making a trip to the beach in 2 weeks and wondered if we should take our Giant hybrid bikes or just rent the beach cruisers once we get there. was wondering how the salt would affect the bikes in the long run........any ideas**********

It depends on what you plan to do. Your bikes will be OK in the long run if you make sure to clean them off when you return. Be extra careful if you decide to actually bike ON the beach - the sand can be abrasive, and saltwater can cause trouble if not washed off the same day.

However, if you are just biking on the beach roads, all you need to do is rinse the bikes off when you return from your vacation.

If you're going to take your bike, just make sure you clean it every day. Otherwise, the grit gets everywhere.

Koffee

I live near the ocean and often ride along the coast, like they said above, if you wipe it off you'll be fine. I do find that the sand and grit in drive chain is annoying, I try to stay off of the beach paths and ride on the streets near the beach to keep it to a minimum.

Don't go swimming with your bikes and don't lay any oiled/greased parts in the sand and they will be fine. Road grim causes more harm to my bikes than the ocean air (I do keep them clean).

If you decide to rent, check out the rental company with the local Better Business Bureau. One scam is that you pay replacement price if the bike gets stolen. The rental Co. gives you a useless lock (just to be safe). Thief cuts useless lock, steals bike, sells bike back to rental Co., you pay rental Co. full price for bike and the circle begins again.

Enjoy the trip!

The salt (if you ride along the beach) will kill your drivetrain.

Wash and relube after riding. Better yet, rent a beach crusier and leave the good bikes at home, or rent when you want a beach ride.

Rent the bikes. you can afford it. Otherwise your gonna just worry about your bike and sand, someone stealing it. Christ your on vacation for heavens sake. What do you want to lug around a old bike for? Chances are once you get there you aint gonna want to ride anyway. Your gonna wanna swim and check out the eye candy.

Diesel Dan.....I see you live in Beaufort.....where is the best place to rent bikes from in Hilton Head? I would need 4 beach cruisers for myself, husband and 2 daughters.
Dang.....I love my bike, that's why I would want to "lug it around"......and yes we ride a lot while we're on vacation, probably moreso than at home. Leave the negativity somewhere else.

[Dang.....I love my bike, that's why I would want to "lug it around"......and yes we ride a lot while we're on vacation, probably moreso than at home. Leave the negativity somewhere else.[/QUOTE]


Negativity!!! I.... No way....I was not being negative! Was I? Gee, mayby I was. I was just trying to help Anna. Find. Take the bikes. Enjoy your vacation.
Don't forget your camera. Oh! And speaking of cameras be sure to leave your good camera at home and buy some single use cameras. Wouldn't want any sand to get inside.

As long as your not actually riding on the sand, you don't have to do anything special. I grew up at the beach and never had a bike or any other mechanical equipement fail due to the proximity to the ocean.

I've owned a bike for 15+ years that has made countless rides in beach areas/bike paths. I'm still riding it today.

Yes, if you ride the bike in the ocean water every day for months without ever cleaning it.

Give the bicycle engineers a little credit here, they invented all these fancy seals, lubricants, and alloys just so you don't have to worry about every tiny thing destroying your bike. Just ride wherever you want, and then hose the bike down and let it dry when you are done. You could do that every day for years and your bike will be fine. In fact, I have done that for years. And my bikes are fine... Bikes under that sort of treatment need a little more preventative maintainence, like chain lubing and bearing overhauls, but for a single week near a beach you won't have to change maintainence plans one tiny bit.

If renting bikes is more convienent, then go for it, but if its not a problem to bring your bikes, you'll appreciate having a more comfortable bike that is in a condition you know is good. Bikes are for riding, and the beach is a great place to ride! It would be a shame to deny your bike that experience.

peace,
sam

Same here. I live 3 blocks from the beach and have no corrosion problems. The only bike I had a rust problem with was a beater that I left outside for a few years. Still got $20 for it at the garage sale though .

And be aware that the shiny parts of the bike might attract predatory fish. Don't swim with the bike at night or near inlets on an out going tide. Dry the bike competely after swimming.

Make sure to rinse yourself well after a swim in the ocean, before getting back on the bike. Allowing sand inside somewhat reduces the efficacy of bike shorts!

[QUOTE=anna1968]I love my bike, that's why I would want to "lug it around"..

I'm with you, I'm taking my bike to Hawaii in just a few days. It's kind of a hastle, but once you get there and assemble the bike, it's like sitting on an old friend!