Used E-Bike values, is the situation reversed from 2021? Buyers market?

E

ExPatBrit

Active Member
I bought a new bike last year and sold my 2 year old Rad Rover for the same as I had paid for it. It took 24 hours on Craiglist. I had 20+ calls.
Several weeks later sold a Rad City bike for a friend in a few days.

Friend also bought a new bike and rode it until December 2021. Unfortunately he passed away unexpectedly.

So I am trying to sell the bike for the family. I have got only (1) call in 4 weeks. Tried the usual outlets (but not here) as I really want to sell local.

Unlike 2021 there are lots of new e-bikes available, in addition there are are thousands of used conventional and e-bikes available . Seems like the pandemic caused a lot of impulse buying and now folks are dumping them. Locally I see 1-2 year old $1000-1500 Bosch powered mid drives that were probably $5K+ last year.

The Bike is a 2021 Evelo Aurora Limited with less than 1000 miles. I have ridden it, no problems at all I think it was about $4K new, trying to sell it for $2750.

Any thoughts on the market what is happening.
 
I think it is just this bike. It is 63 pounds and goes 20. It misses the mark for commuters and for sportsters. It is step through but is not a girly girl bike. It is a fine bike with some nice features but it is not hip or cool, or classic. Nor is it techno, or artsy. The pricing also misses the high-end and misses the low-end. A friend had a Sondors for 6 months last year. I did a couple of upgrades and he sold it for more than he paid within 24 hours on Facebook Marketplace. Another factor is weirdness. Everything is weird now.
 
I don't follow the market but it would seem to me that a Bosch powered midrive for $1500, even though it's a true class 1 or class 3, is infintely better than a clumky looking Evelo for $1000 more, Isn't that your answer?
 
What if we did a makeover on this bike to appeal to the bad boy with neck tat cohort? Any suggestions? That is a big market segment. On the other hand we could go the opposite direction to attract the fabulous rainbows and unicorns glam market segment that is largely overlooked and has deep pockets. Makeover anyone?
 
harryS said:
I don't follow the market but it would seem to me that a Bosch powered midrive for $1500, even though it's a true class 1 or class 3, is infintely better than a clumky looking Evelo for $1000 more, Isn't that your answer?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the critique of the Evelo, not what I was asking . I gather you are not a fan ?

My biking friend was retired and 73 years old, the bike worked rather well for him. The automatic transmission and belt drive is really nice with the steep hills around here. The top speed limiter is off so it can hit 26mph.

I live in a 55+ community , and there are several Evelo owners including some trikes.

Very easy bike to ride, wish I had room to keep it.

*****************

My post was really about the new / used market in general in April 2022.

Keeping tabs on my ad the number of used e-bikes is 200+ . Nothing including those 75% off original price retail 350W Euro bikes is moving. There are Rad bikes and Elektras for under $700 .

Buyers market, patience required.
 
ya I knew there would be a glut. but hub drives seem better so will sell better rad has the name and sometimes thats all that matters. all that mattes is how bad someone wants it and you never know.
 
I like that evelo bike!! Wish I had some extra money

I have also picked up some cheap bikes recently so am thinking it’s more of a buyers market right now too

But I have not seen any Bosch bikes that cheap around here at least not yet
 
That bike is not 'cool' in any segment. Yet, there is nothing wrong with it. You will find a buyer, it might take a while.
Here is some vinyl wrap that may help.
www.bluemoonfabrics.com

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fooferdoggie said:
ya I knew there would be a glut. but hub drives seem better so will sell better rad has the name and sometimes thats all that matters. all that mattes is how bad someone wants it and you never know.
Click to expand...
PedalUma said:
That bike is not 'cool' in any segment. Yet, there is nothing wrong with it. You will find a buyer, it might take a while.
Here is some vinyl wrap that may help.
www.bluemoonfabrics.com

Glitz Holographic Rainbow Vinyl | Blue Moon Fabrics

Glitz Holographic Rainbow Vinyl It's perfect for creating eye-catching accents and designs for apparel, accessories, and home decor projects. Its durable, stretchy composition will make sure your designs last, no matter the environment. This vinyl features a glossy finish and is water-resistant...
www.bluemoonfabrics.com www.bluemoonfabrics.com
Click to expand...
Why does it need to be cool?

Functional, easy to ride and reliable not enough?

A bike equivalent of a Toyota Camry with an automatic trans.. an appliance IFW.
 
ExpatBrit, whatever I think about bikes, I'm sorry your friend is gone. An empty seat in a dream car, or a beloved bike, life can bite you when you don;t expect it.
 
In this market a bike is a form of individual self expression. People want to make a style statement. Functional, easy to ride and reliable are good but are not enough.
1649442380356.png
 
cannot even believe we are arguing about this and I won’t post anymore because who has time but I don’t buy any of my bikes on looks or fashion statement ever lol

Controlled power and belt drive with IGH would be top of the list for me
 
but loks are importand thats why so many fat tire e bikes are sold cost effective and they look cool to some.
 
lol I don’t buy fat tire bikes for looks, only because they are more stable and work better in sand/off road
personally don’t like that they attract so much attention looks wise, that is a hassle to me

am sure some people buy stuff off looks but I am all about function
 
vincent said:
lol I don’t buy fat tire bikes for looks, only because they are more stable and work better in sand/off road
personally don’t like that they attract so much attention looks wise, that is a hassle to me

am sure some people buy stuff off looks but I am all about function
Click to expand...
well ya but all those people that all of a sudden buying ebikes are going for looks. I bet most never ride them off road much either.
 
fooferdoggie said:
well ya but all those people that all of a sudden buying ebikes are going for looks. I bet most never ride them off road much either.
Click to expand...
I gotta show you the one I am working on now. It is very silly. Totally impractical. Overpowered and has 14 inch leather fringes off of the brake levers.
Edit: I was wrong about the length of the leather. That's right, this is old guys BSing for entertainment value. We could be talking sports. The wires came out pretty clean for a Bafang build. This one is trying way too hard to be butch for an SF contingent. 120Nm.
1649462478907.jpeg
1649462597774.jpeg
 
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