Until well into the 2000s, it was common practice to take your own racing bike on holiday, especially to a training camp. Scrubbing the important basic kilometres on a bike other than your own? That was hardly an option for ambitious cyclists. What's more, back then, all airlines usually transported a bike free of charge as sports luggage, which made the decision easy. And so the obligatory bike transport case was once part of the standard equipment of many amateur cyclists.
But times have changed. Of course, it is still an option today to take your own bike on the plane. For a fee, of course. But the increasing number of hire stations on the island makes it tempting to travel with comparatively light luggage and conveniently pick up a hire bike at your destination. In addition, the quality level of the hire bike fleet has generally risen sharply. There are now dozens of stations spread all over the island. Some are public, some are attached to cycle hotels. Even with the latter, you are generally free to choose your accommodation.
Rental bike instead of road bike transport
However, the elimination of transport logistics is not the only reason why a hire bike can be the right decision. Popular stations such as Huerzeler, Fred Rompelberg and Philipps Bike Team keep their fleets up to date and the bikes are rarely more than two years old. And of course they are in top condition! This provides the opportunity to test new technology, such as electric gears, in daily training practice over a longer period of time. This allows cyclists who are planning to buy a new bike anyway to kill two birds with one stone.
Book your hire bike in good time
Even if the large hire stations on Mallorca maintain a truly gigantic fleet - at Huerzeler there are well over 1000 bikes - the following applies: first come, first served. After all, it's not just about the bike with the desired equipment, but also that it is available in the right frame height in the planned period. So it's better not to wait until just before the deadline, but to reserve your hire bike as soon as possible. The best and easiest way to do this is directly via the providers' websites, where you can also view all the models in detail.
Measure your own racing bike
Before you order the hire bike, it is important to measure your own bike. After all, the riding position at the training camp should be identical to your usual position. This means that in addition to the frame height, the stack and reach values are helpful. Or at least the top tube and stem length. You should also have your body height and inside leg length to hand, just in case. Philipps Bike Team, for example, even offers a millimetre-precise adjustment service for a small surcharge. The bike is perfectly adjusted in advance and is then ready to ride on arrival.
In order to bring the rental bike up to the level of your own bike, you should bring a few personal parts with you. What these are also depends on how tolerant your own body is of changes to the set-up. The hire company may also be able to provide some parts. This needs to be clarified in advance.
- Saddle
- Shoes and suitable pedals, especially for rare click or specific power measurement systems
- Computer and/or GPS device
- Helmet
- Lock, especially for securing when travelling
- Small repair kit (mini-tool, tyre lever, spare inner tube, pump/CO2 cartridge)
- Light set.
How much does a hire bike cost?
The hire price depends on the type of bike, equipment, hire period and time of the season. A weekly hire (six days) is almost always cheaper than the individual daily rate. Those who also book the hotel through the hire company, for example, often benefit from discounts. At Huerzeler this is as much as 20 per cent! Three bike models as an example in comparison (weekly hire, mid-season):
- Carbon frame / Shimano Ultegra Di2: approx. 200-220 Euro
- Carbon frame / Shimano Ultegra standard: approx. 150-170 Euro
- Aluminium or carbon frame / Shimano 105: approx. 100-120 Euro
Top racers with high-end equipment such as Shimano's Dura-Ace Di2 are relatively rare to find, and when they are, the weekly hire charge can easily exceed the €500 mark.
Insurance: Yes or no?
Good to know: As a rule, the rental bike is not insured for the basic price. Most hire companies offer a "small" insurance policy that covers damage (e.g. falls or accidents), but not theft or common breakdowns. The surcharge depends on the class of the rental bike, but averages around 20 euros. With regard to "theft", you should clarify whether the case can be covered by special private travel insurance or perhaps even household contents insurance.
Alternative: Road bike transport
If you want to train on the island for much longer than a week or if a hire bike is simply not an option for you for various reasons, you can take your own racing bike with you on the plane. The most important obligation in advance: register the bike as sports luggage/bicycle with the airline as early as possible, preferably when booking the flight! This is because there is only ever a limited amount of storage space available on the aircraft for bulky luggage. Incidentally, e-bikes are generally excluded from carriage due to the motorised battery.
Suitcase or cardboard box?
Almost all airlines will only take your bike if it is securely packed. And anyone who has often travelled by air with a bike knows that a special hard-shell case is the best choice. Preferably with wheels so that you can quickly cover the often long distances at the airport. An acceptable alternative is a sturdy bike box from the bike shop, which you can place crosswise on a caddy for transport to check-in. There are also relatively sturdy soft bags, but everyone has to decide for themselves how much risk they want to take in terms of damage.
Important: Position the handlebars crosswise, unscrew the pedals and pull out the saddle and seat post. Also insert spacer sleeves between the rear dropouts and the fork. Wrap the wheels in bubble wrap and tape them to the left and right of the frame. It is often necessary to deflate the tyres. It's best to just do it - even if it's proven to be nonsense.
What does road bike transport cost?
In principle, the airline's transport fee applies. Three examples for a flight to Mallorca (medium-haul):
- Lufthansa: 80 Euro
- Iberia: 50 Euro
- Eurowings: from 50 Euro depending on weight.
Please note: The prices are only valid for one route! But that's often not all. In addition to the possible costs for a bike case, the logistics between the airport of arrival and the accommodation must also be clarified. If you're lucky, you can use your hotel's pick-up service. Otherwise you will have to expect to pay for a (suitably spacious) taxi or even a hire car.
Conclusion: hire bike or road bike transport?
If you add up all the partial costs, the transport by plane and the costs for a rental bike are pretty close to each other. Roughly between 200 and 300 euros. However, if you stay longer than a week, the advantage shifts in favour of your own bike. Cyclists who are sensitive to unfamiliar equipment or a slightly different riding position are probably better off riding their usual bike. Everyone else can save themselves the hassle of lugging their bike around and pick up their reserved hire bike stress-free.
Matthias Borchers
Editor
