Upway takes advantage of overstock and clearance sales from manufacturers and bike shops, enabling us to provide e-Bikes at highly discounted prices. This is the reason behind the low mileage of so many of our e-Bikes. Upway also buys electric bikes from individuals so there are a lot of 2nd hand ebikes for sale.
Upway vs. BuyCycle: Which is Better for You?
Written by: Rémy Rossi | November 7, 2024 | Time to read 4 min
Upway and Buycycle are cyclists’ favorite ways to buy and sell used electric bikes. But each of these used bike businesses has its own strengths and specific policies depending on your needs— find out their key differences below.
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.
👋 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.
Buying and selling used bikes gives bikes a second lease on life and can offer steep discounts for riders. With so many cyclists excited to get in on the deals, a few bike businesses have decided to set up convenient ways to shop for used bikes online, including this article’s protagonists: Upway and Buycycle.
Here’s a breakdown of today’s main characters:
- Upway is e-Bike-only, offering brand-new and used electric bikes sourced from manufacturers, retailers, and individuals. Every bike is inspected and certified by our team of expert mechanics.
- Buycycle is a convenient and secure marketplace where individual buyers and sellers can communicate to close deals.
Having a solid grasp of the differences between us and other bike-selling platforms means you can make the best choice of where to buy your next bike.
Buying from Upway vs. Buycycle
Upway
- Brand-new or certified pre-owned e-Bikes serviced by professional mechanics
- 14-day trial period to test your new e-Bike
- History and Inspection Report
- Online tool to help select the right e-Bike
Upway is all about electric bikes. The quality e-Bikes on our site are sourced directly from manufacturers, professional bike shops, or individuals. Simply browse, click, and get your new e-Bike for up to 60% off retail, in new or like-new conditions!
Each e-Bike is rigorously certified by a team of professional mechanics and comes with a 1-year warranty. Our bikes undergo an intensive 50-point inspection to ensure there is no structural damage to the frame, mechanical components, drive system, battery, and accessories. The mechanics replace all worn parts that are not in like-new condition and complete a tune-up, electric repairs, cleaning, and packing.
Buycycle
- Certified pre-owned and refurbished bicycles and e-Bikes
- Peer-to-peer marketplace with negotiable prices
- Buyer’s fee of around 4%
Buycycle is a marketplace for purchasing used bikes directly from other cyclists. The site charges a Buyer Protection fee which is a small percentage of the bike's sales price, usually 4%, but it varies with the buyer's country. Buycycle also has refurbished bikes that are professionally serviced, with a one-year additional warranty and no buyer fees.
Return Policy
Purchasing a bike online means you can’t test-ride the bike or see it in person before you buy. To help ensure you get the perfect bike, both Upway and Buycycle offer buyers the possibility of returning the bike, though Buycycle has more restrictions and a shorter return window.
- Upway return period: 14 days
- Buycycle return period: 48 hours
Buying from Upway means you’ll have your new e-Bike delivered to your home within a week and if you change your mind, there’s an ample 14-day return policy.
Buycycle, on the other hand, offers a 48-hour window to file a buyer protection claim after receiving the bike. Claims submitted after this period won’t be honored with no exceptions. You can file a claim if there is damage or the size was incorrectly listed, but can’t return a bike simply because you don’t like it
Shipping
Upway currently delivers to buyers in the lower 48 states. We are not unable to ship to Alaska, Hawaii, other US territories (such as Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands), and Canada. Upway ships bikes starting at $99 that comes 85% assembled, requiring just 20 minutes of setup. Buyers can also opt for the fully assembled shipping option.
Buycycle shipping is also limited to the contiguous United States. The site has bikes from all over the world and shipping fees will vary depending on the location of the bike abroad. If the bike needs to go through customs, a cross-border fee will be charged as well.
Both Upway and Buycycle make it incredibly easy (and free!) for sellers to ship their bikes once they are sold. For example, Upway partners with Bikeflights so sellers can order a box for free that will take 2-5 business days to arrive. Both bike retailers will pick up the bike box free of charge.
Selling with Upway vs. Buycycle
Upway
- All electric bikes manufactured after 2014 are accepted
- Upway makes you an offer on your e-Bike
- Additional $150 promo code to purchase a bike on Upway
- Free shipping, box, and pick-up for sellers
Upway will make you an offer to purchase your e-Bike based on the retail value of your bike, its mileage, and market factors such as demand and seasonality for your model. It’s an easy two-minute process to fill in information about your e-Bike’s make and model. We also factor in our own reconditioning costs so that the future owner can enjoy a bike in perfect condition, with a one-year warranty
Once you accept the offer, Upway sends you a box for free (or you can box it up yourself) and will pick it up for shipping. Sellers get paid within five days after shipping. As a bonus after selling, you'll receive a $150 promo code to purchase a bike on Upway, from full-suspension models to fat tire e-Bikes.
Buycycle
- You choose your selling price
- Useful price recommendation tool
- Sellers can communicate with buyers to answer questions or negotiate
- Buycycle doesn’t accept city bikes, children's bikes, or cargo bikes
- Seller’s fee of 3.5% deducted from the final sale
The upshot of using Buycycle is that you can set your own price. As a peer-to-peer marketplace, sellers make their own postings with high-quality photos and additional details about the bike. Buycycle has a convenient price recommendation tool to help decide on a competitive price, as well as suggestions if you want to sell your bike quicker.
As a seller, you’ll receive messages from potential buyers who can ask questions about the bike or negotiate for a lower price. Buycycle accepts almost every type of bike but clarifies that they don’t accept city bikes, children's bikes, or cargo bikes. The site also charges a 3.5% seller’s fee that’s deducted from the final purchase price.
Customer Service and Support
Upway has a US-based support team located at its hubs in New York City and Los Angeles to help you through every step of the process. Our team of experts is available 7 days a week to help you get the best price for your electric bike.
You can even schedule a video call or call us directly and talk to a real human! For step-by-step advice and common questions, our online help center makes it easy to find answers on how to sell your e-Bike.
Buycycle has thorough online resources to resolve almost any question you may have, as well as an on-demand chat line.
💸 Ready to sell your electric bike?
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Upway get their bikes?
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.
Where is the Upway located?
Upway’s US headquarters is located in Brooklyn, New York. We have servicing warehouses in NYC and soon Los Angeles.
Key Takeaways
- Upway focuses exclusively on electric bikes, offering both new and refurbished models with a thorough 50-point inspection, a 1-year warranty, and a flexible 14-day return policy. Upway provides dedicated US-based customer support, which you can either chat or video call.
- Buycycle operates as a peer-to-peer marketplace where buyers and sellers can negotiate directly, offering a wider range of bike types, a much shorter 48-hour return window, and a 3.5% seller’s fee. It provides support through comprehensive online resources and a chat service.
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