Road Bike Rental Las Palmas: Routes, Bikes, Prices
Bikestation Las Palmas 24: Endurance Carbon, Di2 and Gravel Compared
Road bike rental in Las Palmas starts in the Santa Catalina hotel zone. The Bikestation Las Palmas 24 hires out carbon endurance bikes and gravel bikes. This guide shows which rides are worth doing from the city, why the GC-2 is a poor choice and which bike suits which rider.
Rennrad Vermietung Las Palmas in der Hotelzone Santa Catalina
Road Bike Rental Las Palmas: Overview
Road bike rental in Las Palmas means one thing above all: you start by the sea and finish in the mountains. The Bikestation Las Palmas 24 is in the Santa Catalina hotel zone. It hires out carbon endurance bikes with Shimano gears and gravel bikes. All bikes are set up for the steep climbs on the island. This page shows which rides are realistic from the city and which bike fits you best.
Road Cycling from Las Palmas: The North Has More Routes
The north of Gran Canaria offers many more route options than the south. From Maspalomas, only two roads lead up into the mountains. From Las Palmas you can combine climbs and return routes in many ways. If you spend a week on the island, the capital is a good base.
Why the GC-2 Is Not a Good Road Bike Route
Many visitors plan a ride along the north coast and end up on the GC-2. This is a motorway-style road. Cycling on the hard shoulder is usually allowed, but it is not a pleasant ride. For quieter roads, choose a climb into the interior instead.
Mountains, Climbs and Destinations from Las Palmas
The best road rides almost always go uphill. Traffic gets quieter soon after you leave the city. You do need some fitness. Even the classic entry rides need at least 500 metres of climbing.
- Teror: a pilgrimage town with a historic centre in the interior. It is a typical first mountain ride.
- Caldera de Bandama: a volcanic crater above the city. It is also reachable with about 500 metres of climbing.
- Pico de las Nieves: the favourite goal of road cyclists. The climb starts almost at sea level and ends at about 1,950 metres, so it is nearly 2,000 metres of climbing. There are many ways to ride up and down.
- Island circuit or crossing: more than 200 km and over 3,000 metres of climbing. Only strong riders can do this in one day.
A large collection of routes with GPX downloads is on Komoot: Road bike routes from Las Palmas on Komoot.
Skill Level: Fitness and Riding Technique for Gran Canaria
You need some fitness, but also good riding technique. On long descents, braking mainly with the rear brake is not enough. This is common on flat roads, but here the brakes overheat. A locked rear wheel can ruin even a new tyre. If you have little experience with long descents, use both brakes in a controlled way and start with an easier ride.
Rent a Road Bike without Booking: How It Works
At the Bikestation Las Palmas 24 you can rent at any time without a booking. You get what is available from the daily stock. For rentals of 3 days or more, we recommend a reservation. Please always give your height, so the staff can prepare the right frame size.
Gravel Bike or Road Bike: Which Fits the Island's Roads?
All road bikes and gravel bikes at the Bikestation are made for the steep climbs of the island. The two KTM Revelator models are endurance road bikes with carbon frames. Their geometry is comfortable for long days in the saddle. The SKY comes with Shimano 105 or Ultegra. The Alto Elite has electronic Di2 shifting with 12 gears. On both models, 34 teeth at the front and 34 at the back give a one-to-one gear. This helps on long climbs, for example to Teror or to the Pico de las Nieves.
For rough road surfaces, steep climbs and fast descents, the KTM Strada 10 gravel bike is the best choice. It is slightly heavier. It also has a lower gear (30 teeth at the front, up to 34 at the back), stronger brakes and slightly wider tyres with more cushioning. It has an aluminium frame, a carbon fork and a GRX groupset. It also suits riders who want to use side roads and tracks away from the asphalt.
Book your bike and see all details on the Bikestation Las Palmas website
Getting There / Transport Connections
The Bikestation is in the Santa Catalina area, close to Las Canteras beach. Santa Catalina is one of the main bus hubs of the city.
- From the airport: the airport is south of the city. A direct bus to Las Palmas is available.
- By private transfer or taxi: this is a simple option if you travel with luggage or a bike bag.
- Within the city: city buses stop at Santa Catalina. Many hotels in the area are within walking distance.
Nearby Attractions
| Attraction | What to expect | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| Las Canteras beach | A long city beach with a promenade. Good for a rest day after a big climb. | Short walk |
| Parque Santa Catalina | A lively square with cafés, close to the port. | Short walk |
| Museo Elder | A science museum, a good rainy-day option. | Short walk |
| Auditorio Alfredo Kraus | Concert hall at the south end of Las Canteras beach. | Walk along the beach |
| Vegueta old town | The historic centre with the cathedral and narrow streets. | Bus or taxi |
No. You can rent on the spot from the bikes available that day. For rentals of 3 days or more, a reservation is recommended. Please give your height so the right frame size is ready.
You can choose between the KTM Revelator SKY, the KTM Revelator Alto Elite and the KTM Strada 10 gravel bike. The first two are carbon endurance bikes. Prices start at €16.
It depends on your route. A gravel bike is the better choice for rough roads, steep climbs and fast descents. It is a little heavier, but it has a lower gear, stronger brakes and wider tyres with more cushioning. All hire bikes are made for the steep climbs of the island.
You need some fitness and good braking technique. On long descents, use both brakes in a controlled way. Braking mostly with the rear brake overheats the brakes, and a locked rear wheel can ruin a tyre.
Not really. The GC-2 is a motorway-style road. Cycling on the hard shoulder is usually allowed, but it is not pleasant. Rides into the interior, for example to Teror or the Caldera de Bandama, are much quieter.
Classic mountain rides, for example to Teror or the Bandama crater, need at least 500 metres of climbing. The Pico de las Nieves is nearly 2,000 metres of climbing.