Black Friday bike gear: discounts and deals

What does Black Friday bike equipment include?

On Vélo-Store, equipment refers to anything that's neither a bike, a mechanical part, nor clothing: it’s what keeps the bike stationary, carries your belongings, illuminates your path, protects you, or transports children and bikes. These categories can be consulted all year round in the Equipment section, with a selection guide for each, and the Black Friday page brings together all the categories of the event, including bikes and parts.

Six sections to find your way around

Locks

The bike locks from Black Friday cover all formats: U, folding, chain, cable, frame locks, alarms, and anchor points. Often the first purchase after getting a new bike.

Electronics

The electronics section includes lights, bike computers, GPS units, smartphone cases, and mounts, as well as batteries and chargers.

Cyclist Protection

The cyclist protections include glasses and spare lenses, high visibility vests, knee pads, and MTB elbow pads.

Bike Protection

Mudguards, kickstands, bells, and mirrors make up the bike protections.

Luggage

The luggage ranges from small saddle bags to travel racks, including handlebar and frame bags, racks, and baskets.

Transport

The transport section includes trailers, baby carriers, car bike racks, and storage solutions for bikes at home.

What to start with based on your practice?

• Daily trips: lock appropriate for the parking location, rechargeable lights, mudguard, and rack bag.
• Road: GPS computer, interchangeable lens glasses, and saddle bag for the inner tube; clothing for the event is separate, in road equipment.
• MTB: knee pads, elbow pads, and securely mounted smartphone holder; jerseys, jackets, and all-terrain shorts can be found in MTB equipment.
• Family: baby carrier or trailer depending on the child's age, and double kickstand for a steady bike.
• Travel: rack, waterproof bags, and bike rack for getting to your destination by car.

How to assess a discount on equipment

A discount is judged based on the exact reference. For a lock, note the length, diameter, and type of locking mechanism, whether key or code; for lighting, the model and mounting; for a smartphone case, the phone model; for a bag, the volume and attachment system. Then compare the strikethrough price and the displayed price of the same reference, and read the product details: a mount or charger may be sold separately, and a bundle can only be compared to an identical bundle.

Compatibilities to check before confirming

Some measurements can prevent buying unusable equipment. A rack is chosen based on wheel diameter and frame inserts; a baby carrier based on the child's weight and its attachment, whether on the frame or the rack; a mudguard based on wheel diameter and tire width; a frame lock based on the spacing of the stays. For a car bike rack, check the hitch or tailgate and the weight limit per bike, which is crucial for an electric bike.

The brands of the equipment

Quad Lock, founded in Melbourne, Australia, secures the smartphone to its mount with a simple rotation; its MAG cases, equipped with magnets, remain compatible with the brand's lockable bike mounts.

Kheax, a French brand, names its bags after mountain passes: the Izoard II, a 31-litre rack bag, includes a code lock to prevent it from being opened or removed from the rack.

Rudy Project, founded in Treviso, Italy, mounts photochromic ImpactX lenses on glasses like the Kelion or Astral X, which darken in sunlight and lighten in shadow.

Polisport, a Portuguese manufacturer of child seats, offers the Guppy baby carrier; the Guppy Junior attaches to the rack and accommodates a child weighing between 22 and 35 kg.

Abus, a German lock manufacturer, rates the strength of each lock from 1 to 15; its folding Bordo comes with either a frame mount or integrated alarm.

After the event: clearance and new arrivals

Outside the event, end-of-line equipment moves to clearance, and new catalog arrivals go to new arrivals. Winter sales, French Days, and summer sales punctuate the rest of the year.

Frequently asked questions

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving, an American holiday celebrated on a Thursday, approaching the year-end festivities. This Friday lends its name to the event, but on Vélo-Store the Black Friday offers on equipment stretch throughout November: refer to the dates displayed on the site at the time of your purchase.

What equipment is required on a bike?

Front and rear brakes, a bell audible from 50 meters, reflectors, and at night, lights, white or yellow in front and red at the back: that’s the minimum legal requirement. Additionally, a reflective vest is required outside urban areas when visibility is low, and a helmet must be worn by any child under 12 years, whether they are the rider or a passenger.

What to choose to gift equipment without knowing about bikes?

Opt for items that do not depend on frame size or standards: a flexible mounting light, a saddle bag with straps, a bell with adjustable mounting or a high visibility vest. A lock should be chosen with its future user, as it depends on where the bike will be stored.

What equipment to consider for an electric bike?

Heavier and more expensive than a manual model, it requires a high-quality lock, or even two of different types. Also check the load limit of the bike rack and luggage carrier, as well as the compatibility of lights with the motor if you wish to connect it to the battery.

Should you buy the equipment at the same time as the bike?

A lock and a light are useful from the very first ride. Bags, mudguards, or bike racks are better decided after a few weeks of use, once your routes are known.