Step by step guide to taking pictures of your bike

Step by step guide to taking pictures of your used bike for use on velo2velo.co.uk

A picture paints a thousand words.....

The secret to achieving a quick and easy sale of your bicycle or accessory on velo2velo is by providing clear, quality images of all the important parts of what you want to sell. Doing so puts the spotlight on your bike and great images really draw potential buyers to your item. Think of velo2velo as a shop window, you want your bike to be the one thing that draws in the customers.

One of the unique aspects of selling through velo2velo is we require a minimum number of specific images of your bike in order for it to be put up for sale. This handy guide will take you through how to take the best shots and what it is we require and why.

Top tips for taking a velo2velo quality photograph

Always take photos with the bicycle against a plain, clutter free background. Ideally a light coloured wall or other uniformly plain surface. This helps to make your bike the centre of attention. If you don’t have a suitable surface try hanging a plain white sheet behind.

Try to take the photos with a reasonable amount of light, either outside or in a well lit room. If it is too dark or bright it can be difficult to make out specific details and can also create too many shadows or alter the actual colour of parts.

Make sure your photos are level and have everything needed in view. Stand the bike upright and keep everything level, such as the handlebars and cranks.

Clean your bike! Trust us, a clean bike is far more appealing than a dirty one.

Check your shots for focus. You want to make sure they are sharp and not blurry. With a smart phone you can often tap on the area of the image you want to be in focus and it will make sure this area is as sharp as possible.

Velo2velo required images

You will need to upload the following images in order to sell your bike on velo2velo. Below is a list of what we require and what needs to be covered in the image.

1. Full bike, driveside

Reason: Identifies the bike style, make and model. Gives an overview of the condition. This image acts as the first image potential customers see on the site.

Landscape style : Taken from drive side (the side with the chain).

On a level surface : Full bike in shot and all in focus.

2. Full bike, non-driveside

Reason: Identifies the bike style, make and model. Gives an overview of the condition. 

Landscape style : taken from non drive side (the side without the chain).

On a level surface : full bike in shot and all in focus.

3. Front view

Reason: Shows the type and style of brake and gear lever. Helps identify the make, and shape of handlebar. Gives an overview of the front tyre style and condition. Gives and overview of the front fork.

Portrait style : Must include the full handlebar width and front wheel

Suspension fork : identifies brand and model of fork. Helps to ascertain condition.

4. Chainset

Reason: Helps identify the condition of the chainrings and other visible parts. Identifies chainset brand and number of gears.

Landscape style

Focus on the front chainrings and front derailleur (if applicable)

5. Rear triangle

Reason: Focuses on the condition of the frame in the rear part of the bike.

Rear derailleur : Helps identify the condition of the derailleur and other visible parts. Identifies derailleur brand and model plus number of gears on cassette.

Rear suspension : identifies brand and model of rear shock. Helps to ascertain condition.

Try to take a landscape style with particular focus on the rear derailleur and cassette, where you have rear suspension take a shot from the side aiming to show the full shock and any associated linkages/other parts

In General 

- Any obvious damage (can be more than one image), highlight it as it makes potential buyers aware of issues reflected in the pricing.

- Angled shot from the front aiming to show overlap between upper and lower leg at the centre of the image.

- Serial/frame number :  Allows velo2velo to verify the authenticity of the bicycle and reference against national stolen bike databases. The details / images of the frame number will not be shared publicly.

- Any supporting documentation : allows velo2velo to verify the authenticity of the bicycle and your rights to sell. Can also be used in reference against national stolen bike databases. These details / images will not be shared publicly.

*Only applicable where included on bike