Secondhand bikes - Is it just me or is the market very slow...

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, MORNE said:

Trek also screwed you over by selling the 9.8 version of this bike, in full carbon everything…for half price late last year November. Think the sold for R50k or so something. I personally know two people who bought them then. Trek giving away R120k bikes for chips basically. Thats part of your problem imo. Market was flooded with cheap, arguably better versions and everybody that was looking, got new ones instead.

 

Jip, a friend bought a Trek earlier this year, also some 30% of the normal price.

 

Totally skews the 2nd hand market.

 

 

In fairness, many other brands have also had some serious specials over the last 6 months.

[Nick]

Our latest numbers show that the market is pretty healthy: https://bikehub.co.za/news/quarter-turn-bike-hub-q1-2025-report/

The enduro market isn't the largest in SA and stretching that to an XL frame likely makes the demand even smaller, unfortunately.

[Mike Dewing]

1 hour ago, MORNE said:

Trek also screwed you over by selling the 9.8 version of this bike, in full carbon everything…for half price late last year November. Think the sold for R50k or so something. I personally know two people who bought them then. Trek giving away R120k bikes for chips basically. Thats part of your problem imo. Market was flooded with cheap, arguably better versions and everybody that was looking, got new ones instead.

its this really.! Trek Discount Sales on new bikes are huge and screw resale value badly..

[Scott roy]

Enduro has a very small audience in SA, you’re also at a disadvantage as everyone (including myself) bought a slash with the 50% sale in November. Exactly when you started trying to sell yours, ouch. The small enduro market is very flooded with slashes now, I wouldn’t want to be selling one for the next while. 

[Scott roy]

1 minute ago, Scott roy said:

Enduro has a very small audience in SA, you’re also at a disadvantage as everyone (including myself) bought a slash with the 50% sale in November. Exactly when you started trying to sell yours, ouch. The small enduro market is very flooded with slashes now, I wouldn’t want to be selling one for the next while. 

On the other hand I sold that same slash for what I payed for it just two weeks later. 

[Hamstring]

using  https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/value-guide/2022 Trek Slash 8/?condition=GOOD will give you the price in the second hand market. seems a bit low to me @ R37000.

[Zebra]

3 hours ago, MudLark said:

I bought the wife an Orbea e-bike... and... I hate it. Whether she is riding it or I am riding it. It craps out at 32km/h... meaning that if she is riding she can't keep with me and if I am riding then above 32km/h I am pedalling a lump of lead. Sorry, but you can keep your ebike.

…there is a ‘cheat’ to get more speed than regulated 32km/h out of an e-bike; i have never done it on my own bike, but a mate who is VERY fit has ‘wikkeled’ his g/friends Giant Liv-e so she can keep up with him, costs ZERO, and works very well.

Illegal in Nanny states, just so you are aware…..

Chris

[JuliBoB]

In the past six months, I have sold 3 bikes (2* via The Hub) very quickly (2-4days max). Right price, condition being excellent/very good and popular size will always play a role (I am lucky, being a 56cm/Large frame size). I concur with statements that the 2^nd hand market is flooded with a wide range of options and the market tend to lean towards XC and Down country MTBs. Seems also that the model year also plays a role, and MTB models becoming like vehicle models. To my non cycling tjommies I usually use the example that a Spez Epic is like a Toyota Hilux, when it comes to market value, or at least the case in SA 😜 

For some Context: Being a Trek FanBoy I must admit, their bikes are a bit pricey when you buy them new. I lost 50% of retail value on a Trek Fuel EX 8 (2022) when I sold it early 2024……. Then again, I sold a Checkpoint SL5 (2023) recently and only lost 10% of the retail value (albeit it was purchased at a good & discounted price from a retailer wanting to get rid of Gen2 stock).  So as some hubbers already mentioned, market is also aligning to the flavor of the week = now being Gravel gravel gravel,,,,,,,,

I have also observed on The Hub that its almost the norm nowadays to come in at a lower price/offer, EVEN if your bike is already advertised at a very good price (excluding personal sentiments etc.). Yes, I am aware of the willing buyer and seller vibes, ideology and sentiment here. But seems the market has become a bit “kom ek vat n kans met n aanbod en sien wat gebeur…..”. Maybe I am old school but respect the seller a bit more and if you do not agree with their advertised price, browse on towards something else. My last sale, Gravel Bike, the Buyer didn’t come with counter offers and the deal was smooth and really lekker. No fuss, only respect between us and all parties left super happy. The lower offers I did receive and didn’t really entertain the offers.

All the best with the sale and as a shop owner once told me, “as jy jou verkoopprys wil hou, wees geduldig, die regte koper sal kom. Of hou die fiets en ry die ding”

[Shebeen]

 

 

[LazyTrailRider]

On 5/29/2025 at 1:15 PM, MudLark said:

I bought the wife an Orbea e-bike... and... I hate it. Whether she is riding it or I am riding it. It craps out at 32km/h... meaning that if she is riding she can't keep with me and if I am riding then above 32km/h I am pedalling a lump of lead. Sorry, but you can keep your ebike.

If you’re riding the kind of trails where you’re constantly above 32km/h, an EB is not the tool for the job.