We'd like to buy 4 basic, maybe good used bikes. And then we need to figure out where to store them at our place because we have no room inside and no covered storage outside. We could store them under our cottage because we have access to some storage space there -- this means they'd be laying on their sides on the sand. Or we could build a bike rack and store them there, but that means that we'd have to get a cover for them (no big deal) and guests would feel bad that they don't have access to them (I'd feel uncomfortable having everyone use them for safety and liability reasons/bike lock reaons, etc.). Do you have any suggestions for which is the best way to store our bikes when we're not there? Would they get damaged by weather by being stored under the cottage or just outside on a bike rack? If they were outside on a bike rack, would they be dangerous (e.g., would they fly away and hit someone's house or go through their windows during a hurricane?)
Any other bike advice? I am not a bike-rider at all, but hope to become one.
thanks.
Replies
47
Admin
For occasional use, I would rent from one of the local companies. They will pick up and deliver.
Beach Lover
I agree, unless you completely cover the bikes top to bottom they will get corroded with the salt air. You will wind up getting maybe 1 years use out of them and then have to buy new ones. In my younger years I did a lot of biking. Ive seen a lot of bikes bite the dust in the salt air.
jt
jt
Beach FanaticAuthor
I thought of that and maybe we'll do it next time, but if we come down about 6 times a year and rent 1 - 4 bikes each time, sometimes for up to a week, would that get expensive? I figure the money we'd spending buying them would probably not too much more than we'd spend in a year renting them. Does this make sense?
What's the least expensive and complicated kind of bike you'd recommend given we'd be riding along the bike path mostly? Do we need to shift gears or would a plain old-fashioned bike do?
What's the least expensive and complicated kind of bike you'd recommend given we'd be riding along the bike path mostly? Do we need to shift gears or would a plain old-fashioned bike do?
Skunky
It may be too late for this, but back in January a bunch of the bike places on 30A were selling their used bikes for $75 per bike. Renting the things is not cheap, and I agree, the cost of the bikes at full price just isn't worth it-the sea air reduces the things to rust pretty quickly. You could always go to Target'.
Beach FanaticAuthor
I'd be happy with a Target or Walmart or used Bikes. (but then, again, I'm happy with our old van, too). I just care about ease of use and safety and ideally something that will hold up for a few years. I just want to ride up and down 30A on the bikes, especially when the roads get too busy for easy driving. But then the bike path must get pretty crowded, too.
picky
Paula, I have an idea. I'll PM you.
Beach Lover
I'd be happy with a Target or Walmart or used Bikes. (but then, again, I'm happy with our old van, too). I just care about ease of use and safety and ideally something that will hold up for a few years. I just want to ride up and down 30A on the bikes, especially when the roads get too busy for easy driving. But then the bike path must get pretty crowded, too.
Another suggestion if you think it might be worth it to buy the bikes. You can get those large mattress bags and store them in it. Throw a towel in each bag to absorb the moisture and see how that works. Just a thought.
jt
Beach FanaticAuthor
Clever. My hunch is our association for the community will want nice looking regular covers. But I like your idea!
SoWal Expert
Well, you can buy $125 bikes at Wal-Mart, and with care, you should be able to get about 2 years out of them around the beach. The question is, where will you store them when you rent your homes? Don't expect your renters to take as much care for them as you would. ;-)
Beach FanaticAuthor
Well, you can buy $125 bikes at Wal-Mart, and with care, you should be able to get about 2 years out of them around the beach. The question is, where will you store them when you rent your homes? Don't expect your renters to take as much care for them as you would. ;-)
I may even look for cheaper bikes at target or walmart. I've seen people at our community with bikes on bike racks and covers on the bikes. Another suggestion I got was to take the front wheel off when we're not using them. Or we may just leave them there in case we have 2nd or 3rd year renters that we've gotten to know a bit and feel comfortable loaning the bikes to them. And we'll get very good locks and a cover. We'll see if it's all worth it. Maybe I'll start with 2 bikes to see how it goes.
So far, our renters have really been fantastic in terms of taking care of our things and cottages. I'm sure we'll have a few bad experiences over the years, but so far, we've been very happy. It seems that the more we leave for our guests, the happier they are and the better care they take of our places.
Beach Lover
I have had bikes for my renters for 3 years now and it has been great! I have only lost one bike and I think that happend when someone rented extra's and one of ours got mixed in with the rentals. I just bought 2 used ones for this season and I still have 2 from 3 years ago that are still going. They have made it through every hurricane so far. My renters have greatly appreciated it and we like it because they are there for us to use when we come down. We actually started out with 3, 2 Adult and one 24 inch, now we have 3 Adult and 1 24 inch. I bought them from a bike shop on 30-A. I just bought beach cruisers and the nice thing about buying them from a bike shop is the ones that they have tend to not rust as quick as those from Target or Wal-Mart. Nothing but positives from renters and one more thing to make your home stand apart from others.
Beach Fanatic
Paula,
At one time there was a guy who repaired old bikes and sold them for cheap. He was located on Mack Bayou. I will take a look next time I go by there.
At one time there was a guy who repaired old bikes and sold them for cheap. He was located on Mack Bayou. I will take a look next time I go by there.
Admin
Paula,
At one time there was a guy who repaired old bikes and sold them for cheap. He was located on Mack Bayou. I will take a look next time I go by there.
He was still there a few weeks ago.
i wonder why we don't have anyone from a rental company posting? :idea:
Beach FanaticAuthor
Thanks WastinAway and Kurt. More information about bikes for me -- I'll probably buy one in May when I'm there and more in June if the May one works out well.
SoWal Expert
Paula,He was still in business today when I drove by. He is located about 1 mile north of Hwy 98, on Mack Bayou Rd (next to hospital), right side of road if going north. Red building with cream colored trim and bicycles lining the driveway.
At one time there was a guy who repaired old bikes and sold them for cheap. He was located on Mack Bayou. I will take a look next time I go by there.
Beach Fanatic
He was still in business today when I drove by. He is located about 1 mile north of Hwy 98, on Mack Bayou Rd (next to hospital), right side of road if going north. Red building with cream colored trim and bicycles lining the driveway.
Great idea! Thanks again to so many of you on this board....this resource is just WONDERFUL! Counting the days till our Seagrove house will FINALLY be finished....about 33 more days HOPEFULLY! :clap_1: Can't wait to get a couple of bikes too....planning to check out this guy on Mack Bayou....sounds like a good way to go. (The last time I was on a bike was in 1988.....took a bad spill, took down a barbed-wire fence, and broke my arm in 2 places....HOWEVER 30-A has inspired me to get on the bike again!!!)
Beach FanaticAuthor
Great idea! Thanks again to so many of you on this board....this resource is just WONDERFUL! Counting the days till our Seagrove house will FINALLY be finished....about 33 more days HOPEFULLY! :clap_1: Can't wait to get a couple of bikes too....planning to check out this guy on Mack Bayou....sounds like a good way to go. (The last time I was on a bike was in 1988.....took a bad spill, took down a barbed-wire fence, and broke my arm in 2 places....HOWEVER 30-A has inspired me to get on the bike again!!!)
Ok, pk305, I'll come clean, too. Last time I was on a bike I fell off the bike right INTO the next door neighbors trash can in the middle of the day. All the bottles that were in the recycling bin clammored down the street, neighbors opened the doors to see the commotion, I had to pick up the trash and then hobble home. I was going to start riding my bike to work and then changed my mind after than incident. But, I, too, am ready to get on the horse again and 30A is just the place to do it -- and maybe I'll get inspired to ride the bike to work as well.
SoWal Expert
The last time I rode my bike (not long ago), I had a flat tire and had to push my bike home.
Beach Fanatic
I thought of that and maybe we'll do it next time, but if we come down about 6 times a year and rent 1 - 4 bikes each time, sometimes for up to a week, would that get expensive? I figure the money we'd spending buying them would probably not too much more than we'd spend in a year renting them. Does this make sense?What about seasonal rental (like beach chairs and unbrellas)? Do the bike places do that
What's the least expensive and complicated kind of bike you'd recommend given we'd be riding along the bike path mostly? Do we need to shift gears or would a plain old-fashioned bike do?
picky
Ok, pk305, I'll come clean, too. Last time I was on a bike I fell off the bike right INTO the next door neighbors trash can in the middle of the day. All the bottles that were in the recycling bin clammored down the street, neighbors opened the doors to see the commotion, I had to pick up the trash and then hobble home. I was going to start riding my bike to work and then changed my mind after than incident. But, I, too, am ready to get on the horse again and 30A is just the place to do it -- and maybe I'll get inspired to ride the bike to work as well.
Paula, next time we're in SoWal at the same time, I'll take you out on a bike ride. You'll wonder why you hadn't started riding again years ago!
BTW, my 17 year daughter had a very severe accident on her bicycle not long after she learned to ride--she was maybe only 8 years old or so. Several years went by before she'd even look at a bike, let alone ride. (I honestly don't blame her on that one.
) Well, the upshot was that she turned into a teenager with a figure and she wanted to stay in shape. She noticed how much her father and I cycle, and she gritted her teeth, overcame her fear, and got back on the bike. Never looked back! In fact, she wore my bike out. :roll: I have to buy a new one because the shop said it's not worth it to repair given the cost of all the parts and labor. 
Beach Lover
I recommend the Jamis bikes from Big Daddy's in Blue Mountain. They may cost a few bucks more than WalMart, but hold up great in this environment. They also carry the correct lubricants to properly maintain your bikes. You can't use WD-40 in the sand.
SoWal Insider
That's 1,000 posts for Paula, by the way. :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:
Very informative thread. Thanks for starting it.
Very informative thread. Thanks for starting it.
Skunky
One other tip that might help. You should always keep your chain and other vital components slick with WD40. If you really want to be aggresive you can get a tube of the old fashioned grease at the auto parts store and smear it on the chain which will keep the rust at bay. 
Beach Fanatic
Paula, when we were at our house last week, we bought four bikes from Franks hardware store. They are new and sell for $99. The boys bikes are blue and the girls bikes are bright pink. They are basic and just what we needed for the beach and I know that our renters will appreciate them. The gentleman that was helping us with our bikes also made a lock for us that fits through all four bikes so that we can keep them locked while they are at the house. We now need a cover that will fit over all four bikes. Good luck.
Beach Fanatic
We saw beach cruisers at Sams Club this last weekend, for $50! I'm sure you get what you pay for and these were not aluminum. But they did look pretty cool.
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