Mountain Bike Hire

For the 2012 season, we have a brand new hire fleet of top of the range, full-suspension Giant Trance X0s.

These are truly lovely bikes and are ideal for the challenging terrain at Pure Mountains. They have 125mm / 5 inches of Fox suspension, Shimano XT throughout and remote-control dropper seat posts.

The Trance was given 10/10 and awarded Mountain Bike Rider magazine's 'Trail Bike of the Year' 2011.

You can hire one for the duration of your holiday and then, if you wish, take it home with you at a substantial discount on the retail price of £3000.

Hire bikes come with flat pedals. You may want to bring your own pedals and saddle to fit to one of our bikes.

Helmets are compulsory. We strongly recommend you bring your own helmet although we do have several available if needed.

For prices see our Schedule.

The Workshop

Pure Mountains has a fully equipped bike workshop. The hire bikes are serviced each day. If you bring your own bike, you can depend on advice and assistance when you need it, which is vital when you're in a remote area without a local bike shop. We carry spares for most eventualities but it's always worth bringing specialist spares with you. In the last year or so Tim, our resident mechanic, has happily sorted out numerous problems with guests' bikes including punctures (hundreds), broken cranks, leaking brake hydraulics, buckled wheels, gear cable problems, broken bottom brackets, broken free-hub pawls, the list goes on.

Bringing your own Bike

To get the most from your Pure Mountains holiday, you'll need a mountain bike with, at least, front suspension and disc brakes. It must be well maintained. If you have any doubts about your bike's suitability, do ask us. See the Kit List for advice on spares and accessories to bring with you.

Bike Preparation

Before you bring your own bike to Pure Mountains, here are one or two things that are worth doing:

• Have the bike serviced by your local bike shop.

• Check the wear of the brake pads (discs or V brakes) - if worn to the metal then replace.

• Check the wear of the tyres - if there are signs of the fabric under the rubber on the sidewalls then replace.

• Check that there are no leaks from the forks or the shock.

• Hold the cranks (the arms that connect the pedals to the frame) and push them in towards the frame - any movement and the bottom bracket is loose and could need tightening/replacing.

• If using clipless pedals then check the cleats are not too worn - unwanted unclipping is usually a sign.

Packing Your Bike To Fly

Using a box. NB Guests from the UK can claim a £5 discount when hiring a rigid bike box from bikeboxonline.

1. Use a special rigid bike box or get a cardboard bike box from your local bike shop. Usually they are happy to set one aside for you. Then follow these steps, or ask your bike shop to pack the bike up for you.
2. Remove the front wheel and pedals. If you have disc brakes, place a small piece of card between the brake pads to keep them apart.
3. Remove the front and rear quick release skewers as they could pierce the box and tape them to the frame, leaving the rear wheel in place.
4. Lower the seat post to its minimum height.
5. Detach the handlebars (not stem) and tape/ziptie them to the top tube.
6. Turn the front forks rearwards and fit plastic fork brace (ask your bike shop for one).
7. Move the rear derailleur so that the chain is on the largest sprocket at the back, and the front derailleur so that the chain is on the smallest chain ring at the front (this is to protect the derailleurs).
8. Wrap the front chain rings and rear sprockets in bubble wrap.
9. Partially deflate the tyres.
10. Place the bike in the box and place the front wheel alongside the frame.
11. Pack spaces in the box with clothing/camelbak/helmet etc (unless this is prohibited by the airline's conditions).

Using a bike bag: as above, but

1. Remove disc rotors and carry separately.
2. Protect all exposed areas with bubble wrap.
3. Place bike upside down in bag.

It's a good idea to line the bag with a cardboard bike box for extra rigidity.

Don't forget to check with the airline at the time of booking what their conditions are on bike carriage. They do vary in terms of booking, cost and packing requirements.