Brand New vs. Used E-Bikes. What’s the Difference?
Written by: Rémy Rossi | December 3, 2024 | Time to read 5 min
Is buying a used electric bike really a good deal? I’ll break down the differences between picking a new model or a used e-Bike, and what to watch out for.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
But the pre-owned market can feel like taking a shot in the dark if you don’t have quality guarantees or information about the history of the bike. In this article, I’ll help shine a light on making the right purchase and how Upway can be a major help.
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What you get with a new vs. used e-Bike
Opting for a secondhand e-Bike can be a great deal. Whether it’s industry overstock or an individual sale, simply the fact that it’s not new means the sellers have to lower the price significantly. And there are even bigger discounts when the sellers are trying to offload the bike quickly. Used bikes in good condition with quality components have a long lifespan that will keep on rolling with their new owners. However, if there are defects or problems with the bike that you don’t know about, you could be stuck with a lemon if there aren’t any guarantees.
Upway's brand-new & reconditioned e-Bikes
- Each bike is carefully inspected upon arrival at our warehouse.
- It is then fully assembled and finely tuned for optimal performance.
- Finally, we conduct a thorough test ride after purchase to ensure it's in perfect condition before it reaches you.
Brand-New, Never-Owned e-Bikes
- Top Condition: Be the very first to ride your bike—free of any scratches or blemishes.
- Exceptional Value: Our new e-bikes are priced significantly lower than what official dealers can offer.
- Trusted Sourcing: These bikes often come to us as overstock from bike shops or directly through partnerships with manufacturers.
Reconditioned, Preowned e-Bikes
- Affordable Quality: Enjoy premium e-bikes at a fraction of the cost, making high-end models more accessible.
- Eco-Friendly Choice: Opting for a reconditioned e-bike helps reduce waste and promotes sustainable practices.
Whether you're looking for the untouched quality of a brand-new e-bike or the unbeatable value of a reconditioned one, we’re here to help you find the perfect affordable electric bike for your lifestyle and budget.
Looking to find what's the best deal on a high-end electric bike? Buying used can allow you to get a bike that would be out of your price range when new, but fits your budget after some use. I just wrote about the best e-Bikes for expert riders if you’re looking for recommendations.
Take a peek at Upway’s newest arrivals:
🤝 Enjoy an even greater discount when you trade in your old electric bike today!
Click here for a price estimation
So, Should You Buy a Used E-Bike?
The big benefits of buying used is lower cost and sustainability. And as cyclists, that’s music to our ears— we love getting a good deal on a bike while taking care of the planet, too. But consider the following information to make sure you are set for success when buying secondhand.
Prioritize motor quality
Electric bikes have a lot more going on than standard bicycles and used motors and batteries make an even bigger difference. Motors are designed to last the entire lifetime of the bike and aren’t something that should need to be replaced. Even with serious mileage already logged on the motor, they’ll continue operating well. Your best bet is buying an e-Bike with a motor from a quality brand.
They include:
- Bafang
- Bosch
- Brose
- Fazua
- Giant
- MAHLE
- Shimano
- Specialized
- Yamaha
Battery wear
Batteries gradually lose performance over time. That’s just how it goes. The reduction in range and efficiency will be noticeable on used electric bikes with very high mileage. Modern e-Bike batteries typically last around 500 to 1000 charge cycles, but the performance will vary depending on how it was used previously. High-quality batteries that are well cared for can last well over 10,000 or 15,000 miles with no issues, although you’ll notice that the maximum range isn’t quite what it used to be.
How does Upway recondition its e-Bikes?
If further analysis is needed, we utilize a capacity tester to assess the battery’s discharge rate and determine whether it has lost any of its original capacity. Based on the diagnosis, we categorize bicycles into two groups:
These bikes retain more than 80% of their original range and are ready for resale under warranty, ensuring peace of mind for the buyer.
Bikes Requiring Battery Reconditioning or Replacement:
For bikes that have reached the end of their battery's useful life, we carefully evaluate the best course of action. They will either be reconditioned by specialized third-party experts or fully replaced to restore optimal performance.
