Where to find hidden deals on used mountain bikes and gear

For a long time, I wondered where some of the bikes and components tested by Singletracks wind up after they’re sent back to the brands. Every brand is different, but it turns out many sell used samples either in person or online… you just need to know where to look.

And it’s not just stuff that the media tests; there are fleets of demo bikes, product returns, scratch and dent items with minor blemishes, and certified renewed items, often available at a great discount. These programs can help you save money on gear, and they’re also saving the planet by keeping stuff out of the landfill, and getting it back on the trail. Plus, you don’t have to worry about sending money to a random person on that buy/sell forum.

Here’s how to find the (sometimes hidden) programs that Singletracks brand and retail partners use to offload used and blemished gear at a discount. It’s sort of a treasure hunt in that you never know what you’ll find, and the inventory is always changing! Just be sure to grab what you want before it’s gone.

Wolf Tooth Scratch and Dent

Wolf Tooth says 90% of the items in their Scratch and Dent section are there due to laser engraving errors, and the rest are items where the color isn’t quite right, or an item is literally scratched or dented. At the moment you’ll find: the pretty purple Ripsaw pedals shown above for 20% off, various mountain bike chainrings, multi-tools and accessories, grips, and dropper post remotes, all at discounts up to 85% off.

The item pages can be difficult to navigate, sorta like digging through someone’s random parts bin. I guess that’s part of the fun?

Patagonia Wornwear

The Patagonia Wornware program is all about saving the planet. The brand notes that “85% of clothing ends up in landfills or gets incinerated,” and encourages their customers to trade in gear when it’s no longer needed. You’ll find popular fleece and down jackets (like the Patagonia Nano Puff), pants, and shirts for up to half off. Items are available in multiple sizes and colors, and conditions are marked either excellent, great, or good so you know what you’re getting.

Trade in your used Patagonia items here and get credit toward new clothing.

REI Re/Supply

REI RE-Supply sells used outdoor and cycling equipment that’s rated based on condition, and is discounted accordingly. As of press time, the cycling category is offering Schwalbe Procore Tubeless System kits ranging from excellent to moderately worn condition, Niterider Pro LED bike lights, and a couple different RockShox forks.

Mountain bikers will likely find even more value in the used tents, sleeping bags, and snowsports equipment available. For example, this Nemo Forte 20 sleeping bag is available in multiple configurations, and the REI website notes which ones have been professionally sanitized, and whether they have any problems like a broken zipper.

If you have lightly worn gear you’d like to sell to REI, here’s how to do it.

Mike’s Bikes Warehouse Deals

Mike’s Bikes Warehouse Deals feature “sample bikes, slightly used test ride & photoshoot bikes, bikes with slight cosmetic blemishes, and one-off custom builds.” They note all bikes and items are inspected by their mechanics, though returns are not accepted under any circumstances.

If you’re OK with that, there’s a smokin’ deal on an extra small Juliana Furtado 5 C S trail bike with “scratches on wheels” for $3,999.95 (originally $6,799.99), a 34.9mm Specialized Command dropper post that’s missing packaging, and a carbon Santa Cruz Highball hardtail with “minor” scratches on the downtube, bars, and wheels.

The Pro’s Closet

The Pro’s Closet has built their entire business around the idea of re-selling used bikes and equipment. The retailer’s mechanics inspect and certify the pre-owned bikes for sale and offer risk-free, 30-day returns and a “Guaranteed Buyback program.” As a result, you’ll generally pay a bit more for used bikes on The Pro’s Closet than you would at say your local Facebook Marketplace or a buy/sell forum. For many buyers it’s worth the premium to avoid any surprises.

At the moment there’s a 2024 Santa Cruz Bronson for about $750 off MSRP, a 2024 Orbea Ralleon carbon enduro race bike for $2,500+ off, and lots of good-looking Yeti, Ibis, and Specialized bikes too. Note: The Pro’s Closet sells new items as well, so not everything there is pre-owned.

Want to upgrade your bike? See how much you can get for your old one here.

Hunt Re:new

Hunt says Re:new “allows riders to benefit from significant savings on lightly used HUNT Wheels, helping us keep perfectly functional wheels on bikes where they belong.” Carbon wheelsets are graded either as new, Grade A, or Grade B, with discounts ranging from 25% to 50% based on an item’s grade. Everything is said to have been serviced and checked before sale.

At the moment there’s a set of Hunt E_Enduro 27.5 eMTB wheels priced at 35% off and a set of Hunt 25 carbon gravel wheels for 25% off. Sign up for the Hunt email list on the site to get notified when new Re:new items are added.

Trek Red Barn Refresh

Trek says the bikes offered through their Red Barn Refresh program are “expertly serviced by Trek technicians — they even take care of suspension and linkage systems for a feels-like-new ride.” As of press time there are 136 used mountain bikes available, including this 2024 Trek Rail eMTB for $3,900, which is $600 less than the current $4,500 sale price on new models. Previous generation models are steeply discounted, with many priced $2,000 or more below original MSRP.

State Bicycle Co. Warehouse Deals

State Bicycle Co. Warehouse Deals include “floor models, photo models, customer returns, samples, and overstocked items at a DEEP discount.” The brand’s bikes are generally quite affordable to begin with, and while the discounts generally aren’t huge, it’s worth checking to see if you can save a hundred bucks or more. Like on this Beatles-themed Klunker for $375. Or this flat bar all-road bike.

The State Warehouse Deals also include components and apparel, so be sure to scroll through the list for some unique finds!