Renting bikes whilst on holiday

[Enor]

Hi

Interested to know what fellow cyclists think of using rental bike services whilst on holiday?

I know experiences will differ from country to country. Like for instance for me when I've rented bikes in Barcelona I have been frustrated when I get to the bike shop and they are out of bikes, even when I've turned up early. Or another time when I had to return a bike back as it was very hard to steer.

Cheers
Enor

 

[Hacienda71]

I rented a bike in Chicago a couple of years ago. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Got to see lots of the city and went for a good ride along Lake Michigan. Chicago is a very cycle friendly city.

 

[derrick]

We rent bikes where ever we go, never had a problem, although some of the bikes have been rubbish, but they have all been reliable, it depends what you want, I am never to fussed when we go away we just use them for joy ridding.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

If you are really that bothered, take your own bike.

 

[Ganymede]

Hi Enor, welcome to the forum!

I've only hired bikes in a couple of places for purely leisurely cycling - mostly on small islands, come to think of it! It's a great way to see a place but I've never tried to hire anything high-end or sporty. The bikes I've hired have been fine but unspectacular.

 

[slowmotion]

I've rented a few bikes abroad. Some of them were dangerous clunkers but I've always a had a great time riding them. Hell, I was on holiday!

 

[gbb]

We last hired in Majorca, just a couple of hybrids, had great fun exploring and getting lost, cycling along the deserted stretches of beaches between towns, eating and drinking then heading back, all for a few quid a day...what more could you ask for.

 

[Enor]

I rented a bike in Chicago a couple of years ago. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Got to see lots of the city and went for a good ride along Lake Michigan. Chicago is a very cycle friendly city.

Did you search before you left home for a bike rental in Chicago or just found one randomly?

 

[Enor]

If you are really that bothered, take your own bike.

I would but don't want to risk my Brompton being damaged when they load it onto the plane. Plus not everywhere in the world is safe to cycle so would need to do my research beforehand.

 

[Enor]

We rent bikes where ever we go, never had a problem, although some of the bikes have been rubbish, but they have all been reliable, it depends what you want, I am never to fussed when we go away we just use them for joy ridding.

Do you research before you leave home to check the nearest bike rentals where you will be staying? Or check when you arrive?

 

[Enor]

We last hired in Majorca, just a couple of hybrids, had great fun exploring and getting lost, cycling along the deserted stretches of beaches between towns, eating and drinking then heading back, all for a few quid a day...what more could you ask for.

Wow sounds like fun! And so cheap too are bike rentals cheap in Majorca?

 

[Enor]

Hi Enor, welcome to the forum!

I've only hired bikes in a couple of places for purely leisurely cycling - mostly on small islands, come to think of it! It's a great way to see a place but I've never tried to hire anything high-end or sporty. The bikes I've hired have been fine but unspectacular.

Yes I have hired bikes too to get around to see 'sights' which would take too long to do if I was to walk. Have you been put of from hiring high spec bikes due to them costing more? Or regular bike does the same job, which is to get you around from A to B?

 

[Enor]

I've rented a few bikes abroad. Some of them were dangerous clunkers but I've always a had a great time riding them. Hell, I was on holiday!

Dangerous? Like the brake not working???

 

[derrick]

Do you research before you leave home to check the nearest bike rentals where you will be staying? Or check when you arrive?

We just find them when we arrive, this year we where in Croatia and had no problem finding nice bike, a couple of weeks back we went to Italy and we had a small problem finding bikes, but we got hold of a couple of old mountain bikes, that were good enough for what we wanted.

 

[derrick]

Welcome to the forum.