All our tips for buying a second-hand electric bike

The main advantage of buying a used electric bike? Significant savings! By going to Upway, you can buy a near-condition new e-bike for 20 to 60% less. By opting for a second-hand electric bike, you're also doing something for the environment by extending the life of your EAB, rather than continuing the cycle of disposable objects. Here's all our professional advice on buying a second-hand electric bike. 

Choosing a used electric bike according to your needs

Choosing your second-hand electric bike means first of all targeting your needs: where do you intend to use it? What kind of place do you live in? Are there any criteria that are essential for you?

To help you make your choice, please consult our guide How to choose your electric bike. It will help you choose between an electric city bike for an easy commute to work, an electric VTC for a weekend ride or an electric MTB for the roughest trails. We also help you determine the range you need, the ideal location for the motor and battery and the right size of bike for your body type.

Analyse the general condition of the electric bicycle

Choosing the right used electric bike is not an easy task. Before you decide to finalise your purchase, it is important to pay particular attention to the general condition of the EAB, in order to be able to use it optimally afterwards. 

Be suspicious if the electric bike is dirty, has sticky handles, bad screws or deflated tires . Look at the EAB in the light of day to make sure you can see any defects. Also ask the seller questions about the conditions of use of the electric bike, the mileage, the reason for the sale and how it has been maintained. 

These are the points that our professional mechanics, who are responsible for reconditioning electric bicycles, pay particular attention to. 

Bike frame, chain, tires

Before you buy your second-hand electric bike, look at the general condition of the frame: if the paintwork is slightly damaged, this is not a big deal and you can even negotiate the price. On the other hand, avoid buying a bike with rust on the paintwork: this may mean that the electric bike has been stored in a damp place, which may have damaged other parts of the EAB. It is also important that the frame is free of cracks and that the welds are intact, especially between the fork and the down tube, at the bottom bracket or the chainstay. If you find any structural defects, avoid buying the electric bike second-hand: the risk of breakage is too great. 

If the frame is in good condition, the next step is to analyse the chain. If the chain is damaged, it usually means that the whole drive train of the electric bike needs to be changed. There are special tools for checking the chain, but it is also possible to do without. To do this, check that the chain is not too loose by pulling it at the bottom bracket with your thumb and index finger. A chain in good condition should not be able to be pulled higher than half the height of the crankset teeth. To check the general condition of the drivetrain, run the bike empty. You should not feel any points of resistance or hear any noise. 

Finally, on the mechanical side, look at the condition of the tires and the wheels. Start by testing the spoke tension, which should be the same on each spoke. Also check that the wheels are not warped by turning them: they should not zigzag. Regarding the tires, they should not be cracked or show the casing. 

Engine, assistance and battery

The motor, the assistance and the battery are the three essential parts of a second-hand electric bike. Opt for an EAB equipped with components from a recognised manufacturer (Bosch, Yamaha, Shimano, Brose, Bafang, etc.), which will make it easier for you if you need to change parts later on. 

To check the condition of the motor of your used electric bicycle, only a visual check is possible. It should be free of bumps and cracks. If in doubt, you can have a complete check carried out by a professional. Don't hesitate to test the electric pedal assistance by trying the bike in real conditions. 

As for the battery, you should be aware that it loses its initial performance over time. To estimate the number of remaining charge cycles, you can use a battery tester or analyse the flashing of the LED, referring to the manual that came with the battery. If the battery needs to be changed, negotiate the price of the EAB down, as it is the most expensive part of an electric bike. It is estimated that the battery of an ebike needs to be changed every 6 years on average. 

Check gears, brakes, mileage and tray

When choosing your second-hand electric bike, check that the gears shift properly: the chain should move easily from one sprocket to another. If you have the opportunity, test the gears by trying the bike on a short ride. Don't hesitate to shift all the gears to test them: there should be no snags or suspicious noises. Take the opportunity to test the brakes, which should be responsive, without having to insist. 

As when buying a car, it is also important to look at the speedometer of the ECV: by checking the speedometer, you will be able to know how many kilometres the owner has driven and therefore whether the selling price is consistent. 

Finally, just like the chain or the brakes, the chainring is one of the parts that tend to wear out quickly on an electric bike. You can ask to see the invoices that prove when these parts were replaced. If they have not been changed and the bike has a lot of mileage, budget for these repairs.

Favour specialist second-hand bike platforms over classified ads

The second-hand world is Best Value for buying a cheap used electric bike. You can do this via classified ads or word-of-mouth. But second-hand is also a market where disappointments can abound, all the more so if you don't know your way around. Using specialist second-hand bike platforms such as Upway will help you secure the purchase of your VAE in several respects. 

Have a guarantee

When you buy a used electric bike from a private person, you often do not have a warranty. Also note that if the bike's motor has been modified or reworked, the manufacturer's warranty will be lost. 

With Upway, you get a one-year warranty on your bike's battery, motor and electronics. So if you encounter a problem even after our very thorough inspection of your refurbished EAB, you have 12 months to contact us. We'll help you remotely or with the help of a partner bike shop in your area to solve your problem. If necessary, we'll take your bike back for repair in our workshop in Gennevilliers.

Choose a bike refurbished by professionals

By choosing a used electric bike refurbished by professionals, you benefit from a VAE close to new condition, while enjoying a low price. At Upway, every bike undergoes a detailed 20-point inspection by our mechanics. We check that there is no structural damage to the frame, safety points, motor or battery. We also take stock of the repairs and parts replacements needed to give each bike a new lease of life. 

Once the bike is ready to be ridden refurbished, our team proceeds to the repairs and replacements of the mechanical and electronic parts that need it. Nothing escapes the watchful eye of our experts!

Avoiding scams 

By buying your EAB from a used electric bike specialist, you can also avoid the disappointment of a scam: tampered bikes, defective bikes or even stolen bikes... 

To prevent these unpleasant surprises, be wary of electric bicycles with abnormally low prices and ask for a purchase contract (there are some available for download on the internet) to protect both parties and confirm that the agreed price has been paid.

At Upway, we follow extremely strict rules in order to verify the origin of every bike offered for sale on our platform.