Dario's 9 Black Friday Deals That Are Actually Good
It's that special time of the year, when leaves turn, temperatures dip, we all partake in the ritual massacre of turkeys, and prices are arbitrarily lowered to encourage some early season consumption. Bird meat and pumpkin spice aside, there are some truly impressive deals to be had right now, whether you're in the market for bikes, components, or some kit to ride in. I did a cursory search around the internet and found a few discounted items I would actually buy, based on my own experience and the adoration of other PB testers.
I'm sure there are more steals to be found out there, but I'm just one guy on a computer and internet shopping can only hold my attention for so long. If you've found any other good deals out there, drop them into the comments—we'll look through them and do a follow up next week despite our tryptophan-enhanced food comas.
OneUp 240mm Dropper Post
$229 → $137
oneupcomponents.com
At this point, the reliable and unfussy nature of the OneUp Dropper is a staple of the industry, with all of us here at Pinkbike relying on them for our personal rides. They're long, easy to service, and inexpensive compared to the competition, which makes this sale all the more impressive. All of the posts are on sale, but getting a 240 for this little is a pretty hard offer to beat.
Looks like this, but all black.
Fox 38 Performance Elite
$1,149 → $747
shop.ridefox.com
As far as I'm concerned, the 38 is still the benchmark fork for the beefiest end of the single-crown spectrum, with excellent damping, a wide range of adjustment, and a stiff chassis to match the nature of the biggest pedal bikes around. There's no real reason to go with the bronzed-out Factory version over the all-black Performance Series Elite, as both contain the Grip2 damper and all the other bells and whistles you might desire. Plus, black looks cool.
Raaw Madonna V2.2 Frame
$2,356 - $1,657
raawmtb.com
There may be a new Madonna V3 on the way, but don't do disregarding the prior model as dated or irrelevant. Sure, the updates and refinements are a welcomed improvement, but as Kaz said in his initial review of the V2.0 Madonna, the bike is built for the long haul, and should deliver a trusty and impressive ride for seasons to come. Swap your parts over, buy a used shock on the BuySell, and you've got a dope new bike.
Lazer Coyote Kineticore
$109 → $82
lazersport.us
This is my personal go-to trail helmet, and is pretty much all I wear outside of the bike park. It's been reliable and comfortable for a couple seasons now, with plenty of scratches to prove it's worth. It fared well in Henry's review too, as the light construction, airy fit, and great value make it an easy win.
Fezzari La Sal Peak
23-29% off ($4,799 → $3,399 best deal)
fezzari.com
It's not the newest bike on the block, but the Fezzari La Sal Peak is still a solid all-mountain bike for those in the market. It fared well at our 2022 Field Test, with positive notes on how comfortable and well-rounded it felt. I spent time on one for a separate test, and was impressed by the climbing ability - it felt more like a long-legged trail bike in that sense, which is probably a better match for most riders in most places.
Race Face Indy Kneepad
$90 → $63
raceface.com
I've been using these kneepads for a bit over a year now, and I love them. They smell atrocious, the silicone can be irritating after a few hours of wear, but in many ways they're just the ideal pad for me. The fit is comfortable and secure, the pads work very well, and the adjustment is simple and effective. I'll have a long long term review up at some point, but suffice to say these are a solid choice.
Hayes Dominion A4 Brakes
$250 → $187
hayesbicycle.com
Ever since our first positive review of the Hayes renaissance model, the Dominion A4 has remained a benchmark for how good a full-power brake can be these days. There are other top contenders, but the consistency, power, and light action of the Hayes is amongst the best. With a lower price, the picture is rosier than ever.
Rimpact Pro V2 Tire Inserts
£85 → £60
rimpactmtb.com
Inserts may have fallen a bit out of fashion as of late, but for those who have been convinced of their benefits it can be a hard life to leave behind. I've always been a fan of the damped ride quality you get with a pair of tire noodles installed, and from my personal testing the Rimpact V2 is the best there is. Henry happened to agree in his big insert shootout a couple years ago, with back-to-back testing against all of the top options on the market. They're relatively easy to install and remove too, which is an added bonus.
Specialized 2FO Clip Shoes
$150 → $70
specialized.com
A good, simple pair of shoes that last can be hard to find, which is why the 2FO Clips have become a staple for folks in that market. I'm not the biggest fan of laces over speedier adjusters, but they do allow you to tweak the fit more than other options, plus they have the most normal aesthetic as an added bonus.
For those keeping track, that's a combined savings of around $2,815, depending on the GBP exchange rate. Remember to tip your server, and happy shopping.
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Meanwhile, we find ourselves elbow deep in one of the most consumption driven industries that (at least personally) I've ever had cause to brush up against. Always being told to consume newer and better stuff that isn't any better and that we don't need. Things we don't think about at all when we are actually outside riding our bikes.
Kudos to you!
Keerist!
I am not criticizing you, but Forbidden's claim of 45% sent out in their early access email, which specifically referred to the 45% as "Yes, that's the correct math."
No, it isn't.
To take the 30% off price and then apply the new 15% discount to the already discounted amount and call it 45% is just bad math.
You can easily prove this to yourself, with or without a calculator.
I had honestly never realised this so thank you for enlightening me!
That's how they get you!
Son, its a better deal if you don’t buy anything at all.
But really, I've worn barefoot style shoes, stiff work boots, and everything in between. If they aren't comfortable I won't wear them. But thanks for the advice!?
Doesn't make any sense whatsoever.
Canfield bikes are like 30% off
Canondale Jekyll like 35% off
Knollys WERE like 25% off before, i bet it comes back
YT has crazy deals
You can still get a pair of MT7's OR Dominion A4's for like $250 if you just look a bit
I was thinking rail 29, chilcotin 151, fezarri la sal peak, and lithium, and the likes. I also really want a banshee because they are just so damn cool but the geo is just a touch conservative for me as it stands. I also am not sure I need that much chainstay/wheelbase. But probably the best looking bikes out there
www.specialized.com/us/en/stumpjumper-evo-elite-alloy/p/199211
They also had a carbon levo half price which we also can’t get here. Their sale prices on the Canadian vs American website are so different.
store.ibiscycles.com/collections/wheels/products/s35-29-carbon-logo-wheelset
store.ibiscycles.com/collections/wheels-drivers/products/ibis-logo-high-engagement-freehub-body
and the sale was on everything, wheels, forks, brakes, small parts and etc
- $13 Cheap long cassette lockring tool: amazon.com/gp/product/B00649NM1A
- $18 24mm / 30mm flat spanner wrench: ebay.com/itm/256189059115 (only required for Mezzer Expert)
You can skip the slotted cassette tool and get by with just an extended-length cassette lockring tool (just depress the shaft all the way), and a normal 1/4" drive 8mm socket.
No need for the 24mm socket if you have a Mezzer Pro which uses the cassette tool for both CSU top caps.
Mezzer service guide: hayesbicycle.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038198353-Mezzer-Pro
Try this instead: shop.ridefox.com/collections/fox-38
Credit to @FaahkEet for being the first person I saw post about it
Question (sorry didn't do this homework online yet) - will the dominion A4 calipers plug & play directly with sram hoses & if so would that need a coupling / hardware from hayes? Prob a question for them but it could possibly be easy to that moving w/o having to replace a rear internal brake line...
I did pickup Hayes specific bolt and olive but the dimensions look pretty similar. I'll put those on if/when a leak develops.
I even thought I had a leak, but it was just extra fluid sitting in the tiny gap between caliper body and banjo. Once cleaned better, no weep.
I'm likewise planning to pick up those Hayes bits - just in case.
For others reading, I want to add this setup is really good, but it doesn't do anything magical or better than the full Hayes setup, it's just a way to save a buck on a power upgrade if you already have Codes in good shape. And ideally swinglink models; Code R levers won't stop being awful with new calipers.
Fox Racing Proframe regular $350 on for $201 and they throw in a pair of Dirtpaw gloves. Which I’m perrrdy sure retail for $199 so the helmet is basically a twoonie
Endurance Threads has some awesome gloves and a bunch are on sale or BOGO. endurancethreadsne.com/collections/sale
You & the other commenters dunked on him pretty easily here and maybe this is sad but I'd rather see him & others get dunked openly than shut down. But a better idea might be to just not engage (Im guilty of engaging) bc people who get ignored usually find other hobbies & places to whine & gripe... . or is that wishful thinking?
And maybe @scott-townes is just a run-of-the-mill MAGA loudmouth, happily riding the populist wave into oblivion. But when even something as benign as "Dario's top deals" is inevitably hijacked by right wing tossers spreading bad vibes at best, and hateful misinformation at worst, then it starts getting to the point of wondering...why am I even visiting this website?
I come here because I love bikes, and want to get away from the awful issues looming over our species at the moment. I don't want to have to scroll past white supremacist nonsense, or mysoginst little limpdicks making fun of female riders, or a frothing mob tearing transgender athletes to shreds under the guise of "fairness". But it's all too common, and it shouldn't matter where PB is based - I'd really like to see the mods and editors taking a firmer approach in the name of basic decorum....and just plain staying on topic, for god's sake.
riders - comments like you noted
are rubbish & don't deserve airtime
On the Canada thing I just meant that it wasn't under the US banner of "freedom of speech" but even then that just means the govt cannot legally prosecute anyone for their ideas in writing or speech (vs slander, etc.) that when profited from is a legal hellhole.
Anyway - good points & while I can snark or flip at times, I consider others ideas here and yours are legit. I'm glad you replied & are clearly solid on it. Others need to see that here.
OneUp 180: $183
My frontal lobe: ???
A quick Google for what you're after and you'll find something for sure.
Managed to get new shoes and some parts. Most of it nearly 50% off.
$229 → $137
what a pathetic scenario...
all common popular sizes for 200$, nice.
My nearest LBS is 2 hrs 40 min and they overcharge for everything.