BUY A SECOND-HAND E-BIKE: GOOD OR BAD IDEA?
When shopping for an electric bike, we often tend to spontaneously go for the new one, in particular to have components that have never been used and therefore guarantees on their condition.
However, the used electric bike market has real arguments to make! It is indeed possible to find a second hand electric bike in like new condition
At Second Cycle by Bicycles Quilicot, we offer for sale reconditioned used bikes in perfect condition. No doubt about the life of the battery, the performance of the motor: our diagnostics allow us to sell only bikes whose equipment offers impeccable characteristics!
All types of bikes that exist today have an equivalent equipped with electric assistance, so whether you are looking for a gravel bike, road bike, mountain bike, fat bike, entry-level or high-end, you will always find a model that meets your needs. To take the plunge at a lower cost depending on your practice, the used electric bike market can be an excellent opportunity.
WHY CHOOSING AN E-BIKE?
Here is a remark that we often hear: "I don't need an electric bike, my two legs still work very well! However, the electric bike is not only for people with limited capacities!
Everybody can benefit from the contribution of an electric motor, here are some examples:
- Are you on vacation near Mont Sainte-Anne and want to spend a day exploring the trails?
An electric mountain bike will allow you to see twice as much as if you were on an unassisted bike.
- Need to get to the office?
Hop on your urban electric bike and arrive before all your colleagues without having to shower when you get there.
- Need to take your kids to school?
You can rely on your electric cargo bike and give your kids an extra 15 minutes of sleep.
- A 200kms ride on the weekend with your cycling friends?
Get on your bike, take your two batteries and enjoy the scenery.
As you can see, electric bikes are for everyone, to save time, to see more, to go further... And if you don't want to take too many risks and invest in your first bike at a lower cost, turning to a used bike is an excellent option. The used bikes we offer for sale at Second Cycle by Bicycles Quilicot go through a detailed inspection and a complete diagnosis by our experts, who guarantee the proper functioning of every part of the bike. It's a great way to discover the world of electric bikes without breaking the bank!
THE MOTORIZATION
An important factor when choosing your electric bicycle: the type of motorization. There are two main types: the wheel motor and the pedal motor.
- The wheel motor: Placed in the rear wheel, this motor offers the best reactivity and the greatest power. Nevertheless, the positioning makes it longer to do the maintenance of the wheel/tire because everything is concentrated around the hub (center of the wheel).
- The crankset motor: this type of motor is found on the higher end of the market. This type of motor is currently the most successful, the easiest to drive because the extra weight of the motor/battery pair is concentrated around the center of gravity. Beyond pure performance, it results in improved maneuverability. This type of engine also generally allows you to cover longer distances. The feeling is more natural and allows you to feel like you are on a "normal" bike.
The ''mechanical'' power of the engine is expressed via the word ''torque'' expressed itself in Nm (Newton Meter). This value will give a precise idea of the performance of the motor and will indicate to you has point to which the motor will be able to help you in the moments when you will need it (beginning of a rise for example). The nominal power is 500w maximum but for this same value, we can find different values of associated torques. Today's electrically assisted bikes have motors that offer between 50 and 120Nm of torque. The higher this value is, the more help you will get from your bike.
In the aftermarket, the engine is one of the most important things to check before you buy. To ensure that you are riding with equipment that is in perfect condition, the engines are inspected and tested for proper throttle operation and correct power band settings. We also pay great attention to the state of the connections. Thus, you will only find bikes with motors in perfect condition among Second Cycle's offer!
THE BATTERY
The other factor to consider when choosing your next electric bike is the autonomy. The performance and autonomy of the bike depends largely on the battery! It's important to look at the options in terms of voltage, power and capacity. Among the models offered, the distance covered on a charge can vary from 60 to 130 kilometers! Depending on the use, the life of a battery can fluctuate from 500 to 800 charges, and its replacement cost can vary from $500 to over $1000. In general, its lifespan varies from 5 to 7 years under normal use. In Canada, regulations force manufacturers to limit electric assistance to a power of 500 watts and a speed of 32 km/h.
As for the motors, the batteries of our used bicycles are subjected to a precise diagnosis where tools allow us to make a statistical study of their life span. We are thus able to estimate precisely the number of cycles that the battery has experienced, and therefore if its maximum capacity is still at 100%. We only sell electric bicycles whose battery is in optimal condition (less than 400 charge cycles, less than 5000km travelled). As for the motor, we also carefully evaluate the correct connection of the cables and connectors.
WHY CHOOSING SECOND CYCLE FOR YOUR NEXT E-BIKE BUY?
As far as used electric bikes are concerned, we only offer bikes that meet the following criteria:
- The bike must be
less than two years old
since the date of first use
- The bike must have
less than 400 battery charge
cycles
- The bike must have
less than 5000 kms
Add to this:
- A procedure involving more than
40 checkpoints
.
- The
systematic replacement of parts
showing more than 50% wear.
- A
complete diagnosis of the electrical system
to highlight the mileage, the number of charge cycles but also the version of the software system (the update will be done if necessary).
No need to dismantle your bike to check the condition of its components, we do it for you!
Finally, you are covered by our return policy on used bikes which allows you to return your bike within 30 days if it doesn't suit you . We will give you a credit on your account so you can buy another model or a bank transfer if you need more time.
With Second Cycle by Bicycles Quilicot, you are sure to leave with a bike that is ready to ride and on which you will not have to do any work during the coming season!
Shop our second-hand bikes now on our online store!
And to learn more about our used bike program, check out our article about Second Cycle ;)
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