Essentials to pack for a cycling break (if you are hiring a bike)

Ok so this might seem counterintuitive to have this blog on this website but even if you regularly travel with your own bike using a bike box, there might be the odd trip, like a family holiday or business trip where it doesn’t make sense to take your bike, but you might still want to ride if the opportunity arises. Nothing worse than turning up and finding you have half a day spare and a nearby route to ride.

So, if you want to be ready to hire a bike and enjoy a decent ride what should you take?

Shoes & pedals

You’ll certainly need your shoes. Only your shoes are set up with the right cleat position and insole to put you in the right position to pedal. If you can be 100% sure that where you hire from will have your brand pedals than don’t take yours. However, it is a lot easier just to take yours then you know you will have the right fit. Definitely take yours if you ride anything other than Shimano that said, I imagine that Look / Keo/ Speedplay users already know that.

Measurements

If you can pre book and share your measurements great, but if in any doubt take your measurements. Either save your most recent bike fit to the cloud or measure your current set up. The key ones are centre of crank (bottom bracket) to top of saddle, saddle tip to centre of handlebar and handlebar to floor.

Tape measure

Take a tape measure so you can make adjustments yourself (or check the set up from the hire place). There is a lot can get lost in translation.

Your saddle

This might be contentious but the number one issue that people get with hiring bikes once they are away from the shop and the fit is done, lies with the saddle. To appeal to a wide audience rental bikes tend to be fitted with a more comfortable saddle. This usually translates as wider so for many riders who ride a typical narrow saddle 140-145mm they suddenly place their sit bones on a wider saddle. Day one this is ok, may even feel more comfortable than at home but I promise day two is uncomfortable, especially if you are more used to a narrower saddle. If your current saddle is comfortable make sure you know the measurements of it so you can compare. Easiest and best option, bring your own saddle.

Cadence sensor

If you are used to riding with a cadence sensor you might find it quite disorientating to suddenly not have one. So if you can take yours, do. The Wahoo one’s just use a couple of zip ties to the left crank so it’s easy to slip it off at the same time as you remove your pedals. That said, I did once run into a bike where the chainstays were so close to the pedal crack I couldn’t even fit the cadence sensor on. Take a spare battery just in case you haven’t changed it in a while.

GPS bracket & Bike computer

If you have a bike computer, take it along with the bracket it fits too. Many places will rent you one but why do that? Just remember to take it off at the end.

Bike tool

Don’t rely on their being a useful multi tool in a rental saddle pack, take your own. If your chain snaps, you’ll be glad you had it.

Helmet

It’s always better to wear your own right?

Hope that helps you have a successful trip check the other blogs on the site and have a great ride.