How to Price a Used Bike Correctly: Free Online Quote

Written by: Nick Cowie | April 14, 2026 | Time to read: 5 min

As much as we would love to get the original retail price back for our used bikes, that is not a realistic situation. Every time you ride, your bike has more miles, blemishes, and wear put on it. It is important to be honest with yourself about what flaws your bike has so you can get an accurate price estimate.

Frame scratches are extremely common. While they can lower the value slightly, they will not prevent your bike from selling. Companies like Upway, which refurbish bikes, will still pay for bikes with frame scratches as long as they are disclosed by the seller. Cracks in a carbon frame are a different story. They present a safety issue and can lower the resale potential significantly, and may not be taken by second-hand retailers.

Have you customized your bike, or does it still have its original parts? Make sure you consider what components and accessories you have added or replaced over the years. Upgrades and newer components can fetch a higher buying price and should be factored in.

Just like any product, the second-hand bike market changes based on supply and demand, along with condition. A newer bike in better shape will typically sell for more, but that doesn’t mean some older bikes don’t have staying power. For example, an old classic Bianchi in decent shape might fetch a better price than a newer generic used bicycle. Older e-Bikes hold value less than regular bikes due to mileage on the motor.

Brands like Specialized, Trek, BMC, and other high-end makers will typically retain more value than their lesser-known competitors. They will still depreciate as they age and wear, but at a slower pace and to a lesser extent. Different brands and different models come into style through the years and seasonally, so be sure to check if your brand is currently hot. 

At the end of the day, your bike is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Chances are someone is selling or has recently sold a similar bike to yours. Check various online marketplaces to gauge the market value. 

• Upway: The fastest and easiest way to get a value for your bike is with Upway. Fill out this easy form, which takes just a few minutes. Within 48 hours, you will receive a cash offer for your bike along with all the help you need to ship it to Upway. Selling to Upway also gets you $150 in store credit for your next purchase with Upway.

• Online bike retailers: There are trusted bike experts who can give you a fair price for your bike. The Pro’s Closet is a good choice if you happen to have a high-end bike to sell. Bicycle Blue Book can set you up with a peer-to-peer sales situation or buy your bike directly. Buycycle will also help you sell your bike, but does take a cut of the profit.

• Local or online listings: Check around sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and even your local bike shop to see if you can find a bike similar to yours. Compare your bike to the one for sale and see if the price makes sense. The old saying “if it’s too good to be true, it probably is” holds true here, so be sure to ignore outlier prices.  

Always balance realistic expectations with fairness. Realistically, most bikes will depreciate 10-20 percent in the first year and continue to slowly go down from there. Still, you deserve the current value of your bike when you sell it.

The best way to do this is to do your homework. Know what flaws your bike has and know what other similar bikes are going for. This will help in negotiations where buyers can potentially take advantage of an uneducated seller.

If you want to skip the negotiation process altogether, going to a trusted company like Upway will skip the hard part. You will get a cash offer right away so you can get your bike sold. It has never been easier to get paid for your used bike.