods to really awesome high end tools that will make working on your bike a dream. There are also a few ideas on ways to freshen up your feet or bike with little comfortable bits of flair like new shoes, grips, pedals and more
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ABBEY SEAL PRESS
MSRP: $90-150
Simple suspension maintenance allows your fork to last much longer and perform at its best. Riding in dusty and muddy conditions wreaks havoc on fork seals and truth be told, you probably should be changing them more often than you do. Ensure that it’s an easy job and it’s done right every time with the Fork Seal Press from Abbey Bike Tools.
This tool uses a common handle, in Abbey’s signature green, and accepts different Delrin drivers made in specific diameters that fit common stanchion sizes on most modern forks and are sold in 3 different kits: Rockshox (32 and 35mm), FOX (32, 34, and 36mm) or all four sizes. The stainless steel striking surface provides a durable area for tapping with a mallet, helping tight-fitting seals find their home and seat properly.
MAXIMA PLUSH FLUID
MSRP: $12.95
PLUSH fluid is an advanced suspension fluid for high performance MTB suspension systems. PLUSH fluid is designed for use in both forks and shocks. Surface active technology eliminates stiction, reduces friction and considerably lowers the force needed for easy breakaway in the initial stroke of travel, providing smooth action throughout the entire range of travel. Advanced additives extend seal life and protect the system from wear and corrosion. Ultra-clean detergents offer smooth, trouble-free operation. Zero Fade high viscosity index (VI) fluid ensures consistent damping action over a wider operating temperature range than conventional suspension oils. Enjoy a PLUSH ride from start to finish with incredible all-terrain feel and responsive component feedback. PLUSH fluid was developed with the worlds fastest racers, on the worlds toughest circuits. Proven in XC, Enduro, All Mountain, DH and Freeride. PLUSH is optimized for todays sophisticated suspension systems.
ABBEY SUSPENSION TOP CAP SET
MSRP: $125
If you’re working on your own suspension fork at home, you have our admiration. We’d recommend adding Abbey Tools’ Suspension Top Cap Socket Set to your setup to make your job a little bit easier. Made with CNC-machined aluminum, the set of five sockets will fit 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32in forks, and they’re built with a 3/8in square drive for compatibility with a torque wrench. Abbey Tools designed these sockets to integrate with the low profile hex on each fork leg, creating a better interface and a socket that will fit securely without damaging other delicate parts of the fork.
PARK TOOLS PORTABLE WORK BENCH
MSRP: $186.95
Tweak your bike before you ride with a portable shop consisting of a toolbox and the Park Tool Portable Workbench. The PB-1 folds out like a card table and locks in place for a sturdy, clean work surface that measures 36 x 20 inches. Different sized slots, holes, and recesses fit your tools, nuts, lube, and even a drink, so you can have the grungy garage feel only a few pedal strokes from the trailhead. Locking straps attach the folded table together so you can carry it to the starting line on race days.
PARK TOOLS BENCHTOP OVERHAUL MAT
MSRP: $25.95
Ever perform a repair only to lose the smallest bolts and intricate parts essential to finishing the job? Holding drivetrain parts, suspension components, and other tiny pieces, the Park Tool Benchtop Overhaul Mat features multiple organizational pockets for separating components during daunting repairs and everyday tune-ups. Rubber-like PVC holds onto small parts without worrying about them rolling away or falling off. And to spruce-up any work area, it’s emblazoned with Park Tool’s signature insignia for a cool aesthetic that’s fit for bike shops and garages.
BLACKBURN PRO PLUGGER CO2 INFLATOR KIT
MSRP: $64.95
Blackburn’s approach to trailside repairs makes it convenient and straightforward to get back to riding instead of walking. With the Pro Plugger CO2 Inflator Kit, what you need to fix your flat is right in arm’s reach and not weighing down valuable pocket space. Blackburn’s CO2’FER inflator head ups the efficiency with a combined valve port and Presta valve core removal tool. Mounted to the bottle cage bolts with a piece of molded rubber, on one side, you’ve got your 25-gram threaded canister with the inflator head, and on the other, the Pro Plugger tubeless repair tool. In case your ride takes you over sharp rocks or miles of goat head thorns, the Pro Plugger holds three, double-wrapped, tire plugs to get you out of some serious jams.
STAN’S NOTUBES DART TOOL
MSRP: $25
Tubeless tires were supposed to mean the end of flats, but while flats are significantly reduced, they still remain a part of our life with tubeless setups. Stan’s DART Tool aims to make the inevitable tear or large puncture quick to fix by plugging even large tears and holes with its barbed tip that anchors into the tire, and instantly reacts with latex sealant to form an instant, airtight seal. The barbed tip is designed to lock into place while riding, and pairs up with flexible material that conforms to punctures and bonds with sealant, wearing off clean, so you don’t have to ride with scissors, or feel a bump in your tire with every rotation.
ONEUP COMPONENTS GRIPS
MSRP: $25
We’ve been thoroughly impressed with OneUp Components’ pedals, chainrings, tools, and dropper posts, so when we heard that they started making grips we had high expectations. Thankfully, the OneUp Grips do not disappoint, thanks to an ergonomic shape that’s designed to reduce arm pump and hand numbness. This is achieved by replacing the hard outer clamp of dual sided lock-on grips with extra rubber that serves to cushion the heel of your palm, improving comfort on long rides and chunky descents. The diamond knurled texture with saw tooth finger ramps provides plenty of traction without needing to death-grip the bars, which ultimately means less arm pump and fatigue. Plus, they’re available in six different colors so you can add a touch of flare to your steed.
ONEUP COMPONENTS COMPOSITE PEDALS
MSRP: $59
Based on the same confidence-inspiring platform as OneUp Components’ Aluminum Pedal, the OneUp Composite Pedal brings you similar performance with ideal grip, size, and weight, but at less than half the price. DU and cartridge bearing technology delivers easy serviceability, smooth rotation, and lasting durability, while ten removable steel pins packed on each side of the platform ensure maximum grip. Its wider platform design makes for an easy footplant and increases stability, while the slightly contoured shape provides a natural and truly connected feeling underfoot.
MAXXIS MINION DHR II TIRES
MSRP: $68 – $95
The original Minion DHR made a name for itself on muddy, technical DH courses around the world by simply refusing to quit, and the same can be said of the DHR II. Shoulder knobs are now borrowed from the heavy-duty Minion DHF tire, making for a wider stance than the original DHR and better cornering, and the once-separated central knobs are now practically unified, creating a paddle-like effect across the tire that notably boosts both braking and loose-ground traction. Still siped, and now ramped, the tread rolls and clears mud and grime faster than its predecessor. The 60TPI casing returns, as does EXO sidewall protection technology, which is the integration of a tough, semi-rigid fabric into the tire’s sidewall that prevents both abrasion and pinch-flatting.
RIDE CONCEPTS SHOES
MSRP: $65-160
Ride Concepts is a performance-focused brand specializing in mountain bike footwear. Whether you are looking for a casual shoe like the Vice that can pull double-duty or need a shoe capable enough to handle the gnarliest downhills like the TNT. Ride Concepts has a shoes for you. Not to mention, Ride Concepts shoes are some of our all-time favorites.
SMITH SESSION HELMET
MSRP: $160
Style meets ventilation for total comfort in all-mountain applications in the new Smith Session MIPS Helmet. This all-new cranium coverage keeps your noggin on lockdown with a combination of Smiths Koroyd technology and MIPS, shielding you from impacts both direct and oblique, so you can charge through rowdy rock gardens while staying ventilated as you weave your way through technical switchbacks to the top for round two. And Smith doesn’t hold back on the good looks either, with a modern and sleek style that falls neatly between the previously loved Rover and Forefront, giving just a little more coverage than its cross-country cousin, but with less bulk than the enduro-ready Forefront.
WERA TOOLS T-HANDLE SCREWDRIVERS HEX-PLUS SET
MSRP: $102.94
Wera T-handle screwdriver for the transmission of particularly high tightening and loosening moments. Ergonomic 2-component handle with finger handle recesses and pleasant surface feel for very high power transmission and fatigue-free working. Take it easy tool finder: colour coding according to profile and size. With additional short arm for the transmission of extremely high torques due to the leverage of the long arm. With holding function (HF) on the long arm to securely hold the screw on the tool.