Bicycle Blue Book estimates a bike’s value based on its model year, components, and condition. While the valuations of newer models are generally deemed to be accurate, BBB heavily weights depreciation in its calculations, meaning older bikes may be listed at especially low price ranges.
Is Bicycle Blue Book Accurate When Selling a Used Electric Bike?
Written by: Rémy Rossi | May 20, 2025 | Time to read 4 min
Bicycle Blue Book can be a great place to start when selling your used e-Bike, giving you a quick estimate before heading into the sale. But just how accurate is the BBB price?
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.
Unless you’re an avid entrepreneur or fan of Shark Tank, turning into a salesperson to sell your e-Bike can be a tall order. I know bikes very well and even I have a tough time deciding on a desired price and negotiating when trying to sell a bike.
But tools like Bicycle Blue Book’s Value Guide can help you get a rough estimate of what your used e-Bike is worth. Sellers can even post their used e-Bike for sale or trade it in on the site.
However, as those Shark Tank aficionados will know, closing the deal is an art and likely more complicated than just a single number. Bicycle Blue Book (BBB) has its limitations and its own strengths compared to other ways of selling a used electric bike. In this article, I’ll discuss how BBB works and the accuracy of that azure Bicycle Blue Book price.
👋 Do you know Upway?
Upway is your go-to destination for buying and selling e-Bikes online. Find your next e-Bike at up to 60% off retail, available in new or like-new condition.
How does Bicycle Blue Book work?
Value guide
Bicycle Blue Book’s hallmark feature is its value guide, providing a free and instant valuation on your bike or e-Bike (BBB does both standard bicycles and electric bikes). Basically, it’s a spinoff of the long-standing Kelley Blue Book price for used cars. The BBB quote is super fast and easy to navigate based on the exact model, assuming your bike is in their large database.
BBB will give you a trade-in range they may be willing to offer, a price range for private sales, and the original retail of the bike.
BBB will give you a trade-in range they may be willing to offer, a price range for private sales, and the original retail of the bike.
Marketplace
Bicycle Blue Book also hosts a large marketplace with certified pre-owned bikes and bikes from private individual sellers. There are fully reconditioned models, bikes from verified stores, and direct sellers. Currently, there are over 4,500 used bikes for sale on the marketplace, spanning all bike types. BBB makes it easy to filter the results based on what you’re looking for.
Trade-in
BBB also lets you trade in your old bike and get instant store credit to buy a new one. Enter your bike’s information and find out the trade-in value, drop off the bike, and apply the credit on the BBB marketplace or partner bike shop.
💸 Do you want to sell your electric bike?
Is the Bicycle Blue Book value accurate?
The Bicycle Blue Book value estimation can be a useful ballpark number to get you started, but there are limitations to its accuracy. Specifically, the BBB price heavily weighs depreciation and can’t take into account added upgrades or seasonal demand of certain bikes. One of the most common criticisms of the BBB estimate is that it generally underestimates the value of bicycles, though the value of newer models tend to be more reasonable.
This query is especially pertinent because a lot of potential buyers may reference the BBB price as “market value” to start negotiations on other marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or Buycycle. I’ve found that the BBB value is often undervalued and may even be used to try to low-ball sellers with cheap offers disguised as accurate market prices.
The BBB valuation guide has a few limitations that can lead to less accurate pricing. Unlike the car-focused Kelley Blue Book, for example, BBB lacks access to comprehensive data from official sales, auctions, and registration records, which significantly impacts its pricing accuracy. The estimate also doesn’t take into account seasonal demand or included bike upgrades. Many sellers report that private sales often fetch prices above those suggested by BBB.
This query is especially pertinent because a lot of potential buyers may reference the BBB price as “market value” to start negotiations on other marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or Buycycle. I’ve found that the BBB value is often undervalued and may even be used to try to low-ball sellers with cheap offers disguised as accurate market prices.
The BBB valuation guide has a few limitations that can lead to less accurate pricing. Unlike the car-focused Kelley Blue Book, for example, BBB lacks access to comprehensive data from official sales, auctions, and registration records, which significantly impacts its pricing accuracy. The estimate also doesn’t take into account seasonal demand or included bike upgrades. Many sellers report that private sales often fetch prices above those suggested by BBB.
Upway vs. Bicycle Blue Book
For an instant ballpark figure on a used bike’s value, Bicycle Blue Book can be a helpful first stop, and there are even trade-in and selling options. Upway focuses only on electric bikes and has a larger inventory of used e-Bikes that are all professionally certified, including detailed photos, owner history report, a 14-day return policy, and a one-year warranty.
I’ve compared Upway vs. Bicycle Blue Book before, and there are a few key differences. BBB sells both standard bicycles and e-Bikes while Upway sells exclusively electric models. Upway has a significantly larger inventory of e-Bikes and only sells from top-quality brands such as Gazelle, Specialized, Trek, and more.
BBB also sells certified pre-owned bikes that are professionally reconditioned, though those models only make up a portion of the overall inventory. Both Upway and BBB have a trade-in program that makes it easy to trade your used e-Bike for store credit, either online or at a participating trade-in partner bike shop.
I’ve compared Upway vs. Bicycle Blue Book before, and there are a few key differences. BBB sells both standard bicycles and e-Bikes while Upway sells exclusively electric models. Upway has a significantly larger inventory of e-Bikes and only sells from top-quality brands such as Gazelle, Specialized, Trek, and more.
BBB also sells certified pre-owned bikes that are professionally reconditioned, though those models only make up a portion of the overall inventory. Both Upway and BBB have a trade-in program that makes it easy to trade your used e-Bike for store credit, either online or at a participating trade-in partner bike shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Bicycle Blue Book determine the value of a used bike?
What is the warranty on Upway bikes?
Upway offers a one-year limited warranty on all its e-Bikes that covers mechanical and electrical defects. We also provide guaranteed delivery and will compensate as warranted in the rare case of any shipping damage.
How much do electric bikes cost?
A good-quality electric bike usually costs between $2,000 and $4,000 at retail, though premium models can run much higher. At Upway, you can find both new and pre-owned e-Bikes from leading brands—often at discounts of up to 60%!
Key Takeaways
- BBB offers fast ballpark estimates but can undervalue bikes, especially those with upgrades or in high seasonal demand.
- Unlike BBB, Upway exclusively sells certified electric bikes, offering warranties, inspections, and a large, e-bike-specific inventory.
- Market trends, bike condition, and timing all affect real-world value, so use BBB as a starting point— not the final word.
