Do rentals include a helmet?

Yes, Red Raven provides helmets as part of the rental setup; you may bring your own if you prefer.

How long can I rent a bike?

Rentals range from a focused four-hour period to multi-day setups—select the duration during booking.

Is there a deposit or liability waiver?

All riders are required to sign a liability waiver before taking a rental; deposit policies vary, so confirm at booking.

Can I swap pedals or install my own?

Custom pedal selection is available during reservation, and you may install personal pedals if preferred.

Are trails suitable for beginners?

Cuyuna offers a mix of machine-built flow and technical trails; beginners should start on blue/green connectors and ask staff for recommendations.

What if trails are wet or closed?

Trail conditions can change after heavy rain—call Red Raven before heading out for current access information and suggested alternatives.

Ride the Dream: Full-Suspension Mountain Bike Rentals at Cuyuna Lakes

At the heart of Minnesota’s Cuyuna Lakes trail network, a short drive from Crosby, sits Red Raven Bike Café, the launch point for some of the state’s most thrilling singletrack. Rent a full-suspension "Dream Bike" — handpicked builds from Yeti, Santa Cruz, Pivot, Salsa, Norco, and Juliana — and you’ll be set for technical descents, fast berms, and long all-day loops across a landscape few riders expect to find in the Midwest.

The Cuyuna system rides unlike classic forest trails. What was once an iron-mining district now wears a knobby-surface crown of reclaimed ridgelines, sandy soils, and crystal-blue mine pit lakes that flash through the pines. Trails thread along ridge crests, drop into tight, rooted sections, and peel out onto wide, machine-built flow areas where full-suspension geometry and confident suspension travel shine. Geological details — iron-stained outcrops, gravelly soils, and restored wetlands — give each trail a character that rewards both technical skill and a curiosity for landscape history.

Red Raven Bike Café’s rental offering is aimed at riders who want top-level performance without the hassle of hauling bikes. The shop’s process is simple: arrive early to complete the rental, get sized and fitted, pick a helmet, and take advice from staff who ride the network daily. Rentals are flexible — from a focused four-hour push to multi-day setups for riders scouting every loop — and options include pedal swaps and mechanic support if you need a last-minute tweak.

Why choose this rental? The fleet’s "Dream Builds" let you test high-end geometry on real, demanding singletrack, and the café’s local knowledge turns a good outing into a great one. Staff can point you to quieter loops, current trail conditions, and scenic overlooks onto turquoise mine pits ideal for breaks and photos. Because the trails were reclaimed from industrial land, expect a mix of machine-crafted flow and pocketed technical sections, making Cuyuna an accessible yet challenging destination for intermediate and stronger riders.

Plan ahead: reserve peak-season bikes, give yourself time for setup, and respect trail stewardship practices. Whether you’re chasing fast, punchy laps or a daylong exploration of ridge lines and water-filled pits, renting a full-suspension Dream Bike from Red Raven is one of the best ways to experience Cuyuna’s unexpected, hard-charging trails.

Local riders use the network as a string of linked laps: mix punchy technical connectors with sustained machine-built descents to sample contrast and practice bike control. Bring a small tool kit, spare tube, and a charged phone; cell coverage drops at some pit overlooks. After riding, stop back at Red Raven Bike Café for refreshment and trail talk—staff will point to lakeside rest spots for photos, swimming, or short walks that reveal mining-era relics and local hiking options.

Ride the Dream: Full-Suspension Mountain Bike Rentals at Cuyuna Lakes

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