ovoleg

I am going on a trip/vacation to Hawaii in the near future and I was considering bringing my bike along.

I believe it's around $80 one way for the bike plus I will have to purchase a case.

What would you guys recommend I do? I can take my shoes/pedals and my clothes with me and just rent a bike there?
I am also considering not bringing the bike along because a friend that lived there for 5 years told me that traffic is bad in most tourist parts(Maui).

Thanks

Machka 

Well, if you decide to take your own bicycle, you wouldn't have to purchase a case. You could either rent one for about $5/day from your LBS, or local cycletouring club, or cycling association ... or you could use a free cardboard box from your LBS.

Why not do a google search on bicycle rentals in Hawaii and see what you come up with for information?

ovoleg

Good idea,

Thanks

bitingduck

My GF rented a bike on Maui and rode up Haleakala when she was there for a conference. Some other guy had flown over from the Big Island, rode from the airport, and was doing the same thing (and flying back the same day). I think they wouldn't have made it if they hadn't run into each other to goad each other on.

She also did some long rides around the island, or at least parts of it. She had a wicked ride around the west island because it was more rolling than she expected over a long stretch, and she had a headwind in the rollers-- if she did it again she'd go the other way.

If you have detailed questions pm me and I'll see if I can get answers from her.

I rented a road bike on the Big Island when I was there for a different conference, and got a pretty decent bike for about $100 for the week. We also brought our own bikes to the Big Island and rode around Volcano Village and the park for a couple weeks (with trips down to Hilo and the Kau Desert)-- I highly recommend it as a way to see Hawaii-- fast enough to see a lot, slow enough that you actually see it.

edit: you also have to take what some of the people there say about the roads with a grain of salt- a lot of them don't get out much. A lot of traffic there is sometimes like light traffic in LA. I was told that riding the saddle road (between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea) was a horrible deathtrap, but it was quite nice and pleasant, though hot when there was no wind. Compared to the Angeles Crest it was like an abandoned road. I think the guys at the shop I rented from just ride the shoulder at sea level, which is broad and smooth, but there's a lot of noisy smelly traffic.

Also, if you bring your own bike you can also just get a cardboard box from your LBS. I've done that several times (as well as various rented and borrowed boxes) and it works fine. Another guy I know who raced as a top amateur and pro for years, and coached some top teams traveled for 20 years with an unpadded soft case without any problems-- he just recommended one that's on sale at performance for ~$40. Big hardcases and boxes are a pain because you have to store them when you take the bike out, or haul them around.

botto 

how much do you plan on riding?

if you plan on riding a lot, then bring your bike.

if it's only a 'gee, it would be nice to go for a ride' then rent.

as other's have suggested, you can get a box from your lbs, or a bike bag. depending on your bike, you can also just put pipe insulation around the tubes, and check it in that way (or so i've read on past forums).

sleepystarz

I fly in and out of the US 4 times a year...for my situation I'm getting a case from bikeprousa.

For a one time deal, I'd think renting the bike would be better. If you're going there for a while and want to do some heavy riding, of course it would be nice to have your own bike that you're familiar with.

bitingduck

Here's what my GF has to say about biking maui:

regarding the rental:

it was at the only real bike shop in Kihei. I
don't remember the name, and it doesn't pop up
right away on the web... but there's not a lot in
Kihei.

>
>Also, was there a preferred way to ride around west Maui?


One half is flat and fast and can have gnarly
traffic. The second half is all sawteeth, one
lane roads, and very remote. I did the flat part
first, which was nice to have out of the way, but
the sawteeth were slow and there was a headwind.
Whatever you do, you will have a headwind for
half of it. People say it's faster to do the
sawteeth first, but I wouldn't want to be in the
traffic part with a headwind. Take your pick (as
walter freeman used to say).

nesdog

On my next trip to Maui, this is my solution:

https://www.gocyclingmaui.com/

I gave this link to a friend of mine. He checked it out and rode with them. He said it was an awesome experience.

I've ridden down the mountain twice, 38 miles with barely any peddling. Next trip, I'm trying the climb!

As to traffic. It's like anywhere else. Be careful and keep your eyes open. Many of the roads are two lanes with a small shoulder. Unfortunately, the island has many out of towners using rental cars they are not familiar with so they may not be in full control. Some of the highways are a bit rough and wind is a major factor in certain spots.

As it is, when I go to Maui, I'm already dragging a surfboard ($100 each way!), wife and little one so I don't want to add to the clutter any more than I have to. I'm calling Donnie next trip!

Sheldon

merlinextraligh

if you decide to rent, take your own pedals and seat. not hard to pack, easy to put on, and will make the rental bike more comfortable and efficient.

Kuma

Biting -

Do you remember the name of the shop you rented from? I'm going to be there late this summer and am thinking of renting...

zippyh

Wifey and I rented road bikes from B&L Cycles/Inside Out Sports in Kona last year.
They're near the Hilo Hatie's. Bikes were some Sora equiped Giants. In decent condition.
Definitely give them a call to reserve them. The Inside Out Sports website mentions the Kona store
but doesn't actually give any contact info. I think I got their number from a competitor who only had
mtn bikes for rent.

catatonic

Oleg,

If you do choose to fly your bike...use a hard case.

When I moved from cali to florida (yeah, I know...WTF?), I moved by plane, and put my roadie in as cargo. Well, the butchers at Continental really done a number on the downtube. Mostly just fouled up the paint...but it still sucks, especially when it was a flawless frame before that.

...and I had to pay money for them to screw it up.

....next time I am hardcasing it. Hardcases are pricey, but if you use them more than twice, they become well worth it.

bitingduck

https://www.hpbikeworks.com/index.html

They have two different shops-- I rented from Bikeworks, which has road bikes and high end mountain bikes. Hawaiian pedals looks like they only do comfort and low end mountain bikes.

I reserved in advance, and they were pretty easy to deal with. I brought my own pedals and shoes (I actually got spd sandals for the trip). It looks like they also do shipping services -- they do it for the ironman.

Nachoman

If I go on vacation, my bike goes on vacation.

jbierling

< 1 week = rent but bring your own pedals/shoes and maybe saddle
> 1 week = bring your own bike.

I was on Oahu and the Big Island for one week each last Nov/Dec so I rented. Let me know if you need more info.

-Joel