Buying guide · 6 min
BMX gifts: what to buy a rider and get it right
A helmet, gloves, grips, pedals and spares: six gifts a rider actually uses, sorted by kind of rider so you get it right without guessing.
Guide updated
Quick answer: To get it right for a rider, gift what wears out or what protects: a certified helmet if they are starting out or theirs is old, gloves or fresh grips for someone already riding, pedals if theirs are worn smooth and a thick spare tube for anyone. The gifts that do not depend on body sizes — grips, pedals and a tube — are the safest when you cannot ask.
Buying for a rider looks hard because everything sounds like an obscure part, but there is a shortcut: what wears out and what protects. Grips, pedals and tubes wear out riding; helmets and gloves age with every hit. These six gifts pass that filter, and all of them get used from day one.
The six gifts at a glance
How to choose, in order of importance
- Gift wear or protection, not decoration. A part that goes on the bike today beats a bike-shaped ornament.
- If you cannot ask, avoid body sizes. Grips, pedals and a tube do not depend on the rider’s size; helmets and gloves do.
- Check the one measurement that matters for each part. Helmet: head circumference. Pedals: the crank thread. Tube: the size printed on the tyre sidewall.
- For a child starting out, protect first. A certified helmet and pads are the gift that goes with the new bike.
1. Pro-Tec Classic Certified: the helmet that is always needed
The gift you cannot get wrong if the rider is starting out or their helmet is old and battered. It is the classic open-face skate and BMX helmet, with an ABS shell and EPS liner, certified for bike and skate use. If it is for a child with a new bike, this is the gift that goes in the same box.
Specs and cons of the Pro-Tec Classic Certified
According to Pro-Tec: high-impact ABS shell with EPS liner, 11 vents and sizes XS–XL (52–62 cm). Certifications: CPSC 1203, ASTM F1492/F1447, AS/NZS 2063:2008 and CE EN 1078.
Cons: you do need the right size: measure the head circumference at forehead height and pick the size that does not wobble. And a helmet that has already taken a hard hit gets replaced, not handed down. Pros and cons ↓
2. Fox Racing Dirtpaw: gloves that actually protect
Full-finger gloves are the classic gift for someone who rides every week: theirs will be scuffed. The Dirtpaw has knuckle protection and a padded palm made for holding the bars for hours, in BMX, MTB or motocross.
Specs and cons of the Fox Dirtpaw
According to the product listing: compression-moulded neoprene cuff, single-layer padded Clarino palm that works with touchscreens and a nylon back with injected TPR knuckle protection.
Cons: the link opens the XL size: change the size on the listing before paying, because glove size really matters. Pros and cons ↓
3. ODI Longneck SL: fresh grips, new-bike feel
The small gift that makes the biggest difference: soft grips with ODI’s mushroom pattern bring back the hold the old ones lost. They depend on no size at all and fit in minutes, so they are the safe gift when you cannot ask questions.
Specs and cons of the ODI Longneck SL
According to ODI: soft compound with a mushroom pattern, flangeless, 135 mm long, sold in pairs with press-in plugs included.
Cons: they can feel short with big hands, and the mushrooms wear smooth with use and scrapes: they are a consumable, which is exactly why they make a good gift. Pros and cons ↓
4. Odyssey Twisted PC: fresh pedals without breaking the bank
The plastic classic half the world starts on: a wide platform and 16 pins per side so the foot stays put. It is the gift for anyone still riding the smooth, battered pedals that came with the bike.
Specs and cons of the Odyssey Twisted PC
According to Odyssey: high-strength nylon composite, 16 pins per side, loose-ball bearings with a chromoly axle and a 98 x 89 mm platform. This link is the 9/16" thread version, the one for 3-piece cranks.
Cons: if the bike has 1-piece cranks, the thread is 1/2" and these will not fit; and loose-ball bearings want a check and a grease now and then. Pros and cons ↓
5. Schwalbe no. 7 Air Plus: the spare that saves sessions
Nobody dreams of an inner tube, but every rider needs one the day they puncture far from home. The Air Plus has Schwalbe’s thickest wall against pinch flats and holds air longer: the practical gift for anyone who jumps, drops in or rides street.
Specs and cons of the Schwalbe Air Plus
According to Schwalbe: sizes from 40 to 62-406 (20 x 1.50" to 20 x 2.40"), 40 mm Schrader valve, butyl, 220 g and a 1.5 mm wall, about 70% more than a conventional tube.
Cons: it weighs 75 g more per wheel than the standard no. 7 and does not make up for low pressure. Check the sidewall size and the valve on their bike before gifting it. Pros and cons ↓
6. Pro-Tec Street (3-piece set): complete the protection kit
Knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards in a single set: the helmet’s partner for someone starting at the skatepark or for a child who is already letting go. Plastic caps and velcro straps, no fuss.
Specs and cons of the Pro-Tec Street set
According to the product listing: a set of 3 Street pads for adults, with plastic caps and hook-and-loop (velcro) closure.
Cons: this is the adult version; for kids, pick the corresponding junior size and check the size chart on the listing. Pros and cons ↓
| If the rider is… | Gift |
|---|---|
| A child getting their first BMX | Pro-Tec Classic Certified (and the Street set if the budget stretches) |
| Someone starting out with no kit yet | Pro-Tec Classic Certified |
| The weekly park or street rider | Fox Racing Dirtpaw or ODI Longneck SL |
| The one who jumps and gets pinch flats | Schwalbe no. 7 Air Plus |
| The one on worn-smooth stock pedals | Odyssey Twisted PC (check the thread) |
| You cannot ask them anything | ODI Longneck SL or Schwalbe Air Plus: no body sizes involved |
Common mistakes when buying for a rider
- Giving “BMX” clothing without a size: shoes and pants need trying on; helmets and gloves need a measurement in hand.
- Buying pedals without checking the thread: 9/16" on 3-piece cranks and 1/2" on 1-piece; get it wrong and they will not fit.
- Giving a second-hand helmet: a helmet that has taken a hard hit has done its job; helmets are bought new and certified.
- Forgetting the boring spare: the tube and the grips are what actually gets used every month.
- Leaving it to the last minute: at Christmas and Epiphany the popular sizes sell out; buy helmets and gloves with time to spare.
If the gift goes with a first bike, the BMX for kids guide has the size chart by height. To go deeper on each part: BMX helmets, protective gear, ODI Longneck SL vs SLX grips, best BMX pedals and which tube to buy. And to break the gift in, find somewhere to ride in the skatepark, track and pump track directory. The six gifts with verified specs are just below.
Frequently asked questions
What can you gift a rider without knowing their sizes?
Grips, pedals or a spare tube: none of them depends on body size. You only need to check the pedal thread (9/16" on 3-piece cranks, 1/2" on 1-piece) and the sidewall size for the tube. Helmets and gloves do need measurements: head circumference and hand size.
What is the safest gift for a child starting out?
A certified helmet: it is the first thing they should wear with the new bike. The Pro-Tec Classic Certified covers head circumferences from 52 to 62 cm (sizes XS–XL) and is certified for bike and skate use.
How do I get the helmet size right?
Measure the head circumference with a tape at forehead height and choose the size that measurement falls into. The helmet should neither wobble nor squeeze: if between sizes, try the smaller one with its pads.
Do pedals fit any BMX?
Almost: the crank thread decides. 3-piece cranks use 9/16" and 1-piece cranks use 1/2". The Odyssey Twisted PC link in this guide is the 9/16" one; look at their bike’s cranks before buying.
Why don’t you give prices or scores?
Because prices change often and we don’t want to give you a made-up score: we’d rather help you pick the right product for the kind of rider. You will see today’s price on the shop listing.
