7 tips before buying a second-hand electric bike

The bicycle was once the number one means of transport. Then came the triumph of the car. And now, cycling is gradually becoming a serious, environmentally-friendly alternative, even over long distances. Because electric bikes - also known as VAEs - allow you to get from A to B quickly with electric assistance. Whether you're buying one for the first time or trying to revive your cycling activities, you may want to consider buying a second-hand EAB, especially if you're on a tight budget. Buying a second-hand electric bike can be an exciting way to get back into cycling or to get a bargain on a more expensive electric-assist bike. If only deciding which electric bike to buy was as simple as climbing a steep hill on an electric bike... Here's our advice to help you make the right decision and start riding.

Take your needs into account

Electric bikes are designed for different people and different purposes. Think carefully about what your main use for the bike is: for short trips in city traffic, longer journeys to work or carrying children or loads? Or should it be a piece of sports equipment like an electric mountain bike or even an electric racing bike? All these types of electric bike can now also be bought second-hand.

For the city, an e-cargo bike is ideal for deliveries or transporting drinks crates. If climbing is crucial, an intermediate motor system or a high-torque hub motor may be best. If you like to cycle long distances, a battery of 400Wh or more is best. For train journeys, you can opt for a folding electric bike, and these days you can even buy motor-assisted mountain bikes - whether semi-rigid electric bikes or electric mountain bikes. You should also ask yourself whether you need a pushing aid or a starting aid. Understanding your personal needs will help you choose the features that matter most on your electric bike.

General condition

Inspect

If you're looking for a second-hand electric bike, the first thing to look at is its general condition. This says a lot about how the electric bike has been treated and maintained and whether it has ever suffered a major accident or fall. Rust spots, rough scratches, stubborn dirt or punctured tyres should prompt you to take a closer look, as they indicate a slightly neglected used bike or worse, which can lead to many extra costs for repairs.

Ask a question

You need to make sure that the previous owner took good care of it. Have a conversation with the seller. Ask questions and let them tell you all about the bike. Find out about the evidence, the history and why the electric bike is being sold. If this makes sense to you, you're already on the right track. It also often helps when you're browsing ads to weed out dubious offers.

Where was the bike in winter? If the bike cellar was damp and cool, the transmission could have been damaged during the winter months. Experts recommend checking the chain for old oil residue. You can also look at areas of the bike that are harder to reach when cleaning, such as the hub or the inside of the frame. If these are in good condition and clean, the rest of the used electric bike has probably also been serviced. Are the nuts and bolts too rusty? If they are, and they're less than three years old, that would tell you that the owner has slackened off on the cleaning service or that it's not stored properly. It's also worth taking a look at the rest of the equipment. Functional front and rear lights, and a bell already fitted, can't hurt. StvZO-compliant equipment also includes reflectors or reflective tape on the tyre.

Battery capacity

The condition of the battery has a significant impact on the value of the electric bike. It's important that you understand the range it has, as you'll need to know whether it will last long enough for your intended use. In fact, by using charge cycles, it is possible to analyse the mileage of the electric bike or EAB. Each high-quality battery should be capable of handling 500 to 1000 cycles. Anyone buying a second-hand electric bike needs to know how many charges have been made. The higher the number, the less the bike is worth.

In principle, you should rely on the assessment and information provided by the seller. If necessary, you can also carry out the analysis when you buy your second-hand EAB, if sellers allow you to do so. In addition, the battery must not be damaged. Second-hand electric bikes with older batteries don't necessarily have to be an exclusion criterion. If it's a really good deal, you may want to consider a new replacement battery. Electric bikes usually have serial numbers on the bottom bracket frame. Looking for this number can help you determine the age of the bikes as well as the battery. This can give you an idea of the range of the battery when it was new.

You should also make sure that the owner has the key to remove the battery, if there is one, and that he has the charger. Without these tools, the battery could be stolen. You should also remove the battery and check for burns, dirt and corrosion on the battery holder and on the battery itself.

As a general rule, you should bear in mind that an electric bike battery should be replaced after five to six years. So, if you're considering buying an electric bike that's five years old but still has the original battery, you should check the price of a new battery in advance and take this into account when negotiating the price of the bike.

Mileage

Most e-bikes have a built-in speedometer, which gives information on the number of kilometres the e-bike has under its belt. This is important for the overall condition of the bike and should be reflected in the purchase price. Mileage should be taken into account along with the age of the bike. Don't be discouraged from buying an older electric bike per se - if it has only covered a few kilometres in comparison. The same logic applies when buying a car, where it makes sense to consider age and mileage together to assess how much it has been "used". An electric bike that has been used frequently would generally be sold at a lower price than a lightly used but older model.

Here, it's also worth finding out what kind of terrain the cyclist has also been on; lots of mountain climbs and descents will have taken their toll on gears, brakes and tyres. If the electric-assist bike has been ridden intensively, the brake pads should be changed every 500 to 1,000 km and the chain every 1,500 to 2,500 km.

Request a test ride

This point should be explicit. Don't buy a second-hand bike without asking for a test ride! You'll notice not only whether the frame size and geometry suit you, but also how the components interact. If the bike doesn't start easily or falls quickly down a hill, or if you hear grinding noises coming from inside the engine, there's definitely a big problem. It could be an old battery or worn motor gears or a firing controller; any of these would be a deciding factor for a first-time electric bike owner.

Analyse your ride: Is anything rattling or dragging? Are the brakes working properly? Is the suspension extremely stiff or soft? You can only find out all these things if you try out the bike yourself. If possible, test ride it on different surfaces, at least asphalt and paved or unpaved roads, and with a gradient or a slope. Ride it for no more than 15 minutes, as this will give you a good idea of how the electric-assist bike works. Take it on different terrains as much as possible. If the seller is worried that you'll leave with the bike, agree on a deposit that it can hang on to.

Used bikes classifieds website

One of the major advantages of buying a second-hand electric bike from a private individual is that it is cheaper to acquire. As long as the bike has been properly maintained, it could be an excellent investment for you. What's more, you'll find that there's a wide choice of bikes if you take a look at the classifieds websites. In fact, there's a huge choice of second-hand electric bikes (electric mountain bikes, electric mountain bikes, women's electric bikes, etc.). Take a look at websites like Leboncoin, Facebook Marketplace, Paru Vendu and many others to find your rare gem.

Secure the purchase of your used electric bike online

Buying a second-hand electric-assist bicycle is an excellent way of saving money and protecting the environment. If someone no longer needs an electric bike and wants to sell it, the seller and buyer have an equal interest in completing the transaction. However, you need to be careful what you buy, so that you don't end up buying an electric bike that isn't suited to your needs, is of poor quality or is ripped off in the process.

We therefore strongly advise you to use a secure payment method when buying your electric bike. Whether the transaction is made by hand or by personalised delivery (you will receive the bike directly to your home), make sure that your transaction between private individuals is secure. Obvy is the right secure payment solution for this, as it allows you to find out information about the seller in the event of a scam or attempt. If the seller tries to scam you about the bike in the advert and the transaction has already been completed but you haven't received the bike, you can turn around without any problems and get your money back.

What's more, obvy offers you the option of paying in instalments for your purchase between private individuals. You can choose to pay in instalments at the time of your transaction, simply and securely. Pay for your second-hand electric bike in 3 or 4 instalments (for transactions of between €50 and €6,000). Enjoy your ride!