I'm in Orlando for an industry event, I have a big race on Saturday and I'd like to just get a few miles to stay loose. So I thought I'd see if I could rent a bike nearby. I search Google for bike rentals in my area and see wheel chairs, mobility scooters, and baby strollers. WTF?!?

I don't think I'd use a folding bike for daily life at home. However, it seems every time I'm on a business trips, I think about buying one. Minneapolis has a LBS that rents folding bikes, might need to try this for the next trip to this bizarre place in Florida. Might find out that owning one would be a good idea.

Portland Oregon Brompton dealer rents , but I think its Just locally a ride before you buy scheme.

But you're more in Cahoun's Bike shops territory in MN..

Having a bike along on business trips is what led to my purchase of a Bike Friday in '94. Very nice to have a bike along so I could explore new areas either before or after meetings. And far more convenient than finding a rental outlet, figuring out how to get there, etc. But I'm surprised you didn't find rental bikes available in the Orlando area with it's focus on tourism. orlandobikerental.com came up first on my Google search.

check spinlister.com and see what's for rent around where you will be......

you beat me to it. spinlister is really cool.

Have you actually used it? I'm planning on trying it later this year.

Your scenario is similar to how I ended up getting my Brompton (and other ensuing bikes). I had an event to attend in Prince Edward Island out on the east coast. The last time I was there was for our honeymoon, and we had brought our bikes, but didn't really get a chance to use them (nor was I really into cycling at the time). So, this time, given PEI's famous trails, I figured I'd rent a bike. Lo and behold... no bike rentals nearby where I was staying at all. Then I thought, what about folding bikes? I had heard about them, and so I started Googling, and then I ended up on this forum, looking at Bromptons, etc. and it was all downhill from there.

Whenever I go to conferences, if it looks like I will have at least one free day and if the location is known for its trails, I will try to bring my Brompton.

My advice is if you do end up buying, buy the most expensive folding bike that will meet your needs that your budget will allow. All things being equal, you get what you pay for.

Mind you, I want to see how the Helix turns out... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OkPc0hD1S4

That's the one!

This is new to me, thank you!

I think there's a good reason that folding bikes are generally not available as rentals. They require more care and feeding than rigid bikes. Lots more to go wrong, easier to screw things up if you're not careful, liability issues if not used properly, plus the general public might treat a rental folder the same way they treat a rental car, i.e., not well. Doesn't exactly produce a successful business model.

On top of that, the better folding bikes will be more costly than a rigid bike, so it's harder to amortize that cost unless you increase the rental rate, and people will balk at that. We're back at square one.

I have a dozen folders at least, and not cheap ones - half a dozen Bike Fridays, a few Dahons, a Brompton, etc. I'd be loathe to rent one or even loan one out unless I was assured that the rider knew exactly how it worked, how to fold and unfold, what to avoid, and especially in the case of Bike Fridays, how to pack correctly in a suitcase if being used for long distance travel.

Yes.

I don't dispute this, however, I have the good fortune to call Minneapolis home and have Calhoun Cycle close by: Calhoun Cycle Brompton Rental - Calhoun Cycle

Therefore, if I want to rent a folding bike to take with me on business travel, and I can test the waters prior to committing to purchasing another bike.

Yep, I've been to Calhoun. Tested an Airnimal there, as a matter of fact. Didn't buy it - various reasons - but had a nice ride around some lake trails nearby.

Certainly it's a good idea to rent a Brommie first rather than purchasing outright. But here a couple things to watch out for. This based on experience with my M3L:

1. Riding position can be wonky. I'm a short guy, and it feels like the bars are at shoulder level. It might be fine for you. For me, it isn't.

2. Gearing can be extremely limited. My M3L is geared way too high for my tastes. If you're a masher it's better, but if you're a spinner like me, not so much.

I don't know what either of those terms mean so I looked them up. Glad to know that you're not a masher.....
masher
A person (usually a man) who gains sexual gratification by inappropriately rubbing against strangers in crowded public places.
Urban Dictionary: masher

shortys may like the S bars better (or H and put a straight bar in it)

My M3L has a 2 speed Crank 15t cog on the hub (standard is 13t)

Masher- lower cycle reps (so mash more on pedal) using higher gear?

Spinner- higher cycle reps using lower gear?

Calhoun likes a riser on an S type. That should be good. Pretty good strategy on their part. You try, you like, you are hooked. I tried a BF companion and a Brompton before I bought a Brompton. A few miles around a local park and I was a dead duck. Had to have it.

Glad you like your Brommie. Wouldn't it have made more sense to compare a higher end BF, though, to the brompton? The companion is less than half the cost, with the lowest end components. NWT or PR would have been a better comparison, probably.
Unless, of course, the fold is what matters most to you.

The fold wasn't a big thing at the time although I sure appreciate it now. I had to drive to Denver from central Wyoming to find any folders at all. The Brompton store has since closed and the BF store no longer carries them. The stripped S bar one speed brompton with upgraded tires and the shopper basket was a couple hundred more than the BF.

You are correct.

Clever Cycles does indeed rent Bromptons. They'll apply a week's rental or up to $100 ( I've heard both versions from the shop) towards a Brompton purchase. Not just local, though - they had no qualms with the idea of my renting a Brompton and taking it to Vancouver BC for the weekend. That plan fell through, unfortunately.

Another option might be S & S couplers on your existing bike or a new frame.
Being able to rent a bike prior to purchase may save you both money and time.
One issue is if you like the ride of a particular bike; geometry, handling, etc.
Another issue is packing. Most bikes will have to be taken apart to fit a standard
sized luggage. I've bought 2 low end bikes in the past to do this exact experiment
myself; Tobukaeru w/ 20 inch wheels and a Citizen Tokyo with 16 inch wheels:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUQN...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

2013 Citizen Tokyo in a suitcase by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

In the end I found out I like travelling with my own bike. I didn't like breaking down bikes for packing.
So I ended up with the Brompton. The small size also helps when trying to go discretely to places;
hotels, restaurants, shops, museums, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhZT...6zPoymgKaIoDLA