Do Refurbishers Operate Large Regional Hubs In The US For Efficiency?
Written by: Rémy Rossi | September 7, 2025 | Time to read 4 min
From coast to coast, Upway’s regional hubs power faster, smoother, and smarter e-Bike delivery across the U.S.
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.
E-Bikes are highly efficient machines, and Upway aims to operate just as smoothly and effectively. But sourcing, repairing, and shipping electric bikes around the country can be a complicated logistical puzzle. That’s why refurbishers and bike retailers may have large regional hubs in the US to boost efficiency. Upway’s U.S. UpCenters in Los Angeles and New York City reduce delivery times to as little as 3 days.
Logistics is a key issue for bike retailers
Logistics— specifically shipping costs and delivery times— is a crucial factor for bike retailers. Compared to many products out there, bikes are larger, heavier, and more fragile to ship. Bike businesses have to pack big bike boxes properly and spend more on transporting such a sizable and hefty package to its destination, whether it’s receiving stock or shipping to customers. Many of our close partners, such as Aventon and Specialized, are based in California near our new Los Angeles UpCenter.
And shipping electric bikes can add extra costs and complexity to the equation. Transporting products with large batteries may require special handling or incur additional fees. In general, electric bikes are heavier than standard bicycles, even with the popularity of lightweight e-Bike models.
Keeping logistics costs down translates to more affordable prices for customers, and faster delivery times are a win-win for everyone. And while these logistical factors aren’t unexpected, they are critical to bike businesses running as efficiently as possible.
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Multiple hubs increase efficiency
Having large regional hubs can offer a big advantage. Instead of one main headquarters serving the whole U.S., having regional hubs can improve shipping for incoming and outgoing packages. In 2023, Upway entered the U.S. market with its UpCenter in New York City, shipping nationwide from that one location. But Upway’s rapid growth and strong e-Bike market on the West Coast motivated the decision to open a second regional hub in Los Angeles in early 2025. Now, Upway can source bikes and ship to customers from two hubs on both coasts, significantly increasing efficiency, lowering shipping costs, and reducing delivery times overall.
Upway delivers fast shipping
Upway knows that fast, affordable shipping is important. E-Bikes can be a large investment, and once you make the purchase, you want to get riding as soon as possible. Our bi-coastal distribution of UpCenters helps achieve faster and more efficient shipping.
In general, customers can choose between 15-minute and 5-minute assembly shipping options, with cost and delivery time depending on their location. And for customers who live within a 100-mile radius of one of our UpCenters— NYC or Los Angeles— we deliver bikes unboxed and fully assembled right to their door! Please note that all our options will require you to sign for your delivery.
In general, customers can choose between 15-minute and 5-minute assembly shipping options, with cost and delivery time depending on their location. And for customers who live within a 100-mile radius of one of our UpCenters— NYC or Los Angeles— we deliver bikes unboxed and fully assembled right to their door! Please note that all our options will require you to sign for your delivery.
How does Upway ship your e-Bike?
- Before your e-Bike leaves our facility, our master mechanics perform a final quality check to ensure it’s in perfect condition straight out of the box.
- Next, your bike is carefully prepared, securely packed, and protected in our custom boxes to ensure it arrives safely during transit. It’s either transported in a bike box or a larger parcel, depending on the selected shipping option.
- Once your order ships, you’ll receive an email with a tracking link so you can follow its journey. For added security, all deliveries require a signature.
For even faster and more affordable shipping, check out the electric bikes at the UpCenter that’s nearest to you, either Los Angeles or New York. Below are models from our LA UpCenter!
Key Takeaways
- Regional hubs slash delivery times and costs by optimizing logistics.
- Shipping heavy e-Bikes with large batteries may require specialized handling and additional costs for businesses.
- Upway’s NYC and LA UpCenters enable delivery in as little as 3 days, with fully assembled bikes delivered within 100 miles.
