General Cycling Discussion - Bike renting in SF?

Can you rent something other than a beach cruiser in San Francisco? I'm headed up there for a week, and would like to do some riding.

Yeah, me too.

Guys,

Check out Blazing Saddles (http://www.blazingsaddles.com/) or Bay City Bike (http://www.baycitybike.com/) in San Francisco. Further south in Palo Alto, check with Bike Station Palo Alto (http://www.paloaltobicycles.com/bikestation.html). These places all state that they rental road bikes as well as Mtn bikes and cruisers. I have no personal knowledge, though.

If you get down to Palo Alto, I can give you guys the Tour de Mid-Peninsula.

Steve,

You rock! Baycity bikes is right near where I'll be staying. Sadly, the road bike cost 45 dollars for a day... That's a chunk of change.. But it's a good respite!! Too bad I couldn't bring mine with me.

Dude,

What size bike do you ride? I could rent you one from my fleet for less. Let's say $40, OK?

Steve

Hahahaha!

:D

Dude ...




u can buy a bike with $40 ...

Originally posted by Chi
Dude ...




u can buy a bike with $40 ...

Yeah, but I don't have a place to put it when I'm done with it, don't have a place to sell it, don't have the tools and time to fix what needs to be fixed...

I'm actually considering shipping my bike up there to a PO box, and then riding it for the few days, and then shipping it back.

Dunno.

My experience with bike rentals are not very positive. The bikes tend to be either hybrids or mountain bikes that are in poor condition and look like the type of junk food delivery people would ride.

I just visited SF. A beautiful city. I wish I could be of more help, but my only advice is to stear clear of a fixed gear;) Oh, and be sure to check those brakes before leaving the shop.

I"ve rented from Blazing Saddles before. They had a variety that included road bikes (and hybrids) as I recall.

I was down there a couple of months ago. At the Fisherman's Wharf area, I saw a variety of bikes available for rent, including mountain bikes. I would like to rent one just to try to climb up one of those hilly streets. Maybe next time.

BTW, someone told me that you need to ensure that the bike seats are firmly attached to the seatpost. Some of the locals will take the bike seat off and not put them back on correctly:confused:

The last time I visited San Francisco I rented a road bike from Blazing Saddles for $35 for the day. It was a Marin Verona I think, steel frame with Shimano 105 throughout. Definitely a decent bike.

Almost all the rental bikes I see people riding here in SF are from Blazing Saddles (they all have a handlebar bag in front), and all of them look to be hybrids or maybe mountain bikes.

There's a small bike rental place in my neighborhood (SOMA - South of Market), on Folsom St. between 6th & 7th (I think). It's on the same block as Chrome Bags. If you plan to make a visit to the SOMA area (south of Civic Center) to check out Chrome, you might want to see what kind of bikes the small shop has.

I'm going past there tomorrow, so I can take a look and report back.

But if you're staying in the Fisherman Wharf area, Blazing Saddles is the closest one to you.

This weekend we're having wonderful weather -- it's almost like Summer again. Next week, things may change, though.

-Kevin (in SF)

I went by the small bike shop in my neighborhood and it looks like it's just a small bike shop. They were closed this Sunday and today (Monday) so I couldn't talk to them. I thought I'd seen a big board in front advertising rentals, but their sign in front and their website just say it's a local bike shop. The name is "Road Rage Bicycles" (www.roadragebicycles.com (http://www.roadragebicycles.com)) and they are located on 1063 Folsom St. (between 6th & 7th Streets). Chrome Bags (www.chromebags.com (http://www.chromebags.com)) is on 1086 Folsom, just across the street.

So maybe I spoke too soon. Looks like Blazing Saddles is still the best bet for renting a (road) bike in the city. I know there are a couple of branches in the Fisherman's Wharf/North Beach area.

Have fun!

-Kevin

I had a blast there! Thanks!

I've been in SF several times recently (Fisherman's Wharf area). There are quite a few bicycle rental places. One of the more popular rides is across the Golden Gate bridge and then take the Ferry back across the Bay. Bicycles were generally comfort bikes and looked to be in good conditiion.