The best way to save money on a bike is to buy it used. Sometimes that’s the only way to find a bike, full stop (looking at you, pandemic years). Now used eBikes in the U.S. have their own platform thanks to Upway, a European company that just cracked into the American market.
Fresh off a $25 million influx of capital funding, Upway offers a buying/selling experience similar to The Pro’s Closet. The platform is searchable and filterable, with usage, size, price, brand, motor position, battery capacity, engine torque, and other features easily dialed in to find the perfect ride. Upway subjects each bike to a 20-point inspection process and sells the refurbished bikes with a one-year warranty (that also covers major components). The company ships anywhere within the continental U.S.
The Upway platform feels similar to anyone who’s used The Pros Closet to shop for bikes. All screenshots c. Upway.
The selling side is a three-step process: describe your eBike (history and condition), snap some photos, and wait 24 hours to hear back from Upway.
“We want to provide our customers in the U.S. with not only the largest selection of electric bikes that cater to different types of riders and interests, but also the convenience and simplicity in placing and receiving an order that is hassle-free, affordable, and reliable without the fear of fraudulence,” Toussaint Wattinne, CEO and Co-Founder of Upway, said in a press release.
“Since the pandemic, we have continued to see a significant spike in sales, as electric bikes provide a multitude of benefits such as emission-free transportation, energy efficiency, lower cost, physical health, and more. Our goal at Upway is to be at the forefront of not only providing the consumer with an extensive selection of certified electric bikes from leading brands, but also providing them comfort in knowing that every product carried in our warehouse has been officially certified from leading mechanics in the industry and will be ready to safely ride upon arrival,” he continued.
The selling side of Upway is easy to navigate.
Upway carries familiar American brands like Cannondale, Rad Power, and Specialized. It also stocks European brands like Gazelle, VanMoof, and Riese & Müller, allowing American e-riders to break out of their comfort zone. As a bonus, Upway also carries certified used accessories like panniers, lights, and helmets.
“As specialists in the electric bike space, Upway has refurbished over 10,000 bikes since it first launched in 2021 and works directly with hundreds of bike shops by powering their trade-in programs,” an Upway spokesperson said.
That’s a lot of eBikes. So if you’ve been thinking about hauling your kiddos around on a cargo bike or giving your legs a little extra juice on your local singletrack, head over to Upway and browse around. You might find something unexpected in your price range!
