I know there have been a lot of threads on this over the years, but wanted to know the current situation. I’ll be flying direct to Maui for 9 days next week. I’m torn between bringing my road bike on United for $150 each way and renting locally. I already have a Scicon hard shell case, so that isn’t the issue, I’ve just normally flown Southwest with much more reasonable fees. We are staying on the northwest part of the island and I’d at least like to get a couple of rides in while there. It seems like the big routes to do are the West Maui Loop and Haleakala.
I have a full crank on the road bike right now and 28 rear which I used last year in Vegas to do Mt. Charleston and some other climbs without issue. I don’t have another crank at the moment, so swapping out is not an option.
We rented from Boss Frog in Lahaina last January. We were limited on where we could rent because they were one of the few shops that had 62-cm frames for my husband. He rode a Cannondale super six evo and I had a Synapse. We rode the west Maui loop and had no issues at all. The bikes rode well and we had no mechanical issues. There are a lot of other options to rent in Maui besides Boss Frog.
West Maui loop is beautiful. Stop at Lorraine’s for banana bread in Wailuku. She’ll fill your water bottles.
Only you know how much you are in love with your own bike.
But when I went to Maui there were some fantastic bikes available, I rented a Cannodale Evo, there were also shops that rented high end Treks and Specialized, so for me it wasn’t worth the hassle of dragging a huge bike box around (not to mention the cost)
We rented from West Maui Cycles and were happy with the experience. Only issue would be if you want an early start you’ll need to pick up the bike the day before as they don’t tend to open super early.
Maui Cyclery does supported tours up Haleakala and also does rentals (I think one of the TrainerRoad guys recently used them when he climbed it).
I also rented from West Maui Cycles last October. I rented a hybrid as their road bikes aren’t insured, and if anything happens, the renter is responsible. All of my personal bikes are insured and I don’t like the idea of taking on that responsibility.
It was my honeymoon and off season so I wasn’t concerned about serious training, I just did some 20-30 mile rides on the hybrid on mostly West Maui Loop roads. The scenery was awesome and the bike worked well. There are definitely 12%+ grades on West Maui Loop, you’ll want a compact on a road bike if you aren’t a pro 
I went with the rental, also West Maui Cycle. I think I had a Specialized Roubaix, for under $100 on a two-day rental. They include a flat kit in a saddle bag and you only pay to replace anything that gets used. I brought my saddle (ISM), shoes and helmet. On my two days with the bike, I did Haleakala first and the next day I did West Maui Loop, two of my all time favorite rides.
If you were on any other airline, I’d say fly with your bike.
But… United. So sorry you have to fly with that shit airline.
If you plan to ride every day, then bringing your own bike will make sense, otherwise give those $300 in bike fees to one of the rental shops.
I always bring my own bike, but I fly Alaska who only charge $75. Well, I pay less than that even because my wife has mileage plan benefits.
I’ve been going to Maui for over a decade, some rides:
Haleakala
West Maui
Upcountry to Tedeschi winery and back with a stop at Grandmas for coffee and food.
East Maui (if you are up for epic suffering)
La Perouse Bay and return, riding through Kihei, Wailea and Makena. (mostly flatish)
Ho’okipa/Paia, watch a bit of surfing, maybe spot Hesjedal if he’s in town (he’s at the Giro right now), then up to Makawao via Baldwin, Kauhikoa, or Kaupakalua. Kaupakalua has some seriously steep pitches in a few sections.
Hana highway teaser: to Ke’Anae and back. I brought a small water filter so I could trust drinking the water from from the Kaumahina rest area.
Climbers delight: Makawao to Waihou spring forest reserve via Olinda or Pi’iholo. Can be done in a loop or back via the same road.
Climbers delight 2: Up to Kula, then Waipoli road to Polipoli. The road turns to gravel/dirt at some point. Haven’t been up there since Polipoli was closed due to fire/storm(?)
West Maui cycles was great! Nice bikes, purchased new every year, and well-maintained. They took time to get my fit right and gave me good directions and suggestions – like going to Lorraine’s Shave Ice for banana bread, where they also have bike pumps and tools for your use.
I rented a Specialized Ultegra Tarmac, which was nicer than my road bike, and much better maintained.
yep - I did west Maui Cycles too.
Bike was great.
I even called and said I wanted to do a ride the morning I was supposed to return - was it ok if I brought the bike back a couple hours late, they said no worries, we wont charge you
last time I went to Big Island I brought my own bike and it was such a pain i the but compared to renting.
I agree with trener1: it depends on how much you love your own bike. I travel with mine all the time and it is really because I like riding my own gear.
There are some awesome bike rental places, though, in Maui. I forget the name of the store in Lahaina that seemed to have a really good selection (I was just there in November and looked around the shop and was impressed)… Maui Cyclery was really good to me when I went on some group rides with them and they had full on carbon bikes that were great for people who wanted to rent them (and they seemed to have a lot of sizes). If you’re staying on the northwest part of the island, there’s not much there (but amazing roads). You’re going to have to look around Kahului and east (which points me to Maui Cyclery)… Lastly, the west loop, as you mention it is absolutely amazing. I did two rides with groups and loved it. We drove Haleakala and I’m not sure that I’d ever be brave enough (or strong enough) to bike it. There are tons of busses and big vehicles going up and down that mountain and I’m not a fan of that. But, to each his own. Enjoy. Maui is an amazing island to bike on.
We drove Haleakala and I’m not sure that I’d ever be brave enough (or strong enough) to bike it. There are tons of busses and big vehicles going up and down that mountain and I’m not a fan of that. But, to each his own. Enjoy. Maui is an amazing island to bike on.
Haleakala is an epic challenge but not the most exciting riding.
It’s just a constant 4(ish) hour grind to the top for me.
I’ve done it 4 times but now mostly skip it.
As far as Halekala goes, I think it’s totally worth it (at least once), sure it was hard but not really scary in any way, the cars didn’t really seem to be a problem at all.
Also no one has mentioned it, but depending on where you are starting you might be closest to West Maui cycles.