Decathlon Location: Does Renting a Bike Still Make Sense?

In the face of rising bike thefts, planned obsolescence, and soaring prices, renting rather than buying has never been so clever.

The concept of possession, deeply ingrained in minds for centuries, is gradually fading on the altar of purchasing power and budget control. In automotive, manufacturers mask the high price of their vehicles with very attractive leases… which do not grant you any ownership at the end of the pre-defined rental period.

The same applies in the sectors of mobile telephony, entertainment, and today cycling, with the emergence of the Decathlon Location offer. In short: why immobilize money and buy expensive items that will quickly lose value and may no longer fit your needs? The perfect solution is buying a bike for your child, who grows up and will not stay on the same model for more than two years when young.

For city dwellers favoring intermodality, Mobiwisy looked into the €20/month offer from Decathlon FOLD 120 Gray folding bike. Its purchase price is 329 euros. In other words, buying it makes sense only after 16 months of renting… which is much longer than the typical lifespan of a bike in a city like Paris.

The second advantage of this rental offer is that theft insurance is included in the monthly fee. Same for high-security lock, coverage of damage, annual maintenance, repair, and bike replacement in case of theft despite all precautions. Thus, no unpleasant surprises for your wallet, and you can adjust your expenses by returning your equipment at any time from the 3rd month of rental.

A free bike?

It’s important to remember that the first rent is increased by 15 euros to cover registration fees. Beyond that, Decathlon’s rental range notably offers nine adult bikes covering all styles and preferences, from mountain bikes to folding bikes for commuters. However, not all offers seem attractive, with models lacking electric assistance being less financially interesting.

Conversely, a model Elops 900 E (catalog price €1299) has its monthly fee capped at 75 euros, which corresponds to 17 months of rental. Lastly, these rental offers are eligible for the new Durable Mobility Package implemented by the government and covered by companies for employees choosing eco-friendly commuting. This subsidy can reach up to €800 per year per employee, tax-exempt and social security contribution-free for your company. A helping hand that almost makes owning a bike free…

ALSO READ: Test of Decathlon LD 920E: hands-on and first impressions on the Btwin electric bike