Traveling with brand New Bike Advice

[Owlie]

Looking at the components, the Fuji's actually a little nicer (rear derailleur)! But I get being attached. The Charge has yet to worm its way into my heart (...ew...) the way my Giant has, even though it's a heck of a lot nicer and fits me better.

I'm about 95% sure they won't sell an unassembled bike. The only way you'd be able to get it that way is 1) if they've got one of them on the floor, you could ask them to disassemble it, but you'd have to pay the cost of doing that, or 2) you buy it off the website and have it shipped to you rather than going in, buying it, and shipping it to the store.

Could you rent a bike down there?

[Giulianna23]

I would be surprised if a bike shop would sell you an un-assembled bike. There might be some liability issues because they would not be able to confirm the quality of the assembly. Sounds like a good idea to leave a bike there--could you not buy a used decent bike in Panama?

They are very good used ones but I am affraid I wont have time to go look at one that fits plus don't like the idea of ending up buyin a stolen bicycle because I am in a rush of getting one. They are very good at that over there...and I mean really good...and I would hate to give my money to a thief. So I prefer to buy it new either here or there ..where ever cost less.

Looking at the components, the Fuji's actually a little nicer (rear derailleur)! But I get being attached. The Charge has yet to worm its way into my heart (...ew...) the way my Giant has, even though it's a heck of a lot nicer and fits me better.

I'm about 95% sure they won't sell an unassembled bike. The only way you'd be able to get it that way is 1) if they've got one of them on the floor, you could ask them to disassemble it, but you'd have to pay the cost of doing that, or 2) you buy it off the website and have it shipped to you rather than going in, buying it, and shipping it to the store.

Could you rent a bike down there?

Yeah I know...the Fuji has more gears on the rear and thats nice I also like the fact that it is a triple. And you are right I also tought about having the store mail it directly to my house instead.

I don't want to rent because where I live I can bike ride everyday all day! so I want a bike handy 24/7. PLus it will be there everytime I go on vacation and I don't have to worry about renting.

[Giulianna23]

So last night I called the airline I am planning to fly with and asked about this. The rep told me that as long as the Box is between 62"X62" and no more than 50Lbs I am able to take it as the first check in luggage for Free and any extra luggage under 50Lbs will be $40. So the question is Should I call again to make sure? I am about to buy the bike this weekend or next week at the latest and the flight ticket at the end of the month.

[Jo-n-NY]

I read the same last year with Jet Blue when I was researching out of curiosity. I thought it was such a great deal I read it over a few times thinking I was reading it wrong.

[OakLeaf]

Just FYI, hard sided cases with their packing materials typically weigh over 30# empty. By the time you add your pedals and bottle cages, you'll have to have a pretty lightweight bike to get it under 50# in a hard case. So, with that in mind, if the airline offers that same deal on international flights, you'll definitely save money using a cardboard crate. I've never used one and I'd be kind of afraid to, myself, but if you let the LBS pack it up for you, hopefully it should be okay.