Decathlon bike, rent or another good idea ?

[rideswithmoobs]

I did originally ask in the touring section about cycle hire near Los Barrios, Cadiz, Spain. I'm going there around 16th may for 6 weeks ish and wanted to cycle over to Gibraltar , up to the national parcs and over to different towns, usual stuff.
1) I cannot take my own bike because I could be sent anywhere straight from this job and taking the bike boxed up is not an option.
2) due to dates moving, scheduled it's not possible to leave early and drive there with bike in back. Also I may be going straight from Greece to Spain
3) I'm looking into the possibility that instead of the usual hire car on site for travel to/from work that I can rent the bike and charge that instead so I don't pay
4) in the touring section someone suggested buying a decathlon road bike then selling when I'm done. Cheaper than renting

So please offer opinions on decathlon road bikes for using or any other clever ideas, hire company recommendations etc that may solve my problem and help me keep cycling whilst in Spain, working, in the heat, ohhhh the agony

Edit: I had thought of just weekend hire as I have Sunday's off but it's then a problem collecting and returning when I'm working 12 hour days Monday to Saturday or worse still nightshift

 

[TheDoctor]

I'd get a Triban. The 500SE or 500 flat bar, and change from £300.
Cheaper than renting, even if you abandon the bike when you're done.

 

[rideswithmoobs]

I'd get a Triban. The 500SE or 500 flat bar, and change from £300.
Cheaper than renting, even if you abandon the bike when you're done.

What's it like as a bike, ?

 

[rideswithmoobs]

Are helmets compulsory in Spain ?

 

[T4tomo]

Really good, I bought one for my son, 500SE, it's also pretty suitable for touring as it has some rack mounts and triple chain set. Microshift 8 speed has been faultless shifting, it amazing what they do for 300.

If u did buy out there, maybe take your existing saddle out with you.

 

[rideswithmoobs]

Really good, I bought one for my son, 500SE, it's also pretty suitable for touring as it has some rack mounts and triple chain set. Microshift 8 speed has been faultless shifting, it amazing what they do for 300.

If u did buy out there, maybe take your existing saddle out with you.

Yeah I'm thinking of taking my charge spoon or I should say the one I ordered off amazon for £18.50.....bargain hope they are as good as people say

 

[TheDoctor]

What's it like as a bike, ?

Well, I've not ridden one, but loads of people on here rate them, and they always do well in reviews. Decathlon kit in general is pretty good, and very good value.
The Decathlon folder I have is quite good as a bike, but the fold isn't as good as my Brompton. But it was very cheap.

 

[T4tomo]

Charge spoon works for me, have one on the winter steel bike, although saddles are personal thing, the spoon seems to work for a lot of people.

For me Its far comfier than a far more expensive cut out saddle I bought for the best bike, which I ended up replacing with a £20 SM Ponza, which I used on a previous bike, which in turn was far comfier than the reasonably expensive fizik aliante that originally came with the best bike.

 

[rideswithmoobs]

Yes - but not always.

So yeah but no then ?

 

[oldfatfool]

If u did buy out there, maybe take your existing saddle out with you.

And pedals (don't forget shoes.) (same applies for renting)

 

[EltonFrog]

What about a Brompton or other folder?

 

[rideswithmoobs]

What about a Brompton or other folder?

Not the sort of bike for the sort of riding I do/will be doing. Looking at road bikes same as I have really

 

[ColinJ]

Are helmets compulsory in Spain ?

Yes - but not always.

Many of the riders on my cycling holidays in Spain did not wear helmets. That was on the Costa Blanca about 10 years ago. They usually got away with it, but on one occasion the Guardia Civil stopped a big group of our riders and issued on-the-spot fines to all those without helmets.

 

[jefmcg]

Not the sort of bike for the sort of riding I do/will be doing. Looking at road bikes same as I have really

Bike Friday

 

[rideswithmoobs]

Bike Friday

£300 triban for 6 weeks riding to $1930 for a pocket rocket is getting a bit extreme.