Bike speed order Black Friday: discounts

The four points to check on a road lever

• The gears: the right lever must match the number of cogs on the cassette, from 8 in Claris to 12 in 105, Ultegra or Dura-Ace; the left generally controls 2 chainrings.
• The technology: a mechanical lever pulls a cable, a Di2 lever sends an electrical signal to the derailleur; the two do not mix on the same transmission.
• The brake: a lever for hydraulic disc only controls one compatible hydraulic caliper, a cable lever is used for rim brakes or mechanical disc brakes.
• The side: R for the right lever, which controls the rear derailleur, L for the left, at the front.

Mountain bike and city controls, triggers and twist grips, are detailed on the permanent page for bike gear controls.

Lever on sale: what to compare to the crossed-out price?

Levers are most often sold individually: a crossed-out price on a right lever does not cover the left, and two discounts can only be compared side by side, with the same generation and brake, according to the product sheet. Also check if the caliper, hose, or cables are included, and if the version is designed for a road handlebar or for an aero bar, like some Dura-Ace and Ultegra levers on the page.

The parts to pair with the control

To change the whole transmission at once, the complete group in Black Friday includes levers, derailleurs, and crankset; otherwise, pair the control with the rear derailleurs or front of the operation. A Di2 lever also requires a battery and a derailleur of the same generation. After the operation, check the clearance or new arrivals.

Speed control brands during Black Friday

Shimano offers double control levers for each level of road, Claris ST-R2000, Tiagra ST-4725, 105, Ultegra, and Dura-Ace, GRX ST-RX400, ST-RX600, and ST-RX810 levers for gravel, and Metrea ST-U5060 for sporty city use.

Sram is present with a GX Eagle AXS 12-speed trigger, wireless, and a spare paddle for Pod control.

Rockshox provides handlebar lock controls for fork and shock, OneLoc, PopLoc, and XLoc, which do not change the gears.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Black Friday for gear levers?

Its reference day is the Friday after Thanksgiving, before the end-of-year holidays. At Vélo-Store, levers and controls on sale are available throughout November.

Can we replace just one lever?

Yes, if the new lever matches the number of gears, technology, and brake type of the old one. A lever from a different generation of the same group often fits, to be checked in the manufacturer's compatibility.

Does a Di2 lever work with a mechanical derailleur?

No. A Di2 lever only controls compatible Di2 electronic derailleurs, with their battery and their connection, wired or wireless depending on the generation.

Do you need to bleed the brake when changing a hydraulic lever?

Yes: replacing a hydraulic lever opens the circuit, which must then be filled and bled with the oil specified by the manufacturer, mineral in Shimano.

Does a RockShox lock control change the gears?

No, it locks or releases the suspension from the handlebars. It is mentioned here for proximity to name; choose it based on the model of fork or shock to be controlled.