Upway sells electric bikes with a one-year warranty. The warranty guarantees the bike has no defects in materials or workmanship under normal use for twelve months from the purchase date by the original buyer. Another way to protect your electric bike is with e-Bike insurance, which we offer through our partners at Sundays at the time of purchase.
How Do Platforms Source Refurbished E-Bikes?
Written by: Rémy Rossi | September 29, 2025 | Time to read 4 min
From brand returns to trade-ins, the journey of sourcing refurbished e-Bikes keeps the wheels of the circular economy turning.
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.
The markets from which chefs get their favorite ingredients aren’t necessarily the flashiest of details, but they’re often their best-kept secrets. Whether it’s fruits, vegetables, or electric bikes, the source of these crucial elements makes up the secret sauce that keeps the business going and customers happy. Upway focuses a lot of attention on sourcing e-Bikes, recognizing that it’s the important starting point for high-quality refurbished bikes and a healthy circular economy. Upway partners with brands, fleets, and trade-in programs nationwide to source pre-owned electric bikes. Continue reading to learn more about these close partnerships and where exactly platforms like Upway get their electric bikes.
Close partnerships are the key to sourcing e-Bikes
Positive, ongoing partnerships are the lifeblood of sourcing pre-owned electric bikes. Agreements between industry players like big brands and local bike shops are mutually beneficial, and there are exciting possibilities in these relationships. Partnering with Upway gives brands or shops a way to manage returns or offload inventory when appropriate, making room for new e-Bikes and giving a second life to those pre-owned models— talk about a win-win.
Upway works closely with these partners to stay up to date with their needs and plan our own operations. Our recently opened Los Angeles UpCenter helps us stay close to brands and shops on the West Coast, a major electric bike hotspot with several California-based brands and a huge population of e-Bike riders, too.
Brand partnerships & returns
Upway works with popular brands to source bikes and manage their returns. A large share of pre-owned electric bikes in the US comes from brand returns. Most e-Bike brands offer return policies or trial periods, allowing customers to send a bike back if it doesn’t fit, doesn’t meet expectations, or has a minor mechanical or electrical issue. For many brands, however, processing these returns is expensive since additional repairs, inspections, and resale at a discounted “pre-owned” price can quickly add up. Instead, Upway steps in to manage returns and takes care of the entire resale process for brands such as Tern, Aventon, and many more. If not returned e-Bikes, platforms like Upway may purchase overstock or previous-year models at a discount from the manufacturer.
Sourcing e-Bikes from bike shops
Local bike shops can also be a great source for refurbished e-Bikes. Professional bike shops can sell models, rental fleets, or demo bikes directly to Upway to move or free up inventory. Bike shops can also participate in Upway’s Trade-In Program, allowing individuals to receive credit for their used e-Bike and spend it on a new model in-store. Upway partners with over 200 bike shops across the country to source bikes and handle warranty servicing. Some popular shops you may be familiar with include all Rad Retail locations of Rad Power Bikes, Mike’s Bikes in California, and Conte’s Bike Shop on the East Coast.
Trade-in programs across the US
A significant share of pre-owned e-Bikes comes from trade-in programs. Upway’s Trade-In Program lets riders bring their used e-Bike to a participating shop, receive an instant quote, and apply that value— often with an extra discount— toward a brand-new model inside the store. Customers save money on their upgrade, local shops sell more bikes, and retired e-Bikes are sent to Upway for professional refurbishment and resale. It’s a smart and efficient way to give used electric bikes a second life, all while making high-quality e-Bikes more accessible and keeping them in circulation longer.
Individual sellers of used e-Bikes
Of course, individuals can always sell their used model directly to Upway with just a few clicks. Platforms such as Upway— as well as The Pro’s Closet, Buycycle, and Bicycle Blue Book— each source e-Bikes through individuals looking to sell their bikes. This sourcing method adds a great diversity of models from many distinct brands beyond Upway’s main partners. With Upway, the selling process is super simple and transparent.
How to sell your e-Bike on Upway:
- Get a fast estimate: Fill out this brief form to tell us about your bike, and you’ll receive a clear price estimate in less than 60 seconds.
- Confirm a final offer: If you’re satisfied with the quote, submit photos of your bike so our experts can review it and send you a guaranteed, final offer.
- Get paid fast: Accept the offer, and Upway will organize free home pickup. You’ll get paid within 3-5 days after inspection of the bike upon its arrival at our UpCenter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the warranty on Upway bikes?
Where does Upway get its bikes?
Upway sources its electric bikes from a variety of channels. We get many of our bikes directly from manufacturers that have bikes they want to send, overstock, or last year’s models. We also receive e-Bikes from bike shops across the country and individuals looking to give their used e-Bikes a second life.
Key Takeaways
- Upway sources e-Bikes through brand returns, trade-in programs, bike shops, and individual sellers.
- Partnerships with 200+ shops nationwide make trade-ins easy and help riders upgrade for less.
- Refurbishing extends e-Bike lifespans, making high-quality models more affordable and sustainable.
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