Frequently asked questions

An online marketplace is a website that brings together people, businesses, and brands in one place. ColVelo is not an online store — we don't own or hold any bikes or accessories. We provide the platform for retailers, brands, and private sellers to offer their products to riders, giving you a single place to search the entire cycling industry.

Yes. Our marketplace is open to private sellers, brands, retailers, and bike shops. Head to the Sell page to create a listing in a few minutes.

ColVelo does not purchase used bikes. We're a marketplace — the transaction is between you and the buyer.

If a product is visible on our site, it's in stock and ready to ship. If you need a specific size or color that isn't listed, message the seller directly — many shops can order it in.

No. ColVelo is not an online store. We don't hold any inventory. All purchases are made from the brands and dealers on our platform, not from us.

Sellers set their own prices, and prices shown on the site are the seller's asking price. You can make an offer at a lower price using the “Make an offer” button on any listing — the seller can accept, reject, or counteroffer.

Our bike shops and dealers regularly run specials. You'll often find previous-year models at excellent prices. Watch for “Good Deal” badges on listings and subscribe to our newsletter for discount updates.

Sellers may issue coupon codes from time to time — check the individual shop or listing for details. Sign up for our newsletter to receive periodic promotions.

Shipping costs vary by item and destination. To see the exact cost for a specific bike, add it to your cart and enter your shipping address at checkout — the total including shipping will be shown before you pay.

Both work great. Ordering online is fastest and easiest — your bike ships straight to your door. Click & Collect lets you order online and pick up at the shop, which means an expert can do final assembly and you can inspect the bike in person before leaving.

Domestic shipping typically arrives within 3–10 business days. The exact estimate is shown on each listing and again at checkout based on your ZIP code.

Pickup happens at the bike shop you purchased from. When your order is ready, you'll receive an email with the address and hours of operation.

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) via our secure Stripe-powered checkout. Apple Pay and Google Pay are also available depending on your browser and device.

Yes. Payments are processed by Stripe, one of the world's leading payment security providers. ColVelo never sees or stores your full card details. We hold your payment until you confirm the item arrived as described, then release it to the seller.

For Click & Collect orders you can coordinate pickup timing directly with the shop. For shipped orders, once the package is with the courier we can't guarantee a specific delivery time — but you'll have a tracking number to see where it is.

1. Find the bike or part you want.
2. Add it to your cart — or use Make an offer to negotiate.
3. Proceed to checkout and add a coupon if you have one.
4. Enter your shipping address and payment details.
5. Complete payment through our secure Stripe checkout.

Once payment is confirmed, the seller is notified, the item is prepared and shipped (or readied for pickup), and you receive email updates at every stage.

Yes. You'll receive an email confirmation as soon as your payment is processed, and follow-up emails when the seller accepts, ships, and delivers. Your invoice is included in the confirmation email — keep a copy for your records.

Click & Collect combines online convenience with in-store expertise. You order online and pay securely, then pick up at the shop at a time that works for you. The shop will finish assembly and make sure your bike is ready to ride.

Yes, but each item ships separately from its own shop, so shipping costs apply per seller. You can't combine shipping across multiple shops into a single order.

No — order anything from a single component up to a full bike.

Contact the seller and us within 48 hours of delivery through the “Purchases & Sales” section of your account. Depending on the situation, we can arrange a return or exchange. Return shipping costs are typically the buyer's responsibility unless the item was misdescribed.

First check your email for a “shipped” notification. If it hasn't shipped yet, contact the seller to ask when it will go out. If it's already in transit, use the tracking link to see where it is. Still stuck? Contact us and we'll help sort it out.

It depends on how you ride. Road bikes are built for speed on pavement. Gravel bikes handle mixed surfaces. Mountain bikes shine on trails. E-bikes add pedal-assist for longer or hillier rides. Not sure? Message a shop through the site or contact us and we'll help you narrow it down.

Yes. Our blog has a dedicated e-bike buyers guide that covers motor types, battery range, and what to look for at each price point. Your local bike shop on ColVelo can also answer specific questions about the models they carry.

Kids' bikes come in size bands based on age and height, and the right one depends on both. We recommend reading our Ultimate Guide to Kids' Bikes on the blog, or messaging a local shop directly — they're the experts at fitting young riders.

The essentials, no matter how you ride:

• A well-fitting helmet (always).
• A basic repair kit — spare tube, tire levers, and a pump or CO₂ inflator.
• Weather-appropriate clothing, including a rain shell in wetter months.
• Water bottles or a hydration pack.
• Nutrition — bars, gels, or snacks for longer rides.

Most bikes arrive partially assembled. You'll typically need to install the front wheel, align the handlebars, insert the seatpost, and fit the pedals. We strongly recommend having a local bike shop inspect your build before your first ride for safety.

For basic assembly you'll want:

• Hex/Allen wrenches in metric sizes (2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 mm).
• A torque wrench with hex bits.
• Phillips and flathead screwdrivers.
• Cable snips or scissors.
• A bike pump with a pressure gauge.

Some models need specialty tools — check with the seller before your bike arrives.

Our blog has buyer's guides, tech reviews, industry news, and race coverage across every cycling discipline.

No, rating is optional. But it helps other riders and gives sellers useful feedback — we always appreciate hearing from you.

Most bike brands offer a lifetime or multi-year warranty on frames and a 1–2 year manufacturer warranty on parts. Your purchase is also covered by the ColVelo Guarantee, which protects you if the item arrives damaged, missing critical components, or materially different from the listing.