big wheel tours

What big wheel tours does

Big Wheel Tours (also operating as Big Wheel Bikes CV) is a privately held Palm Springs-area outdoor adventure company founded in 1998 that sells guided bicycle tours, SUV/off-road driving tours, mountain bike tours, bicycle rentals, and bicycle repair services to visitors and local residents of the Coachella Valley. The core tour portfolio includes the Earthquake Canyon Express Bicycle Tour, Indian Canyon Bike and Hike, Palm Springs Celebrity E-Bike Tour, San Andreas Fault Off-Road Tour, Joshua Tree National Park tours (off-road and paved), and the Palm Springs Celebrity Home Driving Tour, with per-person pricing ranging from $149 to $239 and bundled equipment, guide, transportation, and entry fees. Supporting the tour business is a 400+ bicycle fleet of KHS and Benno brand bikes (comfort, hybrid, full-suspension mountain, e-bike, and full carbon road) available for hourly to weekly rental across two retail showroom locations in Palm Desert (74200 Highway 111) and Palm Springs (1590 South Palm Canyon Drive), plus a bicycle repair service offering Basic, Major, and Deluxe tune-ups at $75, $115, and $175 respectively.

The business operates on a direct-to-consumer model with reservations booked through the Peek.com platform, by phone, or walk-in, supported by a multi-channel marketing approach that includes Trip Advisor directory presence with 2022 Traveler's Choice recognition, partnerships with the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism, Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Palm Desert Visitors Center, and active social media on Facebook and Instagram. Distribution is amplified through channel partnerships with Airbnb Experiences, Hyatt Regency Indian Wells, and Renaissance Indian Wells Resort and Spa, plus a community-impact partnership with Kind Traveler's Every Adventure Gives Back program that donates $1 per purchase to Friends of the Desert Mountains. Festival surge pricing during Coachella, Stagecoach, and Lacrosse Tournament weekends (up to $160 per bike for four-day rentals) demonstrates active yield management around seasonal demand peaks. The company is independent, with no disclosed parent, no institutional funding, and no API or proprietary technology infrastructure beyond standard web commerce.

Name

big wheel tours

Legal name

Big Wheel Tours

Website

https://bwbtours.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Big Wheel Tours is a privately held, Palm Springs-area outdoor adventure company founded in 1998 offering guided bicycle and SUV tours, a 400-bike rental fleet across two Coachella Valley locations, and bicycle repair services to tourists and visitors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Adventure Tour Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (56152), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land (48711)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Cycling, Mountain Biking & E-Bike Adventure Tour Operators (THAAADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cycling / MTB / E-Bike Guiding & Rentals (THAAALAG), Bike Service, Repair & Maintenance Shops (CRAMAHAH), Bike Rental, Demo & Tour Operators (Retail-Adjacent) (CRAMAHAJ), Cycling & Bike Retail (Sales, Service & Accessories) (CRAMABAH)

Keywords

• Guided bicycle tours
• Bicycle rental services
• Bicycle repair services
• Desert adventure tours
• Outdoor recreation tours

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Guided Bicycle Tours: Per-person tour fees for guided experiences including bicycle, helmet, snacks, water, guide, and transportation. Tour types include Earthquake Canyon Express, Indian Canyon Bike and Hike, Celebrity E-Bike Tour, and Mountain Bike Tours.
2. SUV/Jeep Tours: Per-person fees for off-road and driving tours including Joshua Tree National Park tours, San Andreas Fault tours, and Celebrity Home Driving Tours. Includes transportation, guide, entry fees, snacks, and water.
3. Bike Rentals: Hourly, half-day, daily, and multi-day rental fees for various bicycle types including cruisers, hybrids, road bikes, mountain bikes, and e-bikes. Includes helmet, lock, and repair kit.
4. Bicycle Repair Services: A la carte and package repair services including tune-ups, tube/tire replacement, wheel truing, brake services, and full overhauls. Service packages range from $75 basic tune-up to $175 deluxe overhaul.
5. Gift Cards: Digital gift cards sold through the booking platform for tour and rental experiences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Big Wheel Tours provides guided outdoor adventure experiences in the Palm Springs and Coachella Valley area of California. The company sells per-person bicycle tours (Earthquake Canyon Express, Indian Canyon Bike and Hike, Celebrity E-Bike), SUV/jeep tours (Joshua Tree, San Andreas Fault, Celebrity Home), customized mountain bike tours, hourly-to-weekly bike rentals of KHS and Benno brand bicycles from two retail locations, and a la carte bicycle repair services. Operations are supported by a fleet of 400+ bicycles and are sold through its own website, phone, walk-in traffic, and partner channels.

Product overview

Big Wheel Tours is a Palm Springs-area outdoor adventure company operating since 1998, offering a portfolio of guided tour experiences and bike rental services. The core offering spans three main tour categories: Bicycle Tours (including Earthquake Canyon Express, Indian Canyon Bike and Hike, and Celebrity E-Bike Tours), SUV/Off-Road Tours (including Joshua Tree National Park tours and San Andreas Fault tours), and Mountain Bike Tours. Supporting the tour business are two bike rental operations (Palm Springs and Palm Desert locations) with a fleet of over 400 KHS and Benno brand bicycles available for rent, plus a professional bicycle repair service. All components are coordinated through phone booking and a Peek booking platform, with no technical product integrations or API infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Earthquake Canyon Express Bicycle Tour A 20-mile guided bicycle tour descending through the San Andreas Fault zone on paved roads to grape country near Mecca, dropping 1200 feet over the route. Includes bike, helmet, snacks, waters, guide, and transportation from Palm Desert; approximately 4 hours; for guests 12 years and older with a minimum group size of 2 riders.
• Indian Canyon Bike and Hike A combined bike and hike tour through Indian Canyons, including a 10-mile round trip bike route through older Palm Springs neighborhoods and a scenic nature walk to Andreas Canyon on ancestral Cahuilla Indian lands. Includes bike, helmet, snacks, waters, guide, and entry fee; for guests 12 years and older; offered at 8 AM and 1 PM (Oct-July 4) and 7 AM Fri-Sun (July 5-Sept).
• Palm Springs Celebrity E-Bike Tour A guided e-bike tour through prominent Palm Springs neighborhoods showcasing celebrity homes of Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Clark Gable, Liberace, and Marilyn Monroe. Includes e-bike upon request, water, and snacks.
• The San Andreas Fault Off Road Tour A 4-hour off-road SUV tour through Bureau of Land Management Wilderness zone showcasing the most colorful portion of the San Andreas Fault in California. Includes water, snacks, guide, entry fees, and hotel pickup/dropoff from select resorts.
• Joshua Tree National Park Off Road Tour A rugged off-road tour through Joshua Tree National Park featuring Geology Tour Road, showcasing Pinto Gneiss, White Tank Monzogranite, and the Basalt formation of Malpai Hill.
• Joshua Tree National Park Paved Road Driving Tour A 5-hour 15-passenger van tour through Joshua Tree National Park visiting Visitor Center, Hidden Valley, and Keys View, highlighting the contrast between Colorado and Mojave Deserts. Includes van, expert guide, entry fee, water, snacks; daily departures at 7 AM and 1 PM; group discounts available.
• Palm Springs Celebrity Home Driving Tour A 3-hour climate-controlled vehicle tour through Palm Springs celebrity neighborhoods featuring homes of Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Clark Gable, Liberace, and Marilyn Monroe. Open to all ages and includes climate-controlled vehicle plus water and snacks.
• Palm Springs Mountain Bike Tours Fully customized private 4-6 hour mountain bike tours through pristine desert landscapes with routes tailored to ability levels from beginner to expert, including electric or standard mountain bikes. Includes expert guide, bikes, helmets, water, snacks, and transportation; for guests 12 years and older.
• Palm Springs Bike Rentals Bicycle rental service at the Palm Springs location featuring KHS and Benno brand bicycles including comfort bikes, hybrid bikes, full suspension mountain bikes, electric bikes (Benno Ejoys, Scott Sub Active eRIDE), and full carbon road bikes (Ritte Esprit). Hourly, half-day, daily, half-week, and weekly rates available with helmet, lock, and repair kit included.
• Palm Desert Bike Rentals Bicycle rental service at the Palm Desert location featuring KHS and Benno brand bicycles including full carbon road bikes, comfort bikes, e-mountain bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, and e-bikes. Hourly, half-day, daily, half-week, and weekly rates available with helmet, lock, and repair kit included.
• Bicycle Repair Services Professional bicycle repair services available at both retail locations, including Basic Tune-Up / Safety Check ($75), Major Tune-Up ($115), Deluxe Tune-Up / Overhaul ($175), tube/tire replacement, wheel truing, brake services, and complete overhauls.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 rental bicycles available
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Friends of the Desert MountainscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn partnership with Kind Traveler's Every Adventure Gives Back program, Big Wheel Tours donates $1 per purchase to Friends of the Desert Mountains. The organization preserves land and supports education, conservation, and research in the Coachella Valley, acting as support organization for the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
• Kind Traveler (Every Adventure Gives Back)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Kind Traveler's Every Adventure Gives Back program enables community impact donation of $1 per purchase to support local conservation.
• Palm Springs LifeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured Tour Provider on Palm Springs Life website, providing marketing visibility to affluent regional audience.
• Visit Palm Springs (Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial membership with the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism for marketing and promotional partnerships.
• Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors BureaucoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial partner with the Greater Palm Springs CVB for tourism marketing and visitor referrals.
• Palm Desert Visitors CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured partner at Palm Desert Visitors Center website for outdoor activity recommendations.
• Modern & More Bike Tours Palm SpringsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBike rental partner listed on Airbnb Experiences, offering curated Palm Springs architecture tours.
• Renaissance Indian Wells Resort and SpaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBicycle rental partner for Marriott Renaissance resort guests in Indian Wells.
• Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort and SpaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBicycle rental partner for Hyatt resort guests in Indian Wells.
• Desert Bicycle ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPromotes bicycling as a lifetime activity encouraging health, wellness, and personal accomplishment; community partnership.
• Flip KeyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVacation rental partner listing for Palm Springs area accommodations.
• Vacation Palm SpringsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVacation rental partner for Palm Springs area properties.
• The Inn Palm DesertminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured partner hotel in Palm Desert, cross-promotional relationship.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Joshua Tree Adventure Tours: Joshua Tree National Park-focused tour operator offering guided hikes, jeep tours, and stargazing experiences. Comparable as a Coachella Valley/desert tour operator serving similar tourist segments with overlapping Joshua Tree tour products.
• Desert Adventures: Palm Springs-based operator of guided red Jeep tours and Hummer tours through the Coachella Valley desert and Joshua Tree. Directly comparable in geography, customer base (Palm Springs tourists), and core product (guided off-road desert experiences).
• Pedego Palm Springs: Electric bike rental and guided e-bike tour operator in Palm Springs. Directly comparable in the e-bike rental and guided e-bike tour categories, serving the same Palm Springs tourist segment with overlapping celebrity/neighborhood tour offerings.
• Bike Palm Springs: Bicycle rental shop serving Palm Springs tourists with cruiser, hybrid, road, and e-bike rentals. Comparable in product category (bike rentals), customer segment (Palm Springs visitors), and physical retail model, even if it lacks guided tours.
• Trek Travel: Premium cycling tour company offering guided bike tours worldwide with high-end equipment and supported itineraries. Comparable as a guided cycling tour operator with curated multi-format experiences (road, mountain, e-bike) and equipment-forward brand positioning.
• Pedalers: Palm Springs-area bicycle tour company offering guided bike tours including celebrity home tours and neighborhood rides. Closely comparable in product mix, geography, and customer segment, with overlapping Celebrity Bike Tour offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Backroads: Established active-travel company offering guided cycling, hiking, and multi-adventure tours globally. Comparable as a guided adventure tour operator, though at much larger scale and broader geographic footprint; competes for the same cycling-tour customer.
• Viator: Major online tour booking platform owned by Tripadvisor, distributing thousands of tour operators including desert, cycling, and outdoor experience providers. Comparable as a distribution channel and aggregator; competes for share of tourist tour bookings in the Palm Springs market.
• REI Adventures: Outdoor recreation cooperative's guided adventure tour arm offering cycling, hiking, and multi-sport trips. Comparable as a broader outdoor adventure tour operator serving experience-oriented travelers, though at scale far beyond Big Wheel Tours.

Regional players

• Red Jeep Tours: Sedona, Arizona-based Jeep tour operator offering backcountry desert tours. Comparable as an off-road guided desert tour operator serving Southwest US tourists, though geographically distinct from the Coachella Valley market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BigWheelToursPalmSprings
• Instagraminstagram.com/bigwheeltours

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about big wheel tours