Flying with a bike....

[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 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!!