Southeast - Renting bikes in St Pete Beach, Florida
Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.
Does anyone have experience renting bikes around St Petes? Any places to avoid? And-- as much of an insane long shot this is-- do any shops rent fixed gears?
I'd appreciate any tips. I'm vacationing there may 14 - may 19 and the idea of a bikeless vaca was appealing for about a minute.
kjc9640
05-03-09, 09:19 PM
Does anyone have experience renting bikes around St Petes? Any places to avoid? And-- as much of an insane long shot this is-- do any shops rent fixed gears?
I'd appreciate any tips. I'm vacationing there may 14 - may 19 and the idea of a bikeless vaca was appealing for about a minute.
Try this bike shop it is right on the Pinellas trail, a great place to ride
http://bicycleoutfitters.net/
PM me if you need any additional ride locations
also try abcbikes and revolution bikes. i know abc will rent and size you up on a brand new gary fisher road bike. also check out st pete bike club - - group rides all week and weekends.
pm me if you need ride routes - I can give you everything you need
Does anyone have experience renting bikes around St Petes? Any places to avoid? And-- as much of an insane long shot this is-- do any shops rent fixed gears?
I saved you the trouble and called all the shops listed here, plus the biggest shop in the county, Chainwheel Drive, plus the only dedicated fixie shop in the county, 66Fixed. No go. Most of them rent, but no fixies. Closest I found was Ride-N-Roll Cyclery will rent you a single speed, an SE Draft (http://sebikes.com/Singlespeed/700cDraft.aspx).
Apparently they won't rent it as a fixed gear due to so many not knowing how to ride one. The specs on it don't say a flip-flop hub, so ...... worst case basis bring a freewheel remover and your own cog and lockring. Add beer, stir, and presto ...... instant fixie rental!
Oh, uh, RnR is at http://www.ridenrollcyclery.com/ So how's your "insane longshot" lookin' now dude??!! :D
Thanks for the great tips! I'm going to hit the shops tomorrow, and I can't wait. Damn, this place is sunny.
Thanks for the great tips! I'm going to hit the shops tomorrow, and I can't wait. Damn, this place is sunny.
Uhhh, that's why they call it "The Sunshine State"! :rolleyes:
Seriously, whatever bike you get, don't miss taking a ride out to Ft. DeSoto. It's part of the local training ground, and you can get to it off the south end of St. Pete Beach via the Bayway. If you choose to ride it early on either a Saturday or Sunday, you'll have LOTS of company!
Oh, and take your camera if you're from up north. Stop in at the fort itself (http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_Desoto.htm).
Ride-N-Roll also sponsors a mid-week "fixie only" ride, as I believe does 66Fixed. If you need any other info, feel free to email me at onegun at tandemrides dot com.