MTB Trips: Rental Bike or Bring Your Own?

Depending on where you go, and what types of trails you'll ride, it might make sense to either rent a mountain bike or bring your own.

By Jeff Barber
April 9, 2023

10 comments

Singletracks may receive compensation for purchases made through any affiliate links in this article.

With so many great, flight-worthy mountain bike destinations like Whistler, Crested Butte, and Bentonville cropping up, more and more riders are traveling far from home to ride. Depending on where you go, and what types of trails you’ll ride, it might make sense to either rent a bike or bring your own. Costs and logistics tend to factor in as well, making the choice anything from clear cut.

If you fly regularly to ride bikes, tell us how you decide whether to rent or bring a bike in the comments below.

Community

Do You Have a Mountain Bike-Related Tattoo?

A cyclist riding a mountain bike on a wooded trail, navigating over roots and greenery. The rider is wearing a black helmet, sunglasses, and a plaid shirt, with gloves and shorts, showcasing an active and adventurous moment in nature.

Mountain bikes

You Have $2,000 to Spend on a new Mountain Bike. Which One?

A mountain biker in an orange shirt and gray shorts navigates over rocky terrain on a bicycle in a dense forest. The scene captures the motion of the rider as he skillfully maneuvers over large stones, surrounded by lush green trees.

Mountain Bike Trails

What is Your Least Favorite Trail "Feature"?

Community

Have You Ever Taken an Extended Break from Mountain Biking?

10 Comments

Please log in or create a free account to join the discussion.

Zoso 2016
Apr 9, 2023

Bikes are so good these days that renting makes waaaay more sense-assuming it works logistically. The whole partial-disassembly-and-frantically-pack thing before your flight is annoying.

1 reply

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Apr 9, 2023

Not to mention disastrous handling of a bike by airline baggage handlers. If the bike makes it to destination!

3 reply

Matt Miller Colorado // 2012
Apr 10, 2023

I have nightmares about rental bikes. There's some risk in traveling with your own bike, but travel insurance mitigates that a bit. If you're dropping money on a MTB vacation, I'd take your own rather than assume the quality of the rental will be any good. Never know what you'll get.

TK34 Minnesota // 2018
Apr 10, 2023

Just not worth the hassle of flying with my bike, and fun to try some other bikes through rentals. Might be the next bike purchase.

davidmarkweitzman California // 2017
Apr 10, 2023

The key for rentals for ne is to bring my own pedals. I am partial to clipless Shimano saints so I take those off one of my bikes when I fly & know I am going to rent a bike.

paukana California // 2012
Apr 11, 2023

yup!

0 reply

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Apr 10, 2023

Right, don't forget the pedals!

Matt Woodley 2015
Apr 15, 2023

Both. I used to always take my bike. I really depends on where I am going and how many days will be dedicated to riding. Trips where I will be riding 5 days or more I will usually bring my own. I have had some great rentals and some really horrible ones. The bad experiences mostly in foreign countries. Even with doing your best to set expectations you can still end up with a bike you hadn’t agreed upon or it’s in poor condition don’t have much recourse as you are there to ride and just have to deal with the huff carnage you have been given. Good tip on bringing your own pedals, same goes for PPE.

So I usually fly my own even though it can be a PITA especially if you have to take public transportation in other countries or flying around the world to somewhere like New Zealand. Some tips, take off the derailleur and Velcro to the frame, take off your rotors, make metal spacers to fit between the axels of both frame and fork, bring a spare hanger, don’t drop a large torque wrench on the top tube breaking it, the night before you fly out for an epic trip. Regarding the spacer a metal broom handle works great and trust me do this especially for the fork. I got to Auckland once with a bent fox 36 because something got tossed on the bike while in transit. Did I mention travel insurance and making sure your homeowners insurance covers your bike too?

Matt Woodley 2015
Mar 16, 2024

It all depends on where I am going and how many days I am going to be biking. If I am only going to be biking for a couple of days the cost and hassle of flying with my bike just isn’t worth it. Four to Five riding days is where I usually draw the line. That said having your own bike that you are accustomed to can be prices less. I have had some bad rental experiences too. Reserving a bike model only to show up to pick the rental and it’s not the model I had reserved with really no other options that accepting the bike or not riding. I have also had some rentals that were exactly what I wanted but get it out on the trail and the suspension is shot or the bike has other mechanical issues. Ironically all of these bad experiences have been in New Zealand. to be fair I have had some fantastic rental experiences there too. The best advice is to do your best to communicate to the rental shop other than just renting via their website. Try communicating via phone or email to set your expectations. If communication is difficult that should be a red flag.

As others have said definitely bring your own pedals, helmet and any other PPE.

Mrgmtnbiker Pennsylvania // 2017
Apr 11, 2023

My wife and I always used to bring our bikes. Upside - it's your trusted ride, it fits, saves money. Downside - storing bike cases in small rooms, TSA rummaging through the case leaving everything loose afterwards to rattle around - lots of cosmetic damage in transit and recently real damage too - 2022 Sedona bike fest arrived with broken derailleur and two brake lines needing bleeding. Got super lucky one of the shops had a replacement but we still lost 2 days of riding waiting for the shop to turn the repairs around days before the fest and in line with umpteen rental preps - but of course no available rentals since they were all reserved. Brake issues seem to be more frequent - one shop suggested it's very common due to change in air pressure during the flight. That said - if you're going somewhere for a week plus and don't mind your bike possibly getting a bit banged up it beats $85 per day, particularly if your airline charges it as a regular bag. Also, aside from bringing your pedals, it can be worth it to bring your saddle if you're going to be putting in the hours. Lastly I always pack a bleed kit and small bottle of fluid. Not all shops will work on your bike with short notice.

Featured Articles

10 Comments