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 Facebook Marketplace Comparison

Cyclesite is the UK's trusted bicycle marketplace with seller profiles and ratings, quality listings, and stolen-bike verification. Unlike Facebook Marketplace, every listing on Cyclesite is automatically checked against stolen bike databases. Cyclesite uses transparent listing fees from £10.99 (vs Facebook Marketplace's 0%), with optional Buyer Protection shown up front at checkout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Facebook Marketplace safe for buying bikes?

Facebook Marketplace does not verify listings against UK stolen-bike databases, and its Purchase Protection only covers shipped orders paid through Facebook Checkout, most local bike transactions fall outside that. Cyclesite runs every listing against UK stolen-bike databases before it goes live, and offers optional Buyer Protection with secure delivery at checkout.

Does Facebook Marketplace have bike-specific filters?

No. Facebook Marketplace uses a generic classifieds search with no frame-size, groupset or wheel-size filters. Cyclesite offers bike-specific filters and a valuation tool.

Is Cyclesite better than Facebook Marketplace for bikes?

They serve different needs. Facebook has broader reach across every category; Cyclesite is bike-specific with stolen-bike checks, cycling-focused buyers and filters built for cyclists. Facebook is free to list; Cyclesite charges a listing fee from £10.99.

Can you sell bikes for free on Facebook Marketplace?

Yes, Facebook Marketplace is free to list. Cyclesite charges a listing fee from £10.99, which covers automatic stolen-bike verification and access to a cycling-focused audience.

Cyclesite vs Facebook Marketplace

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

Cyclesite

Facebook Marketplace

Here, we compare online bicycle marketplaces Cyclesite and Facebook Marketplace.

*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

Stolen Check

Yes

UK Focus

Yes

Bike-Specific

Yes

How is Cyclesite different to Facebook Marketplace?

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.

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace has become one of the most widely used places to buy and sell second-hand items in the UK, built on top of Facebook's existing user base. Listing is free and straightforward, local collection is the default, and many buyers already have the app. For bicycles, the main tradeoffs are structural. There is no verification against UK stolen-bike databases, and Facebook's Purchase Protection applies to shipped orders paid through Facebook Checkout, most local bike sales are cash or bank transfer on collection, which falls outside that scheme. Bikes sit in a general marketplace without cycling-specific search filters, and the visibility of any given listing depends on Facebook's own ranking and reach decisions.

Stolen bike verification

Facebook Marketplace does not verify listings against UK stolen-bike databases.

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

Cycling audience vs general marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is a general platform. Bikes sit alongside furniture, phones and clothing, shown to a broad audience rather than one actively shopping for a bike.

Cyclesite advantage: Cyclesite is built for cyclists. Listings reach an audience that understands frame sizing, component specs and what a given bike should sell for.

Bike-specific tools

Facebook Marketplace treats bikes like any other category, no frame-size filter, no groupset search, no valuation tool.

Cyclesite advantage: Cyclesite offers frame-size and component filters, brand categorisation, a valuation tool and sold-price data grounded in real UK sales.

Cyclesite Strengths

No verification against UK stolen-bike databases
Purchase Protection only applies to shipped orders paid through Facebook Checkout
No bike-specific search filters (frame size, groupset, wheel size)
General audience rather than a cycling-focused one
Listing visibility depends on Facebook ranking

Facebook Marketplace Strengths

Massive local reach through Facebook's user base
Free to list
Social profile visible alongside the listing
Local collection is the default
Simple listing process through the Facebook app

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Facebook Marketplace safe for buying bikes?

Does Facebook Marketplace have bike-specific filters?

No. Facebook Marketplace uses a generic classifieds search with no frame-size, groupset or wheel-size filters. Cyclesite offers bike-specific filters and a valuation tool.

Is Cyclesite better than Facebook Marketplace for bikes?

Can you sell bikes for free on Facebook Marketplace?

Yes, Facebook Marketplace is free to list. Cyclesite charges a listing fee from £10.99, which covers automatic stolen-bike verification and access to a cycling-focused audience.

Compare Other Platforms

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

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