How to Sell Your Used Bicycle

If you are upgrading to a better bike or just getting rid of your old ride, there’s a lot to know when it comes to how to sell your used bicycle. As with anything, you can sell as-is for cheap, but if you want to regain some of your investment, read on to learn more about how to get as much cash as possible for your used bike.

1.    Take the time to clean up your bike. This seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many used bikes I have looked at that were just plain dirty. No one wants to buy a bike that is covered in caked on mud or interwoven in a giant cobweb. Take the time to clean up your bicycle before you sell it. Clean and lube the chain, clean the discs, and buff your bike before you list it for sale.

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2.    Tune up your bike and take care of any repairs. No one wants to inherit your issues. If your bike needs repairs or just some routine maintenance, take care of it before you put it up for sale. If you are selling a high end bike, you may want to take it into the bike shop for a thorough once over.

3.    Strip your bike of the extras. You may have invested a lot of bucks on a computer, GPS unit, or professional pedals, or other bike parts, but these aren’t likely to add much to the value of your bike. You will end up getting more selling these items separately or hanging on to them to use with your next bike.

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4.    Consider the available outlets for sale. Craigslist is free may seem like an easy and quick way to make a sale, but you may receive a lot of low offers or calls from interested individuals who do nothing more than waste your time. eBay will open you up to a wider variety of potential customers, but users are often looking for rock-bottom prices and, after paying eBay and payment fees, you may find yourself disappointed.

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If you belong to a local bicycle community, consider trying to find a buyer there. Bicycle groups often have Facebook pages or message boards that allow users to communicate and reach out to others. This can be an excellent way to make a sale without paying any extraneous fees. Some local bike shops will allow you to sell your bike on consignment.

Although the consignment fees can be pricey, having someone else manage the sale can reduce your stress. Finally, consider The Pro’s Closet for a quick and easy sales process. They’ll make an offer for your bike and handle the rest for you. Whether you are selling a road bike or a mountain bike, there is a buyer out there for every bicycle – you just need to be patient.

5.    Be realistic when pricing your bike. When you buy a car, it loses thousands of dollars in value when you drive it off the lot. The same rule applies to bikes. You may have paid thousands of dollars for your bike, but changes are you will take a big loss when you go to sell it. It’s important to remember that all bikes are going to depreciate in value.

Asking for too much for your bike is an easy way to turn off prospective buyers. Potential buyers want to pay what the bike is worth, not the original retail value of it. Remember that wear and tear and depreciation do occur, even with light use.

With most bike sales, there will be some negotiations between the buyer and seller before you come to a final sale price. This is normal so try not to take offense if the price you are offered is less than your asking price. A little haggling is just part of the buying and selling process. At the end of the day, it will feel good to mark your bike sold, and going down a few bucks to get the sale will be acceptable.

At Kass & Moses, we take cycling seriously! We’re bicycle crash attorneys, but we are also avid cyclists. We represent cyclists because we KNOW, first hand, the risks that cyclists face when they ride. We believe that inattentive motorists who strike cyclists should be held responsible.

Although no amount of money can restore the health of an injured cyclist, we understand that it’s critical when it comes to paying medical bills, compensating you for time away from work, and helping you deal with long-term injuries. If you have been hurt in a bicycle crash, you deserve to have an experienced attorney on your side- call Kass & Moses first!