New Forest Bikes

New Forest Bikes: bike rental in Lymington

New Forest Bikes (NF Bikes) operated as a bike rental service in Lymington, in the county of Hampshire (United Kingdom), with a fleet designed for exploring the New Forest and the Solent area. The company announced it would cease trading in Lymington after March 2025, after which it launched a clearance sale of ex-hire bikes.

Fleet available for hire

The rental catalogue included several types of bikes with published daily rates:

• eBike at £43/day: electric mountain bikes with a Bosch pedal-assist motor and shaft drive, hardtail type.
• Retro eBike from £30/day: retro-style e-bikes with full suspension and adjustable assistance, designed for varied surfaces.
• Hybrid at £25/day: hybrid bikes combining road and mountain bike features.
• Mountain Bike at £22/day: hardtail mountain bikes with front suspension.
• Kiddies at £10/day: children's bikes in 20" sizes (approximately 4 to 7 years) and 24" (approximately 7 to 11 years).
• eBike at £45/day: another type of electric mountain bike with a Bosch motor.
• Value e-Bike at £35/day: e-bikes with 27.5" wheels and three levels of assistance, with a rear hub motor.
• Value Stepthru e-Bike at £35/day: step-through frame version, with 700C wheels and three levels of assistance.

Routes and experience in the New Forest

The company offered routes through the New Forest and the Solent area, including those known as Ocean View, Tree Tunnel, Surf & Turf and gravel and coastal routes. It also organised a sunset ride, the Twilight Ride, with bike hire from 18:00 to 20:00 to enjoy the forest in a peaceful setting. This service was available only in the summer season and with limited places.

Tailor-made packages and additional services

In addition to standard hire, the catalogue included tailor-made packages:

• Guided rides: a guide accompanied customers to show them the best routes and lesser-known areas.
• Photo shoot rides: with a professional photographer who captured images of the ride and could do a couple or family photo shoot; photos were delivered in electronic format.
• Retreats: day rides to secluded places in the forest, with stops beside streams and forest scenery.
• Surf and Turf Bike Experience: an experience on premium bikes along the Surf & Turf route.

It also offered home delivery and collection of bikes for greater convenience.

Sale of ex-hire bikes

Before closing, the company put its fleet of ex-hire bikes up for sale with full servicing, including new chains, cassettes, brake pads and tyres where needed. The clearance sale was announced on a first-come, first-served basis and while stocks last.

Moving on

New Forest Bikes announced that, after a period of trading, it would cease operating in Lymington after March 2025 and thanked its customers for their support. The company continued its ex-hire bike sales during the final weeks.