Black Friday bike parts: discounts and struck-through prices

What does the Black Friday for bike parts include?

Originating in the United States, Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving that kicks off shopping for the holiday season. This page compiles the spare parts involved in the offers from Vélo-Store during the event: consumables that wear out with every ride, such as brake pads, chains or tyres, and components that are replaced to upgrade a bike, like wheels, groupsets, or forks. Throughout the rest of the year, the same categories can be found in the bike spare parts.

Braking and transmission: wear parts

The braking on Black Friday includes pads, blocks, discs, calipers, levers, complete brakes, cables and bleeding kits. It all depends on your system: a pad is chosen based on the exact model of the caliper, a disc based on its fitting, whether it has six holes or Center Lock, and its diameter.

The transmission on Black Friday brings together derailleurs, cassettes, chains, pulleys, shifters, and complete groupsets, along with derailleur hangers. The number of speeds dictates everything: chain, cassette and shifter must be compatible.

Wheels, tyres and suspensions: parts that change the ride

The wheels and tyres on Black Friday form the largest category: tyres for all types of riding, inner tubes, tubulars, wheels, rims, hubs, and mudguards. The size can be found on the sidewall of the tyre, marked in ETRTO notation: 32-622 denotes 32 mm wide and a bead diameter of 622 mm, which is for 700 and 29-inch wheels. This diameter must match, and the width should stay within the rim and frame limits.

The suspensions on Black Friday mainly concern mountain bikes: forks, shock absorbers, springs, and maintenance parts. A shock absorber is replaced based on the spacing and travel indicated on the original, as well as its attachment to the frame.

Pedalling and cockpit

The pedalling on Black Friday includes cranksets, chainrings, cranks, bottom brackets, pedals, cleats, and power sensors: the bottom bracket is chosen according to the frame housing and crank axle, while a chainring is selected based on its spacing. The peripheral components on Black Friday cover what connects you to the bike, such as handlebars, stems, headsets, saddles, seat posts, and grips. Here, the diameters are crucial: handlebar clamp, seat post, and steerer tube.

Before ordering: take note of your bike's specifications

To compare effectively during the event, prepare the specifications of your bike.

• Transmission: brand of the groupset, number of speeds, number of chainrings.
• Brakes: pads or discs, mechanical or hydraulic, model of the caliper, diameter of the discs.
• Wheels: ETRTO size, Presta or Schrader valve, internal rim width, type of axle.
• Frame and fork: bottom bracket standard, diameter of the seat post, headset, spacing of the shock absorber.

These details can be found in the technical data sheet of the bike or engraved on the parts.

How to spot a genuine discount on a spare part?

A discount is best judged on the exact reference: the code marked on the part, like CN-HG54 for a Shimano Deore 10-speed chain, distinguishes versions that look similar but do not fit the same bikes. Then, compare the strikethrough old price with the current price for that same version, and check the product sheet for packaging details, whether sold individually, in pairs, or in workshop boxes, and what's included: cleats with pedals, a disc with a brake. A promotion on a higher-level part can also lead to additional purchases: switching from 11 to 12 speeds requires a compatible chain, shifter, and often a derailleur. Outside of the event, the clearance sale features end-of-line items and new arrivals.

What bike parts brands are available during Black Friday?

Favero, an Italian company from Arcade, near Treviso, manufactures the Assioma pedals with power sensor: the DUO measures both legs, while the UNO measures just the left leg.

Shimano, a Japanese manufacturer, covers almost every category in this selection, from the Ultegra cassette to the Hollowtech II bottom bracket.

Continental produces the Grand Prix 5000 for road and the Ride Tour, puncture-resistant, for urban riding in Korbach, Germany.

Hutchinson, a French tyre manufacturer, offers reinforced Koloss inner tubes or puncture-proof Protect’Air varieties and the Python 2 tyre for mountain biking.

Schwalbe, a brand from the German company Ralf Bohle, features the Marathon Plus for daily commutes and the Schwalbe One for road use.

Sram, an American group based in Chicago, integrates Quarq power measurement into cranksets like the Rival.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do Black Friday discounts on bike parts take place?

The name refers to the Friday following Thanksgiving, an American promotional day that has become a key moment for online shopping, including bicycles. At Vélo-Store, discounts on spare parts are not limited to that Friday: they run throughout November, allowing you to check your bike's specifications before ordering.

How can I tell if an offer on a bike part is good value?

Compare the same reference, with the same packaging and accessories. Make sure it’s suitable for your bike: a cassette with the wrong number of speeds is of no use.

Should I anticipate buying my wear parts?

For regularly changed parts, such as pads, chains, cables or tubes, having a spare set prevents your bike from being out of action when wear occurs. Store tyres and tubes away from light and heat, and keep pads away from any grease.

Where can I find the reference of a part on my bike?

The technical data sheet of the bike, on the manufacturer's website, lists the original components. Many parts also have their reference engraved: derailleur body, back of the cassette, side of the tyre, brake caliper.

Can I install the parts purchased during the event myself?

A tyre, brake pads, or a chain can be changed with minimal tools. A bottom bracket, headset, or bleeding a hydraulic brake require specific tools: without them, have the installation done by a workshop.