Yes, all electric bikes sold by Upway come with a one-year warranty, guaranteeing the bike will be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for twelve months from the date of purchase by the original purchaser. 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 Refurbishment Centers Scale the Reuse of E-Bikes?
Written by: Rémy Rossi | September 3, 2025 | Time to read 4 min
From 50-point inspections to like-new rides— here’s a look inside the growing world of e-Bike refurbishment.
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.
Electric bikes get a new lease on life at refurbishment centers, ready for their next owners and many more miles. Used e-Bike retailers and dedicated centers like Upway’s UpCenters are scaling up the reuse of electric bikes and supporting the circular economy. Since its founding in 2021, Upway has refurbished over 30,000 e-Bikes globally. Learn more about how electric bikes are refurbished and all the benefits of buying a pre-owned e-Bike!
Where do refurbished e-Bikes come from?
Used and pre-owned electric bikes typically come from a variety of sources, including manufacturers, bike shops, rental fleets, and individuals. Businesses like Upway that specialize in reconditioning or reselling e-Bikes work with these partners to receive used bikes that the original owners don’t want. These may include returns, previous-year models, phased-out rental e-Bikes, or used e-Bikes sold by individuals. Refurbishment centers bring all these bikes to one place that’s better equipped to prepare them for another life with a new owner.
How are electric bikes refurbished?
Depending on the condition, used e-Bikes may require different repairs, though all are thoroughly inspected to ensure proper performance of electronic and mechanical components. Some models have never been ridden before, from top brands like Specialized and Gazelle, while others have been heavily used and may need replacement parts like new tires, chain, brake pads, and more. Mechanics and e-Bike technicians must also check that the motor and battery are working at optimal levels, typically requiring specialized tools or software.
How Upway reconditions e-Bikes
At Upway, every pre-owned e-Bike goes through a rigorous certification process before it’s ready for resale. It all starts with a comprehensive 50-point inspection covering every major component, followed by any necessary mechanical repairs performed by our expert mechanics.
For electrical systems, we refurbish or replace displays, sensors, and lights, and guarantee that every battery retains at least 80% capacity—reconditioning or replacing batteries when needed. Once repairs are complete, each bike is deep-cleaned and passes a final quality control check. To give you complete peace of mind, every Upway e-Bike comes backed by a one-year warranty.
Large warehouses and refurbishment centers allow businesses like Upway to process more bikes and achieve a better workflow for master mechanics, with repairs, inventory, and shipping all under one roof.
These are the top ten most common repairs at e-Bike refurbishment centers:
- Cassette replacement
- Chain replacement
- Brake bleeding
- Brake pad replacement
- Rotor truing
- Wheel truing
- Tire replacement
- Controller replacement
- Lock core & key replacement
- Dropper post repair
Discover how Upway reconditions so many electric bikes with this quick tour of our UpCenter in Brooklyn, New York!
Benefits of refurbishing & reusing e-Bikes
There are big benefits to riding a pre-owned e-Bike that help save money and the planet.
- Big savings: Get up to 60% off leading e-Bike brands and enjoy premium features without the premium price.
- More sustainable: Opting for refurbished helps cut waste and lower the carbon footprint of new bike manufacturing.
- Product reliability: Each Upway e-Bike is expertly restored and protected with a full one-year warranty, taking the risk out of buying secondhand.
Upway is growing the upcycled e-Bike market
Upway is leading the charge to expand the market for refurbished electric bikes, offering riders better deals while reducing waste and cutting carbon emissions. This supports a circular economy for bikes and e-Bikes and requires collaboration across the industry, such as our trade-in partnerships and close relationships with manufacturers. Customers can feel hesitant about second-hand e-Bikes due to technical concerns, so building trust is essential. Upway addresses this by sourcing high-quality bikes, performing professional refurbishments, and standing behind every sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Upway offer a warranty?
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
- Refurbishment centers like Upway extend e-Bike lifespans while slashing costs and emissions.
- Every bike undergoes a 50-point inspection, necessary repairs, and battery testing before resale.
- Partnerships across the industry are fueling a stronger circular economy for e-Bikes.
