I'm going to rent a bike for a few days when I am in Kona this winter, so I can ride part of the Ironman course for funsies. I looked into it, and am planning to rent from here:
Entry level road bike rental is either Al or carbon frame (they don't guarantee), and SRAM Apex or Shimano 105 or better.
The next level up they describe as "competition minded and offer Shimano Ultegra, Dura Ace, SRAM Rival or Red." I am assuming (but would verify) that this means definitely full carbon frame. $45/day when you rent 2-3 days.
Finally, there is the "balls out" level road bike, $80/day regardless of length of rental, and they describe it as basically 'sky's the limit.' Carbon frame I'm sure, probably Di2.
TT bikes are $45/day when you rent for 2-3 days, and they are mostly carbon frames with Ultegra or DA.
I don't think they guarantee particular brands, but Calvin talked to them, and apparently they have a lot of Specialized bikes (which my road bike is). They also carry Cervelo, Giant, and Cannondale.
Initially I thought I'd just get an entry level road bike. It's only a couple days, and my road bike is carbon/105 so it could be substantially the same. But I really just haven't liked aluminum any time I've ridden it, and if this is worth doing it's worth doing right. So that made me think I wanted the 2nd level of road bike to guarantee that I can have a carbon frame.
But then I thought... I have never had access to a really high end bike that was close enough to my size to test ride it. I am sort of curious to try electronic shifting and don't know when I'd otherwise have the opportunity. Maybe a fun vacation splurge to just go for broke?
(And then I said, Susie, do NOT go developing even more expensive bike taste on vacay!)
I'm thinking road bike instead of TT bike partly for comfort and partly because I find that setting up a TT bike seems to take longer than a road bike so when you have precious little time on vacay and are not racing, road bike is the better way to go. Plus the road bikes have 2 bottle cages (TT bikes have 1) so that seems simpler for travel/hydration.
I would go as swanky as possible! I prefer my TT to my road (though I think that's an issue of fit), so I'd go TT, but any badass bike is going to be so fun out there!
buffaloeggs.blogspot.com 2016 Races: Hop Hop Half Marathon 2:05:09 Pac Crest Half Ironman 7:13:40 9/10 Aluminum Man Oly Tri 11/27 Space Coast Half Marathon
Love of my life baby boy born 11/11. One and done not by choice; 3 years of TTC yielded 4 MMC and 2 CPs, through 4 IUIs and 2 IVFs. Focusing on making the world a better place instead...and running.
No real advice here but I was just in Kona and saw tons of people riding so you'll be in good company. For the most part the Ironman course is straight with rolling hills. But the wind can be brutal and also you are in blazing sun with it just bouncing off the black lava rocks. The shoulder of the road is nice and wide and the road is nicely paved. Have fun!
Oh and also I saw the finish of the Ultramann World Championships while I was there - so cool!!
The bikes w/ 105s are $15/day less, and I didn't necessarily think Ultegra was worth it for a couple days.
I own a Specialized Ruby, and have ridden Scotts, Treks, Felts, a Fuji, and a few other road bikes, but no Cannondales and no Cervelos. So I figured I'd try the Amira, unless anyone recommends differently!