Help with Renting or Borrowing a 48-52 cm Touring Bike in Oregon Please

[keatsread]

Hi,

I need to rent or borrow a 48-52 cm touring bike near Portland, Oregon for a week in mid-June. I tried some bike shops already by emailing them questions about renting but no one seems to rent a nice touring bike. I don't want to bring my own touring bike on the plane for various reasons.

Does anyone know anyone who might rent me a bike or lend me one? I have a Surly LHT 50 cm with Surly rack, Schwalbe Marathon Plus Touring tires.

I am 5'7" and weigh 126. I have my own panniers and will be very careful with this bike.

Thanks!

[adventurepdx]

I think you're striking out because you're "barking up the wrong tree", so to speak. It's better to look at one of the bike rental companies in town. But I will have to say, it's harder to find a touring-ready rental than just a city, hybrid, or road bike.

Pedal has Jamis Auroras for rent, which is a touring bike. Though it says they have a 57cm size in stock, it doesn't hurt to contact them to see if they have other sizes;
http://pedalbiketours.com/bikes/

Waterfront Bicycles has Fuji touring bikes. http://www.waterfrontbikes.com/rentals

Everybody's have "road" bikes, but they deal with used bikes, so they may have a touring ready bike in there, or a mountain bike ready for touring.
http://www.pdxbikerentals.com/

Of course, it's going to cost ya. You're looking at $100-$165 for a week rental on a bike that you don't know. If it was me, I would look more into the options of bringing your own bike. Yes, airlines are a pain, but you may be able to ship your bike to/from via UPS or FedEx, or even ship it via Amtrak.

[keatsread]

Hi adventurepdx,

Thank you so much for the help!  Someone else told me also that I should box up my own. Thank you again!!

[paddleboy17]

Twice I have shipped a bike to Portland.  Once on a SW flight, and once FedEx to a bike shop.  Portland has the only air port I have ever been to with a "bicycle assembly area".  Everything about the Portland area is bike friendly.

[keatsread]

Thanks, Danno!

[staehpj1]

Twice I have shipped a bike to Portland.  Once on a SW flight, and once FedEx to a bike shop.  Portland has the only air port I have ever been to with a "bicycle assembly area".  Everything about the Portland area is bike friendly.

Yes to all of that.

Do be careful what airline you choose if you are flying with your bike the fees can range pretty widely.  Southwest is always my first choice because they are pretty cheap and easy to deal with WRT a bike.  Other airlines might sock you with fees as high as $200 each way for the bike plus charging you for your other bag.

Do some research before buying a ticket if you want to fly with the bike.

Oh, and I'll add that it is really nice to just ride right out of the airport.

[keatsread]

Hi staehpj1,

Thank you!!

Thanks everyone, for your help!!

[JDFlood]

I alway ship UPS or FEDEX store to store, you get business rates that way. I haven't done in a while but it used to be cheap.

[keatsread]

Thanks, JDFlood!

[indyfabz]

I alway ship UPS or FEDEX store to store, you get business rates that way. I haven't done in a while but it used to be cheap.

+1. However, with fuel costs these days, it has gotten more expensive. Size also matters. My bike is on the large side. 60cm LHT. Shipping it has cost more than shipping my GF's 42cm bike. Still, I have never paid more than what most major airlnes charge except for Southwest and maybe Frontier. Sounds like you would end up with a relatively small pack size.

Note that I have always been told that the safe play is to allow close to 10 days for UPS ground if the distance is substantial. I have twice shipped from Philly to two different cites in western MT. Transit times have been about 7-8 days. Finally, if you are going to have your bike reassembled by a shop, it's probably a good idea to make an aoopintment sooner rather than at the last minute.

[JDFlood]

I have shipped a number of different places in the US and into Canada. I always leave at least a couple weeks. I have the bike shop assemble and get ready... saving money is obviously not why I do it this way. But if something goes wrong, you have lots of time to recover.

[indyfabz]

I have the bike shop assemble and get ready... saving money is obviously not why I do it this way.

I have done the same. The bike is tuned and ready for me to ride out of the shop. When the tour is over, I ride back to the shop and hand back the bike, provide shipping instructions and go for a beer or whatever. To me, the convenience is worth the extra $.

[JDFlood]

I have done the same. The bike is tuned and ready for me to ride out of the shop. When the tour is over, I ride back to the shop and hand back the bike, provide shipping instructions and go for a beer or whatever. To me, the convenience is worth the extra $.
[/quote]

Yep, or I have the bike shop forward my case with duffle bags for my panniers to another bike shop at the end of my trip. JD

[crazybikelady]

Don't know if you are still looking? I rented a bike from Waterfront Bikes with panniers. Fuji touring and Axiom rear panniers. It was a small size. http://www.waterfrontbikes.com