Black Friday road bike components on sale

What do road components for Black Friday include?

The selection is divided into five categories. The road saddles and stems are the most comprehensive, followed by bars and handlebars, seat posts, and pedals. A few lever hand rests complete the set. All these parts change your position on the bike: before changing size, note the dimensions of the part you are replacing.

Handlebar and stem: the measurements of the cockpit

The clamp diameter, 31.8 mm on most recent road bikes, must be the same on both the handlebar and the stem. The handlebar width is measured from center to center or from outside to outside depending on the manufacturers, which can lead to differences of about two centimetres between two handlebars listed as the same size. The stem is measured for length and angle: a Vibe Superlight from Pro comes in several inclinations, which changes the height of the hands as well as the length.

Saddle and seat post: choosing for your body type

A saddle is chosen based on the distance between the sit bones, the two bones you sit on. Some brands encode this measurement in the name: at Selle Italia, S or L indicates the width and the number 1, 2, or 3 indicates the size of the central cut-out, from closed to Superflow. For the seat post, note the diameter engraved on the current one, e.g., 27.2, 30.9, or 31.6 mm, and its setback. The telescopic posts in the selection are mainly for MTB and gravel use.

Pedals: cleat systems and power sensors

A road automatic pedal only works with the cleats from its system, such as Look Keo, Shimano SPD-SL, or Time, all attached with three screws under the shoe. Power sensor pedals measure the effort from one side or both: the double version provides the balance between the left and right leg. Check the compatibility with your computer, Bluetooth or ANT+. The pedal section also includes flat and MTB pedals, which should be avoided if you are looking for a road system.

Reading a discount on a road component

For these parts, a crossed-out price only applies to the exact size you need: the Vibe Superlight from Pro comes in various inclinations, a Selle Italia in widths S or L, a Keo Blade Power in single or dual sensor. Therefore, compare two listings of the same size and version before looking at the displayed price, and keep the dimensions of the part you are replacing handy.

Brands of road components in the selection

Favero, an Italian manufacturer, offers its power sensor pedals Assioma in UNO version, which measures on the left, and DUO, which measures on both pedals.

Shimano offers its SPD-SL pedals, from RS500 to Dura-Ace PD-R9100 via Ultegra PD-R8000, along with replacement hand rests for its levers.

Look replaces the helical spring of its Keo Blade with a carbon blade; the Keo Blade Power includes the power measurement, in single or double sensor.

Selle Italia applies its idmatch size system to the SLR Boost, Flite Boost, Novus Boost, and X-Bow in the selection, including gravel and women's versions.

Pro, the brand of handlebars, stems, and Shimano seat posts, is mainly represented here by stems, including the Vibe Superlight, Vibe Aero, and carbon stem Evo.

Frequently asked questions

Can you keep your cleats when changing pedals?

Only if the new pedals belong to the same system. Switching from Look Keo to Shimano SPD-SL, or the other way around, requires changing cleats, even if both are attached with three screws.

How do you measure the distance between your sit bones?

The home method involves sitting upright on a piece of corrugated cardboard, which leaves a mark of the two bones. The distance between the centers of the two impressions gives the spacing; the manufacturer's chart then indicates the corresponding saddle width.

Does a shorter stem make the bike more comfortable?

It brings the hands closer together and straightens the torso a bit, which often relieves the neck. Change in small steps, about 10 mm, and check the position before a long ride.

Is a carbon handlebar necessary on a road bike?

It's not essential. Carbon reduces weight and filters vibrations somewhat, but an aluminium handlebar of the right width provides more comfort than a noble material of the wrong size.

How long do discounts on road components last?

The Black Friday aligns with the Friday after Thanksgiving; for saddles, stems, handlebars, and road pedals, its discounts continue throughout November. The rest of the year, these parts remain available in road peripheral components. During the operation, MTB components and practical post and seating parts have their own pages; clearance takes over for end-of-range items.