If it's for a kid I wouldn't wanna put an IOU in a card, but an adult I wouldn't hesitate to do so.
For kids it's one thing. Though I always hated when parents would ask me which size to buy for their kid who is however many years old, but without the kid present.
For an adult? Nope. Not even before the pandemic did I think that was a good idea. Just because people's tastes and fitment can be so different, the RECIPIENT is the one who needs to go through the purchase and fitting process.
I've always liked the idea to purchase a little miniature bike and wrap that as the IOU. It'd be in a box, so the recipient won't automatically think gift card, and they might briefly think that the miniature itself is the gift, so you should be able to get a fun response if you play it right.
The only time I think actually buying the bike for the adult without their participation can work is when you're after something where fit is a very low concern. Stuff like cruiser bikes where they don't generally come in more than 1 or 2 sizes. Sold one to Chuck Pagano (NFL football coach at the time) once for his wife as a mother's day present, and he INSISTED on me suggesting which color he should buy. I never met the guy's wife - I had NO idea what her aesthetic preferences might be. I ended up "punting" (har har) and telling him what my own wife would have preferred and that's the one he bought. lol. Turns out his wife ended up liking it, so either I got lucky or she's not very picky and probably would have liked most anything.
