French Used Ebike Retailer Upway

[TrevorB]

For those looking at using ebike for extended european tour this retailer maybe just the answer.

Our used electric bikes for less than 1000€.

There are some excellent cheap electric bikes available for less than €1,000. Discover our selection of cheap reconditioned electric bikes, delivered anywhere in France in less than a week.

en.upway.shop

We been considering an extended 2-3month european cycle trip for while. Biggest issue was what ebikes to use, bring ours from NZ if they well let a 32kmh bike in and then we need to buy new batteries and sell them at end of trip. The other options was hiring but to expensive over those time frame or buy new and sell at end with all hassles envolved.

While I've not talk to Upway I can't imagine them not buying bikes back, should also be able to buy spare battery from them.

 

[Dewey]

Another good EU used ebike retailer is the Dutch Tweedehandsfietsen, they will deliver a used ebike to any bike shop in the Netherlands and offer some serious bargains such as this 2018 Riese & Muller Tinker for just 2,500 Euros. Interesting to read Upway have ambitions to expand to the US, I hope they do it right and recondition ebikes prior to sale. Used ebike sales are hit-or-miss here in the US with Bicycle Blue Book, Facebook Marketplace, Pedego selling ex-rentals, Lenny's selling remaindered stock, and some shops including Propel offering discounts on ex-demo's and last years stock. I am about to travel to the UK and plan to rent a used ebike and buy a cheap car rack from Halfords to tote it around.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I am about to travel to the UK and plan to rent a used ebike and buy a cheap car rack from Halfords to tote it around.

I understand that would be a longer trip there? UK cities such as London or Liverpool offer public share e-bikes. Besides, inexpensive Chinese e-bikes rule in English cities, and you would probably be able to buy one very cheaply.

 

[Dewey]

I understand that would be a longer trip there? UK cities such as London or Liverpool offer public share e-bikes. Besides, inexpensive Chinese e-bikes rule in English cities, and you would probably be able to buy one very cheaply.

Yes, there is an e-bikeshare scheme in the city I am visiting, however it is less than a year old and currently has no docking stations near the suburb in which I am staying. I do intend to use it while visiting the city to try out the new bike lanes installed in recent years, see how the bikeshare compares to our Capital Bikeshare + ebikes here in Washington, DC, and frankly because I'm concerned about theft. As for purchasing a used ebike to sell just before returning, if I were staying for a few months it would be something I would consider but this trip is 3 weeks so seems an added hassle for my comfort. If I were planning a cycle tour in the Netherlands and could use tweedehandsfietsen I would be tempted to bring home a bargain on the return flight (sans battery of course).

 

[TrevorB]

Yes, there is an e-bikeshare scheme in the city I am visiting, however it is less than a year old and currently has no docking stations near the suburb in which I am staying. I do intend to use it while visiting the city to try out the new bike lanes installed in recent years, see how the bikeshare compares to our Capital Bikeshare + ebikes here in Washington, DC, and frankly because I'm concerned about theft. As for purchasing a used ebike to sell just before returning, if I were staying for a few months it would be something I would consider but this trip is 3 weeks so seems an added hassle for my comfort. If I were planning a cycle tour in the Netherlands and could use tweedehandsfietsen I would be tempted to bring home a bargain on the return flight (sans battery of course).

Euro bikes are 25kmhr limited and it's not so easy to dongle new motors.

 

[Dewey]

Euro bikes are 25kmhr limited and it's not so easy to dongle new motors.

True but I don't mind that, there is a 15mph speed limit on my local bike paths in Arlington, VA, only Class 1 & 2 ebikes are legal to ride on-street bicycle lanes in Washington, DC. I ride for transportation, in Dutch terms I'd self-identify as a fietser rather than a wielrenner. That 2018 R&M Tinker is a steal at 2500 euros, compare with the ex-demo 2018 R&M Tinker that Propel are currently selling for $4,189, even accounting for the added cost of the bike bag on the flight plus buying a Bosch PowerPack 400 and a US charger you would save a grand.

 

[TrevorB]

True but I don't mind that, there is a 15mph speed limit on my local bike paths in Arlington, VA, only Class 1 & 2 ebikes are legal to ride on-street bicycle lanes in Washington, DC. I ride for transportation, in Dutch terms I'd self-identify as a fietser rather than a wielrenner. That 2018 R&M Tinker is a steal at 2500 euros, compare with the ex-demo 2018 R&M Tinker that Propel are currently selling for $4,189, even accounting for the added cost of the bike bag on the flight plus buying a Bosch PowerPack 400 and a US charger you would save a grand.

I think chargers are 110-240vac, just need plug adapter.

 

[Dewey]

Looks like I won't be using the bikeshare ebikes on my trip as the operator has georestricted their app which I cannot download to my US phone and they have not yet enabled physical keycards. But in good news I learned the city is one of 5 receiving funding from the govt to establish a free ebike loan scheme operated by Cycling UK, the pilot in Manchester was wildly successful with all 110 ebikes loaned out within 2 hours of the booking website going live last month. It looks like a good scheme to help residents try out an ebike.