Not sure if you're talking about 3-axis or flexwings - but if the latter, there are two terrible hazards for an experienced 3-axis aircraft pilot taking up flexwings, and maintaining currency on them:
1 - Sense of the pitch control is reversed
2 - Sense of the taxi steering control is reversed
I hear anecdotally that far too many people have been killed as a consequence of these fundamental differences. Regardless of how careful one is, there is always the risk that in a difficult and stressful situation, one will instinctively pull the bar back to flare - and you'll be lucky if that mistake is not fatal. Having started training on flexwings, then (after a gap of a year) started training for my PPL(A), I had a great deal of difficulty making my feet push the correct sense when steering a 3-axis aircraft.
However - flexwings are great fun! They're a wonderfully in-your-face flying experience, and the visibility is astounding.
What is the situation with microlights with regard to hire. I seem to remember that hireing was allowed whilst training but not allowed once completed, so you needed to buy one or buy into a group. Is that still the case?
AFAIK, it is still illegal to rent a microlight. You're either a student training (dual or solo), or you own one, either whole or share.