I've rented road bikes many, many times. All I look for is information on the brand and size of bikes they rent so I can go online to see if it's within fit parameters for me and if the gearing is reasonable for the riding I'll be doing. I might ask if they will swap stems for me, but often I just bring my own and swap it myself if need-be.
I always bring my own stuff so it doesn't matter if they supply it or not:
basic tools, mini pump
Pedals
Shoes
Helmet
Saddle (although I usually at least try their stock saddle for a day to see if I like it, a good way to "test" saddles).
Possibly a stem or two for fit purposes
All my riding clothes.
My wife's very small so when we're renting a bike for her I bring all of the above, but make sure I have stems and stem risers to make a bike fit for her. I've even brought cassettes and chain to reduce gearing in back if necessary.
For what it's worth, in my own life my bikes have upper level Shimano and Sram 9 and 10 speed-era drive trains. I've rented lower level bikes many times, for example with Shimano Sora or Sram Apex shifting and have been perfectly happy. That is not a decision factor for me at all. Fit is.
Last edited by Camilo; 02-01-21 at 01:30 AM.