Black Friday bike brakes: discounts on braking

What does the Black Friday bike braking section include?

The complete disc brakes combine lever, hose, and caliper; calipers can be replaced separately, whether rim or disc. The wear parts have their own pages: pads, brake shoes, and discs. Levers, cables and housings, and small parts, hoses, end fittings, or bleed kits complete the section.

Pads or disc, cable or hose: identifying your brake

A rim brake clamps two pads against the side of the rim: road caliper, V-brake, or cantilever, each with its pad holders. A disc brake clamps a disc attached to the hub, either by a cable for mechanical models or by liquid for hydraulic models. With hydraulics, never mix liquids: Shimano brakes use mineral oil, most Sram brakes use DOT fluid, and a bleed kit must match the brake brand.

Pads and discs: what to check

The shape of a pad is specific to a family of calipers: note down the reference of yours, often engraved underneath. Then there's the material: resin, or organic, is quiet and bites at cold, whereas sintered metal handles heat from long descents and mud better, at the cost of more noise. For a disc, two criteria: the attachment to the hub, either by six screws or Center Lock nut, and then the diameter, usually 140 or 160 mm for road and gravel, 180 mm and more for a downhill MTB. Changing diameter requires a suitable caliper adapter. Many discs have their minimum thickness engraved: if below, they need replacing.

Levers, cables, and brakes for other practices

On a mechanical brake, the lever must pull the right length of cable: a V-brake lever won't work with a road caliper and vice versa. A stainless steel cable and a new housing often restore bite to an exhausted brake. For bike-specific selections, check the braking in Black Friday for road, MTB, BMX, or urban. All year round, bike braking parts detail each family; the clearance section includes end-of-line items.

Discounts on braking: compare like for like

A discounted pad is only worthwhile if its shape matches your caliper: compare the old price and the discounted price of the exact same reference, material included, resin or sintered metal. For a disc, the discount is assessed based on identical attachment and diameter; for pads or cables, by the number of pieces in the packet or box. The product sheet specifies what's included with the part: it's this which allows you to put two offers on the same level.

Which braking brands during Black Friday?

Shimano equips its hydraulic brakes with mineral oil and offers here pads in resin or metal, some with cooling fins, and Center Lock discs like the RT-CL800.

Elvedes, a Dutch supplier for workshops, known for its cables, provides stainless steel cables with 19 strands and V-brake or cantilever pads in workshop boxes.

Clarks Cycle Systems, an English manufacturer based in Derby, offers organic or sintered metal pads for Shimano, Sram, or Tektro calipers.

Sram is present with its Level, Code, and G2 brakes and its Centerline, Paceline, and HS2 discs, in Center Lock or six-bolt designs.

Galfer, a Spanish brake specialist, designs its Wave discs with a wavy edge and offers the Shark Evo for enduro and electric bikes.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I change my brake pads?

When the pad material reaches the minimum thickness indicated by the brake manufacturer, or earlier if it has been contaminated by oil or degreaser. Squeaky braking, loss of power, or a lever returning closer to the handlebars are signs to watch for.

Can a bike with pads be fitted with disc brakes?

Only if the frame and fork already have the mounting points for a caliper and if the hubs accept a disc. Otherwise, you would need to change the wheels, fork, or even the frame: the conversion is rarely cost-effective.

Resin or sintered metal: which pads should I choose?

Resin is suitable for most uses on the road and in the city, providing smooth and quiet braking. Sintered metal is necessary for long descents, aggressive MTB riding, and heavy bikes. Make sure your disc is compatible with the chosen material: this information is often engraved on it.

Do discounts on brakes last more than a day?

Yes. While Black Friday is known as a single Friday, right after Thanksgiving, Vélo-Store extends its reduced prices on pads, discs, levers, and other braking parts throughout November. This way, you can take off the wheel and check the caliper reference before ordering.

Does changing pads require bleeding the brake?

No, not normally: you just need to push back the pistons before sliding in the new pads. Bleeding becomes necessary when the lever feels spongy, after replacing a hose, or if air has entered the system.