scoot157

I am headed to Scottsdale next month for a few days and plan to rent a bike to ride while there. I normally ride a Trek Checkpoint SL5 gravel bike.

Does anyone have experience with rentals in Scottsdale? It looks to be a very bike friendly area with plenty of bike paths and trails. My research has me at information overload and figured I would ask the forum if anyone has rented bikes while visiting. I'm probably looking for a three day rental of higher end type bike (probably road bike).

Carverbiker

Carverbiker

kayakindude

I just got back from a long weekend there, been there a few times place is amazing in the winter. I brought folding bikes but when you rent I would consider a hybrid. Yes there are fantastic roads and bike paths, but we really enjoyed the off road trails. They were fun and really got you out into the vistas. We parked at the Browns Ranch trail-head, where you go out for miles on some pretty easy trails. A hybrid could handle them easily and still get you on some road riding.

BCATC

I apologize for veering slightly off topic but on the same note, I am going to be in Scottsdale from July-September. How awful of an idea is it to bring my bike? I've heard it can get as hot as 120...

Carverbiker

BCATC

Thanks for your input, I was thinking of just generally sticking to the road on my folding bike so I wouldn't go all that far from my temporary residence or my car.

ooga-booga

so any specific rides of 20-60 miles? climbing, flats, rollers...it doesn't matter as long as the scenery is good. curious as i'm committed to tucson this year during the super bowl but scoped out scottsdale
a little bit last june on the way back from sedona. may try to hit scottsdale in late november/early december this year.

Carverbiker

Carverbiker

MikeEckhaus

I second the recommendation for these guys. They are right in Scottsdale and have many different rental options for whatever kind of riding you want to do. They also have a bunch of routes that they can recommend and provide route sheets for. I rented there last year and did a 50 mile loop -maybe 3500 ft of climbing- around McDowell Mountain Ranch. Pretty ride, great roads. Lots of info on their website https://www.aoa-adventures.com/

GlennR

My son and I rented Trek Emonda SL from AOA. The bikes were in excellent condition, We sent our measurements a week ahead and they were setup and ready to ride. We also specified Look Keo pedals and out helmet sizes. We did bring our shoes, bibs, jersey and gloves. They supplied 2 water bottles and filled them from a reverse osmosis which i later learned was important.

They have many mapped rides and we did the 50 mile road course of the half ironman. It heads north 12 miles and then out into the desert. It was only in the mid 80s but ultra low humidity. After 12 miles we passed the place to fill up and since i already drank a 24oz bottle i filled it. 30 miles out I finished the 2nd bottle and started on the one I filled at the pizzeria. Within 5 miles i started to cramp and get nauseous. i drank more and the more I drank the worse I felt. Finally we hit civilization and I purchased some gatoraid and rested. We finished the ride but I had a case of the "squirts" that evening. So watch your hydration and don't drink the local water.

BTW, i'l going back Presidents week with my wife and will most likely rent again. But i'll pick a ride with more civilization.

scoot157

Thank you everyone for the great suggestions. I will definitely check out AOA as I see they also deliver rentals to area hotels. The big decision point at this time is whether to get a street bike as originally envisioned, or going with a hybrid so I can go off road. I guess I could rent an Emonda or similar for a couple of days and then rent a hybrid for the rest of my visit.

Thanks again for the input. This board is the best!

WizardOfBoz

I'm planning on being out there if mid-feb, too. I'll check in with the AOA guys.
Thanks to the OP for asking - I meant to do this myself.

ooga-booga

that sounds good. usually shoot for road rides in/with national park/monument/forest or state park scenery enroute at some point if possible.
my only az rides have entailed the sedona area and hwy 67 to/from the north rim of grand canyon national park.
the less stucco and fewer pickup trucks, the better.

Carverbiker

86az135i

Lol there is nothing wrong with the water in Arizona. Except for being extremely hard.

GlennR

Well since my wife wants a "spa day" and there's no way I can sit around and do nothing for a day, I just reserved a Domane SL5 for Wednesday 2/20/19 if anyone is available for a ride.

My personal road bike is a Trek Emonda SLR with Sram eTap, but I can't see spending 50% additional for a Emonda SL7 with Ultegra Di2 over a Domane SL5 with 105.

I just need to plan a route that doesn't take me to far out since i'll be riding solo.

Fahrenheit531 

Seriously?

WizardOfBoz

We just got back. Went with Arizona Outback Adventures in N. Scottsdale. I rented a CF Domane in the same size I ride, so I was good. My wife got a hybrid (she's not down with the drop bars).

The bikes were in good shape, the folks were pleasant. They have a number of pre-planned rides. We chose a 24 mile road route. It was too trafficy for my wife. Also, the first part was all (slightly) uphill. Didn't phase me, but my wife got tired of the uphill slog. So we knocked off after about 9 miles out and headed back, ending up with about an 18 mile trip. The return was downhill and fast and fun! To avoid traffic and to get on a MUP route, I'd recommend a bit more conversation with the AOA team.

The route maps had a route, but were hard to follow - there are sequential numbers on the map that aren't cross-referenced on the list of streets and turns. Also, the app AOA offers for the ride was quite poor. Unlike Android Maps, the app did not keep my phone unlocked. So the phone would lock up and the screen would go blank every few minutes. Plus, I didn't see our route on the app, and my wife had a hard time (unsuccessfully) uploading the app. More help from staff to ensure the app and route was working would have made the experience better.

Bikes I rate at 9/10, service at 8/10. This is 10/10 for friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable, and foir bikes reserved being there and ready. Only down points were that they could have helped with the app and ensuring that the route came up and was shown on the app, also they might have mentioned less trafficy routes*. A number of routes from the store were offered, and other route maps are available, so options for riding are 9/10. Cost for my wife's hybrid rental was reasonable ($35 for 4 hours). The Domane was higher: $75 for hour hours. If you get the highest trim, it was $95 for four hours.

Upshot is that if I go back, I'd use AOA again. Sure wish I could ride the area with the traffic they had 20 years ago, though! Still, it's beautiful and the riding was nice.

One other issue was temperature. I did not expect Scottsdale to be at 47°F! Next time, if its in winter, I'm bringing my Gore-Tex bibs and jacket.

Sy Reene

I'm of a mind that it's the Badgers outfit that led to this partly dissatisfying experience.

drlogik 

There are bike rental shops in Old Scottsdale but if you want a decent road bike you might want to call around and see if any have a good rental or will loan you one; or, they might know of a shop that does rent good bikes. Landis Cyclery (https://www.landiscyclery.com/) was my favorite shop. The folks at their Scottsdale Road shop are really nice. There a couple of shops in Old Scottsdale that might rent you a decent bike also. Bicycle Haus being one but they can be a bit stand-offish as they sell really high end bikes and cater to the clientele that buy them. But it's a good bike shop.

I used to live in Scottsdale. It is NOT hot this time of year. Anyone that tells you that is trying to get you to stay away, really. The weather from November through April is literally PERFECT WEATHER every single day. Warm, not hot, sunny, no rain, dry...day after day.

Low 40's early morning occasionally but normally in the 50's in the morning. Warms up to mid 60's or 70's in the afternoon and often times single digit humidity or low teens in humidity. Drink LOTS of water ALL day long. Drink three times more than you think you'll need, seriously or you WILL feel the pain (headache that won't go away). That is the number one affliction of visitors. They way underestimate how fast the low humidity dries you out.

Early morning rides can be chilly even in the 40's and 50's. I spent some of my youth in the upper Peninsula of Michigan so I know what cold weather is and can tell you that there is something about the dry air in Arizona that just penetrates all clothing. If you have a wind-breaker vest it's wise to take one and a light jacket.

Scottsdale was a really fun place to live (I miss it a lot) and there is so much to do it's crazy. Great mountain biking can be had in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve next to Scottsdale. There are some good roads for road rides in and around Paradise Valley in town or get out of town to the north east corner and bike out from Carefree to Bartlett Lake. Did I mention take lots of water? If you only take two bottles per person it will NOT be enough.

Lights front and rear are law at night in Scottsdale as I recall.


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WizardOfBoz

Most folks love the "full Bucky" outfit. In fact, if clothing had anything to do with dissatisfaction, it was probably because I had to cover Bucky up with a jacket!