Owner guide
The first-week fit check: before your return window closes
The best time to find out a bike doesn't fit is in your first week, while you can still return it. Return windows are often 14 to 30 days and vary by seller, so do this check by day 7. It takes about 15 minutes and a real ride.
Before that first ride, read your seller's return terms. Riding can cost you: some sellers charge a used-bike fee, cap the miles, deduct return shipping, or don't take a ridden bike back at all. If the terms are unclear, ask the seller in writing first. Return terms we have read.
The 10-point fit check
- Standover. Straddle the bike with both feet flat. On a step-over frame you want an inch or two of space below the frame. On a step-through, check you can step over the low tube without lifting your leg awkwardly.
- Saddle height. Sit on the bike with your heel on the pedal at its lowest point: your leg should be almost straight. When you pedal normally on the ball of your foot, you'll have a slight bend at the knee.
- Stopping. At that saddle height, can you put a foot down confidently at a stop? Tiptoes are common. If a heavy e-bike feels unstable at stops, lowering the saddle a little helps, at some cost to pedaling efficiency.
- Reach. With hands on the grips, your elbows should be slightly bent, not locked. If you feel stretched, an adjustable stem or swept-back bars can help.
- Brake levers. Can you squeeze them fully with two fingers without straining? Most hydraulic levers have a reach adjustment screw.
- Comfort after 20 minutes. Numb hands, a sore lower back or knee pain on a short ride usually point to saddle height, reach or saddle shape.
- Your real hill. Ride the climb you bought the bike for, at the assist level you would actually use. Does it get you up without overheating, cutting out or draining the battery faster than you expected?
- Your real stairs. Carry it up the way you will every day, with and without the battery if it's removable. If you hate it on day 3, you will hate it on day 300.
- Your real storage. Does it fit in the elevator, hallway, closet or bike room you planned? With the kickstand down, does it stay put?
- Noises and warnings. Clicks, rubbing, error codes on the display, or a battery that gets hot when charging all need attention now, while the seller is responsible.
Read the rest
Adjust, or return?
| What you notice | Usually fixable by | Consider a return if |
|---|---|---|
| Stretched reach, sore hands | Stem, bars, grips, brake lever reach | Adjustments are already at their limit |
| Can't reach the ground at stops | Lower saddle a little, shorter seat post | Saddle is already at its lowest and you still can't stop safely |
| Hit the frame when straddling | Nothing: this is frame size | Always: the frame is too big |
| Too heavy for your stairs | Remove the battery, change where it's stored | You'd need to carry it daily and can't |
| Struggles on your hill | Higher assist, lower gear | It fails on the highest assist with your normal load |
Return terms we have read
As read for our catalog of 2026-10-31. Policies change: check the seller's page on the day you order, and again before your first ride.
- Aventon (brand store) Window: 14 days, new and unused: 14 days from delivery (Terms of Service) or from receipt (refund policy page); used bikes: 14 days from delivery (Terms of Service) but 30 days from purchase (refund policy page). Mileage limit: under 20 miles. Condition: New and unused for the no-fee window (the Terms of Service adds: 1 mile or less on the odometer); used e-bikes under 20 odometer miles and undamaged. Return shipping: The buyer pays. The Terms of Service sets it at $125 per bike and $15 for other items unless Aventon made a shipping error; the refund policy page says only that the buyer pays. Fees: No restocking fee for a new, unused bike returned within 14 days; 50% of the price for a used bike under 20 miles; 20% for new and unused after day 14 (refund policy page only) Exclusions: Batteries bought on their own cannot be returned; Aventon does not accept returns of items bought from bike shops (each shop sets its own policy); the Terms of Service ends with 'ALL PROMOTIONS ARE FINAL. PROMOTIONAL ITEMS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO RETURN/EXCHANGE OR FOR WARRANTY', and the page does not say whether that covers discounted bikes; purchases made between November 21 and December 24 can be returned until January 6 Unclear: Used-bike window: the Terms of Service says 14 days from delivery; the refund policy page says 30 days from purchase; No-fee return needs a bike with 1 mile or less on the odometer (Terms of Service); the refund policy page says only 'new and unused'; Return shipping: $125 per bike (Terms of Service); amount not stated (refund policy page); Return authorization: required, through a return portal (Terms of Service); 'no return material authorizations or permission numbers are required' (refund policy page); Refused-shipment fee: $250 per bike (Terms of Service); $75 per bike (refund policy page). Policy page
- Blix (brand store) Window: not stated, calendar days from delivery (policy page). Mileage limit: under 30 miles. Condition: New or like-new, original packaging, tools and accessories, no modifications; photos and an RMA required first. 10-30 odometer miles is accepted with a refurbishment fee; over 30 miles is not returnable. Return shipping: $150 return shipping fee per e-bike, deducted from the refund (prepaid label provided). Fees: Refurbishment fee of up to $200 for 10-30 miles; $200 return handling fee for refused or undeliverable shipments Unclear: Product pages advertise '14-day Returns'; the policy page says 30 calendar days. Policy page
- Lectric (brand store) Window: not stated, No return window is promised: the policy page says all sales are final once shipped but allows returns of unused, unridden e-bikes at Lectric's discretion, and a bike kept 14 days or ridden is not eligible. Mileage limit: none stated. Condition: unused (not ridden), original packaging, kept less than 14 days, good reason as Lectric decides. Return shipping: Buyer pays; shipping costs are non-refundable. Fees: Restocking fee of up to $300 at Lectric's discretion; Lectric may withhold up to the full refund if the item is in poor condition Exclusions: Accessories and apparel are not returnable. An e-bike that has been ridden, or kept 14 days, is not eligible. Cancel before the shipment-tracking email for a full refund. Policy page
- Priority Bicycles (brand store) Window: 30 days, from purchase, contiguous US only. Mileage limit: none stated. Condition: Like-new condition and original packaging; returns need email pre-approval. Return shipping: Buyer pays return shipping and reboxing; if the return is not for a defect, the actual outbound shipping cost is deducted from the refund. Fees: Assembly and adjustment fees are non-refundable Exclusions: Final-sale bikes (including sample-sale items discounted by more than $49) cannot be returned; orders outside the contiguous US are final sale Policy page
- Ride1Up (brand store) Window: not stated, 30-day return on e-bikes with model exclusions (Revv1 is 14 days). Mileage limit: under 20 miles. Condition: Odometer under 20 miles; free of dirt, wear and fragrance; no assembly defects such as stripped bolts or scratched frames; all original contents (charger, keys, tools, hardware, free gifts); photos of the odometer, the bike before disassembly and the packaged bike are required. Return shipping: Buyer pays return shipping; if Ride1Up supplies a prepaid label (original box required), $250-$350 is deducted. Fees: Cleaning or repair costs are deducted; $250 per bike if cancelled during or after processing or returned undelivered; 3% processing charge on pre-shipment cancellations; restocking fee applies to bikes never assembled or tested Exclusions: The policy page says the 'Portola and Prodigy v2 Clearance Sale' is final sale and its promotions page says Black Friday Special orders placed October 22 to December 1, 2026 are final sale; neither says which prices count. Policy page
- Velotric (brand store) Window: 14 days, from delivery; no mileage limit. Mileage limit: none stated. Condition: Original packaging; clean, free of dirt, dust or fragrance. Return shipping: Prepaid label provided after approval. Fees: Stated restocking charge: $200 for an unused bike, 22% of the bike price for a used bike. The refund section also says the final amount reflects deductions for any applicable restocking fees, delivery signature fees, return shipping fees and insurance costs; amounts and when they apply are not stated. A prepaid label does not establish free return shipping. $200 flat fee on refused shipments. Exclusions: Batteries are non-returnable. The policy also lists 'used products and gifted orders' as non-returnable except for warranty defects, which sits awkwardly beside the 22% used-bike fee. Warranty issues must be resolved before a return is processed. Dealer purchases follow the dealer's policy. Unclear: Policy lists a 22% fee for used bikes but also lists 'used products' as non-returnable. Policy page
Bought somewhere else? A dealer or marketplace seller has its own terms.
If it's a return
- Contact the seller before the window closes, in writing, and keep the reply.
- Ask who pays return shipping and whether there's a restocking fee. Both vary widely.
- Repack in the original box with every part and accessory.
Tell us how the fit turned out. It's how we correct our size advice for the next shopper. Email ricky@myhonestpick.com; the editor reads every message. We publish only counts (for example "9 of 10 riders 5'0" to 5'3" reported a good fit"), never your details, and only if you agree.
Still choosing?
If you haven't bought yet, the chat checks fit, hills, stairs and your state's rules before you spend anything.
General guidance, not a substitute for your bike's manual. Where the two differ, follow the manual.