Flying with Bikes - Should we or shouldn't we?

[Mr. Bloom]

The Silvers are going to Maine for a week and have a house rented on a lake near Bethel Maine. Never been there before but they have cycling routes posted for the area (and they brag about the cycling)

Bethel has a bike rental place...but they're likely not road bikes and not likely accessorized for serious cycling (clips, etc).

So, the question is:
- do we invest in bike boxes for the plane, bring our own, and pay the substantial weight penalty (total cost about $500 to $800 depending on the boxes), or
- do we rent bikes for $25/week and just take it easy , or
- do we kick back and get upper body exercise canoeing instead (free)?

What would you do?

[Sheesh]

We were just doing the same debate for a trip to New Hampshire! Ultimately, we've decided to not take the bikes. I hope we don't regret it.

Good luck with your decision!

[DarcyInOregon]

The cyclists I know who travel with their bikes own a special cycling suitcase. The airline allows each person to check in two suitcases. If you are flying economy, and some flights have economy seats only, then the weight limit per suitcase is about 50 pounds. If you fly first class, then you get a weight limit more towards 70 pounds. Therefore one suitcase is devoted to clothing and the second suitcase contains the bicycle and accessories.

If you have a quality bike, your bike and the suitcase it is in should come in at under 50 pounds, including a few bike tools, the helmet and so on.

However you have to take the bike apart and put it back together upon arrival.

I don't have any personal experience with this scenario. I know of one senior male cyclist who owns a home in Las Vegas and rents an apartment in Portland, and he flies back and forth with his bike in this fashion regularly, like once a week.

If you take a vacation off of your personal bikes, it does force you to do other things, which can be very rewarding. I just went on a cruise to Alaska (thus no bike) and I really had a lot of fun. I don't regret my time off the bike at all, even though I have a century in a few days.

Darcy

[KnottedYet]

Wow... $800! I'd probably rent bikes there even if they aren't super-sexy. $25 vs $800 is a pretty big jump. Bring your pedals and shoes (and saddles if you have one you like) and switch them out on the rentals.

Plus I'd be worried about the wear and tear on my beloved bikes if I was taking them apart and shipping and re-assembling and taking apart and shipping again.

What about investing in a couple Dahons or Bike Fridays? That way, if you go on other trips you'll always be able to bring your own bikes. Some of those folding bikes can be pretty sexy.

[Mr. Bloom]

If you fly first class, then you get a weight limit more towards 70 pounds.

That's funny, flying out of Evansville, there's no first class...there's just a puddle jumper with your choice of "Left Side" or "Right Side"

The cases are expensive...and you're right, the dismantling would be a pain!

Bring your pedals and shoes (and saddles if you have one you like) and switch them out on the rentals.

Hmmm...there's an idea...

Don't like the foldable bikes...we have ENOUGH BIKES in our house...guess we'll have to rely on our good looks rather than a sexy bike...

[Pyannyplayer]

That's exactly what we did last year on a trip to Seattle - we packed shoes, pedals, and all our bike stuff in one suitcase ("real clothes" in another suitcase) then rented bikes from one of the local bike shops in the area.

I worried that our beloved bikes would get lost or broken if we took them on the plane. It really worked out; just be prepared for airport security to search your luggage....both ways! All that metal will set off their alarms

Lorie

[SR500]

DH flew for the first time this winter. The Thule bike case was around $300, and SWA charges $50 each way for a bike (most airlines charge $80 - $100 each way). He could have used a bike box from a LBS and shipped UPS for about $40 each way, but he wanted the protection of a case and to keep his bike "with" him. I think he would ship his "extra" Bianchi in a box via UPS, but not the Madone. We see decent road bikes for rent in some larger cities and vacation spots, you might call around. Riding would be awesome, even better on your own bike.

[teigyr]

I probably wouldn't pack my bike unless it was important for my bike to be there. If I was just going around town or doing random rides (as opposed to an important distance ride), I'd make arrangements to rent a good bike and bring my shoes and pedals.

It just all depends on how much it would be bad if your bike were to be damaged. Yes, there is the dismantling but there is also the possibility that your bike could be lost or hurt. As much as I love my bike and would like it to be with me, if I was doing 30-50 mile rides in another city and I could find a decent bike for rent, I'd use the rental bike. If I was planning a century or double century in another state, I would probably risk packing my bike.

If you do bring your bike, definitely do hard-sided. Protect it as much as you can and remember aircraft can't read "fragile" signs

[Mr. Bloom]

Oddly enough, when I posted this, I thought Silver was more serious about the possibility of bringing the bikes than she is.

Silly me, how could I have misread that???

However, I think that reading this feedback seals the deal! I think I see rentals and canoes in our future!

[Crankin]

My husband and son both have taken their bikes on planes. We have hard suitcase like cases that are bigger than standard suitcase size and get charged the extra $ for. We also have shipped a bike via UPS. Bad experiences with both. The TSA breaks the locks off of your bike case and rummages around in all of your parts, etc. UPS damaged my son's racing bike when shipping from Boston to Tucson and they would not pay to get it fixed. So, we either A) do a bike tour with a company that provides good bikes or 2) drive and bring our own bikes or 3) take a "normal people" vacation where we might bring our own pedals and seats and rent a bike (usually a mtb) to cruise around, but concentrate on other sports, hiking, canoeing, etc. My husband has a Bike Friday that he takes on business trips to Europe. It's the road bike model and he is ready to trade it in for a more touring type of bike and then I will get a similiar one, so we can easily travel with bikes.
Maine is a very relaxing place to vacation. Personally, I would try to concentrate on that and not worry about fast riding while I was there...

[horsemom]

I tried to fly with my bike- it was really fun for a secvond or two but then and boy did I crash big.....

No, seriously...I borrowed a case from my local bike club, who has a few they sign out to members. That was great, BUT I was flying Delta, and they have not only a weight limit (50 lbs) but SIZE limit, and the bike box was over that. I was told to take it and try to talk them into it at the counter, (and I would have gladly paid extra) but I was afraid they would turn me down and I would have to take it back to the car, and risk someone stealing it in the parking lot. I borrowed a bike to ride instead.

Laura

[Jo-n-NY]

We rented bikes in Vegas. Although they had Specialized Road bikes and it worked out great. Just be sure to check them over. My husbands bike was lacking air in the tires and he was wondering why his ride was so sluggish.

~ JoAnn

[Chile Pepper]

As others have said, flying with bikes is a hassle. The case is oversized, so you get charged regardless of whether it's within the weight limit. You have to dismantle the bike to get it in the case (my husband's job, since I wouldn't have a clue). I haven't traveled with mine since I brought it here to Chile in the early 1990s, and I have no intention of moving it again.

I'm planning to rent a bike in California to ride a metric. The company was very helpful when I called. You might try that with the shop in Maine--call them up and see what they have available.

[silver]

Oddly enough, when I posted this, I thought Silver was more serious about the possibility of bringing the bikes than she is.

Silly me, how could I have misread that???

However, I think that reading this feedback seals the deal! I think I see rentals and canoes in our future!

Well, we do have some communication problems. {hugs, Mr. for trying to so hard to make me happier with the trip} This one is no big deal though. When I mentioned it, I really had no intent to take our bikes, I thought I told Mr. that we needed to rent bikes because it would be cheaper than shipping bikes.

I will miss my bikes dearly, but I am a triathete and can run and swim. I can be happy on a mountain or hybrid bike, I'll tell myself I'm working extra hard and how much more I'll appreciate "My Lovely Madone" when i get home.

And geesh, I would NEVER allow "My Lovely Madone" to handled by baggage handlers. Oh My, I won't even travel very far with it. Fortunately I have "Old Blue Jeans" (my trusty and wrecked Trek 1000) to tote around.

[IFjane]

Looks like the decision is made, but I thought I'd throw in my two-cents worth anyway.

I have been traveling with bikes for 7 years so I have some experience. When I first started I would have my bike dismantled and boxed at my LBS, to the tune of about $15. I have shipped both UPS and FedEx and I will say, if you plan to ship a bike, use FedEx. Period.

I began flying with my bike about 4 years ago & don't mind it at all. Yes, the case is big, yes, there is a charge - but the bike is with you all the way. Baggage handlers? Do you really think they are any worse than the warehouse people who work for UPS or FedEx? I've had fewer problems flying than I did shipping. I fly Frontier most of the time and like SWA, they "only" charge $50 each way. I have learned to dismantle & reassemble the bike myself. It's not hard. It is really only taking off the wheels, handlebars & pedals. Everything else stays put. Oops! and the saddle.

The bike box is quite an investment, but you get what you pay for. Mine cost $500 & has been worth every penny because the bike packs perfectly & the casters on it are sturdy & roll easily. I figure it was worth the investment because I plan to travel with my bike fairly often. In fact, we (bike and I) are flying next on July 5.

Another option is to invest in a bike with S&S couplers (or have your existing bike retrofitted) - they add almost a pound to the weight but the bike packs much better. I do not have them but the people I know who do swear by them.

Hope some of this helps. -jane