Why is it hard to sell a Second Hand Mountain Bike in SA

[Shebeen]

On 7/13/2025 at 8:29 AM, LukeForce said:

Ever noticed how tough it is to sell your mountain bike second-hand? You spend R60 000 or more on a decent bike, and a year or two later you’re lucky if someone offers you half of that. Most buyers want to pay next to nothing, and the shops? They won’t even consider a trade-in.

It feels like bike dealerships could boost sales if they accepted trade-ins or created a certified pre-owned program. But they don’t—probably because they also struggle to sell second-hand bikes. So now, you’re stuck with a great bike, well looked after, but no one wants to pay what it’s worth.

Then you get one or two companies that buy used bikes—but they offer you up to 60% less than what you’re asking. That stings.

So it raises the question:

Is mountain biking only for people who can afford to buy new bikes every year and take a massive financial knock when selling the old ones?

In South Africa, where the economy’s tight and many riders save up for years to get a good setup, it just doesn’t make sense. Yet, the second-hand market feels broken.

while it would be more interesting if you posted some specifics of the bike you're trying to shift, I'll bite

You bought a bike at R60k during the boom times and now want to sell it for something shinier? You got caught out by a standard supply/demand curve, and as the new ones are being sold at discount the older stuff will need the same discount to remain relevant.

 

Here's a R60k bike. now available for R42k. brand spanking new.

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/sale-2025/products/merida-ninety-six-xt-edition-2024

Imagine you'd be riding that for a year, and it's still spotless. Try listing it at R50k, or sell it for R30k.

 

 

and here's some bikes they clearly traded in for sale too.

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/pre-owned

 

 

 

[Matthew Van Der Walt]

Also simply swiping that card on. bike decreases its value by up to 30% - and thats before you wheel it out the door.

I'm currently in Portugal - and watching guys sell bikes makes it look like the SA 2nd hand markeyt is actually good... Its such a funy thing to watch. goes like this...

Guy lists bike for say 10k after 2 years its still for sale (no jokes) so he reduces to say 5k... and it sells within a few days. Then the same bike is relisted by the new buyer for 15k!!! 

LOL... all the time.

The one thing is the used parts market in SA is incredibly well priced (cheap as) you could get a decent framed cheap bike and actually flesh it out as something cool pretty inexpensivly.

[Spank]

21 hours ago, Nick said:

It just so happens that we recently published our Q2 2025 report on the measurable trends in the Classifieds. From what we can see, the demand is still there.

https://bikehub.co.za/news/quarter-turn-bike-hub-q2-2025-report/

This is unfortunately not a real life reflection on the 2nd hand market. Real life trend would be how many ads posted turned into sales, AND, at what price the bike sold at versus advertised. ( this is where the real numbers are)

[Baracuda]

10 hours ago, Matthew Van Der Walt said:

Also simply swiping that card on. bike decreases its value by up to 30% - and thats before you wheel it out the door.

I'm currently in Portugal - and watching guys sell bikes makes it look like the SA 2nd hand markeyt is actually good... Its such a funy thing to watch. goes like this...

Guy lists bike for say 10k after 2 years its still for sale (no jokes) so he reduces to say 5k... and it sells within a few days. Then the same bike is relisted by the new buyer for 15k!!! 

LOL... all the time.

The one thing is the used parts market in SA is incredibly well priced (cheap as) you could get a decent framed cheap bike and actually flesh it out as something cool pretty inexpensivly.

I would not go near any parts advertised on the hub. I have fallen foul of brakes etc that "where taken off a new bike", but packed up weeks after purchase. 

Re: second hand bike prices; there seems to be a very small part of the population that believe new bike prices are reasonable and justified and for some reason they spend that amount of money and then believe their bike is worth that amount. 

The rest of us think it is madness. When compared to other sports, good and services, bike stuff is double what it should be and we not prescribing to it. Out of my peer group who where all buying new bikes until 5-8 year ago, none are now. All are merely holding onto their old bikes or have swopped to trail running, citing mad mtb and event prices. 

 

Edited July 15, 2025 by Baracuda

[Matthew Van Der Walt]

6 minutes ago, Baracuda said:

I would not go near any parts advertised on the hub. I have fallen foul of brakes etc that "where taken off a new bike", but packed up weeks after purchase. 

Re: second hand bike prices; there seems to be a very small part of the population that believe new bike prices are reasonable and justified and for some reason they spend that amount of money and then believe their bike is worth that amount. 

The rest of us think it is madness. When compared to other sports, good and services, bike stuff is double what it should be and we not prescribing to it. Out of my peer group who where all buying new bikes until 5-8 year ago, none are now. All are merely holding onto their old bikes or have swopped to trail running, citing mad mtb and event prices. 

(just this weekend I was amazed that new continental tires for a bakkie cost less than new continental tires for my bicycle). 

I totally agree. Why does a bicycle cost car money. Why does my local trail want to charge me almost R15k a year to ride them ... the prices are insane. I remember when events and races were R20 not 2000... thanks UCI and insurance gosts.  

All I'm saying is that I have scored components of good quality for amazing prices. But definitely buyer beware and know what you are looking at.

[Robbie Stewart]

I wouldn't mind paying less for tyres for my bakkie than my MTB. I need a new set on the rear of my Isuzu and the going rate is around R7k...

[PappaWatTrap]

31 minutes ago, Robbie Stewart said:

I wouldn't mind paying less for tyres for my bakkie than my MTB. I need a new set on the rear of my Isuzu and the going rate is around R7k...

He probably has a Nissan 1400 bakkie, and those are really cheaper😅

[Matt]

1 hour ago, Spank said:

This is unfortunately not a real life reflection on the 2nd hand market. Real life trend would be how many ads posted turned into sales, AND, at what price the bike sold at versus advertised. ( this is where the real numbers are)

You're right that enquiries alone don't tell the complete story. We've found enquiries are a useful proxy for market activity, but the real insights come from our actual transaction data.

Our Q2 2025 numbers show:

• Enquiries up 13.7% YoY (as reported)
• Actual sales volume up 8.25% YoY (from Bike Hub Pay transactions + seller-confirmed sales)
• Average discount from list price increased from 6.05% to 8.39%

So while demand is genuinely stronger, observations here are spot-on that buyers are negotiating harder. The market is perhaps more active but also more price-sensitive than the enquiry numbers alone would suggest.

Your experience may vary depending on bike category, size, condition, and even region, but the overall trend shows Q2 2025 outperforming 2024 in both activity and actual transactions - just with tighter margins for sellers.

[Spank]

27 minutes ago, Matt said:

You're right that enquiries alone don't tell the complete story. We've found enquiries are a useful proxy for market activity, but the real insights come from our actual transaction data.

Our Q2 2025 numbers show:

• Enquiries up 13.7% YoY (as reported)
• Actual sales volume up 8.25% YoY (from Bike Hub Pay transactions + seller-confirmed sales)
• Average discount from list price increased from 6.05% to 8.39%

So while demand is genuinely stronger, observations here are spot-on that buyers are negotiating harder. The market is perhaps more active but also more price-sensitive than the enquiry numbers alone would suggest.

Your experience may vary depending on bike category, size, condition, and even region, but the overall trend shows Q2 2025 outperforming 2024 in both activity and actual transactions - just with tighter margins for sellers.

Enquiries up, yes, BUT, a majority of those enquiries would have some form of the following: So, is it still available?

Sales up on Bike Hub Pay should show an upward trend as more people are using this new service and starting to make use of it.

The 2nd hand market is at the lowest its been in years, and there are many factors that contribute. 

Some of those are:

1. Buyers and sellers are too far apart with value/pricing.

2. Buyers are skeptical about 2nd hand purchases because of the market flooded with ex. insurance repair jobs.

3. Buyers not trusting dealers. ( The perception is that buyers are being ripped off).

4. Cash flow.

There are many more, but all contributes.

[DieselnDust]

On 7/13/2025 at 8:29 AM, LukeForce said:

Ever noticed how tough it is to sell your mountain bike second-hand? You spend R60 000 or more on a decent bike, and a year or two later you’re lucky if someone offers you half of that. Most buyers want to pay next to nothing, and the shops? They won’t even consider a trade-in.

It feels like bike dealerships could boost sales if they accepted trade-ins or created a certified pre-owned program. But they don’t—probably because they also struggle to sell second-hand bikes. So now, you’re stuck with a great bike, well looked after, but no one wants to pay what it’s worth.

Then you get one or two companies that buy used bikes—but they offer you up to 60% less than what you’re asking. That stings.

So it raises the question:

Is mountain biking only for people who can afford to buy new bikes every year and take a massive financial knock when selling the old ones?

In South Africa, where the economy’s tight and many riders save up for years to get a good setup, it just doesn’t make sense. Yet, the second-hand market feels broken.

The big problem with bicycles is that they are severely overvalued at first sale. The market correction takes place in the 2nd hand market. That’s true value. Okes who buy the latest and greatest drive retail prices up and that gap between retail and true value only keeps increasing.

of your bike is well Looked after then why not keep it. Why sell it? You’re only adding to the inflation 

Edited July 15, 2025 by DieselnDust

[Eugene]

I haven't read through all the responses, but it is simple economics. An item is only worth what someone is willing to pay. That is what determines market price. 

Remember, a person buying second hand is looking for a bargain. They are looking to save money. They are not going to buy a 5 year old bike if they are only going to save 20%. Rather pay the 20% and get something new. 

 

 

[Nic Brigando]

If you want to get into hardcore racing, perhaps you need the latest and the greatest. When you're at the level that 100g off your bike makes a 1s difference up the climbs, and that is tangible enough that it means the difference between a 1st and a 2nd, or a podium vs not, then sure, upgrade your bike, spend the money, you've then got justified reason to complain about the costs of cycling and the depreciation of the equipment.

Other than that, any upgrade over a basic bike that fulfils the needs, is a want, and should ideally be treated as such. You can get most of the way there with a mid-range or possibly even entry-level bike, from 5-7 years prior, and honestly you can get even closer to 100% of the way there if you look at older stuff. A 2013 full sus that has a slack seat tube, has a twitchy HA, has 3x gearing, and costs less than 1/10th of the newer models and will probably weigh the same, and for most people, will fulfil the same function. It might even climb better on the non-technical stuff!

I know my bike isn't as low spec as it could be. It's got Fox suspension cause I want Fox suspension, and the 1s I might gain on an enduro trail as a result of running Fox as opposed to a RockShox 35 is the difference between mid pack, and mid pack.

If my goals were to shift, from enjoying the ride to winning world champs, then I would need a better bike. When my form is superb, my fitness impeccable, my FTP herculean, then perhaps it would be the bike that needs an upgrade to go from 2nd to 1st. Until then, it's a want.

And to round up this abnormally long passage, in the South African market, want seems to rule. Just look at the entrants to any major local event - there are guys doing 5hour+ on 94.7 with 7kg bikes with carbon wheelsets that would make my setup look like I found it at The Crazy Store. Everyone around you has premium gear and premium bikes, and it seems like anything but the absolute top of the range just is not good enough, for anyone, and makes the perspective shift from want to need.

And when you fall into that trap, that is why you feel you have been short-changed on your store-bought, new bike, just 2 years later. Because it isn't a luxury item anymore, it's something that everyone else already has, and you're now falling behind because you don't have the latest model.

TLDR; Your bike is fine, and will be fine. If the wheels turn and you're having fun, don't worry about how much it's worth. 

[MORNE]

10 hours ago, Nic Brigando said:

If you want to get into hardcore racing, perhaps you need the latest and the greatest. When you're at the level that 100g off your bike makes a 1s difference up the climbs, and that is tangible enough that it means the difference between a 1st and a 2nd, or a podium vs not, then sure, upgrade your bike, spend the money, you've then got justified reason to complain about the costs of cycling and the depreciation of the equipment.

Other than that, any upgrade over a basic bike that fulfils the needs, is a want, and should ideally be treated as such. You can get most of the way there with a mid-range or possibly even entry-level bike, from 5-7 years prior, and honestly you can get even closer to 100% of the way there if you look at older stuff. A 2013 full sus that has a slack seat tube, has a twitchy HA, has 3x gearing, and costs less than 1/10th of the newer models and will probably weigh the same, and for most people, will fulfil the same function. It might even climb better on the non-technical stuff!

I know my bike isn't as low spec as it could be. It's got Fox suspension cause I want Fox suspension, and the 1s I might gain on an enduro trail as a result of running Fox as opposed to a RockShox 35 is the difference between mid pack, and mid pack.

If my goals were to shift, from enjoying the ride to winning world champs, then I would need a better bike. When my form is superb, my fitness impeccable, my FTP herculean, then perhaps it would be the bike that needs an upgrade to go from 2nd to 1st. Until then, it's a want.

And to round up this abnormally long passage, in the South African market, want seems to rule. Just look at the entrants to any major local event - there are guys doing 5hour+ on 94.7 with 7kg bikes with carbon wheelsets that would make my setup look like I found it at The Crazy Store. Everyone around you has premium gear and premium bikes, and it seems like anything but the absolute top of the range just is not good enough, for anyone, and makes the perspective shift from want to need.

And when you fall into that trap, that is why you feel you have been short-changed on your store-bought, new bike, just 2 years later. Because it isn't a luxury item anymore, it's something that everyone else already has, and you're now falling behind because you don't have the latest model.

TLDR; Your bike is fine, and will be fine. If the wheels turn and you're having fun, don't worry about how much it's worth. 

Yes. I always want to need it. 😅

Suspension is perhaps an outlier. I’ll argue that better suspension is always better. It’s not just about performance, it’s about control and comfort on the bike too. I’ll rather have a cheaper frame and groupset..and splurge on squish. It’s laughable seeing sram transmission on bikes with ‘performance’ (or even lower!) level suspension imo.

Even comparing stuff at the very top end of the spektrum…the differences between say a fox factory x2, and an Ohlins TTX is enough that even a plonker will feel the difference. More control = more fun.
 

I say this as someone with what might be considered nice suspension, but also someone who is singlespeed and rigid bike curious and dabbles in the kind of “out of control riding” that goes with that lol.

Edited July 16, 2025 by MORNE

[Nic Brigando]

2 hours ago, MORNE said:

Suspension is perhaps an outlier. I’ll argue that better suspension is always better. It’s not just about performance, it’s about control and comfort on the bike too. I’ll rather have a cheaper frame and groupset..and splurge on squish. It’s laughable seeing sram transmission on bikes with ‘performance’ (or even lower!) level suspension imo.

I 100% agree - it is always better. I think all of my custom builds over the past few years have had the primary cost sit in suspension, as that's the difference I can feel.

My enduro bike has 12s Deore, a 'laughable' groupset for someone that is serious (I've had shops tell me this to my face.) But the wheels turn every time, and shifting under power is crisp. Coupled with a factory fox fork and a cane creek coil on the rear, I do get some weird looks - but I couldn't be bothered to upgrade something that I can't feel.

Whether or not it's a need can be discussed too, but I definitely want it

Edited July 16, 2025 by Nic Brigando
Added clarification

[Bro Derek]

2 hours ago, MORNE said:

Yes. I always want to need it. 😅

Suspension is perhaps an outlier. I’ll argue that better suspension is always better. It’s not just about performance, it’s about control and comfort on the bike too. I’ll rather have a cheaper frame and groupset..and splurge on squish. It’s laughable seeing sram transmission on bikes with ‘performance’ (or even lower!) level suspension imo.

Even comparing stuff at the very top end of the spektrum…the differences between say a fox factory x2, and an Ohlins TTX is enough that even a plonker will feel the difference. More control = more fun.
 

I say this as someone with what might be considered nice suspension, but also someone who is singlespeed and rigid bike curious and dabbles in the kind of “out of control riding” that goes with that lol.

I'd say that most bike riders don't even set up their suspension properly, don't ride in the sag, hardly service it and think firmer is better because they don't understand that suspension works best filling in holes as well as taking hits, so their suspension feel terrible all the time, no matter what they run

So it's really very few who 'need' better suspension to do what they do.

It's also a case of you having convinced yourself you need it due to how you think and what you are currently interested in.

Curve rates, kinematics etc are appreciated by very few. 

[Mook]

4 minutes ago, Bro Derek said:

I'd say that most bike riders don't even set up their suspension properly, don't ride in the sag, hardly service it and think firmer is better because they don't understand that suspension works best filling in holes as well as taking hits, so their suspension feel terrible all the time, no matter what they run

So it's really very few who 'need' better suspension to do what they do.

It's also a case of you having convinced yourself you need it due to how you think and what you are currently interested in.

Curve rates, kinematics etc are appreciated by very few. 

Sounds like a pyramid scheme to me 😝