Are cycling retailers really offering good deals on Black Friday?

(Image credit: Daniel Gould)

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Advice for getting good deals
Top eight deals

published 14 November 2022

The Cycling Weekly tech team has been monitoring and trawling the internet for the best Black Friday bike deals sales since November 1. We’ve got early warning press releases of impending deals coming out of our ears and eyeballs, sent via an army of clamouring press officers, each one hoping to get their offers front and centre when the clock strikes embargo time.

Amongst the offers, we really have found some genuinely worthwhile savings (what would I buy? Probably the Continental GP 5000 tyres or that High5 bundle that’s half price, because cyclists always need fuel).

Some areas of cycling retail are hosting larger savings than others. We were open and honest about the fact that it was difficult, for example, to find electric bike deals in the US. Savings were hovering at less than 10 percent almost across the board, whilst in the UK we found discounts that would save shoppers hundreds. The US deals are still ‘deals’, in that there is a saving - not long ago, we were asking where you could get a bike at all. But the cash left in your back pocket will probably buy you a nice meal, not a helmet and shoes to pair with your new steed as per the UK shopper discounts.

Kids’ bikes have been another area where deals have been thin on the ground, and this is hardly surprising, during a year where ravaged supply chains have left stock levels low, and the promise if a kids’ bike at all under the tree is a reward enough. Again, there are some kids' bike deals, but the savings are not as high as we’ve seen elsewhere - among clothing and tyres nestled on our best Black Friday bike deals page, for example.

You’ll notice that our standalone deals posts have a tendency to focus on big brands. That's because we know the likes of Continental tyres, Specialized shoes, and Assos jerseys are extremely popular, be that due to word of increased longevity travelling by mouth or extensive research producing a better fit for the majority. If you know that Specialized shoes fit your feet like a glove, it’s better to buy those at 20% off than a pair from an unknown manufacturer at 40% off.

We absolutely do not suggest that you go into your local bike shop and ask that they price match an online retailer, especially not one that doesn’t pay the same overheads or have quite the same ability to wave profit margins as the giants do. However, you can ask your local bike shop what they can provide. Maybe they’re charging £100/$100 more for the bike you want, but they’ll also chuck in a six month service guarantee, a good cup of coffee, and some local route guidance next time you’re out and about. And you can't put a price on that last one.

Continental GP5000 Clincher Twin Pack was $164.49 now <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=3986&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.probikekit.com%2Fbicycle-tyres%2Fcontinental-grand-prix-5000-clincher-road-tire-twin-pack-black%2F12004047.html" data-link-merchant="probikekit.com"">$77.99 | was £119.98 <a href="https://www.probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-tyres/continental-grand-prix-5000-clincher-road-tyre-twin-pack-black/12004047.html" data-link-merchant="probikekit.co.uk"" data-link-merchant="probikekit.com"">now £68.99 at Pro Bike Kit

Save $86.50/£50.99. It is a fact universally known that the Continental GP5000 tyres are the best 'all rounder' clincher cycling has to offer. It's always worth having tyres (or, tires) around in your own personal stock, because if you ride enough, they'll always need replacing at least once a year. Get these at a bargain price and have them at the ready.

HIGH5 Berry Bundle: was $127.99<a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=1857&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wiggle.com%2Fhigh5-berry-bundle" data-link-merchant="wiggle.com""> now $63 | was £102.84 <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=1857&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wiggle.co.uk%2Fhigh5-berry-bundle" data-link-merchant="awin1.com"" data-link-merchant="wiggle.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">now £49.99 at Wiggle

Save over 51%. Similar to tyres, energy product needs replacing on a regular basis - this bundle includes all the potions you need to stay well-fueled: energy powder, gels, and bars.

Muc Off C3 Ceramic Wet Chain Lube 120ml was £17 <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=25809&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sigmasports.com%2Fitem%2FMuc-Off%2FC3-Ceramic-Wet-Chain-Lube-120ml%2F5LEK" data-link-merchant="sigmasports.com"">now £5 at Sigma Sports

Save 71%. This ceramic lube aims to improve the longevity and performance of your drivetrain. It's waterproof, so suited to winter conditions, and also 95% biodegradable which is great news. Suited to road, cyclocross and mountain bike use - and - at a casual 71% discount.

Castelli Perfetto ROS gloves were $69.99<a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=107654&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.co.uk%2FCastelli-Perfetto-RoS-Gloves-black%2Fdp%2FB07WSDFQFS%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-21%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-21" data-link-merchant="Amazon UK""> now $53.72 | were £75 <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=107654&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.co.uk%2FCastelli-Perfetto-RoS-Gloves-black%2Fdp%2FB07WSDFQFS%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-21%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-21" data-link-merchant="Amazon UK"" data-link-merchant="Amazon UK"">now £53.75 at Amazon

I mean, there has clearly been some sort of miscommunication at Amazon towers, because not only are these listed as 'black unisex football gloves', when all cyclists know that the Perfetto RoS is a cycling glove, but the RRP is down as £59, when every cycling retailer lists it as £75. Regardless, a quality set of gloves makes the world of difference on a winter ride, and the Perfetto 'Rain or Shine' gloves are very good.

dhb Dorica Carbon Road Shoe: were $132<a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=1857&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wiggle.com%2Fdhb-dorica-carbon-road-shoe" data-link-merchant="wiggle.com""> now $92.00 | were £100 now<a href="https://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-dorica-carbon-road-shoe" data-link-merchant="wiggle.co.uk"" data-link-merchant="wiggle.com""> £70 at Wiggle

Save 30%. Why do I consider these such a good deal? Well, because they won our 'best sub £100' shoe grouptest, at full price - with value for money being a defining feature. With a carbon sole and smart lace up closure, these are a great deal made better. The offer applies one sizes from 39 to 48, too.

Oakley Radar EV Pitch sunglasses were £167 <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100624732-13127698?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.oakley.com/en-gb/product/W0OO9211?variant=888392486721" data-link-merchant="oakley.com"">now £83.50 at Oakley<a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100624732-13127698?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.oakley.com/en-us/product/W0OO9424?variant=888392409034" data-link-merchant="oakley.com"" data-link-merchant="oakley.com"">

Save 50%. The Radar EV is a great frame, offering a wrap-around fit that provides a great field of vision, without being giant - an important factor for me, since I've not got a particularly large head. I don't think I've seen a 50% saving on a 'modern' set of Oakley glasses for a while, so this seems like a good deal to me.

The Rader EV isn't reduced in the US, but I did find...

Oakley EVZero Blades Kokoro Collection was $204 <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100624732-13127698?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.oakley.com/en-us/product/W0OO9454KO?variant=888392499165" data-link-merchant="oakley.com"">now $102 at Oakley

Save 50% Like the Radar EV Pitch, the EVZero glassses have minimal frame to interfere with your vision - even less in fact - and they're a mid-size, which means they offer protection without swamping your face. Again, a 50% reduction is pretty rare on newer styles.

dhb Aeron Rain Defense Polartec Jacket was $190.00 <a href="https://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-rain-defence-polartec-jacket-1" data-link-merchant="wiggle.co.uk"">now $95.00 | was £150<a href="https://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-rain-defence-polartec-jacket-1" data-link-merchant="wiggle.co.uk"" data-link-merchant="wiggle.co.uk""> now £75

dhb Aeron Women's Rain Defence Polartec Jacket was £139.40 <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=1857&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wiggle.com%2Fdhb-aeron-womens-rain-defense-polartec-jacket%3Fcurr%3DGBP%26dest%3D18%26prevDestCountryId%3D1" data-link-merchant="wiggle.com"" data-link-merchant="wiggle.co.uk"" data-link-merchant="wiggle.co.uk"">now $92.81 | was £150 <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=1857&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wiggle.com%2Fdhb-aeron-womens-rain-defense-polartec-jacket%3Fcurr%3DGBP%26dest%3D18%26prevDestCountryId%3D1" data-link-merchant="wiggle.com"" data-link-merchant="wiggle.com"" data-link-merchant="wiggle.co.uk"" data-link-merchant="wiggle.co.uk"">now £100 at Wiggle

Save 50% (men's), 33% (women's). Yes, more dhb - but Wiggle's in-house brand makes some great kit, and like tyres and gloves, winter jackets do eventually get worn out. dhb has teamed up with Polartec to create this jacket, which uses the specialist's Power Shield Pro fabric to keep you dry, whilst still allowing breathability.

It's pretty unfortunate that the women's model is reduced by 33% whilst the men's is down by 50% (in the red/black model). But to be honest, dhb kit often offers similar levels of performance to much more expensive brands, at a competitive price, even at RRP.

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Michelle Arthurs-Brennan the Editor of Cycling Weekly website. An NCTJ qualified traditional journalist by trade, Michelle began her career working for local newspapers. She's worked within the cycling industry since 2012, and joined the Cycling Weekly team in 2017, having previously been Editor at Total Women's Cycling. Prior to welcoming her daughter in 2022, Michelle raced on the road, track, and in time trials, and still rides as much as she can - albeit a fair proportion indoors, for now.

Are cycling retailers really offering good deals on Black Friday?

Advice for getting good Black Friday deals

Buy kit you would have bought anyway

Buy from reputable brands

Use our deals pages

Use price comparison tools

Use price history checks

Ask your local bike shop what they can offer

My top eight Black Friday deals

More Black Friday bike deals...

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