45% off a Cannondale? How to read an e-bike deal on Black Friday

If you've been thinking about switching to assistance for a while, over the next few weeks you'll see discounts everywhere, and the question is the usual one: is it a good idea to buy an e-bike on Black Friday? In the United States it has already started: according to Bicycling, its editors have gathered early deals on e-bikes they've tested, with 45% off a Cannondale and budget models from $499, for commuting, carrying the shopping or hitting the trails.

Those deals are from the US market and don't carry over to Spain as they are. But they set the tone for what's coming, and they help you sharpen your eye before you pay.

45% off: what's behind the figure

Such a big discount on a well-known brand usually has an explanation, and it's worth knowing before you get excited. It's not always a bad sign: often it's a way of clearing the previous year's model.

• The starting price. Compare with what it really cost a few months ago, not with the crossed-out label.
• The model year. If it's the outgoing version, ask what changes in the new one: motor, battery or geometry.
• Motor and battery. Note the motor brand and the capacity in Wh. That's what decides your range and how easy it will be to find parts and a workshop.
• The size. The sizes left over at the end of the season are the ones that sell least. A bargain in a size that isn't yours is no bargain.
• Warranty and service in Spain. Having a distributor and official workshops near home counts for more than a few euros' difference.

Cheap e-bikes: what can't be missing

Entry-level models, like the $499 ones the list highlights, are designed mainly for getting around town. They may suit you if you do short trips, but here reading the small print matters even more.

In Spain, an e-bike you can use as a bicycle must meet the European standard: assistance only while pedalling, 250 W rated power and cut-off at 25 km/h. Many e-bikes designed for the United States have a throttle or assist at higher speeds, so if you buy abroad or from an international website, check that the model is the European version.

Also look at the brakes, whether the battery can be removed to charge it at home and whether the charger is the original one. And in winter, take care where you store and charge that battery.

E-bike on Black Friday or second-hand

Before you decide, put a used one alongside it. A mid-range e-bike with a couple of seasons behind it can cost you the same as a new entry-level one and give you a better motor, better suspension and more battery. Have a look at the second-hand e-bikes on bicis.net and compare components, not just price.

If you go for a used one, the battery comes first: ask for the motor diagnostics or the app showing its health and charge cycles, the invoice and the maintenance history. With that you'll know whether the saving is real.

Raise some cash before you buy

The best discount is the one you give yourself. If you already have a bike you're going to retire, sell it before Black Friday and you'll reach the deals with a healthier budget. You can post your listing for free in five minutes or, if you'd rather not wait, ask for a valuation at We buy your bike.

With the numbers clear and the right size chosen, your new e-bike, from a shop or second-hand, will be the one that takes you furthest this winter. See you on the next climb, with less suffering this time.