If you’re in the market for a primo electric bike that doesn’t cost a fortune, the answer could be right under your nose: ex-company bikes. Companies and delivery services often rent fleets of e-bikes and sell them after a few years. These off-lease returns are an amazing opportunity to buy a very lightly used, commercial machine at a huge discount! This tool kit will guide you through the five key dimensions of obtaining the best possible deal on rides in the future.
Where to Find Ex-Company E-Bikes
The first, most important step? Obviously knowing where to look for these little-known treasures. And, unlike the consumer market, ex-company bikes are sold through business-to-business (B2B) channels or in batch lots. Access to these sources is the key to obtaining the best prices. You need to be creative and look into all sorts of options, because the best deals are not always published on popular websites. And monitoring the platforms and movement on them, then moving in as fast as you can when a fleet is offered up. Here are the key destinations to start your hunt:
Liquidation Fleet Websites
Companies focused on liquidating corporate holdings are a prominent source. Websites like B-Stock or Liquidation.com occasionally list e-bike fleets. Look for terms including “e-bike fleet,” “lease return” or “corporate assets.”
Specialist Resellers
A handful of businesses specialize in restoring and selling ex-commercial e-bikes. Dealers often attend to the bikes, inspecting them, cleaning them and servicing them before they put their name on the bike you are buying.
Auction Houses
Online and local auction houses often sell corporate goods. This can be a good way to score a low price, but expect an “as-is” relationship with little to no understanding of the bike’s condition.
Direct Company Inquiry
Do not hesitate to contact nearby delivery companies, larger corporate campuses or food delivery services directly. Check with the fleet or facilities manager to learn more about how they retire old bicycles. WHAT YOU MIGHT GET: An inside track before they are publicly listed.
Local Electric Bike Shops
Some local shops partner with corporations to maintain and eventually resell their fleets. Getting friendly with your local e-bike mechanic can serve as a good lead.
The Essential Inspection Checklist
Once you have found an ex-company bike that meets your demands, a close examination is a necessity. They're probably going to have been used every day, which means they might have a lot of wear and tear from all that daily use, despite being serviced regularly. You’re looking for the potential deal killers, the big things that you’d have to fix down the road that will cost a lot of money. Careful examination of the most important parts of a bike will keep you from buying a lemon. Also be sure to focus your attention on the two most expensive-to-replace components, the battery and motor. A nice-looking bike could still have expensive, critical problems hidden under the paint and chrome. This is a step-by-step flow that you can go through as well:
Battery Health
This is the biggest one. Inquire if the battery health or charge cycles are being reported. During a test ride, watch the battery level indicator. A sudden drop under load is a very bad sign. A replacement battery might be the costliest repair.
Motor
Pay attention to any unusual grinding, clicking or whining noise coming from the motor hub when you are on your test ride. Its power assist should feel smooth from top to bottom.
Frame Inspection
Thoroughly examine the complete frame and look near the welds, head tube and bottom bracket for any evidence of cracking, deep dents or material bending. These will warn of a crash and can affect the bike’s safety.
Brakes
Inspect the brake pads. Check hydraulic brakes by squeezing the levers to see if action is crisp or mushy, which indicates air in the lines. Inspect brake rotors for warping or deep grooves.
The Drivetrain / Gears
Check extension on the chain and shark-finned cogs or rings for worn teeth. Go through all the gears to make sure that they engage cleanly and do not skip.
Wheels, Tires & Suspension
Inspect tires for bald and uneven treadwear. Squeeze the spokes to find any loose ones, and spin the wheels to check they are true (not wobbly). If it has suspension, compress it to feel for free movement and any weeping oil.
Top Brands and Models to Look For
In terms of corporate lease returns, the models tend to be selected in part because they are tough and durable.
PURCHASE OPTIONS: Excellent
Whether you’re searching for a peak combination of power, all-terrain ability and long range, the ENGWE E26 is a solid option. This is the type of rugged Electric bike businesses select because they believe in its ability to perform for them on a daily basis. You know that when you do come across an ENGWE E26 from a fleet sale, this is probably as premium as it gets. Create your own adventure with the ENGWE E26, an all-purpose electric bike that is built to take on any terrain. It also comes with a 250W hub motor that boasts 70Nm torque, allowing for easy uphills. Enjoy a long lasting smooth -- and even -- ride on rugged terrain in all-weather with a dual suspension system (front/rear) combined with 26 x 4 fat tires. The long-range 48V16Ah lithium-ion battery is coupled with a powerful electric motor and hydraulic brakes to keep you riding for up to 140 km and safely stop in any conditions.
| Motor | 250W brushless motor |
| Max Torque | 70Nm |
| Battery | 48V16Ah Removable Inside Lithium-ion |
| Max Range | 140 km (PAS Mode) |
| Suspension | Dual Suspension (Front and Rear) |
| Brakes | Front and rear Hydraulic Disc Brake 180 mm |
| Tires | 26 x 4.0 Tires |
| Drive System | SHIMANO 7-Speeds |
| Max Load | 150 kg (330lbs) |
| Handy Features | LCD Display, Strong Rear Rack (max load is 25kg) |
It’s not only the high-end models like the ENGWE E26 that are targeted, but corporate fleets regularly rely on all brands where they see robustness and serviceability. Knowing these names can help you spot quality examples as soon as they're available within a lease return purchase. These bikes are tough, designed to be ridden harder than most consumer bikes but with stronger frames and more dependable components. Spotting these brands in a liquidation lot is a good indication that you are looking at well-constructed machinery. Here are some other high-quality brands you might come across:
Rad Power Bikes
Often thought of as the workhorses of the e-bike world, their models are typically easy to maintain and repair, very powerful and there are lots of replacement parts available, which makes them popular with delivery fleets.
Trek
A powerful worldwide brand, their electric bikes are famous for world-class frames and use only the best premium components. Second-hand Trek e-bikes for sale will almost always make for great value, even at high miles.
Gazelle
The Dutch brand is best known for making comfortable, tough and low-maintenance city and commuter e-bikes. They are commonly found in corporate campus transit.
Specialized
At the higher end of the price range, Specialized e-bikes are celebrated for their state-of-the-art motor technology and high-quality rides. One in a fleet sale is often quite a deal.
Budgeting for Post-Purchase Costs
A wise purchase, after all, is one that looks beyond just the price and into the total cost of ownership. You can be sure to count on some forthcoming expenses — both immediate and potential future ones — whenever you buy a used e-bike, especially one from a commercial fleet. Taking these into account in your budgeting now means that what seemed like a great deal won’t shape into an unexpected money-spending spree. These bikes have lived a full life, and despite good care, some parts will be close to the end of their days. Accepting this fact is the last factor to ensure a successful purchase. Here are the important post-purchase expenses and considerations you’ll need to prepare for:
An Immediate Professional Tune-Up
Pay for a complete service offered by a qualified e-bike mechanic. They’ll check every nut and bolt, fine-tune brakes and gears and surface anything you hadn’t spotted. This is crucial for safety.
Consumable Replacements
Get ready to replace the chain, brake pads and tires sooner than later. These are standard wear-and-tear items.
Battery Replacement Fund
The battery is a consumable part. Even if it tests well now, start squirreling away money toward an eventual replacement in two or three years. This is the biggest cost you could have.
No Warranty
Realize that these sales are almost certainly “as-is, where is.” Once you’ve completed the purchase, write off your warranty and guarantees. Because if that bike suffers a major failure post-purchase, there will be no manufacturer warranty or coverage.
Crucial Extras
You may also need to spend some cash on a lock and lights if your bike doesn't come with these accessories, while it might be time for a new set of lights to ensure you are safe and secure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one risk when purchasing an ex-company e-bike?
The primary danger is the health of the battery. It is the costliest component to replace and you may not know that it’s degraded without a test.
Is it possible to get a warranty on a lease-return e-bike?
It is highly unlikely. These sales are not covered by any return policy. These sales are "as-is" and are final, with no returns or warranty provided by the seller or original manufacturer.
Is it better than buying a used private e-bike?
Often, yes. Company bikes are often serviced at professional intervals. But they might be higher mileage than a privately owned bike.
Armed with this information, you're now fully equipped to discover an amazing deal for your next electric bike.
