Prices for racing bikes have been rising for years - making sources for affordable sports equipment all the more important. The second-hand market promises big bike brands at a low price. We provide tips on the most important sources for used racing bikes.
Classifieds
Kleinanzeigen.de is by far the largest marketplace for used racing bikes. The platform grew up under the name ebay-Kleinanzeigen. In the past twelve months (September '23 to August '24), more than 310,000 new adverts appeared in the racing bike category, with an average of 85,000 offers available at any one time. With this enormous number, it is clear that many old and worn bikes are also offered that are no longer suitable as sports equipment. The number is also slightly increased by component offers that are occasionally placed in the category. By searching locally, you may be able to find a used road bike in your neighbourhood that you can test ride. This allows you to inspect the road bike for defects and possible accident damage. Last but not least, you can best assess the seriousness of the seller in a personal conversation and negotiate the price better. On the other hand, buying online without having seen the road or gravel bike is problematic.
Up to 50 million adverts appear simultaneously across all categories on the platform, creating a certain lack of clarity - which is why scammers have been trying to profit from this huge amount of offers for years. If the bike is extremely cheap, alarm bells should ring. In the worst case, the bike could be stolen goods. Or it could be used as a decoy for another scam. Be careful with links that are sent by e-mail or with payments via PayPal friends and Western Union. The best protection against being taken in by fraudsters is personal contact on the spot!
- Advantages: local offers, no middleman, test drive possible, price negotiation possible
- DisadvantagesDangers of buying online without a viewing
Buycycle
The Munich-based company Buycycle has quickly become one of the most important German marketplaces for used bikes. Although there are significantly fewer racing bikes than on Kleinanzeigen.de, the platform offers more service and a particularly large number of high-quality racing bikes. The predefined data fields make it easy to select the bikes and the descriptions are more informative than on other platforms. As with all platforms, however, the information provided by sellers must be scrutinised. Buyers can book various "service checks", which cost between 175 and 395 euros. The cheapest package includes cleaning the used road bike and chain as well as bleeding the brakes. The most expensive package also includes a complete inspection, an ultrasound inspection of the carbon parts and an additional two-year warranty.
There are currently around 1400 racing bikes advertised in Germany - 10,000 worldwide. Refurbished bikes are a speciality of Buycycle: the wearing parts of these bikes have been replaced by partners of the platform and the entire bike has been checked. Around 260 racing bikes are currently offered in the refurbished category in Germany. The plus point of the platform is that the transaction is secured. If the bike arrives damaged, it can be returned or the repair costs are covered. What buyers on the internet criticise: Complaints can only be made up to 48 hours after delivery. If a technical defect only becomes apparent on the first ride, possibly a few days after delivery, it is too late. The platform charges a fee which is added as "buyer protection" (domestic 4.0 per cent and international 6.0 per cent).
It is always best to take a personal look at the used road bike: Therefore, look for local offers. As the seller is first sent a Buycycle box, shipping can sometimes take a little longer - as can passing on the purchase price to the seller.
- AdvantagesSecure transaction, optional service packages, good database
- DisadvantagesFees make the bike more expensive, very short complaint time
ebay
There are significantly fewer racing bikes on ebay than on classifieds - but there are still more than 3000. It is not easy to filter out interesting bikes, as the data fields are not as structured as on Buycycle, for example. Theoretically, local offers can also be found - but the selection then becomes smaller and smaller. In consultation with the seller, test rides are also possible in some cases. To make the transaction secure, ebay now offers a combination of QR code and pickup code.
Especially at auctions, it is a great effort to first inspect a used racing bike offered far away and then get into a bidding contest with an uncertain outcome. Bids usually only rise at the last moment. However, this also opens up the opportunity to buy a bike at a particularly favourable price. Generally, cheaper bikes tend to be sold at auctions. An analysis for TOUR showed that Canyon road bikes, for example, fetched an average of 1281 euros and Trek road bikes 1046 euros. Bikes from Rose, Cube and Cannondale were sold for an average price of between 746 and 789 euros. These figures suggest that older bikes were more likely to be on offer.
- AdvantagesBargain potential
- Disadvantages: Test drive not always possible, auctions unpredictable, information often incomplete
Friends & acquaintances
One of the best options for buying is the circle of friends. The better you know your friend, the more likely you are to get a realistic price for a used racing bike. You can assume that neither major damage nor a previous accident will be concealed. A test ride should be just as much a matter of course as honest advice. Ideally, you should tell your circle of friends what you are looking for and be patient. The more widely you spread your bike requirements, the greater the chance of finding a bike.
- AdvantagesTest drive, security of the transaction, advice
- DisadvantagesDispute with hidden defects
Social Media
Social media are increasingly becoming sales platforms - albeit for new goods. The range of used racing bikes on Facebook Marketplace, for example, is limited and the search function is very poor. Examples of fences selling stolen bikes via YouTube and Instagram have made headlines. The ZDF programme "Die Spur" (The Trace) highlighted how this works in one edition. A gravel bike stolen in Germany was tracked and then offered for sale in Russia via social media. Instagram is very useful when it comes to getting news about sales of used bikes from professional teams, for example.
- Advantages: Find offers in the neighbourhood
- Disadvantages: Small offer
Rental bikes
For years, hire centres, for example on Mallorca, have also been selling discarded hire bikes. Tour operator Huerzeler is the largest provider, selling around 1000 bikes per season. While Huerzeler does not ship the bikes, Fred Rompelberg and Philipps Bike Team also offer online ordering and shipping; the providers promise to check the bikes, which sometimes come from brands that are completely unknown in this country - which is not necessarily a flaw. One possible advantage of buying locally is that you save on hire charges, have had the bike extensively test ridden and tested the riding position. Occasional cyclists in particular are interested in buying a bike if they have got on well with it.
Unfortunately, the rental bikes on Mallorca are not treated with much care - it's common for bikes to be parked wildly during coffee breaks and then fall over. Older bikes have probably suffered even more. However, the hire stations also sell bikes that have only rarely been hired out. You should think carefully about buying a used racing bike from a hire station - especially if you are buying it online from a distance. Information on prices and delivery conditions can be found on the rental companies' websites.
- Advantages: Savings on bike hire during your cycling holiday, very good value
- Disadvantages: Previous history unclear, many anonymous short-term owners, heavy use
General tips for Buying a used bike.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
