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

[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.

[Mr. Bloom]

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

Yep, about two weeks ago, I tried as well. That led to my "road rash" posts!