They’re becoming a must-have mode of transport, turning your work commute into a no-sweat cruise and conquering the kind of hills that leave most cyclists breathless. We are of course talking about electric bikes, which are probably the biggest thing to happen in cycling since, well, the decision to put two wheels on a metal frame. And while many of us want to jump onto the trend and give our cycling legs a lithium ion boost, there’s just one obstacle: the cost. An ebike can set you back several thousand euros, and that’s excluding insurance, accessories and maintenance. So before you head to the bike store, it might be worth looking at some of the second hand options available. It’s an approach that a startup called Upway has built an entire business model around. Founded in 2021, the French platform sells refurbished ebikes online at prices which it says are up to 60 percent less than for new models.
The website’s selection of around 1000 bikes includes brands like Cube, Giant and Cannondale and has the latest trends from the ebike market, from well-priced pragmatic rides to costlier-but-cool models with premium designs. You’ll find daily workhorse commuters as well as high-end tourers that make cycling holidays in the Alps a genuinely realistic prospect. The platform is a kind of go-between: once someone registers their bike for sale, Upway picks it up and does a check of all the components (including, crucially, the battery), repairing and replacing parts as needed before listing it on the website. The bikes come with a one-year warranty, meaning you can hop on your new ride knowing it’s safe and ready for your next adventure, whether that be Moabit to Mitte or Martigny to Mont Blanc…
Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Theo Saffroy
Upway
Until 01.03.2023 Cee Cee readers can get a €100 discount on an ebike purchase by using the following code: CEECEE100. Minimum purchase €500, one discount per customer.
@upway.de
