Updated September 30, 2026 · CommuteCue Editorial Team
Garage Cycles vs Upway
Garage Cycles
Higher score in this comparison
Upway
What sets them apart
| Compare | Garage CyclesReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | UpwayReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Reference models | Velotric Nomad 2, Velotric Fold 1, Velotric Breeze 1 | Pegasus Premio EVO 10 Lite, Kalkhoff Endeavour 1.B Move, KTM Power Sport 11 Plus |
| Price from | $1,299 | €949 |
| Assist class | Us class 3 | EU 25 |
| Belt drive | No | YesHas it |
| Frame warranty | 2 yearsHigher | 1 year |
| Battery warranty | 2 yearsHigher | 1 year |
| Service network | Own | Partner |
| Money-back period | 30 daysHigher | 14 days |
| Markets | US | FR, BE, DE, NL, US, AT, CH, ES, IT, DKCovers more |
| Price up to | $5,398 | Not confirmed |
| Motor position | Hub | Not confirmed |
| Nominal motor power (W) | 750 | Not confirmed |
| Throttle | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Largest battery (Wh) | 801.6 | Not confirmed |
| Claimed range (km) | 120.7 | Not confirmed |
| Maximum payload (kg) | 254 | Not confirmed |
| Finance | Not confirmed | Yes |
Same on both: Removable battery (Yes), Sales model (Direct).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Garage Cycles scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.5.
- Belt drive: only Upway.
- Frame warranty is higher at Garage Cycles: 2 years vs 1 year.
- Battery warranty is higher at Garage Cycles: 2 years vs 1 year.
- Money-back period is higher at Garage Cycles: 30 days vs 14 days.
- Support channels: only Upway offers Chat, Help centre.
- Upway is available in 9 more countries.
- Bike types: only Garage Cycles offers Commuter, Fat tire.
- Bike types: only Upway offers Cargo, Road.
- Markets: only Upway offers FR, BE, DE.
Our verdict on each
Garage Cycles
Garage Cycles suits riders in the US who want a single direct seller covering commuter, city, folding, fat-tire and electric mountain bike models, with prices from $1,299 and a money-back period of 30 days. Frame warranty runs 2 years and the bikes carry ul 2849 certification.
Upway
Upway suits riders who want a wide choice of bikes at a mid-range entry price with a warranty attached to used stock. Its 300 brands, 12 months used-bike warranty and 80% minimum battery health set it apart from the retailers nearby, though return shipping of €69 to €119 is the catch.
Score breakdown
| Area | Garage Cycles | Upway |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.6HigherEntry price ranks 86 of 149 brands and the top of the range 121 of 145, for a cost score of 8.6. | 8.0Entry price of €949 with a 12 months warranty on used bikes, though return shipping runs €69 to €119. |
| Offer | 9.1Types span commuter, city and folding, with 41 brands stocked and an offer score of 9.1. | 9.4HigherStock spans 300 brands across city, emtb and cargo, plus finance and trade in. |
| Trust | 8.9HigherSales are direct, contact runs on email and phone and the money-back period is 30 days, backing a trust score of 8.9. | 8.0Based in DE as Upway Germany GmbH, with support on email, chat and phone and 500 service points. |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Garage Cycles | Upway |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | Germany |
Available in 1 country for both. Additional countries for Upway: 9.
By the numbers
| Fact | Garage Cycles | Upway |
|---|---|---|
| Frame warranty | 2 years | 1 year |
| Battery warranty | 2 years | 1 year |
| Money-back period | 30 days | 14 days |
What we checked
Garage Cycles
- garagecycles.cc: 23 facts, checked September 30, 2026
Upway
- upway.de: 18 facts, checked September 30, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Garage Cycles | Upway |
|---|---|---|
| Commuter and city e-bikes | 105 of 143 | 135 of 143 |
| Folding e-bikes | 77 of 90 | 87 of 90 |
| Electric mountain bikes | 49 of 73 | 66 of 73 |
| E-bike shops and refurbished e-bikes | 17 of 34 | 20 of 34 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Garage Cycles | Upway |
|---|---|---|
| Bike types | Commuter, City, Folding, Fat tire, Emtb | City, Emtb, Cargo, Road, Folding |
| Motor brand | Not confirmed | Bosch, Bafang, Shimano, Yamaha |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc | Not confirmed |
| Certifications | Ul 2849 | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Upway Germany GmbH |
| Headquarters | United States | Germany |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2021 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
E-bike shops
| Fact | Garage Cycles | Upway |
|---|---|---|
| Shop type | Retailer | Refurbished |
| Brands stocked | 41 | 300Higher |
| Refurbished stock | No | YesHas it |
| Used-bike warranty | Not confirmed | 12 months |
| Minimum battery health | Not confirmed | 80% |
| Return shipping | Not confirmed | €69 to €119 |
| Trade-in | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Service centres | 1 | 500Higher |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Garage Cycles | Upway | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price up to | $5,398highest quarter | Not confirmed | $2,099 |
| Nominal motor power (W) | 750above the median | Not confirmed | 425 |
| Largest battery (Wh) | 801.6above the median | Not confirmed | 800.8 |
| Claimed range (km) | 120.7below the median | Not confirmed | 138.5 |
| Maximum payload (kg) | 254highest quarter | Not confirmed | 158.76 |
| Frame warranty | 2 yearsat the median | 1 yearbelow the median | 2 years |
Median across 144 listed brands.
Pros and cons
Garage Cycles
Pros
- A single catalogue from $1,299 to $5,398 covers Velotric Nomad 2, Velotric Fold 1, Velotric Breeze 1, so a folder and a fat-tire machine come from the same seller.
- A money-back period of 30 days buys a real test ride on your own route before you commit.
- Claimed range of 120.7 km on a battery of 801.6 Wh suits long days and fewer charging stops.
Cons
- All service runs through 1 centre and the network is own, so riders who travel far plan repairs around a trip.
- Support runs on email and phone, so chat and community channels are not part of the picture.
- Belt drive is no, so a chain-free drivetrain is not an option here.
Upway
Pros
- Refurbished bikes are sold with a 12 months warranty, the longest of the shops ranked on that measure.
- Used batteries are guaranteed to at least 80% health.
- A catalogue of 300 brands covers city, emtb, cargo, road and folding bikes, so a rider is not tied to one maker.
Cons
- Return shipping is charged at €69 to €119, so a change of mind is not free.
- The 14 days money-back period is shorter than most of the shops ranked on it, placing Upway sixth.
- Servicing runs through a partner network of 500 points rather than in-house, so a job may mean a third party.
Who each suits
Garage Cycles
Who it suits
- Riders in the US buying a commuter, folding or fat-tire e-bike from a single direct seller with a money-back period of 30 days.
- Anyone carrying loads as well as riding, given a payload of 254 kg.
- Stop-start commuters who want a throttle and a removable battery for charging indoors.
Who should look elsewhere
- Riders outside the US, who must rely on shipping because the range covers the US only.
- Buyers after a step-through or hybrid frame, a shape Kalkhoff covers through city, hybrid and step through.
- Anyone after a purpose-built cargo bike, since Tern centres on cargo, commuter and folding and Garage Cycles does not list cargo.
Upway
Who it suits
- Commuters who want a mid-range price and a warranty on a used bike rather than a brand new one.
- Riders who want several makers to choose from, with city, emtb, cargo, road and folding categories in one place.
- Anyone who will trade a bike in or spread the cost, since trade in and finance are both offered.
Who should look elsewhere
- Shoppers who want free returns, since return shipping runs €69 to €119 and a retailer such as BikeBerry charges nothing for it.
- Buyers who need a longer money-back window, as the 14 days period trails the field.
- Riders who prefer in-house servicing rather than a partner network of 500 points.
Country by country
| Country | Garage Cycles | Upway |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | No | Yes |
| Belgium | No | Yes |
| Denmark | No | Yes |
| France | No | Yes |
| Germany | No | Yes |
| Italy | No | Yes |
| Netherlands | No | Yes |
| Spain | No | Yes |
8 of 10 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Garage Cycles
How much do Garage Cycles e-bikes cost?+
The electric bike collection runs $1,299 to $5,398, and reference models include Velotric Nomad 2, Velotric Fold 1, Velotric Breeze 1. That band covers a folder for a mixed train and bus commute and a full-suspension fat-tire machine built for load, so the entry point is not tied to a single model. The gap between the two ends is wide, which matters when weighing a folding bike against a trail bike on price alone.
Can I send a bike back if it does not suit me?+
Yes. The money-back period is 30 days, and both the frame and the battery carry a 2 years warranty. That gives a real window to ride the bike, check the range against your own route and send it back rather than guess from a spec sheet.
Upway
Does Upway sell new bikes as well as refurbished ones?+
Yes. Upway is set up as a refurbished shop, and refurbished bikes carry a 12 months warranty with batteries guaranteed to at least 80% health. Buyers can also trade a bike in or spread the payment with finance, and the 14 days money-back period gives time to ride before deciding.
What does it cost to return a bike?+
Return shipping is charged at €69 to €119, which is the main cost of changing your mind. That is a real addition to the purchase price, and it is one of the weaker points for Upway against a retailer such as BikeBerry that does not charge for returns. The 14 days money-back period still applies on top of it.
Other options to compare
Garage Cycles
Upway