What is Cyclesite and how does it work?

Cyclesite is a UK marketplace for buying and selling used bikes. Sellers photograph the bike's serial number when listing, and we check it against stolen bike databases before it goes live. Buyers browse for free, message sellers, and pay through Stripe with escrow protection. Listing fees start from £10.99.

Is it safe to buy a second-hand bike on Cyclesite?

Yes. The serial number photo that sellers provide when listing does two things: it proves the seller physically has the bike, and it lets us check the serial against stolen bike databases. If the bike comes back as reported stolen, the listing is blocked. Payments go through Stripe with escrow, so your money is held until you confirm you're happy. If something goes wrong, our dispute team can step in. You can also check any bike yourself for free at cyclesite.co.uk/stolen-bikes.

How much does it cost to sell a bike?

Listing fees start from £10.99 for a standard listing. Auction listings may include additional fees. There are no hidden charges, and you can see the full pricing breakdown on our pricing page before you list.

What bikes can I find on Cyclesite?

Everything from road bikes and mountain bikes to electric bikes, gravel bikes, hybrids, kids' bikes, and folding bikes. You'll find popular brands like Specialized, Trek, Giant, Canyon, Cannondale, and Brompton, plus smaller and boutique brands. Listings cover the whole of the UK, with bikes available in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, and hundreds of other towns and cities.

How are payments handled?

Secure payments are available through Stripe. When you choose to pay through the platform, your money can be held in escrow until you've confirmed the bike matches the listing. Buyers and sellers can also arrange payment directly if they prefer.

Cyclesite vs BikeExchange Comparison

Cyclesite is the UK's trusted bicycle marketplace with seller profiles and ratings, quality listings, and stolen-bike verification. Unlike BikeExchange, every listing on Cyclesite is automatically checked against stolen bike databases. Cyclesite uses transparent listing fees from £10.99 (vs BikeExchange's Shop dependent), with optional Buyer Protection shown up front at checkout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does BikeExchange operate in the UK?

BikeExchange has had UK operations over the years, though its strongest market is Australia and its UK footprint has changed over time. Cyclesite is UK-first by design, with a UK audience, GBP pricing and automatic stolen-bike checks on every listing.

Is BikeExchange for shops or private sellers?

BikeExchange is primarily a retail aggregator, most listings come from established bike shops and brands, with private seller options as a secondary use case. Cyclesite is built for private peer-to-peer selling between individual cyclists.

Is BikeExchange or Cyclesite better for UK buyers?

The two platforms serve different needs. BikeExchange is useful if you specifically want to buy from a shop. Cyclesite is useful if you want a UK-first peer-to-peer marketplace with automatic stolen-bike verification and a listing fee from £10.99.

Can I list my bike on BikeExchange?

BikeExchange is oriented around shop listings. For private peer-to-peer selling in the UK, Cyclesite provides a dedicated platform with a flat listing fee and automatic stolen-bike checks.

Cyclesite vs BikeExchange

Where's the best place to buy or sell your bicycle?

Cyclesite

BikeExchange

Here, we compare online bicycle marketplaces Cyclesite and BikeExchange.

*Comparisons based on publicly available information as of 13 April 2026. Fees and features may change, check each platform for current pricing.

Seller fees

From £10.99

Shop dependent

Stolen Check

Yes

UK Focus

Yes

Bike-Specific

Yes

How is Cyclesite different to BikeExchange?

Cyclesite

Cyclesite is the UK's trusted bicycle marketplace, connecting you to private sellers and buyers across the country. Every listing is automatically verified against stolen bike databases.

BikeExchange

BikeExchange launched in Australia in 2007 and grew into a global bike marketplace connecting buyers with bike shops, brands and, to a lesser extent, private sellers. The platform's core model is a retail aggregator: most listings come from established shops rather than individuals, covering new and used bikes alongside parts and accessories. For UK buyers and sellers, the main considerations are geography and model. BikeExchange's strongest presence is in its home market of Australia, and its UK footprint has varied over time as the company has shifted strategy and markets. Because the platform is retail-led, private peer-to-peer selling is a secondary use case, and there is no verification against UK stolen-bike databases. For buyers who want to deal with a shop, BikeExchange can be useful; for private sellers looking for a UK-first, peer-to-peer experience, the model is a poor fit.

UK-first vs global with an Australian home market

BikeExchange's strongest presence is in Australia, and its UK footprint has fluctuated over time. Listings, shop coverage and seller support reflect that weighting.

Cyclesite advantage: Cyclesite is UK-first by design: GBP pricing, UK locations, UK stolen-bike checks and local collection as the default.

Peer-to-peer vs retail aggregator

BikeExchange is built around shop listings. Private sellers can appear on the platform, but the retail aggregator model is what it is optimised for.

Cyclesite advantage: Cyclesite is built for private peer-to-peer listings, with a flat listing fee, direct seller contact and no retail markup in the middle.

Stolen bike verification

BikeExchange does not verify listings against UK stolen-bike databases.

Cyclesite advantage: Every Cyclesite listing is automatically checked against these sources before it goes live.

Cyclesite Strengths

Retail-led, not peer-to-peer, private seller options are secondary
Home market is Australia; UK footprint has fluctuated over time
No verification against UK stolen-bike databases
Retail prices rather than private sale prices
Parts and accessories dominate the catalogue

BikeExchange Strengths

Retail aggregator with links to established bike shops and brands
Covers new and used bikes plus parts and accessories
Product search and category filtering across a large catalogue
Shop-sourced listings carry trader-level consumer protections by default
Long-established platform with recognised name in cycling

Frequently Asked Questions

Does BikeExchange operate in the UK?

Is BikeExchange for shops or private sellers?

Is BikeExchange or Cyclesite better for UK buyers?

Can I list my bike on BikeExchange?

BikeExchange is oriented around shop listings. For private peer-to-peer selling in the UK, Cyclesite provides a dedicated platform with a flat listing fee and automatic stolen-bike checks.

Compare Other Platforms

eBay Facebook Marketplace Gumtree Pinkbike

Ready to Try Cyclesite?

Join the UK's safest bicycle marketplace. Every listing stolen-checked. Transparent pricing from £10.99. Built for cyclists.

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