Used bicycles in the US typically sell for $81 to $540. General bikes sell steadily, and the honest range reflects whether it is a serviceable machine or a supermarket bike near the end of its life.
What bicycles are worth in the US
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | $538 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | $458 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | $350 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | $242 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | $135 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Guide ranges converted from sterling at the 2 August 2026 rate, not quotes — sellers set their own price. Grades are seller-declared; WishThrift does not inspect or verify them.
What lifts the price
- Recognised brands with serviceable components
- Recent chain, brake pads and tyres
What pulls it down
- Seized bottom brackets and headsets
- Supermarket bikes with unserviceable parts
Selling a bicycle in the US
Peer-to-peer payment apps dominate private sales, and buyers will usually offer one before they offer cash. Sales tax does not apply to a private sale between individuals.
USPS, UPS and FedEx all cover the country. USPS Ground Advantage is normally cheapest for anything under a few pounds in weight; above that the gap narrows quickly.
Two practical things shape a US sale. Shipping is priced by dimensional weight as well as actual weight, so a light bulky item can cost far more to send than a heavy small one — measure the box before you quote. And meeting in person is common enough that many police departments now run designated safe-exchange areas in their car parks.
Working out what yours is worth
- Spin both wheels and watch for side-to-side movement
- Confirm the frame size and photograph any rust
Getting it ready
- Check both brakes, run through every gear, and spin both wheels to check they run true.
- Clean the drivetrain, pump the tyres, and check for rust at the chainstays and under the bottom bracket.
Photograph
- The drivetrain and gears close up
- The frame size marking and any brand decals
Put in the description
- Number of gears, brake type, and whether everything works
- Any rust, damage or non-original parts
Type, frame size and brand: “Carrera Hybrid Bike, Medium 19in Frame, 21 Speed”. Frame size is the primary filter. Say what type it is — hybrid, road, mountain, town — because those are separate searches with different buyers.
Seasonal, strongest March to August with spring the peak. A bike listed in November sells slowly or waits until spring.
It costs nothing to list
There is no listing fee, no selling fee and no commission, so the $538 a buyer pays is the $538 you keep. You and the buyer settle up and arrange the handover between yourselves; WishThrift does not hold the money or ship the item.
Where in the US
The United States is a big place and what sells well moves with it. These are the parts of the United States with their own page for bicycles.
- New York
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Houston
- Phoenix
- Philadelphia
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- Dallas
- Austin
- San Jose
- Jacksonville
- Fort Worth
- Columbus
- Indianapolis
- Charlotte
- San Francisco
- Seattle
- Denver
- Washington
- Nashville
- Boston
- Las Vegas
- Portland
- Detroit
- Memphis
- Louisville
- Baltimore
- Milwaukee
- Albuquerque
- Fresno
- Tucson
- Sacramento
- Kansas City
- Mesa
- Atlanta
- Omaha
- Colorado Springs
- Raleigh
- Virginia Beach
- Long Beach
- Miami
- Oakland
- Minneapolis
- Tulsa
- Bakersfield
Common questions
Where can I sell a bicycle in the US?
List it free on WishThrift and deal with the buyer direct. There is no selling fee, so the whole amount stays with you. Peer-to-peer payment apps dominate private sales, and buyers will usually offer one before they offer cash. Sales tax does not apply to a private sale between individuals.
What height rider does it suit?
Give a height range rather than only the frame size. Most casual buyers do not know their frame size and this answer converts them.
What should I check on a used bike?
Wheels running true, a chain that is not stretched, and a frame with no cracks. Those three cover most of the risk.
Is a service worth doing before selling?
A basic tune, new brake pads and correct tyre pressure cost little and make the bike demonstrably ready to ride.
More: how to sell a bicycle, what bicycles are worth, or Bicycles & Cycling across the United States.