How to sell a used bike at the right price and ship it anywhere in Italy

The bike that has been hanging on the balcony for two summers, the one from school days parked in the garage behind the winter tyres, the mountain bike bought in a burst of enthusiasm and ridden maybe ten times. If you own one like that, selling a used bike is easier than it looks, and now is a good time to do it, before rust on the chain and flat tyres start pulling the price down on their own.

Below are the steps we would follow ourselves, from deciding how much to ask and getting the bike ready to packing it up for the person who buys it.

How much a used bike is worth

Value depends on the type of bike, the brand, its age and how well it has been looked after. A city bike from a supermarket is worth little even when it's almost new, while a road bike from a good brand holds its price for years. Then there's frame size, which matters more than people expect, because a bike is only useful to someone of the right height.

To give you a rough idea, here are some market estimates for bikes in good condition with normal signs of use. Treat them as ballpark figures, since brand and time of year move them quite a bit.

The fairest way to set a price is to look for listings with the same brand, the same model and a similar year, then sit somewhere in the middle. If you still have the receipt, the manual or proof of a recent service, mention it in the listing because it builds trust. With an e-bike the first question is nearly always about the battery, how old it is and how far it goes on a charge. Better to know the answer before anyone asks.

Getting the bike ready before the photos

A bike covered in mud looks neglected, even when it isn't. One afternoon of work can change the price you're able to ask quite a lot. Wash the frame and wheels with soap and water, degrease the chain and oil it again, and pump the tyres to the pressure printed on the sidewall. Test the brakes and check that the gears shift up and down without skipping.

You don't need a full service at the bike shop. If something cheap is broken, though, like an inner tube or a brake cable, it's worth replacing. Buyers tend to imagine every repair as more expensive than it is, and they'll knock that off the price.

Photos and a listing that help the bike sell fast

The best photos are taken outdoors in soft light against a plain background, such as a pale wall or a gate. Shoot the whole bike from the side with the chain facing you, then close-ups of the gears, brakes, wheels and saddle. If there's a scratch on the frame, photograph that too. A flaw shown upfront is far less worrying than one discovered on delivery.

On Lendmates this part is quick. You take a few photos, the listing almost fills itself in with a title and details, you check that size and condition are right, adjust the price and publish. If you'd like to see the whole process step by step, our guide on how to sell used items online walks through it.

In the description include the brand, model, year, frame size, number of gears and any parts replaced recently. A line about why you're selling helps more than you'd think. "I've switched to an e-bike" or "my son has outgrown it" reassures people far more than a list of specs.

Shipping a used bike anywhere in Italy

Plenty of people assume a bike can only be sold to someone nearby. On Lendmates selling has no distance limit and shipping is the normal way to deliver, even for something as bulky as a bike. Your road bike can end up in Palermo while it sits in a cellar in Trento, which means it reaches the person who actually wants that size at that price.

For packing, the easiest route is to ask a bike shop for a bike box. They receive new bikes in them all the time and will often give you one for free. After that it takes about an hour, a bit of patience and these steps:

• remove the front wheel and the pedals, and turn the handlebar so it lines up with the frame;
• protect the frame and fork with foam tubes or cardboard, and wrap the rear derailleur in a cloth;
• fit a spacer between the front fork ends so the fork doesn't bend if the box gets squashed;
• put the pedals, quick release and small parts in a bag taped inside the box;
• fill the gaps with paper or cardboard so nothing moves when you shake the box.

Before taping it shut, take a few photos of the bike inside the box. Most of the time you won't need them, but if the parcel arrives dented you'll be glad you did.

Protected payment and verified profiles

With something worth a few hundred euros, the most common worry is not getting paid. On the other side there's the opposite fear, paying and receiving a bike that doesn't match the photos. On Lendmates the buyer pays in the app and you receive the money once the purchase goes through. Sellers and buyers also have a verified identity, so you know there's a real person on the other end. If you're the one looking for a bike, read our guide on how to buy second hand online safely.

Questions about size, wear or shipping times go through the in-app chat, without sharing your phone number. When the bike arrives you leave each other a review, and those stars make a real difference next time you sell.

Sell it or rent it out

An idle bike doesn't always have to be sold. If it's a road bike you only ride in summer, or a cargo bike you need a couple of times a month, you can rent it out during the weeks it would just hang there. The same account lets you sell, buy and rent. For rentals you choose the dates on the calendar, the person renting leaves a deposit that comes back when the bike is returned, and a QR code confirms each handover. Here distance does matter, because the bike is collected and returned in person. If you can't decide, we wrote a guide on choosing between selling and renting out.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to sell a used bike?

Some shops take used bikes, but they usually offer less than you'd get from a private buyer. On Lendmates you can sell it anywhere in Italy with shipping and protected payment, so it's seen by people far away who are looking for exactly your frame size.

How much does it cost to ship a bike?

It mostly depends on the size and weight of the box. With the front wheel and pedals removed, a bike fits in a standard bike box, which is the easiest format to ship.

Do I need a receipt to sell a used bike?

Between private individuals it isn't required. It does help, especially with valuable bikes and e-bikes, because it shows when and where the bike was bought and puts the buyer at ease.

When is the best time of year to sell a bike?

Demand picks up from March to June and bikes sell faster. They still sell in winter, road bikes and mountain bikes in particular, though sometimes at a slightly lower price.

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