Flying with a bike....

[kenyonchris]

My new DH and I decided to fly to California from DFW for the Breakaway ride...which brings up a new problem....getting the bikes there. I can crate the things and ship them ahead of us, but I worry about what will happen to them enroute AND when they get there. The other option is to borrow or buy travel cases take them with us...our flight is a direct one on American. There are alot of options out there as far as cases go, they run the gamut in size and price. My husband's Madone is 60cm, my smaller Pinarello is 51.

Lastly, is there special insurance we can get that will cover the things en route? It is probably $20,000 worth of bikes and components.

Anyone? Anyone?

[OakLeaf]

I'd feel a lot more comfortable shipping them than flying with them. Get the hard cases regardless, especially if you have the chance to borrow or rent them. Plus, you don't have to schlep the cases through the airport along with the rest of your luggage, which is a MAJOR plus. If you're staying in a hotel, let the front desk know to expect the boxes - they do that all the time, often with photography and video gear, or salespeoples' samples, that are worth at least that much. Insure them through the shipper just like any other parcel - outside of shipping, your homeowners'/renters' may cover them, but definitely check - often they require a rider for sporting equipment over a certain value, and you'll want replacement value anyway.

I ship mine in a Thule case twice a year, sometimes more. Coming up on the sixth time, no problems yet [touch wood]. Use plenty of pipe insulation on the frame and foam or bubble wrap on other stuff, swipe some drop-out spacers from your LBS, take the RDs off even if the case instructions don't require it, and cinch everything down tight.

[ginny]

I flew across the world with my bike not that long ago. I bought a used hard case from someone advertising on Craig's List. You would be surprised how many people want to sell bike cases (after storing it, I can sort of understand). Anyway, I got one of the performance cases - it was decent - I can't complain and my bike arrived in one piece. As to insurance... I'm sure you can get it, but I can't help you. I also know people who ship them ahead and arrange with some bike shop to accept the bike and maybe put it back together for them. I know people have figured out ways to ship bikes pretty cheaply, but both times I have shipped a bike, it has cost half a fortune... if you are going to pay like that, you may as well take it with you.

[featuretile]

I honestly can't think it would be worth it to ship and risk such expensive bikes. For what that costs, couldn't you just rent some really good bike in CA? Perhaps it would be worth it if you were going to be riding for weeks, not just a day or a few (I don't know how long the Breakaway is). That's why I just bought a Bike Friday that I can bring with me. It's probably not fast enough for what you want to do. Good luck!

[pumpkinpony]

I've shipped mine FedEx in the past. Much cheaper than the $100/segment charges from the airline I was flying. And I didn't have to hassle with it at the airport. You can add insurance on the shipping - mine was only worth a fraction of yours though so I don't know how much that would add to the cost.

I just used a cardboard bike box, which I can usually find out behind the bike stores for free on their delivery days. A hard case would be nice though.

[OakLeaf]

I honestly can't think it would be worth it to ship and risk such expensive bikes.

FedEx handles stuff worth that much all the time. My DH is a photographer and buys a lot of stuff mail order. :eek: (Now, as I've said before, I wouldn't ship a roll of bubble wrap across town via UPS....) It' s not completely without risk, sure, that's why I advocate using a hard case even if the shipper will take a cardboard box. But nothing is completely wtihout risk.

[kenyonchris]

I honestly can't think it would be worth it to ship and risk such expensive bikes. For what that costs, couldn't you just rent some really good bike in CA? Perhaps it would be worth it if you were going to be riding for weeks, not just a day or a few (I don't know how long the Breakaway is). That's why I just bought a Bike Friday that I can bring with me. It's probably not fast enough for what you want to do. Good luck!

I guess we could do that (and will do that to do some mountain biking)...but our bikes are set up for us, with our garmins and such, with the pedal retention systems we like, with the saddles we like, and the groupsets we like. We want to do it in the LEAST risky way, but on such a big ride we really need our own bikes. I am sure that this is done all the time, so hopefully we will figure it out and it will all get there...one way or another...in one piece.

[OakLeaf]

When people I know have rented bikes, they bring their own saddle, cleated shoes and pedals. That would at least eliminate those variables, if you're thinking about it.

[kenyonchris]

Yeah, DH was home for our lunchtime spin (10 mile quick ride) and I shot the idea of renting a bike past him...he looked at me like I had grown a second head. But of course he is a racer, so everything has to be perfect.

[michelem]

Here's some more info on airline travel w/bikes (from RoadBikeRider.com 2/25/10 newsletter):

United We Grumble

Now that some airlines are making passengers pay for using a pillow or blanket, maybe it's not surprising that the fee for flying with a bike has risen too.

A protest page on Facebook is taking United Airlines to task for charging $175(one way) to check a bike as luggage on a U.S. domestic flight.

That sky-high fee has been in effect for more than a year. United's regulations require the bike to "be contained in a durable, protective case, bag or box" and the whole shebang can't weigh more than 50 lbs. (23 kg).

Protests or boycotts notwithstanding, in these hard times for airlines it's unlikely United is going to lower the fee. It's not just picking on cyclists, either.

United charges the same $175 to check a surfboard, vaulting pole or set of antlers (no kidding).

If you're flying with your kayak or caged pooch or kitty, it's $250 -- each way.

If you don't like United's bike fee, you could fly Southwest. America's No. 1 airline charges $0 for a bike that weighs 50 lbs. or less and fits in a hard case no larger than 62 in. (length + width + height).

Says the Southwest website, "A $50 each-way charge applies to bicycles that don't meet the above criteria. Bicycles packaged in a cardboard box or soft-sided case will be transported as a conditionally accepted item."

Southwest specifically mentions Bike Friday and Co-Motion Co-Pilot travel bikes as qualifying for the $0 fee when checked as one of 2 free pieces of baggage. Other airlines might waive charges for them too.

Tip: When checking in, if you're asked what's in your hefty travel-bike suitcase, say "exercise equipment" rather than "a bicycle." You're not lying and maybe it'll save you a hassle as well as significant coin.

Tip 2: How to Travel with Your Bicycle, an eBook by world traveler Alan Bragman, has loads of information about packing bikes and how to transport them on planes, trains or automobiles.

http://www.roadbikerider.com/431.htm#DISPATCH

[OakLeaf]

Just so you know, my Thule case is right around 30#. So technically I could put my bike in it and come under 50#, but I'd have to carry my re-assembly tools, shoes, seat pack, etc. in separate luggage to beat the airlines' overweight charge. Shipping it means I can put all kinds of cr*p in the box with it, use clothing as extra padding for the frame and wheels, and only pay incrementally for the extra weight... and have that much more stuff that I don't have to schlep around the airport.

As far as the 62" size limitation, it's smaller than it sounds like. Measure and add. I don't even know if a bare unboxed frame would meet that. I know we don't fly with our large suitcases any more, and when we went to buy new hardshell luggage soon after they started enforcing the size limits, even a lot of the "medium-large" suitcases were 64" or 65".

Plus, depending on how many bags you're already checking, I think most airlines sock you quite a bit for bringing more than two - even if you pay a small fee for those first two.


Also, whether you're shipping or schlepping, CO2 canisters don't fly. Buy new when you get there. A simpatico LBS might even let you borrow a couple and return them if you don't need them.

[ny biker]

FWIW, the bike club I belong to has several hard-shell bike boxes available for club members to rent when they're traveling. If any clubs near you offer something similar, it might be worth the cost of membership to take advantage of the rental.

[IFjane]

This topic has been around several times before. My DH & I both have hard cases and both fly with our bikes. Lots.

In the early days I shipped my bike & did not have any damage to the bike itself, but one time the box (cardboard) had a huge hole in it and the bottle cages & one skewer had fallen out somewhere along the line. That is when I decided to invest in a hard case. DH did the same.

We have never - NEVER - had problems flying with our bikes. We fly Frontier and as far as I am concerned, they are a stellar airline when it comes to handling our bikes. They still "only" charge $50 each way - much cheaper than trying to ship.

One advantage to traveling with the bikes is that you would have them available to ride right up until you pack to leave. Packing, once you get the hang of it, takes about 30 minutes tops.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do, and most of all have fun!

[galfromdownundr]

Not fast enough ... actualy, BF just delivered a 16 lb Pocket Rocket Pro to this 73-year old guy who was at the front of the pack on PACTOUR Desert Camp http://www.bikefriday.com/desertcamp2010 every day:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs452.snc3/25894_359048325204_177147215204_3745915_8108136_n.jpg
Bob Kenner. Shown with Lon Haldeman. He rocks!
I managed to stick on his tail at a steady 22 mph on a demo 16" wheel Speeding tikit for about 10 miles. Bob said I started to "get the wobbles towards the end at 23/24 mph" - due to uh, a comparative lack of fitness. Lon did a quick calculation in his head and said "you should have been able to stick on at 28 mp/h!!!!!". Need more Sustained Energy in my bottle! Was also great to meet some TE gals in teh lobby fore and aft Week 3 of camp.

[galfromdownundr]

Speaking of flying with a bike ... here's Bike Friday's first ever TV ad, featuring Rob English jumping out of a balloon at 102,000 feet and unfolding a tikit!http://community.bikefriday.com/sites/default/files/images/kittinger-freefall-yellow-tikit.preview.png
http://community.bikefriday.com/fred/2010/04/fridayfreefall
Thanks to all the generous customers and supporters who made it happen!

[moonfroggy]

everytime i see the title of this thread i think of the wright brothers and hope to find that someone on te is making some sort of plane with their bike.

[Blueberry]

According to a mailing list I'm on (I haven't verified) - Seems Delta is now charging $200 each LEG for a bike *even if it's in a regular suitcase and under 50 lbs.* Just re-affirms my preference to fly Southwest wherever possible.

[Thorn]

We travel enough with our bikes that we both have S&S coupled bikes (fit in a 26x26x10 case that, with bike, weighs in at 47.5lbs). We stopped flying Delta/NW because of the rumor that Blueberry mentions although we've never had anyone question anything except the weight of the case. This summer we are travelling again on Delta (only airline that would do the route we wanted). We'll see. But, of course, I'm travelling with "mechanical parts".

That said, I have two things to add to the thread--Southwest was great. Their literature states coupled bikes that are underweight and within size travel as regular luggage. I'd never flown them before (they've only recently stretched to Milwaukee) and it was by far, the best flight experience I've had in a very, very long time. If you can fly Southwest, really consider it. You have to book directly on their site and they charge only $50 for oversized bike boxes.

The second is that we've been flying with the bikes for a while. The bikes always make it (although we've had suitcases not arrive on time). The bikes have have not been damaged. And, thankfully, the TSA has also seen no reason to open the cases and inspect them, either (probably my biggest worry is that the TSA will open, attempt to unpack and not repack correctly).

For some reason, I feel better having the bikes travel with me. There is no basis for that fact. Shipping has its own set of risks. In the end, do the research, and transport the bikes in the way that gives you the best warm, fuzzies.....well, the lesser bad feelings and worries? :)

[OakLeaf]

(probably my biggest worry is that the TSA will open, attempt to unpack and not repack correctly)

Definitely a concern. They've been into DH's camera cases a couple of times, and once they didn't even latch the latches. Thank goodness nothing fell out or got damaged. With lenses, at least, it's obvious how everything goes back together.

[oz rider]

I've been making the same decisions kenyonchris and there seems to be good and bad experiences with all options. I considered couplers but am going with a cardboard box, partly because the tour support vehicle can't take rigid cases.

Don't forget the FB page on United's fees (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=338058798032&ref=nf&v=info) that RBR pointed to. Part of the reason I'm not flying United. It adds a lot to international fares.

[Aggie_Ama]

How much does a bike shop charge to reassemble? DH and I are hoping to go ride the Mount Hood Cascade huts loop and it seems flying our bikes might be cheaper than renting for 4 days. Southwest would be an option or Frontier was very pleasant when we went to Seattle. Our LBS rents cases for $8 per day so that is pretty good for a week long trip.

[MartianDestiny]

How much does a bike shop charge to reassemble?

It cost me $75 for one bike and $30 for another to build and tune out of a professionally packed cardboard bike box when I moved. (The one was less because I had them re-build two at the same time and they didn't have to do anything as far as tuning to it).

It cost me about that much to have them packed as well.

[kenyonchris]

I called the LBS...which has three locations and is THE bike shop in this area...(my husband rides on their team, so, in fact, is paid by these guys...I have griped about the fact that they are rude in the past). I said, "Hey, I am so and so, Mr. So and so is my husband, he rides for (insert team name) and he suggested I call because we are flying to California with the bikes and he thought you guys might have some hard cases we could borrow or rent."
Answer from bike shop guy: "(long pause) no."
Me: "No? Ok....hmmm."
Long pause.
Me: "You sell them?"
BSG: "Of course."
Me: "Well, ok. Thanks, then. Ta ta."

So I think I am of course the biggest idiot in town. Apparently, RENTING a case was like renting shoes or something....just not done. However, when I drove across town today to pick up our packets for Tour Dallas on Saturday I asked the very friendly girl there about BUYING a case and she said (helpfully), "you know, we rent them."

Well, flip me a fish. I was so happy! I told DH about the exchange. He called and pulled himself off the race team and told them that they had just lost a customer AND a teammate.

And it is costing $60.00 per bike for two weeks to rent the cases. And I have no problem giving this bike shop my money!

[OakLeaf]

KC, good deal! :)

Amanda, reassembly out of a hard case is next to nothing. No need to pay a bike shop. (I'm not sure how much more disassembly has to happen with a cardboard box, if any.)

To pack in a hard case, all that comes off are the wheels, the pedals, the handlebars (with the stem, or leaving the stem on the steerer tube, depending on how your bike fits), the seatpost (with saddle attached) and the rear derailleur. Quick-release skewers come out of the hubs and tires get somewhat deflated. I disconnect my front brake cable to give me more flexibility of where to pack my handlebars, but that's not necessary with all bikes. I think with a smaller bike, the shorter head tube means shorter cables and that's why I have to do that. That's it.

Put some masking tape around your seatpost to mark your seat height, put a couple of unobtrusive dots on your handlebars or steerer tube with a Sharpie to mark the tilt and/or the horizontal alignment. Or, if those parts are graduated, just make a note of where you had them set. Then reassembly is a snap. I've done it in the FedEx depot parking lot. :) You want to be prepared to re-adjust the cables in case something gets tweaked in transit, but I've actually never had to, other than re-setting the brake cable that I disconnect.

[Blueberry]

However, when I drove across town today to pick up our packets for Tour Dallas on Saturday I asked the very friendly girl there about BUYING a case and she said (helpfully), "you know, we rent them."

Well, flip me a fish. I was so happy! I told DH about the exchange. He called and pulled himself off the race team and told them that they had just lost a customer AND a teammate.

Love it! Some shops just seem to not *want* to get customer service. I'm so glad things are working out for you, and hope that you have a wonderful vacation!!