Are 2nd hand ebikes pretty much worthless?!

[kevtp19]

Morning all, I am coming to the end of my c2w scheme on my 2022 H30 Orbea Rise. Was thinking of selling it and getting a new one, on a new scheme. But watching a few bikes on FB marketplace, nothing appears to be selling. There is Rise the same as mine, but with hardly any miles (300 or something), and some tasteful upgrades (XT 4 pot brakes). They can't seem to get £2400 for it, it looks new! Mine is in great condition, but must be worth barely £1500 on that basis (2500 miles, will go up). That's a £2500 loss in 2 years! Has anyone else noticed 2nd hand ebikes are hard to sell / very low re-sale value?

 

[johnnystorm]

I've noticed that a fair number of the bikes in the classifieds here, and on eBay don't seem to have been checked against what they now cost new. Some very optimistic pricing!

For your example, the H30 is £3k here new. https://www.jejamescycles.com/produ...wT6PChxpnvg-Qe8otnntWF8C-325FK-RoCYscQAvD_BwE

Mountain bikes have never been a sound investment and ebikes only add more risks to a second hand purchase. With 0% finance paying a bit more for peace of mind is a no brainer for some wanting an easy life.
C2W is also a factor, when new bikes have at least 25% off you'll need to save a chunk more to make buying used worth it.

 

[kevtp19]

I've noticed that a fair number of the bikes in the classifieds here, and on eBay don't seem to have been checked against what they now cost new. Some very optimistic pricing!

For your example, the H30 is £3k here new. https://www.jejamescycles.com/produ...wT6PChxpnvg-Qe8otnntWF8C-325FK-RoCYscQAvD_BwE

Mountain bikes have never been a sound investment and ebikes only add more risks to a second hand purchase. With 0% finance paying a bit more for peace of mind is a no brainer for some wanting an easy life.
C2W is also a factor, when new bikes have at least 25% off you'll need to save a chunk more to make buying used worth it.

Crikey didn't know you could find brand new @ £3k. I must admit I would not buy a 2nd hand ebike. To have any chance of it lasting, you are trusting the previous owner has treated it / charged it / stored it correctly, not ridden through rivers etc... The warranty is golden on ebikes, without that it makes sense they are worth significantly less tbh. A new motor & battery will cost more than it is worth. As much as I love them, I will have to accept they are an expensive luxury item.

 

[DieBoy]

If I was hyperthetically to buy a 2nd hand ebike (>1 year old) I'd be factoring in the price of a new battery from the very beginning (assuming availability) and motor costs in the near to middle future.

Ebikes do not hold their value. It's probably best to buy something reliable as possible and ride it for years rather than selling after 2, unless you're blessed with bountiful financial resources.

Particularly at the moment, new bike prices are relatively low, especially on last year's model, meaning unless you set the price extremely low there's no incentive for potential buyers to risk 2nd hand instead of buying new.

 

[DieBoy]

There is Rise the same as mine, but with hardly any miles (300 or something), and some tasteful upgrades (XT 4 pot brakes). They can't seem to get £2400 for it, it looks new

Which says to me it's hardly been ridden so the battery has been lying around flat and will need replacing straight away, and it's never been taken in to a bikeshop for a service. The brakes will probably need bleeding, maybe some other minor maintenance is needed. It also hasn't been ridden enough to discover any problems, but now there's no warranty.

A very quick Google (not shopping around) shows this bike available brand new (I.e. with 2 year warranty) at 4000€, about £3600, as "end of line model".

 

[johnnystorm]

Which says to me it's hardly been ridden so the battery has been lying around flat and will need replacing straight away, and it's never been taken in to a bikeshop for a service. The brakes will probably need bleeding, maybe some other minor maintenance is needed. It also hasn't been ridden enough to discover any problems, but now there's no warranty.

A very quick Google (not shopping around) shows this bike available brand new (I.e. with 2 year warranty) at 4000€, about £3600, as "end of line model".

My link up there is for a 2023 model for £3000/€3500!

 

[Tooks]

Which says to me it's hardly been ridden so the battery has been lying around flat and will need replacing straight away….

A healthy quality battery will last for over 12 months before it would be anywhere near flat, so it wouldn’t need replacing.

Also, a new factory battery will still have its passivation layer from when it was manufactured, this doesn’t migrate away from the cathodes and anodes until it starts being used. It’s effectively dormant at its storage charge. Without that ability to sit and not be used, every battery would have to be made to order and that isn’t the case.

Going completely flat, left for a long period at 100% and of course cycles will kill/wear out a battery.

All this is for quality cells of course, I can’t say the same for a no name cheap cell manufactured goodness knows when or where.

Of all the things to worry about on an e-bike, the motor is number 1 on my list, and they usually need a workshop visit to setup properly even if you obtain a new one. At least a new battery can just be installed/connected and you’re up and running again.