Bentonville Bike Rental: How to Choose a Shop and a Bike
The easiest Bentonville bike rental is the one that matches where you're staying and what you plan to ride. Decide three things before you book: whether you want the bike delivered or picked up at a shop, whether you want an e-bike or a regular mountain bike, and which trails you're riding first. Get those right and almost any local shop will set you up well.
For the full side-by-side list of shops, bike types, and current rates, see our Bentonville bike rentals page. This post walks through how to choose.
Bentonville bike rental at a glance
Rental shops in town - More than ten, from downtown storefronts to delivery-only companies
Delivery options - Smiley Bike Rentals, Rise and Ride, and E-Bike Bentonville bring bikes to your lodging or trailhead
Storefront shops near downtown - Phat Tire Bike Shop, Mojo Cycling, Bentonville Bike Company, OZ E-Bikes, ARI Bentonville, Scott Adventure Lab
Bike types - Full-suspension mountain bikes, e-MTBs, hardtails, Greenway cruisers, kids' bikes, cargo bikes, gravel bikes
E-bikes on trails - Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are welcome on Bentonville trails
Book ahead - 1–2 weeks out for weekends, e-MTBs, and kids' sizes
Rates - Vary by shop, season, and bike. See our rentals page and confirm with the shop
Step 1: Delivery or shop pickup?
Pick delivery if you're staying outside downtown or want to ride straight from your rental house. Pick a storefront shop if you're staying downtown or want to try a few bikes before you commit.
Delivery rentals drop the bike at your Airbnb, hotel, or trailhead and pick it up when you're done. You skip the shop hours and the bike rack. Smiley Bike Rentals and Rise and Ride both deliver, and both focus on electric mountain bikes. E-Bike Bentonville offers delivery too, along with pickup at its shop on Walton Blvd.
Storefront shops have larger fleets, regular mountain bikes as well as e-bikes, and staff who can adjust the bike in front of you. The trade-off is that you work around their hours and get the bike to the trail yourself. Downtown, Phat Tire Bike Shop has a rental location within a block of its retail shop. Mojo Cycling runs its rental shop on Walton Blvd and also rents bike racks and tailgate pads. Bentonville Bike Company is near downtown off Central. Ari Bentonville offers bike demos which work the same as a rental, and Scott Adventure Lab, in the same building as Motto by Hilton, is a great option if you are downtown or staying at Motto by Hilton.
If you're staying at a place on our bike-friendly hotels or vacation rentals lists, ask the host whether they work with a delivery company. Many do.
I have found that the choice often comes down to a combination of the bike brand you want to try, convenience of renting versus delivery and price. If you are staying downtown, it may make more sense to simply rent from a local shop that is next door versus coordinating a delivery. If you are staying in an Airbnb, having someone delivery some bikes directly then pick them up when you are done is very convenient in comparison. When it comes to price, you get what you pay for in the end. If you want a carbon fiber full suspension e-bike with all the features expect to pay more than if you rent a aluminum framed bike with basic componentry. If you are looking to buy a bike in the near future, consider the bike rental as an investment to ensure you get the bike you truly want in the end. Some shops will apply your rental fees towards the purchase of a bike.
Step 2: E-MTB or regular mountain bike?
Rent an e-MTB if your group has mixed fitness, you're visiting from somewhere flat, or you want to cover big systems like the Back 40 in a day. Rent a regular (analog) mountain bike if you want the lightest, most playful bike for jumps and short laps.
Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are welcome on Bentonville trails. That opens up a lot. An e-MTB turns the 22-mile Back 40 loop into a realistic day for a group that would otherwise turn back early, and it takes the sting out of the climb back up the Razorback Greenway from Slaughter Pen.
Keep in mind that several delivery companies rent e-MTBs only. If someone in your group wants an analog bike, check that the shop carries one before you book everyone with them.
A few things to know about e-MTBs:
They're heavy. Expect a bike that is noticeably harder to lift onto a rack or carry up a step.
Battery range matters. Ask how far a full charge goes on the trails you're riding, and whether the shop includes a charger for multi-day rentals. If you are renting during cold weather it is important to understand that the cold weather can cut the distance you can travel almost in half depending on the temperature. Plan accordingly.
They're popular. E-MTBs are often the first bikes to sell out on spring and fall weekends.
Step 3: Pick the bike for the trails
Tell the shop the first trails you plan to ride. That one sentence does more for your rental than any spec sheet.
Greenway and town riding: A cruiser is all you need for the paved Razorback Greenway, downtown, and Crystal Bridges.
Green and blue flow trails at Slaughter Pen and Coler: A short- to mid-travel full-suspension bike is the most common rental and fits almost everything.
Rocky Bella Vista trails like the Back 40, Blowing Springs, and Wonderland: Full suspension with sturdy tires.
Jumps and drops: A trail or enduro bike with more travel, plus pads.
Full suspension isn't required on Bentonville trails, but it's the best experience for most visitors, and most rental fleets are full suspension. A hardtail is a fine, less expensive choice for green trails and the Greenway.
Step 4: Kids' bikes and family rentals
Book kids' bikes early. Kids' sizes are limited at every shop and go fast on weekends.
Several shops rent kids' hardtails, and Bentonville Bike Company lists 20", 24", and 26" wheel sizes. Rise and Ride and E-Bike Bentonville rent kids' e-bikes. Phat Tire offers bikes and trailers for young children, and Mojo Cycling and Bentonville Bike Company rent cargo bikes for parents hauling little ones on the Greenway.
Before you book, give the shop each child's height and riding experience, not just their age. A confident 9-year-old and a nervous 9-year-old need different bikes. For trail ideas, see our Families guide.
Step 5: Book, then show up ready
Reserve 1–2 weeks ahead for weekends, especially for e-MTBs and kids' sizes. Read the cancellation policy before you pay, since spring storms can wipe out a planned ride. Our Trail Conditions page links the tools locals use to check what's open.
When you book or pick up, tell the shop:
Your height and weight, so they can size the frame and set the suspension.
The trails you're riding first, and whether you're on Bentonville trails or the rockier Bella Vista systems.
Your experience level. Be honest. It changes which bike and setup they hand you.
Your pedal preference. Most rentals come with flat pedals. If you ride clipless, ask whether you can bring your own pedals or if they have some you can use if you did not bring yours.
What's included. Most shops include a helmet with your rental and will offer a repair kit for a small charge. Ask what you'll need to bring.
At pickup, test the brakes and shifting in the parking lot, check that the seat height is right, and ask staff which trails they recommend you ride that day. Rental staff are some of the best sources of current trail info in town.
Planning a lift day?
If you want lift-served downhill riding, OZ Trails Bike Park has an on-site rental center and a bike school. Downhill bikes are a different category from the trail bikes most shops rent, so book through the park for that day and rent a trail bike elsewhere for the rest of your trip. Check the park's website for current hours and its weekly maintenance closures before you plan the day.
Pair it with
Pick up your bike, then ride from downtown to Slaughter Pen on the Greenway for your first lap. Our First Time Visitor Guide has parking and a first-day plan, and the Slaughter Pen page breaks down the trails by hub so you can match your new bike to the right lines.
FAQ
How much does it cost to rent a mountain bike in Bentonville?
Rates vary by shop, bike, season, and how many days you rent. Cruisers are the least expensive, full-suspension mountain bikes cost more, and e-MTBs cost the most. See our bike rentals page for current ranges and confirm with the shop before booking.
Can I get a rental bike delivered in Bentonville?
Yes. Smiley Bike Rentals, Rise and Ride, and E-Bike Bentonville deliver to your lodging or a trailhead. Most delivery fleets are e-MTBs, so check if you want a regular mountain bike.
Are e-bikes allowed on Bentonville trails?
Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are welcome on Bentonville trails. Class 3 e-bikes stay on roadways.
How far ahead should I book a bike rental in Bentonville?
Book 1–2 weeks ahead for weekends, e-MTBs, and kids' sizes. Weekday rentals outside peak spring and fall weekends are usually easier to get on short notice.
Do I need a full-suspension bike in Bentonville?
No, but it's the most comfortable choice for most trails, and most rental fleets are full suspension. A hardtail works well for green trails and the Greenway.
