Yes, Black Friday is like Valentine’s Day, but instead of our significant others, we shower our bikes with love… and we do it at pretty reasonable prices if we know how to handle this craze.
But beware: Black Friday is crawling with traps for the unwary cyclist. So, before you prepare your credit card and go to your preferred bike shop (be it physical or online), heed this warning. There are at least 5 obvious mistakes every cyclist makes around Black Friday. So, this year, let’s point them out so there is no confusion.
Forgetting your actual needs
You have an action plan. You have your list, and you’ve checked it twice, even though you are not Santa. You’ve been following the prices ever since June. Black Friday is upon us, and you have your game face on. Now all you have to do is stay focused and only go for those new disks, the rain jacket, and … oh, is that a new mudguard? I mean, you still have the one from last year, and it’s still perfect. But wouldn’t it be great to get a new look? And while you’re at it, why not get some new grips? Is that a new helmet I see over there? What were you looking for again?
We often confuse wants with needs. That’s why you have seven bikes, though you are using only 3 of them. So, during black Friday, before you dive into the digital aisles, make a list of items you truly require. Maybe your winter gloves are falling apart, or your indoor trainer desperately needs an upgrade. Stick to that list like a wheel-sucker in a breakaway. Otherwise, you might end up with a cart full of “bargains” that collect more dust than that old bike part sculpture your mom gifted you last Christmas, thinking it is cute. It’s not.
So, before you jump into action, ask yourself: “Do I need this?” “Will this improve my experience?” “Would I have wanted this if it weren’t 75% off?” If all three answers are yes, put it on your shopping list.
Going on shady websites for an extra discount
Speaking of huge discounts, you know where you can find them – on the most unreliable websites out there, of course. Indeed, the lure of an extra 30% discount can lead you to the darkest corners of the internet, filled with all sorts of domains.
Yeah, these red flags should sound alarms in your brain, much like the reflex you get when trying to put your hand in boiling water. My guess is you don’t do that because you pretty much know what will happen. Well, the same thing will happen if you get your personal information on the wrong website – you will get burned. Maybe not physically, but losing all your savings or finding out you’ve taken out a loan in a country you don’t know where exactly is on the map is just as bad, if not even worse.
Shady sites often prey on Black Friday mania, selling substandard products or outright scamming customers. So, while you are creating your list of things you want to get a deal on, also make sure to pinpoint reputable websites where you will be purchasing. And sure, you won’t find a Fox fork for 12 euros there, but at least you will get a Fox fork, not an actual fork made for foxes.
Most importantly, don’t place your credit card information on websites you haven’t researched before. If the urge is so big you can’t take it, create an online burner card (if your bank allows it) and use it instead. This way, even if your card gets cloned, there will be nothing inside to spend.
Falling for fake discounts
Since Black Friday is all about discounts, it would be good if you actually get a deal with your purchase. Retailers are masters of illusion, especially on Black Friday. They slap a giant “50% OFF” sticker on an overpriced item, and suddenly, you’re convinced it’s the deal of the century. But we all know it’s not true. That 200 Euro pair of cycling shoes has been “on sale” since before the Pandemic, and the only thing limited about this “limited-time offer” is your patience for being duped.
Cyclists are especially vulnerable to this because we’re gear nerds. One glimpse of a discounted aero helmet and our brains short-circuit with fantasies of becoming the next Tadej Pogačar. But remember, not every deal is worth the hype… or your hard-earned cash.
So, instead of blindly rushing into the bright red banners telling you “50% off” like a moth into a flame, do yourself a favor and do some research before Black Friday. Use price-tracking tools to see if a deal is genuinely good or just smoke and mirrors. That way, you won’t be deceived into spending your savings on an average deal disguised as a bargain.
Shopping alone
Just like cycling, Black Friday is a team sport. Sure, you can shop alone, but it’s always better to have that extra pair of brain cells that aren’t focused on the “I need it right now, or I’ll die” mentality. Shopping solo leaves you vulnerable to poor decisions, like buying a jersey two sizes too small because you’re “totally going to lose those last five kilos by spring.”
So, take a buddy to be your safe net. If they are not a cyclist and an enabler – even better. Your buddies are your safety net. They’ll remind you that you already own four pairs of gloves, that aero handlebars won’t make you faster if you ride at 20 km/h, and that neon green isn’t your color. Plus, they’ll help you split shipping costs on that bulk pack of energy gels you’re pretending isn’t just an excuse to stock up on fancy candy.
The more brutally honest your friend is, the better. You need someone who will slap your hands and put some sense into you if you reach for anything outside your pre-approved shopping list. That’s how to avoid overspending on useless stuff you will likely never use.
Not having a budget
Now, we all know that cycling is not among the most affordable sports out there. I mean, selling your cycling gear can probably fund a private mission to the moon. But Black Friday puts an asterisk on all of that—and not the good kind. You may think that Black Friday is when you actually save money on buying cycling gear. But it’s quite the opposite. This is the time when you are most likely to overspend. That’s why you need a budget.
Without a budget, it’s easy to go overboard. You start with a simple goal (“Just one new jersey”), and next thing you know, you’ve bought a smart trainer, a new wheelset, and a gold-plated bike chain that could double as jewelry.
Set a firm budget before the madness begins. Be realistic about how much you can spend without having to eat plain rice for the next six months. And remember, a good deal is only a good deal if it doesn’t send you spiraling into financial ruin.
Having the budget is just the first step, though. Send this budget to your shopping buddy, and make sure he does not allow any exceptions. Next, make your budget visible. Write it on a sticky note, stamp it on your leg, or simply tattoo it on your hand. Ensure you are constantly reminded that this is the amount you are spending on Black Friday – not a cent on top. So, once the money is finished, so is your shopping spree.
Survive and thrive this Black Friday
Black Friday doesn’t have to be a disaster waiting to happen. With a little planning, some self-control, and a buddy who isn’t afraid to tell you “no,” you can snag the deals you need without falling into the usual traps. Remember: the goal is to upgrade your cycling experience—not to max out your credit card on a bunch of stuff you’ll never use.
So, go forth, conquer those sales, and ride confidently into the holiday season. Just don’t come crying to us when you realize that glow-in-the-dark aero socks were not the game-changer you imagined.
