Bikemarket.co.za Sketchy Year Models

[Byran Pr]

I’ve noticed that a number of bikes listed on Bikemarket.co.za have the wrong model years. They’re almost always listed as being newer than they actually are.

Last year I bought a bike from them advertised as a 2020. Only later, after doing some research, I discovered it was actually a 2016. When I confronted Bikemarket about it, they apologized and referred me to their website disclaimer, where they state they "cannot guarantee the year model of their bikes."

I’m currently in the market for another bike, and once again I’ve found that every model I’ve been interested in so far has the wrong year listed. At this point, I can’t tell if this is a coincidence, a recurring mistake, or simply part of how they operate. It feels far too easy for them to hide behind their policy and avoid accountability.

I can’t help but wonder how many other buyers have been caught out the same way.

Edited October 5, 2025 by ByranPeddles

[Iwan Kemp]

The bike industry is somewhat unusual when it comes to model years. There is the year of model release (eg MY25, which will be a bike that is part of the brand's 2025 range of bikes), but that bike could potentially only sell in 2028. Many people quote the year of purchase, and not the brand's catalogue model year.

I'm not saying this is what they are doing, but I just thought I'd put that out there to help explain some of it to you, possibly. 

[Mongoose!]

I add more value to a car's year model than a bicycle. The majority of secondhand bikes are upgraded / downgraded from stock models anyway (wheels / groupsets  finishing kits etc. Frames change shapes every three to four years with only the paint changing every year.🤷‍♂️