How does buyer protection work on Cyclesite?

For transactions using Stripe, your payment can be held in escrow until you confirm you're happy with the bike. If something isn't right, you can raise a dispute and our team will investigate. Refunds can be issued where appropriate.

What can I see about a seller before buying?

You can view seller profiles, see how long they've been on the platform, read ratings from previous buyers, and check their response time. This helps you make informed decisions about who you're buying from.

How do I report a suspicious listing or scam?

Every listing has a "Report" button. Click it and tell us what looks wrong. Our team reviews every report and takes action quickly, including removing listings and suspending accounts where necessary. We also run automated fraud detection that flags suspicious patterns before buyers are affected.

What is a bike history check and how does it work?

A bike history check is a free search against stolen bike databases using a bicycle's serial number. It tells you whether the bike has been reported stolen anywhere in the UK. On Cyclesite, sellers photograph the serial number when listing, and we run this check automatically before the listing goes live. You can also run your own check for free at cyclesite.co.uk/stolen-bikes.

Is my personal data safe on Cyclesite?

Yes. Cyclesite is registered with the ICO (the UK's data protection authority), and we use industry-standard encryption for all connections. We never sell your personal data or share it with third parties for marketing purposes. You can read exactly how we handle your information in our privacy policy, and manage your cookie preferences at any time.

How to Find Your Bike's Frame Number (Serial Number Guide, UK)

Primary location: underside of the bottom bracket

Lay the bike on its side or turn it upside down. The bottom bracket shell is the chunky tube at the bottom of the frame where the cranks rotate through. The serial is stamped into the metal (or etched into carbon) on the underside. It will be dusty — wipe it clean with a cloth. Characters can be deep-stamped or shallow; shine a phone torch at an angle if they're hard to read.

Alternative locations by frame type

Cannondale, Trek and some Giant models use the non-drive-side seat stay or rear dropout. Older Raleigh and steel touring frames sometimes have it on the head tube. Folding bikes (Brompton, Dahon, Tern) usually stamp it under the main hinge. E-bikes occasionally print it on the battery mount rather than the frame — this is unusual, and a separate battery serial should not be mistaken for the frame number.

What if the frame number is missing or damaged?

If the serial has been filed off or covered with paint, assume the worst, the bike has been stolen and the identifier removed. Walk away from any private sale. If it's your own bike and the serial has worn away naturally (very rare), you can still register it on a UK stolen-bike database using a unique photo of the frame and paint details.

FAQs

How long is a bike frame number?

Seven to ten alphanumeric characters on the vast majority of bikes. Some premium brands use longer codes; supermarket bikes occasionally use shorter ones.

Does my bike definitely have a frame number?

Every bike sold by a legitimate UK retailer in the last 30 years has a frame number. Very old or hand-built frames may not.

Is the frame number the same as the battery or motor serial on an e-bike?

No. The motor and battery have their own serials. The frame number is stamped into the frame itself.

Can I register my frame number with Cyclesite?

Yes, add your bike to your account and we include the frame number in every future listing plus the automatic stolen-bike database cross-check.

Primary location: underside of the bottom bracket

Alternative locations by frame type

What if the frame number is missing or damaged?

FAQs

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