The last thing that any cyclist really wants for Christmas is ‘something with a bike on it’ – a cycling-themed jumper, mouse mat or biscuit tin. On the other hand, they’ve probably got most cycling essentials already. Any bike commuter will already have luggage, lights, mudguards and a lock.

That’s where this list comes in: 12 items, all costing £50 or less, that will pleasantly surprise even a lifelong cyclist. They’re products that will continue to be used in the year ahead, instead of in the bin by Boxing Day. In fact, they’re useful enough that you could happily get them for yourself as part of your next Cyclescheme package.

1. BBB EasyTyre Fitting Tool £9.99

Even with the right technique, it can be hard work fitting tyres. Tubeless tyres have tighter tolerances and tough tyres are harder to manipulate. This bead-jack tool makes things easier for anyone who doesn’t have iron grip strength. One end sits on the rim on the opposite side from the unfitted section of tyre, while the hooked end levers the unfitted section into place as you squeeze the handles together. It’s mostly a workshop tool but takes up little room in a pannier.

2. Proviz Reflective Arm/Ankle Bands £9.99

For cycling, these reflective bands are best fitted to ankles rather than arms: the up-down motion as you pedal makes you immediately identifiable as a cyclist when you’re caught in a car’s headlights. On top of that, they double as cycle clips so you can ride in trousers without getting oil on them – or getting them snagged on the chainring. There are two sizes (S/M and L/XL) and three colours: yellow, pink and black.

3. RAW Mudflaps from £11/pair

Full-length, frame-fitting mudguards will keep the worst of any wheel spray off you on a wet commute. Yet most are too short to stop dirty water splattering your feet and the face of anyone cycling behind you. Adding mudflaps is the solution. RAW’s are well made and easy to fit. They come in a huge range of sizes, colours and patterns. Plain ones like those pictured are cheapest. For not much more you can buy them in your cycling club’s colours or in reflective material.

4. City Cycling £14.99
Few books about cycling are aimed at commuters. One of the best, Cyclecraft, is out of print – although still available as a PDF. City Cycling, which was published back in 2007, remains easy to get hold of. Written by Richard Ballantine, one of cycling’s trailblazers, it’s packed with information about choosing, maintaining and using bikes for transport. The sections about cycling in traffic are worth the cover price alone, and it’s an engaging, upbeat read throughout.

5. Btwin City Bike Rain Poncho 100 £19.99

No, it won’t win any points for style, but if you want a cheap and easy way to stay dry on a bike, a poncho is it. Btwin’s has elastics at the hands and thighs to keep it in place, and a hood that will go over or under a helmet. It’s so capacious that you can wear a medium-sized backpack underneath, yet it packs down into its front pocket (28x24x6cm). Chuck it your commuter bag and leave it there until you need it. Note: you will need mudguards to stay dry from underneath. 

6. CatEye OH-2300B Hibiki Brass Bell £20

You’re not legally required to have a bell on a bike, and drivers can’t usually hear them anyway. So why have one? To alert other cyclists and – even more importantly – pedestrians to your presence. A bell is a gentle ‘excuse me’ that marks you out as a cyclist by sound alone. This CatEye Hibiki is several times the price of budget bells, but is well made and has a nice, resonant sound. It fits handlebar diameters of 25.4 and 22.2mm.

7. Altura Tempo Women’s Cycling Knickers £22

Padded cycling underwear provides bike-short comfort for commuting without the skin-tight Lycra look. These knickers can be worn like any others under everyday shorts, skirts, leggings, trousers and dresses. The fabric is lightweight and breathable, and there’s a subtle foam pad stitched in to prevent chafing or pressure points. Blokes wanting something similar in scope should check out Endura's Men’s Engineered Padded Boxers (£29.99).

8. Fenwicks Complete Cleaning Kit £30

You’ll get fewer mechanical problems if you keep your bike clean and well lubricated. As you’d expect from the name, this Complete Cleaning Kit comes with all the essentials: a litre of spray-on bike cleaner; 95ml of bike-cleaner concentrate for refills; foaming chain cleaner; a chain-cleaning sponge; a stiff brush; and some all-conditions chain lube. The cleaners and lubricants are biodegradable, so you can just hose any mess down the drain.

9. DexShell Hytherm Pro Waterproof Socks £40

Socks are a staple present at Christmas. Instead of buying ‘funny’ or bike-themed socks, get these. They’re warm enough for winter, being lined with merino wool and reaching to mid calf. They also have a waterproof Porelle membrane between the wool inner and nylon outer, so you can literally stand in a puddle and have dry feet. Take care while walking around shoeless, however; you don’t want to piece that all-important waterproof layer!

10. Wolf Tooth 6-Bit Hex Wrench Multi-Tool £42

Tools that fit on a keyring tend to be pressed-steel tat or Swiss army knives that are more use to Ray Mears than Eddy Merckx. Wolf Tooth’s 6-Bit Hex Wrench is a proper cycling multitool that you can take anywhere. It has 11 functions: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm Allen keys; flat head #3.5 and Phillips #2 screwdrivers; and T10 and T25 Torx bits. When the keyring is connected, the tool is locked shut so you don’t have to worry about losing the bits.

11. Knog Scout Bike Alarm & Finder £49.99

This device combines a motion-sensitive 85db bike alarm with a tracker that work’s with Apple’s Find My app. It fits to bottle cage mounts on your bike’s frame, using tamper-proof mounts. You can attach it underneath a bottle cage if you want to be stealthy or by itself with a bright yellow cover if you want to advertise its presence. The Scout is USB rechargeable and lasts up to six months per charge. It’s iOS only at present; an Android version is coming soon.

12. Truflo Electron Compact Electric Pump £49.99

Effortless tyre inflation on the go! Like other electric mini pumps, the USB-rechargeable Truflo Electron is an air compressor that’s small enough to fit in your pocket. It will do about three inflations per charge and can reach 120psi; a digital display shows real-time pressure. It’s even capable of seating some tubeless tyres. Schrader and Presta valve adapters are included, along with a hose for ease of use and a light so you can inflate tyres in the dark.