Cycling shorts Black Friday: discounts for men, women
The bike shorts from Black Friday come in short, 3/4 and long lengths, with suspenders or waistband, in men's or women's fits, along with a few race combinations. Before reading a discount, set the length according to the season, then check the padding, designed for a position and body shape, and the size in the brand's guide.
Three choices to make before comparing
- Length : short for the warm season, 3/4 to cover the knees in mid-season, long and thermal for winter, like the Thermo versions from Etxeondo or SubZ from Craft.
- Suspender or waistband : suspenders keep the pad in place when leaning forward; the waistband goes on and comes off more quickly.
- Fit : a women's bib short has a pad designed for the female anatomy, which isn't simply replaced by a smaller size of a men's model.
- Pockets : the Cargo versions, from Gonso, POC or Bioracer, add pockets for a phone or an energy bar, handy for gravel or long rides without a bag.
The pad: choosing from a distance
It’s the pad that differentiates two bib shorts that look similar, and some brands help you choose without trying. Gonso offers its Sitivo pad in three versions: Red, more padded at the front for a leaning position on the road, Green for a compact position, Blue for an upright position. For sizing, refer to the brand's guide, with measurements to back it up; if a bib short already fits you, stick with the same size from the same brand instead of switching manufacturers during the process.
Comparing two discounts on the same bib short
The same model often exists in men’s and women’s versions, in short and long lengths, sometimes in a cargo version: the Cadence from POC or the Icon from Bioracer are examples. Compare two crossed-out prices for the same version, then check the range: within the same brand, two bib shorts that look similar may not have the same pad or fabric. The selection also includes loose-fitting MTB shorts and one-piece race suits, Speedwear at Bioracer: these serve different purposes than a road bib short.
Bib short brands for Black Friday
Gonso pairs its Sitivo bib shorts with a colour-coded pad that depends on the position, and offers the GO Bib with SQlab, also in a Cargo version for women.
Northwave, an Italian brand that originated in Montebelluna from a shoe manufacturer, offers the Active, Fast and Extreme bib shorts, in both men’s and women’s versions.
Bioracer brings its expertise in race suits to the bib short: Speedwear in one piece for racing and time trials, Icon and Epic bib shorts with suspenders.
Endura offers its Pro SL bib short in a women’s version and a long variant, with extended legs for taller builds.
Pearl Izumi, founded in Tokyo, features the Expedition Pro Bib, the Attack without suspenders and, in long version, the Amfib Lite Bib.
The rest of the road outfit on sale
Outside of the sale, the page for road cycling bib shorts explains pads, lengths, and sizes in detail. During the Black Friday, a bib short can be paired with one of the cycling jerseys on promotion and, as winter arrives, with one of the jackets from the road selection. For MTB, check the MTB bib shorts and shorts from Black Friday. The clearance sale includes end-of-line products, while the new arrivals showcase the latest models.
Frequently asked questions
When is Black Friday?
It falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving, when the holidays approach, but the discounts for the bib shorts apply throughout November. It’s often the time when people switch to long or thermal bib shorts for winter rides.
How to know if a bib short offer is good?
Compare the same model in the same version: same type, length, suspenders and pad. An entry-level bib short and a high-end model from the same brand may look similar but offer very different pads.
One-piece suit or two-piece jersey and bib short?
The suit combines jersey and bib short into one fitted piece, for racing and time trials, where every fold of fabric counts. For training and long rides, the two-piece set is more convenient to put on and ventilate.
Can you ride in short bibs when it's cool?
Yes, by adding leg warmers, which cover the leg from the bottom of the bib short to the ankle and can be removed during the ride as the temperature rises. When the cold persists throughout the ride, long bib shorts remain more comfortable.
Do you need a special bib short for gravel?
Not necessarily, as the position is similar to road riding. Cargo versions, with their pockets, are useful for long rides without a bag or saddlebag.
