Ryden Sample Orders: pre-wholesale evaluation and distributor tier sample program.
Order samples from Ryden’s wholesale catalog to evaluate quality, fit, and operational match before committing to wholesale orders. Two paths: prospects evaluating Ryden before applying for wholesale (samples at retail-equivalent pricing), and existing distributor tier buyers accessing their tier sample benefit (samples at distributor-tier pricing with quantity allowances per tier). Category-curated sample catalog across all 46 product categories. Sample shipments typically 7 to 14 business days from order confirmation.
- Two paths
- Category-curated catalog
- 1 to 2 business day response
- 80+ countries
Evaluate the product before you commit to wholesale orders.
Wholesale buying decisions involve operational commitments: MOQs across SKUs, freight cost on substantial shipments, lead times measured in weeks or months. Pre-wholesale samples let you evaluate the product at low commitment before scaling to wholesale. Order 1 to 3 units of selected catalog SKUs at retail-equivalent pricing (slightly above retail to control sample distribution), evaluate the product in your hands, then proceed to wholesale ordering with confidence.
Verify quality firsthand
Product quality is hard to evaluate from images and descriptions alone. Samples let you assess actual material quality, finishing, fit, and operational characteristics that matter for resale or workshop use. Especially important for helmets, apparel, precision tools, and cycling shoes.
Test market fit before committing
Take samples to existing customers, fit them on workshop bikes, demonstrate them to potential buyers, or evaluate against competing products on your shelves. Real-world testing in your market beats catalog evaluation for confidence about whether Ryden products will move through your operation.
Evaluate operational handling
Sample shipments preview what wholesale freight looks like operationally: packaging, freight time, customs handling, documentation. A smooth sample shipment signals operational readiness for larger wholesale orders.
Build the wholesale conversation
Sample orders open a sales conversation between your operation and our wholesale team. Quote-stage discussions, custom branding exploration, and operational fit assessment happen naturally around sample orders rather than only after wholesale commitment.
Category-curated sample catalog.
Sample availability is category-curated rather than open across the full 46-category catalog. Each major category offers 1 to 3 sample-eligible SKUs representing current hero products, new launches, or key category representatives. The sample catalog updates quarterly to reflect new SKUs, seasonal collections, and category evolution.
| Category | Currently sample-eligible SKUs (representative examples) |
|---|---|
| Bikes | 1 road bike hero SKU, 1 MTB hero SKU, 1 electric bike representative |
| Drivetrain components | Hero cassette, representative chain, chainring set |
| Brakes | Brake caliper set, brake pads representative |
| Wheels and tires | Wheel set, representative tire models |
| Helmets | Road helmet, MTB helmet, kids helmet |
| Cycling apparel | Jersey, bib shorts, thermal piece |
| Cycling shoes | Road shoe, MTB shoe, casual cycling shoe |
| Lights | Front light, rear light, daytime running light |
| Locks | U-lock, chain lock |
| Pumps | Floor pump, mini pump |
| Repair tools | Torque wrench, multi-tool set |
| Workshop equipment | Repair stand, workshop accessory |
| Eyewear | Sport sunglass model |
| Protective gear | Knee pads, elbow pads |
| Bottles and hydration | Bottles and hydration pack |
1 to 3 units per SKU maximum. Pre-wholesale samples are limited to 1 to 3 units per SKU to keep the program operationally focused on evaluation rather than small wholesale purchases.
Categories outside this list. Sample availability for categories not currently featured can be discussed at sample order stage. Some categories (BMX bikes, folding bikes, certain specialty accessories) may have limited sample availability based on operational considerations.
Custom branding samples. Pre-wholesale samples are standard Ryden catalog products. Custom branding samples (your shop’s branding on Ryden products) require the formal sample sign-off process for private label work and are addressed at quote stage rather than through pre-wholesale samples.
Quarterly updates. The sample catalog updates quarterly. Current sample-eligible SKUs are listed above; the catalog evolves with new SKU launches and seasonal collections.
Honest sample pricing and operational details.
Sample pricing is structured to filter non-serious sample requests while keeping the program accessible to genuine prospects. Pricing reflects product cost at retail-equivalent levels plus freight to your location.
| Item | What this means |
|---|---|
| Sample unit pricing | Retail-equivalent pricing (slightly above standard retail) per unit. Pricing is set at sample order stage based on the specific SKUs requested. Applies to 1 to 3 units per SKU. |
| Freight cost | Buyer pays freight from origin to destination. Freight cost depends on destination, freight method (typically parcel courier), and total shipment weight. Quoted at sample order confirmation. |
| No additional sample fee | We do not charge a sample fee on top of product cost. Retail-equivalent pricing is the sample pricing. |
| Sample shipments are not creditable | Sample order payments do not apply as credit toward future wholesale orders. Sample pricing reflects the evaluation purpose; wholesale economics begin with wholesale orders. |
| Custom branding samples (separate) | Pre-wholesale samples are standard Ryden catalog products. Custom branding samples go through the private label sample sign-off process at wholesale quote stage. |
Sample order operational timeline
- 1
Order to confirmation1 to 2 business days
From sample order submission to confirmation with final pricing.
- 2
Confirmation to dispatch3 to 7 business days
From confirmation to dispatch from warehouse.
- 3
Dispatch to delivery5 to 10 business days
Typical international transit depending on destination and freight method.
- 4
Total order to delivery9 to 19 business days
From sample order to delivery in hand.
Sample program eligibility.
The pre-wholesale sample program is open to business buyers genuinely evaluating Ryden as a potential wholesale supplier. Light eligibility verification protects the program from non-business sample requests while keeping the friction low for legitimate prospects.
Sample order request form.
Complete the form to submit your sample order. We confirm receipt within 1 business day and respond with sample pricing and freight quote within 1 to 2 business days. The sample order moves to dispatch after your payment confirmation.
From sample evaluation to wholesale order.
- 1
Sample order received
We acknowledge your sample order and respond with sample pricing, freight quote, and operational details within 1 to 2 business days.
- 2
Payment confirmation
You confirm sample order with payment. Sample shipments require prepayment via T/T or credit card. Wholesale orders move to T/T or L/C for scale.
- 3
Sample dispatch
Samples ship from our warehouse via parcel courier with tracking. Typical dispatch within 3 to 7 business days of payment confirmation.
- 4
Sample delivery and evaluation
Samples arrive at your location. You evaluate quality, fit, market response, and operational handling. Typical evaluation period: 2 to 4 weeks.
- 5
Wholesale application or follow-up
After evaluation, the natural next step: apply for wholesale (if not yet applied), submit specific wholesale quote requests, or follow up with our wholesale team.
- 6
Sample feedback (welcome)
Whether or not you proceed to wholesale, sample feedback helps us improve. Honest feedback on what worked, what did not, and what would shift your evaluation is welcome.
Operational details for sample shipments.
Sample shipments operate like miniature wholesale orders with parcel-scale freight.
Freight. Sample shipments typically use parcel courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, or regional equivalents) for fastest international transit. Sample freight is included in the sample order quote at confirmation. Combining multiple sample SKUs into one shipment reduces per-unit freight cost.
Packing. Samples ship in branded Ryden packaging where applicable, with documentation including product information, specifications, and quick-reference materials supporting your evaluation.
Customs. Sample shipments include standard customs documentation: commercial invoice (sample value declared), packing list, certificate of origin. Sample shipments are typically below de minimis thresholds in many markets (no duty / tax) but this depends on destination and shipment value. Buyer is responsible for import customs in their market per standard Incoterms.
Service. Sample SKUs ship with the same documentation as wholesale SKUs: certification documentation for regulated categories (helmets with CE / CPSC / AS-NZS docs, protective gear with CE EN 1621-1 docs), calibration certificates for precision tools, and so on. The documentation lets prospects assess the operational reality of receiving regulated products.
Prospect FAQ.
Who can order pre-wholesale samples?
Business buyers operating in the cycling industry (or planning to): bike shops, workshops, online retailers, distributors, fleet operators, cycling clubs, racing teams. The sample program is not open to retail consumers; the consumer store at ryden.store serves individual buyers.
How much do samples cost?
Sample pricing is at retail-equivalent levels (slightly above standard retail) per unit. Specific pricing per SKU is quoted at sample order confirmation. Buyer also pays freight. Sample order payment does not credit toward future wholesale orders; the wholesale economic case begins with wholesale orders, not samples.
Why retail-equivalent pricing instead of wholesale pricing?
Pre-wholesale samples are evaluation orders, not wholesale orders. Retail-equivalent pricing filters non-serious sample requests (free or wholesale-priced samples attract abuse) while keeping the program accessible to genuine prospects. Wholesale economics start when you place wholesale orders.
How many SKUs can I sample, and how many units per SKU?
Pre-wholesale samples are limited to 1 to 3 units per SKU. The number of SKUs per sample order is flexible: a few SKUs across categories or focus on a single category. Our team confirms feasibility at sample order confirmation.
What SKUs are sample-eligible?
Sample availability is category-curated rather than open across the full catalog. Each major category offers 1 to 3 sample-eligible SKUs at any given time, with the catalog updating quarterly. SKUs outside the current sample catalog can be discussed at sample order stage.
How long does sample order to delivery take?
Typically 9 to 19 business days from sample order request to delivery: 1 to 2 days to confirmation, 3 to 7 days from confirmation to dispatch, 5 to 10 days international transit. Faster shipping is available at additional freight cost.
Can I get custom branded samples (my shop’s branding)?
Pre-wholesale samples are standard Ryden catalog products. Custom branding samples (your shop’s branding on Ryden products) go through the private label sample sign-off process, which is part of the wholesale quote stage. Custom branding samples are not included in the pre-wholesale sample program.
Are sample shipments creditable toward future wholesale orders?
No. Sample pricing reflects evaluation purpose; wholesale economics begin with wholesale orders. The two purchase categories are operationally separate.
What if samples arrive damaged?
Sample shipments follow the same defect handling as wholesale orders per the Return and Defect Policy. Damaged samples are reported within 14 days of receipt with photographic evidence; we resolve through replacement or refund.
What if I do not want to proceed to wholesale after sample evaluation?
That is fine. Sample evaluation is genuine evaluation; not every prospect will proceed, and that is part of the program’s purpose. We welcome honest feedback either way to help us improve.
What is the next step after sample evaluation?
Most prospects proceed to wholesale application (if not yet applied) or submit specific wholesale quote requests for SKUs they want to order at scale. Your sample order context informs the wholesale team during application review and quote response.
Can I expedite a sample order if I have a time-sensitive need?
Yes. Note the time sensitivity in the notes field at form submission. We can expedite confirmation and dispatch where operationally feasible; air freight is available at additional cost.
What comes after samples.
Ready to evaluate Ryden samples before committing to wholesale?
1 to 2 business day response on sample requests. Category-curated catalog, 1 to 3 units per SKU, retail-equivalent pricing plus freight.