Is Black Friday Really the Best Time to Buy a Bike?
It's the question we get asked more than any other in November: should I wait for Black Friday to buy a bike? The short answer is that it depends on where you shop. At most big retailers, yes, you'll save a bit. At Discounted Bikes our everyday prices already sit well below the high street, so you don't need to wait for a sale to get a fair price.
We sell and build bikes every week from our Shrewsbury workshop, so here's the honest version of how bike pricing works in the UK, and what you can actually buy for your money right now.
Quick answer
Best time to buy a bike in the UK: late autumn and Black Friday weekend, when shops clear the current year's stock.
Worst time: March to June, when demand peaks and prices go back up.
Best option if you don't want to wait: a retailer that discounts all year round, so the price is already low on the day you buy.
Why bikes get cheaper in November
Bike brands launch new model years over the summer and autumn. By November, shops want last year's stock gone before the new bikes land, so prices drop. Black Friday then gives retailers a reason to shout about it. That's the genuine part of the Black Friday story.
The less genuine part is that some big retailers quietly raise prices in October so the November "discount" looks bigger than it really is. If a bike has cost the same all summer and is suddenly 30% off a higher price, you haven't really saved anything.
How we price differently
We buy stock smartly, keep our overheads low and pass the saving on every day of the year. There's no October price hike at Discounted Bikes, so the price you see is the price you'd have paid in August. Here's a snapshot of what's in stock right now:
Best value bikes to buy this winter
If you're buying in the next few weeks, these are the bikes we'd point friends and family towards. Each one is a proper branded bike with UK parts support, not a supermarket special.
Should you wait for Black Friday or buy now?
Buy now if you need a specific size or colour. Popular kids' sizes and the best value e-bikes sell out first in late November and December.
Buy now if it's a Christmas present. Ordering early gives you time to check the size and avoid the December delivery rush.
Wait if you're shopping at a retailer whose everyday prices are high. At those shops Black Friday is the only time the price becomes fair.
Tips for getting the best deal on any bike
Check the price history. If the "was" price only appeared in October, the saving isn't real.
Stick to known brands. Claud Butler, Dawes, Falcon and Squish all have UK parts support, so servicing is easy.
Get the frame right. Not sure whether you need a cross bar or a low step? Our cross bar vs low step guide explains it.
Spread the cost. We offer 0% finance and accept Cycle2Work, so a better bike can cost less per month than you might think.
Final verdict
Black Friday is a good time to buy a bike, but it isn't the only time. If you shop with a retailer that keeps prices low all year, you can buy the right bike the day you need it. That's exactly why we started Discounted Bikes.
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