Key takeaway: Cycling sales come in four predictable waves: Black Friday and Cyber Monday in late November, model-year clearance from late summer into fall, end-of-season apparel markdowns, and spring tune-up promos. The easiest way to catch the one you care about is to set a price alert on the exact part or bike you want and let the drop come to you.
Disclosure: Your Bike Guide earns a commission when you buy through some links on our deal pages, at no extra cost to you.
The Short Answer
If you're shopping for mountain bike gear, there's no single magic day. Black Friday (November 27, 2026) and Cyber Monday (November 30, 2026) are the loudest sale window of the year, but they're not the only one. Complete bikes and frames tend to get marked down when next year's models land, usually late summer through fall. Riding apparel gets cleared at the end of each season. And drivetrain wear parts, tires and brake pads often show up in spring tune-up promos right when everyone's pulling bikes out of the garage.
This is general guidance based on how bike retail typically runs, not a price prediction. Every retailer and brand sets its own schedule, so the smart move is to pick the gear you want now and watch it.
Wave 1: Black Friday and Cyber Monday
This is the big one for stocking up on parts and accessories. Late November is when retailers run their widest sitewide promos, and it's a great time to grab the stuff you've been putting off: a fresh cassette, a dropper post, a new set of grips, a winter trainer for those dark weeknights.
Early promos usually start before the actual day, so don't wait until Thanksgiving dinner to start looking. Our Black Friday deals and coupons page collects the sales we're tracking across our merchants so you can see them in one spot.
Best for: components, accessories, tools, trainers and gifts for the rider in your life.
Wave 2: Model-Year Clearance (Late Summer to Fall)
If you're after a whole bike or a frame, this is your window. When brands roll out next year's lineup, shops need room for the new stock, and the outgoing model year gets marked down. That's how you end up seeing a trail bike or enduro frame with a big discount in September or October.
The catch is sizing and color. Clearance stock thins out fast, and the most popular sizes go first. If you ride a medium or large, it pays to move early. If you're on the edges of the size chart, you might get lucky late in the season.
Best for: complete bikes, frames, forks and shocks from the outgoing model year.
Wave 3: End-of-Season Apparel
Riding clothes get cleared when the season turns. Summer jerseys and shorts tend to get marked down as fall arrives, and winter layers, gloves and thermal tights go on sale as spring shows up. Buying one season ahead feels weird, but your future self will be stoked when that jacket shows up for a fraction of the price.
Best for: jerseys, shorts, jackets, gloves and shoes, especially if you're flexible on color.
Wave 4: Spring Tune-Up Season
Spring is when wear parts and maintenance gear get promoted. Riders are dusting off bikes, swapping tires and replacing worn chains, and retailers know it. Watch for promos on brake pads, cassettes, chains, tires and sealant. If you know your drivetrain is cooked, set an alert in winter so you're ready when the promo hits.
Best for: chains, cassettes, brake pads, tires, sealant and shop tools.
How to Get a Heads-Up Instead of Guessing
Set a price alert on the exact item you want. Here's how it works on Your Bike Guide:
- Find the part or bike on our deals page.
- Open the deal and tap Set Price Alert.
- Enter your email and the price you'd be happy to pay.
- We'll email you when the listed price drops to your target. You can see everything you're tracking on your Price Alerts page.
That way you don't have to refresh shop pages every morning. Pick the gear, name your price, and get back to riding.
What to Look For Before You Buy on Sale
- Compatibility first. Check freehub type (Micro Spline, XD or HG), axle spacing (Boost 148mm vs 142mm), brake mount and rotor size before you buy. A great price on the wrong standard is no deal at all.
- Know the list price. Compare the sale price against the listed regular price on the same page so you know what the discount actually is.
- Size and fit beat discount. A frame that doesn't fit will never ride right, no matter what you paid.
- Read the return policy. Clearance and final-sale items sometimes have stricter return rules.
- Don't buy just because it's on sale. If you weren't going to buy it last week, ask yourself if you really need it this week.
Parts Worth Putting an Alert On
Disclosure: the deal pages below link to retailers, and Your Bike Guide may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
These are wear parts every trail rider replaces sooner or later, which makes them perfect for a price alert. Prices are Your Bike Guide listings from Jenson USA on November 7, 2026, listed price compared with the retailer's list price. They change often, so check the deal page for the current price.
| Part | Best for | Listed Nov 7, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Shimano XT CS-M8100 12-speed cassette, 10-45T | Riders on Shimano 12-speed with a Micro Spline freehub | $164.99 (list $195) |
| Shimano CS-HG800 11-speed cassette, 11-34T | 11-speed HG freehub setups that need a fresh cassette | $82.99 (list $120) |
| Galfer FD487 Pro brake pads for Magura MT | Magura MT brake owners stocking spare pads | $17.99 (list $31) |
| Shimano P03A-RF resin pads with fins | Shimano brake users who want quiet resin pads | $29.99 (list $42) |
| Race Face Era carbon handlebar, 800mm, 35mm clamp | Riders upgrading their cockpit on a 35mm stem | $109 (list $187.99) |
Want more? Browse everything we're tracking on the Your Bike Guide deals page.
FAQ
When is the best time of year to buy a mountain bike?
For complete bikes, late summer through fall is usually the best bet, because shops clear the outgoing model year when new models arrive. Black Friday can also bring bike deals, but popular sizes may already be gone by then.
When are Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2026?
Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30, 2026. Many retailers start promos earlier in November.
When do cycling clothes go on sale?
Apparel usually gets marked down at the end of each season: summer kit as fall arrives, and winter layers as spring shows up.
How do I know when a part I want goes on sale?
Open the part's deal page on Your Bike Guide, tap Set Price Alert, and enter your target price. We'll email you when the listed price drops to it.