Swap FAQs

Below we’ve addressed some questions you may have. It’s also possible you have questions we haven’t addressed, and if so, please contact us and we’ll do our best to get you the information you need: will@bikemaine.org or 207-632-4511.

About the Swap

What is the Great Maine Bike Swap?

The Great Maine Bike Swap offers a great way to buy or sell quality used bicycles at an affordable price. You also can sell the bikes cluttering your garage or basement and turn them into cash.

At the Swap, you can choose from hundreds of bikes, including hybrids, road bikes, mountain bikes, children’s bikes, recumbents and more. The inventory covers all price ranges, so you’re sure to find something that suits your budget. And you’ll be going “green” by getting a gently used bike rather than a new one.

Can I sell bike parts? What about gear?

We’re not taking parts this year.

Please consider donating your parts and gear to the Portland Gear Hub, located at 155 Washington Ave. Portland, Maine. All donations are tax deductible.

What time is the Swap? How does entrance work?

Details about the time and location of the 2021 Great Maine Bike Swap are forthcoming.

Is there an entrance fee for the Swap?

Yes. Please bring cash!

$5 for adults and teenagers

FREE for children ages 12 and under and University of Southern Maine students (please remember to bring your student ID)!

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Bicycle Registration

When do I drop off my bike to sell?

Details about the time and location of bike drop-off for the 2021 Great Maine Bike Swap are forthcoming. There is a $5 cash fee per bike dropped off before the Swap.

Please bring cash to pay the $5 cash drop-off fee. This fee includes admission to the Swap! (You may write a check for a total of $15 or more, but we cannot accept credit cards during bike registration.)

If you are bringing many bikes to sell, please enlist a friend to help you get them from your car to bike registration as our volunteers will be occupied with other logistics.

How can I increase the value of my bike?

You can increase the value of your bicycle by following a few simple steps:

  • Wipe your bike down with a damp rag, giving it a basic cleaning
  • Complete an ABC Quick Check
  • Ride it around the block to make sure there’s nothing wrong

There will be volunteer Price and Condition Advisors who can help you price your bike when you drop it off at the Swap. Even though you might include accessories with the bike, please keep in mind that these might not increase the value to perspective buyers.

Bikes that are in unsafe mechanical condition will be deemed “unrideable” by Swap mechanics and will have a “Bike Not Rideable” sticker placed on their sales tags. This policy is in place to protect Swap attendees from test riding unsafe bicycles. These bikes may still be sold, but buyers will understand that they should not be ridden in their current condition.

What happens if my bike does NOT sell?

All bikes that have been sold will be posted at maineswap.com/sold. Bikes are searchable by seller ID number and last name.

If your bike ID number is NOT posted on the sold site by 3:00 pm on Swap Day, it was NOT sold. You will need to pick up your bike between 3:30-4:30 pm that day. If you do not pick up your bike by 4:30 pm that day, it will be considered a donation to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.

If you’re your bike doesn’t sell, please consider donating your bike to the Coalition and receive a free Individual Supporter Membership to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Donated bikes will either benefit the Bikes for All Mainers program or the event overall.

I don’t want to sell my bike. Can I just donate it?

YES! You can donate your bike to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine during the registration process. Donated bikes will either benefit the Bikes for All Mainers program or the event overall.

As a thank you for donating, you will receive a free Individual Supporter Membership to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine!

What if I want to sell more than one bike?

Great! If you want to sell 1 – 10 bikes, please fill out the online form for each of the bikes.

If you are selling more than 10 bicycles, please email emily@bikemaine.org for more information about a streamlined registration process and to obtain a bulk seller form. Completed bulk seller forms must be returned via email no later than one week before the Swap.

How do I register a bike to sell?

We highly recommend that you register your bike online before the swap day. This will make bike drop-off much faster for you. Even if you do not know all of the answers to questions asked on the online registration form, we strongly suggest that you complete as many fields as you can, to the best of your ability.

Please read this Sellers Guide to answer your questions.

If you are selling 10 or more bicycles at the Swap, please email emily@bikemaine.org to obtain a bulk seller form.

Does it cost anything to sell a bike at the Swap?

There is a $5 cash fee per bike to sell your bike at the Swap.

Please bring cash to pay the $5 cash drop-off fee. This fee includes admission to the Swap! (You may write a check for a total of $15 or more, but we cannot accept credit cards during bike registration.)

*The Bicycle Coalition of Maine takes a 15% commission from the sale price of the bike to help cover the cost of the event.*

Can I register my bike on-site?

Details about on-site bike registration for the 2021 Great Maine Bike Swap are forthcoming.

*If you are a bulk seller (more than 10 bikes), you can NOT register on-site. Completed bulk seller forms MUST be returned via email no later than one week before the Swap. Please email emily@bikemaine.org to obtain a bulk seller form.

How do I know if my bike DOES sell? When will I receive the sale proceeds?

All bikes that have been sold will be posted at maineswap.com/sold. Bikes are searchable by seller ID number and last name. This page will be updated in real-time as bikes are sold at the Swap.

If your bike is sold, we will send you a check within 2 weeks of the Swap for the sale price of your bicycle(s) minus the 15% sales commission the Bicycle Coalition of Maine takes to help cover the cost of the event. (Please make sure your mailing address is up-to-date when you register!)

How do I price my bike?

If you really want you bike to sell, price it well! When deciding on a price for your bike, take into consideration the price you paid for the bicycle, its current condition (age, required maintenance, etc.) and most importantly how motivated you are to sell the bike.

Here are some suggested pricing guidelines to help you

Age & Condition

  • 1-3 years old: 50-25% off original price
  • 4-7 years old: 70-30% off original price
  • 8+ years old: 60% + off original price

Please keep in mind that vintage or collector’s bicycles follow a different pricing structure. When selling department store or big box store bikes, consider pricing them at $50 or less.

Answering the following questions will also help determine the value of your bicycle:

  • When was the last time the bike had a tune up?
  • Are there any parts that have been replaced with higher quality or newer components?
  • Are there any components that will need to be replaced soon (i.e. tires, then you may want to take off an addition $50)?

Motivation To Sell

At the end of the day, the biggest question you need to answer is: how motivated am I to sell this bike? Are you highly motivated or might you want to take it home if it doesn’t sell? Consider this when pricing your bicycle.

How do I know if my bike DOES sell? When will I receive the sale proceeds?

All bikes that have been sold will be posted at maineswap.com/sold. Bikes are searchable by seller ID number and last name. This page will be updated in real-time as bikes are sold at the Swap.

If your bike is sold, we will send you a check within 2 weeks of the Swap for the sale price of your bicycle(s) minus the 15% sales commission the Bicycle Coalition of Maine takes to help cover the cost of the event. (Please make sure your mailing address is up-to-date when you register!)

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Getting to the Swap

Where is the Swap? How do I get there?

Details about the location of the 2021 Great Maine Bike Swap are forthcoming.

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At the Swap

Can I test ride a bike?

Yes! Please do! Just NOT on the display floor. You can test ride your bike in our Test Ride Area before buying it. You’ll need to fill out a waiver, leave a photo ID, be fitted for a helmet, and have a quick mechanical check on the bike to give it a test ride.

  • Helmets are required to test ride bicycles, and we strongly encourage you to BYOH (Bring Your Own Helmet)!
  • Please be sure to wear proper footwear to test ride a bike safely—wear closed-toed shoes and make sure your laces are tied.
  • You must bring a photo ID to test ride a bike. (Children without photo IDs must have a parent provide theirs.)

How do I find the right bike for me?

When choosing your bike, please bear in mind the Swap is a consignment-style sale. These are used bikes, and the price of the bike and information provided on the tag is from the seller of the bicycle. In addition, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine cannot guarantee the condition of the bicycles, and all bikes sales are final.

Please read this Buyers Guide to answer your questions.

  • Think about what kind of bike you are looking for and the kind of riding you’d like to do. Will you be commuting or getting around town? Mountain or trail riding? Road riding or touring? Volunteers at the Swap can help you find what you are looking for!
  • Where to start? Bicycles are arranged in categories by type of bike (mountain, road, kids, etc.); look for the large floor signs to find the type of bike you are looking for.
  • Consult a volunteer Bike Fit Advisor (walking the sales floor), test ride your bike, and get a mechanical check. We provide these services to help ensure your new bicycle is just right for you.
  • If you cannot find your dream bike on the racks, keep in mind that some bikes are in the test ride area being tested out by other buyers.
  • Please be mindful of other shoppers whilst considering your purchase or test riding. Make bikes that you are not buying available to others ASAP.
  • The Kids’ Bikes and Bargain Bikes section is located outside (shine) or in the Woodbury Campus Center (rain). The Bargain Bike Section is for anyone looking to buy a bike under $50. There is a separate admissions line for that section to make it easy for folks only shopping for kids’ and bargain bikes. Please keep in mind that these bicycles may have been priced very low due to their need of a lot of mechanical work, but some might just be a great deal!

Can I bring my dog to the Swap?

The Great Maine Bike Swap allows service animals to attend, but we ask that other pets stay home. Thank you so much for your cooperation with this policy!

Do I need to show up at dawn to be able to find a good bike?

No! There are still many quality bicycles left on the sales floor after noon. Join us anytime from 10am-1pm to shop.

*Please note that due to the popularity of the Swap, the first 250 people in line will be admitted entrance at 10am. We will then stagger the entrance every 10 minutes based on capacity.

What else is available at the Swap?

Bike shops, recreational nonprofit organizations, bike clubs, and bike-friendly businesses set up tables at the Swap to sell gear, parts and accessories and distribute information about trails and where to ride.

Do you love what the Bicycle Coalition of Maine is doing? Want to get involved? Stop by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine Information Table to learn more about our events, programs, membership, and volunteer opportunities.

I found my bike? How do I pay for it?

Yay! You can pay for your new bicycle with cash, check, American Express, Discover MasterCard, or Visa.

Are you a member of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine? If not, you can add a year-long membership to your bike purchase and help support great events like the Swap for years to come!

After purchasing your bike, we strongly encourage you to visit your favorite bike shop to have it checked out and tuned up. You can pick up a list of all Maine bike shops at the Bicycle Coalition of Maine Information Table or visit the webpage.

Is there an entrance fee for the Swap?

Yes. Please bring cash!

$5 for adults and teenagers.

FREE for children ages 12 and under and University of Southern Maine students (please remember to bring your student ID)!

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Bicycle Coalition of Maine