Market Comparison

	Cycle Exchange	Halfords	Buycycle	Ebay	FB Marketplace	My Next Bike	webuycycle	Sigma Sports (new bike retailer for comparison)	Notes
Product Category	Premium sport bikes	Low/mid tier recreation bikes	All disciplines / price points	All disciplines / price points	All disciplines / price points	All disciplines / price points	Sport Bikes	Premium sport bikes	Cycle Exchange specializes in Premium sport bikes, offering a similar product range to Sigma Sports in the new bike market. Peer-to-peer marketplaces cover all disciplines and price points. Halfords focuses primarily on entry to mid-level recreational bicycles.
Product Ownership	Cycle Exchange	Halfords	Seller	Seller	Seller	Seller	Webuycycle	Sigma Sports	Cycle Exchange and retailers like Halfords take direct ownership of bicycles before listing them for sale. In contrast, peer-to-peer marketplaces connect buyers with individual sellers who maintain ownership until the sale is completed. This distinction affects quality control, product representation, and delivery reliability.
Guaranteed Delivery	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Retailers who own their inventory can provide guaranteed delivery services. On peer-to-peer platforms, delivery depends on individual sellers and cannot be guaranteed by the marketplace itself.
Pricing	RRP - 20-40%	RRP - 20-40%	RRP - 20-40%	RRP - 20-40%	RRP - 20-40%	RRP - 20-40%	RRP - 20-40%	RRP	Pricing reflects market averages across platforms. Pre-owned bikes typically sell for 20-40% below retail price. Some marketplaces like Buycycle and eBay charge additional buyer fees, while others incorporate their costs differently.
Refurbished	Yes	Yes	Yes/No	Yes/No	No	only 20 of 1000bikes	Not clear	N/A	Specialist retailers like Cycle Exchange and Halfords have standardized refurbishment processes. On peer-to-peer platforms, refurbishment quality varies by individual seller with no consistent standards.
Warranty	1 year	1 year	purchased add on	No	No	only 20 of 1000bikes	3mth but not clear what covered	Multi Year	Retailers that take ownership of bikes can offer comprehensive warranties. Cycle Exchange and Halfords provide standardized one-year warranties. Third-party warranty options may have varying terms and coverage limitations.
Photography	Professional studio, every bike	Stock/bike unspecific	seller / amateur	seller / amateur	seller / amateur	seller / amateur	amateur	Pro Stock Photogrpahy	Cycle Exchange photographs each individual bike in a professional studio setting, documenting any imperfections. Photography quality and consistency varies significantly across platforms, with peer-to-peer listings depending on individual sellers' equipment and skills.
Description	Professional copy every bikes	Stock/bike unspecific	seller / amateur	seller / amateur	seller / amateur	seller / amateur	amateur	Pro Stock Descriptions	Product descriptions vary in detail and accuracy across platforms. Cycle Exchange provides professional, detailed descriptions for each individual bicycle. Other platforms may use standardized grading systems or rely on individual sellers for descriptions.
Returns	2 weeks	2weeks	No	30 days	no	only 20 of 1000bikes	not clear	30 days (must be unused)	Return policies vary significantly between platforms. Cycle Exchange and Halfords offer standard return periods. Most peer-to-peer platforms have limited or no return options. New bike retailers typically require products to remain unused for returns.
Finance Options	Various up to 4 years	various	No	No	No	No	No	Various up to 4 years	Financing options are typically only available from retailers who take ownership of their inventory. Peer-to-peer platforms generally cannot offer financing arrangements due to their business model.
Cycle to Work Scheme	All available	Halfords scheme only	No	No	No	only 20 of 1000bikes	No	Selection not all	Cycle to Work schemes are primarily available through retailers that have direct ownership of their inventory and appropriate business registrations. Cycle Exchange offers access to all major schemes.
Part Exchange Available	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Part exchange services allow customers to trade in their current bicycle against a new purchase. Cycle Exchange offers this service directly, and also facilitates part exchanges for select new bike retailers.
In store viewing	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Physical inspection before purchase varies by retailer. Cycle Exchange and traditional bike shops allow in-store viewing, while other retailers may require purchase before inspection or offer no physical viewing options.
Test Ride Available	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Test riding availability varies significantly. Cycle Exchange allows customers to test ride any bicycle before purchase. New bike retailers typically offer demo models but not every specific bike for sale.
Bike Fit available	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Professional bike fitting services help ensure the correct size and setup for each rider. Cycle Exchange offers consultation services to help customers select appropriately sized bicycles, which is crucial for comfort and performance.
Hand Delivery	Yes with limitations	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes with limitations	Hand delivery service provides fully assembled, ready-to-ride bicycles. Cycle Exchange offers this service to most UK locations, eliminating the need for self-assembly or additional setup.
Door step Sell /Exchange	Yes with limitations	No	No	No	No	No	No	Limited	This convenient service allows customers to have their new bike delivered while simultaneously having their trade-in bicycle collected and assessed, streamlining the entire exchange process.
Brands Available	Unlimited no supplier commitments	Halfords only	Unlimited no supplier commitments	Unlimited no supplier commitments	Unlimited no supplier commitments	Unlimited no supplier commitments	Unlimited no supplier commitments	Selected Brands	Pre-owned specialists like Cycle Exchange offer a wider range of brands without the restrictions of dealer agreements. New bike retailers typically focus on current model years from specific partner brands, while the pre-owned market includes discontinued models and wider brand diversity.
Immediate Payment (buying in)	Yes	Store Credit only	No. Pay on sale	No. Pay on sale	No. Pay on sale	No. Pay on sale	48hrs	N/A	When selling a bicycle, payment timing varies by platform. Cycle Exchange offers immediate payment upon accepting a bike. Peer-to-peer platforms typically hold payment until after the bike is sold to another customer. This reflects different business models and risk allocation.