Are 2nd hand ebikes pretty much worthless?!

[steve_sordy]

Just sold my 4-year old Santa Cruz Bullit X01 AXS RSV for €4500. I originally paid €10400 for it, so it depreciated €1475 per year. Based on this I would say it costs next to nothing to ride a high-end ebike - atleast if you buy a desirable brand.

Don't forget the cost of the €10400. Even if you paid cash, the cash could have been earning interest somewhere, let's say 5%
€10400 x 5% =€520/year

A loan would cost double or treble that.

I prefer to think of the bike as written off the day I buy it. Anything I get back after years of use is a bonus. The last thing I want to do is to work out how much it is costing me for my pastime.

 

[irie]

Don't forget the cost of the €10400. Even if you paid cash, the cash could have been earning interest somewhere, let's say 5%
€10400 x 5% =€520/year

A loan would cost double or treble that.

I prefer to think of the bike as written off the day I buy it. Anything I get back after years of use is a bonus. The last thing I want to do is to work out how much it is costing me for my pastime.

€10,400 compounded at 5% over 4 years is about €12,640

 

[Weeksy]

Lol I spend more on fuel per year that the depreciation of my bikes

 

[Stihldog]

Thank gawd I’ve never been accused of making rational decisions …otherwise I’d have the burden of owning 6-10 different homes at the same time. (Whew …dodged a bullet there )

Imagine all the fun I might have missed out on, but my time left on this planet has helped change my priorities.

 

[B1rdie]

If i intended to put it to numbers, it would be the ratio of (money)/(time) spent on the bike that would matter.
The first parameter will always be never spend more than $ 5,000 on a bycicle, only spend more on upgrades when I am sure they will improve the joy of riding. Over the years I have spent much more on travelling with the bikes than on the gear.

 

[Tooks]

Once discounted cash flow analysis becomes the key element of a bike purchase decision, I’m out!

 

[steve_sordy]

......................., only spend more on upgrades when I am sure they will improve the joy of riding. ......................

100% agree with that.
I always have a reason why I spend money on "upgrades".
It is never a casual thing, or fashion come to that matter.
But I confess that I never thought of "joy" as one of my decision criteria.

 

[blisteringblue]

I notice ebay have stopped private 2nd hand ebike sales which is interesting, you can still list in the normal cycle section for now though. I've bought a 4 year old e-ST900 for £750 (from ebay but we managed to get off platform for an in person deal), it had done 98 miles so literally new, battery good for 5 hours (tested) and still life in it. Worth a punt at that price (got £350 back selling my chinese drop ship monstrosity ), and more than doubled the mileage in 6 weeks. Stock tyres aren't great so that's about the only thing I need to replace. I know I want full suspension now but this will do me for 2025.

Just bought the wife the womens version brand new as its £800 off currently.

 

[iXi]

My first ebike norco VLT sight I paid $6200 for and sold it after 3yrs with 13000kms on it for $2800.

My second bike a turbo levo I bought for $11300 and sold it after 2yrs9months for $4000 with 4800kms on it.

The first bike I sold within days and got heaps of hits, the levo took at a couple of months with not much interest. The market is definitely slowing down but people need to be realistic with their pricing.

 

[Rando_12345]

In 2023 I sold my 2018 Commencal for €1900 (From €4500 new).
Last week I sold my 2023 Giant for €2400 (From €5000 new).

In both cases I had already bought the replacement bike, but still matched roughly the lowest price I could see online in my region, knowing my bike was in better condition than most. You need to check the market every so often to see which bikes are not getting sold at certain prices.

There are a ton of older (2019-2022) bikes online asking for €2500-4000, with outdated motors and batteries, I don't see those moving.

 

[irie]

There are a ton of older (2019-2022) bikes online asking for €2500-4000, with outdated motors and batteries, I don't see those moving.

As said earlier, best to maintain them well but run them into the ground, strip the nice bits off and fit them to a new bike when they're discounted. What we're doing with our blinged 2022 alloy Trek Rails with non-smart Bosch CX gen 4 motors and 500/625 Wh batteries.

 

[Astro66]

Things are a little better in Australia, if you have a really well maintained EMTB.

Paid AUD$5800 for my 2023 Merida E160. Sold with 1150km today for AUD$4000. There was a $600 transmission upgrade and my bike was immaculately maintained by me. But I find you really don't get payback on upgrades.

 

[Paulquattro]

But I find you really don't get payback on upgrades.

You are right and its the same with a lot of things
Upgrades don't increase the value contrary to what many think but they will help sell your bike ,car or whatever if upgrades have been done your item is more wanted in general and will sell better .

 

[Nomad1]

It is Strange market for used EMTB's. Also go look at the price of a base model compared to the top of the line for the same bike new. Used is a huge gamble for both the buyer and the seller. Even when both are smart and honest.

 

[whitymon]

Especially as some brand bike and motor don’t support 2nd owner.

People think their custom part are worth but not really, especially if buyer don’t care and don’t like them. You can always buy a bike with standard parts and upgrade later.

 

[Joecrow]

How about trading in for a new bike? I have no idea on this, anyone else have experience of what kind of value dealers will offer old for new?

 

[irie]

How about trading in for a new bike? I have no idea on this, anyone else have experience of what kind of value dealers will offer old for new?

Will be f7ck all, it's business just like used cars and everyfink.

 

[Astro66]

if upgrades have been done your item is more wanted in general and will sell better .

This is exactly what I have found. If there are similarly priced bikes of the same model. The upgraded bike will sell quicker. But if the upgraded bike is significantly more expensive. Even if the upgrades cost far more than the price difference. Most will buy the cheaper bike.

The only time this is not the case, is if the buyer is looking for the exact mods you made. But this means you are really narrowing potential buyers.

 

[whitymon]

Remember also that even if we all love to change parts, most of the time we do not need it and could ride the stock bike, this is why reason comes and will bounce back buyers if price is too huge/bigger than others, especially if the bike have more miles it just cannot compete on an e-bike.

 

[B1rdie]

Will be f7ck all, it's business just like used cars and everyfink.

I concour. The problem here is that the traders know the “real” value of a bike, while most people that are paying more than 5k on a new bike have no idea.

 

[johnnystorm]

I think it also depends on the upgrades. My Levo came with Pikes instead of Revelations and I doubt anyone would turn those down. Bikes where someone has replaced everything with colour (un)matched grips, pedals, bars, etc. Perhaps not so much!

 

[kntr]

Since Specialized has the transferable warranty, I have found them way easier to resell and at a better price. I get a new Levo every 1-2 years and take the $0-$3000 loss. Ive had 6. Some I have made money on because I got them on sale and others I have lost my a$$. I like new bikes and ride a lot. Id rather have a new bike every year than have problems. Plus it gets my buddies biking.