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90, Ravanel le Rouge, Chamonix 74400 FRANCE |
CHAMONIX BIKE RENTAL
Chamonix bike hire is our thing, and we're very proud of our 2008 bike fleet.
| HARDROCK XC COMP | ROCKHOPPER DISC |
STUMPJUMPER COMP | PITCH PRO | BIG HIT III |
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| from 15€...hardtail for cruising and light xc riding at valley level. NOT LIFT APPROVED |
from 20€...hardtail with hydraulic disc brakes for aggressive xc riding. 100mm travel. |
from 40€...lightweight, full suspension bike for aggressive XC biking. 120mm travel. NOT LIFT APPROVED |
from 50€...enduro-class full suspension bike with substantial fork and shock. 150mm travel. LIFT APPROVED |
from 60€...dedicated downhill bike for an excellent experience in Cham's high altitude playground. 200mm travel. LIFT APPROVED |
Click here for our full bike hire price list
Click here to email us to reserve your bike
We have been doing Chamonix bike rental for over 15 years, and year after year choose to offer a line of bikes second to none in the valley. If you're planning on making the most out of the awesome off-road trails, flowing singletrack and lift-accessed biking in Chamonix, our rental bikes are essential. Likewise, if you have your own bike at home and want to swerve the extortionate baggage handling fees applied to bikes nowadays, it's very likely we have something to rent at equivalent level...or perhaps even better!
Please note: we have a new liftside shop in Les Houches that rents downhill bikes by the hour - reservation only, please email to book. More info on the news page
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT BIKES DO YOU HAVE TO RENT?
Every single model is a 2008 Specialized. We have a variety of frame sizes in every category, from 15" to 21". We also have kid's bikes, Specialized Hotrocks, in 12", 16", 20" and 24" sizes. You can find out the exact specificications of the bikes on www.specialized.com. If we're out of the bikes listed above, we'll offer you an upgrade or near equivalent.
WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE?
The price includes FREE helmet rental, a pump and repair kit, a bike map, a lock, a choice of type of saddle, and possibly most importantly, insider knowledge of the local bike trails and suggestions of which route to take to best suit your ability, fitness and timeframe.
WHAT BIKE SHOULD I RENT?
Are you planning to use the bike for transport around town and some light trail use? HARDROCK XC.
Do you want a hardtail that is going to be suitable for tackling the more aggressive valley trails such as the Petit Balcon? ROCKHOPPER DISC.
Do you want a comfortable, full-suspension bike which will be suitable for heavy trail use in the valley...and in our opinion, the best cross-country bike in the world and the most suited to Chamonix? The bike that most of the shop guys ride? STUMPJUMPER COMP.
Do you want to take your bike on the lifts, but still have something you'll be able to pedal uphill? PITCH PRO.
Do you want a specific downhill bike that is to heavy to pedal uphill, but will be the most exciting bike you've ever ridden downhill? BIG HIT III.
WHAT SIZE BIKE SHOULD I GET?
It depends on you, and it depends on the bike. Remember it's ultimately personal preference...however, we recommend roughly following these guidelines:
5'2"-5'5" |
5'6"-5'9" |
5'10"-6'2" |
6'3"+ |
|
HARDROCK XC |
15" |
17" |
19" |
21" |
| ROCKHOPPER DISC |
15" |
17" |
19" |
21" |
STUMPJUMPER COMP |
S |
M |
L |
L |
PITCH PRO |
S |
M |
L |
L |
BIG HIT III |
S |
S |
M |
M |
DO YOU DO OFFERS FOR GROUPS?
We are happy to offer groups of 6 or over a 10% discount.
DO YOU HAVE BABYSEATS?
We have baby seats that can be attached to our own rental bikes. If you would like to ride your own bike and take your child around, we recommend a vastly superior solution of a kiddy trailer, which we also rent. The trailers attach quickly to your back axle, and by lowering the centre of gravity of the bike make you and your little one a lot safer. Trailers are, of course, also available to rent with our bikes.
CAN I TAKE MY RENTAL BIKE ON THE LIFT?
You may take Pitch Pro and Big Hit III bikes on the Chamonix lift system. Anything less has insufficient suspension travel and brakes which are not designed for downhilling. Chances are that you or your bike may come a cropper. There is no cross-country biking at high level in Chamonix; it's all intense, fast downhill requiring a full-face helmet, back protector and full body armour.
WHAT IS THE NEAREST LIFT TO THE SHOP?
We're in the centre of Chamonix. Brévent is our closest lift for biking, 10 minutes away (up the hill!). Bear in mind that this lift will be closed for Summer 2008 and offers high-level technical downhill trails only. For singletrack, we recommend pedalling to La Flégère (20 minutes, riding uphill) or Les Houches (40 mins, riding downhill). Otherwise, from Chamonix station (2 minutes ride), take the train to Argentière for the Les Grands Montets area or Vallorcine for the Le Tour area. Lifts generally run from June to November but please check with the Compagnie du Mont Blanc first.
DO YOU RENT PROTECTION?
Definitely! With the rental of a Big Hit III bike, a fullface helmet, protection jacket or back protector and kneeguards are included. If you're renting a Pitch Pro to go downhilling, you'll need body armour which you can rent from us seperately. We have various shapes and sizes to fit most body shapes. Gloves and goggles are available to buy in the shop.
WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED?
We need a piece of ID (eg passport, driver's license) and a credit card for all rentals.
WHAT IF I BREAK THE BIKE?
Given the strength of our bikes, it's incredibly rare that a client breaks a frame. Likewise, we have only ever had a tiny handful of clients who have had their rental bike stolen. However, should the unthinkable happen, you are liable for the cost of the bike. This kind of damage or theft would likely be covered on your personal holiday insurance. Broken wheels or suspension componentry caused by negligence (eg taking a non-approved bike on a lift) are also your responsibility. However, stuff like worn brake pads / accidental scrapes and scratches / tyre abrasion / punctures are seen as normal wear & tear, for which you will not be charged extra.
IF I RENT FOR A WEEK, CAN I BRING THE BIKES BACK TO YOU FOR OVERNIGHT STORAGE?
This is no problem, and in the absence of secure storage in your accommodation, we prefer you do this rather than leaving the bikes on the street.
DO I NEED TO RESERVE OR CAN I JUST TURN UP?
If you want to guarantee you'll have a bike, no problem, just email us. It's free and you can cancel up to 24hrs before you pick the bikes up. Otherwise, by all means just show up. A cautionary note though: in July and August, as well as on most sunny days in June and September, we rent ALL of our bikes (ie none left!!!) so we really recommend taking the time to drop us an email and reserve to make sure you get the bike you want. Please email us as many specific details about your group size and intentions to help us make sure you get the right bikes.
DO I NEED TO GIVE YOU A DEPOSIT FOR BIKE RENTAL?
In view of the limited number of bikes we have, and strong demand, we take 30% deposit on reservation. Our cancellation policy is simple; full refund of deposit if you let us know 24hrs beforehand. We do not require you to take up the reservation if the weather is appalling. We would be somewhat miffed to receive a cancellation on the grounds that the weather is not perfect, but will still refund. This is simply in the interest of not refusing reservations because all the bikes are booked, only to receive a last minute cancellation leaving us with 'empty seats'.
WE ARE GOING ON THE MBMB THREE-COUNTRIES TOUR. WHAT BIKE DO YOU RECOMMEND?
The obvious bike for the 3 countries tour is a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp. The weight, suspension and componentry mix of this bike make it the perfect choice. We have rented these bikes to previous participants with great success, and on more than one occassion have had to deliver one to a client on the tour who has broken their own bike! We have S, M and L frame sizes available in this class of bike.
For reservations, please email us on zerogchamonix@hotmail.com.