Confession: I’m a Pinkbiker. I check it daily for mountain bike news and its large community of fellow riders. Not only is it a great place to get your daily stoke, but it also has a large marketplace for buying and selling used gear.
If you're here reading this, you probably know that The Pro’s Closet (TPC) specializes in selling and buying new and used bikes and gear. You can shop our inventory or visit our Sell // Trade portal to quickly sell bikes, frames, or wheels for cash.
So how does Pinkbike BuySell compare to The Pro’s Closet? Each has advantages and disadvantages, and thanks to the free market, you don’t need to be loyal to just one. I work at The Pro’s Closet, surf Pinkbike, and regularly use both! Hopefully, this quick rundown will help you make some clutch decisions when it comes time to buy or sell your next bike.
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Pinkbike vs. TPC: Buying used bikes
Pinkbike Pros:
- Price negotiation
- Massive bike inventory
- Buy local
TPC Pros:
- Certified Pre-Owned
- 30-day returns
- Easy shipping
Heads up, the next three paragraphs are my TPC sales pitch. The major advantage The Pro’s Closet offers is our Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) process. Every bike undergoes a thorough inspection to ensure it’s safe and in good working order. They are fully serviced by a professional mechanic and damaged or worn components are replaced. The bikes are professionally photographed and the condition is described in detail.
Inspecting chain wear.
Our RideFast bike boxes can be shipped to your door and are designed so bikes are ready to ride and can be assembled in about 5 minutes. (Local pickup bikes will come assembled.) On top of that, you get 30-day hassle-free returns, so you can buy with complete confidence. We even have a Guaranteed Buyback program, which allows you to easily sell the bike back within 18 months.
Do you have questions about a bike you’re interested in? Or do you just need some general advice? Our expert Ride Guides are available to help you seven days a week from 9AM-6PM MT and can be reached via online chat, phone: 866-401-9636, or email: rideguides@theproscloset.com during those hours. They’re always down to talk bikes and help you find what you need.
Alright, now that I got that out of the way, what does Pinkbike offer? Well, considering it’s a marketplace made up of private sellers, you don’t get the same sort of protection and convenience. When shopping, you need to be on the lookout for dodgy sellers and scams. (Be sure to read Pinkbike’s BuySell safety tips!) Sometimes due to bad photos or poor copy, the condition of a bike isn’t fully apparent and you might discover some nasty surprises that sellers aren’t interested in fixing. If you’re not dealing with a local seller, arranging shipping can be a gamble, since you won’t know who’s packing your new (to you) bike.
Some of the variety you can find on Pinkbike.
If you avoid those pitfalls, buying from a good Pinkbike seller can be a breeze. I always check a user’s history before messaging them. If they sell stuff regularly, they’re usually trustworthy. If they can answer messages and questions quickly, I’m even more confident.
Buying from Pinkbike also offers one big advantage. You can haggle! Sellers will usually put in their listing how receptive they are to offers. Even if they say they’re firm on the price, you can always shoot your shot. Some sellers are even open to trades (I once traded a guitar for a frame). With enough patience and persistence, it’s possible to walk away with an amazing deal.
As one final point, because Pinkbike BuySell is made up of sellers around the world (though mostly in North America), the bike inventory is enormous. Pinkbike regularly has over 10,000 bike listings, while The Pro’s Closet sits at around ¼ of that. Our inventory is updated regularly with new bikes so it’s always fresh, but so is Pinkbike’s. If you’re looking for something specific, weird, or niche, Pinkbike might give you the best chance of finding it.
Pinkbike vs. TPC: Selling used bikes
Pinkbike Pros:
- List anything
- Negotiate offers
- Sell local
TPC Pros:
- Receive offers within 24 hours
- Easy payment / trade-ins
- Shipping labels provided
Pinkbike BuySell functions like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Anyone can make a Pinkbike account and list their bike. You can list anything too, from superbikes to rusted-out klunkers. No matter what kind of bike it is, there’s probably a buyer for it somewhere. Pinkbike gives you a good chance of finding them.
Be ready to deal with lowballers and scammers. (Again, refer to Pinkbike’s BuySell safety tips!) Because negotiation is expected from private sellers, you may need to list high and negotiate your final sale price. It is possible that you get lucky though, and come away with more than you expect! The more attractive your listing is, the more eyeballs it will get. Load your listing up with lots of clear photos and plenty of details. This increases your chances of a quick sale. Plus, if you sell locally, you don’t have to deal with packing and shipping your bike. Still, there’s the chance you may have to wait a long time for the right buyer to come along.
The Pro’s Closet’s Sell // Trade portal aims to make selling your bike easier. Anyone can make a TPC account and submit their bike. All it requires is two photos of your bike (drive side and non-drive side) and some basic information about its condition. Submit, and you’ll get an offer within 24 hours. You can choose between trading in your bike with TPC, trading in your bike with a local TradeUp partner, or selling your bike for cash.
If you're shipping a bike, it needs to be packed properly to prevent damage.
Our Sell // Trade offers are based on extensive data, and take into account the condition, desirability, sales history, inventory, and even upgrades. Getting an offer costs nothing, and it’s worth doing just to see your bike’s value. You might be pleasantly surprised! If you accept our offer, we provide a free shipping label. You’ll still need to properly pack and ship your bike to us. If you’re local in Colorado, you can drop off your bike in person, or use our courier service. Once we receive and inspect your bike, you get paid!
If we accept your bike and make you an offer, you will have a few options to get paid:
- Instant Cash - We will pay you for your bike through PayPal after we receive your bike.
- Store Credit - After receiving your bike you will receive TPC store credit. We generally offer MORE money for store credit than for instant cash. This is a great option if you want to trade-in your bike for a new one!
- Consignment - TPC actually started off as a consignment shop. Essentially, we clean, prep, and sell the bike for you, and then we split the proceeds. Often, this will get you the most money for your bike, but it won't be "instant" because we don't buy your bike outright. Ultimately, it's in both of our interests to get your bike sold at as high a price as possible. This rewards patient sellers who don't need instant cash and it benefits us too because we don't need spend cash. Consignment is low-risk because there is a guaranteed minimum payout, ensuring you will receive cash within 120 days even if the bike doesn't sell. Learn more about consignment here.
There are some caveats though. The Pro’s Closet only buys bikes with an original value of $1,500 or more. We also don’t buy certain bikes (e.g., 26” mountain bikes, kids bikes, recumbents, tandems, bmx bikes), or bikes that are incomplete or damaged. For those, Pinkbike BuySell is the better option.
What's Legit? Final Thoughts
For buying used bikes, both are great options. They're undoubtedly legit platforms in their own right. It gets more nuanced from there. If you’re willing to put in a bit of extra time and effort to work with private sellers, Pinkbike BuySell can be worth it for good deals. The Pro’s Closet is an easy to use alternative. You get a bike that’s inspected and serviced by a professional mechanic, and the security of 30-day returns, world-class customer service, and fast shipping.
When it comes to selling used bikes, Pinkbike BuySell requires a bit more wariness, patience, internet savvy, and a willingness to talk to strangers. But the results can be very good if you know what you’re doing. The Pro’s Closet reduces the hassle of selling with quick offers and free shipping labels. When it comes to getting the most money for your bike, it will depend on the specific bike and situation. Submitting your bike to TPC is free and easy, so it can be worth doing that first and then scoping out Pinkbike after.
Like I said in the beginning, I use both Pinkbike and The Pro’s Closet. Each has pros, cons, and use cases where one makes more sense than the other. I use The Pro’s Closet for nearly all of my buying and selling needs because it’s so convenient. But sometimes, I have to use Pinkbike for little oddities like my BMX bikes.
My (extremely biased) opinion is that The Pro’s Closet should be stop number one. Then you can judge buying and selling opportunities elsewhere by using TPC as a benchmark. Hopefully, you choose to buy and sell with us!
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