We bought our tandem on the floor, meaning if we would have ordered one to our liking...most likely they would have charged us full price and then some. Never thought we'd have need for the couplers but now we do. Is there any way to get a tandem from the U.S. to London safely and relatively inexpensively?
Our inlaws are riding Land's End to John O'Groats and then crossing the pond to the Netherlands where we'll continue on down into Germany, Ramstein AFB where my brother is located. From there I could pack it back up and ship it home. Has anyone done this and know about what it would cost? I'm thinking that flying the bike over with us is out of the question (costly). We can be without the bike for whatever amount of time we need for it to ship over. We also have my wife's sister in London who could receive the bike for us.
I'd like to use my Robaix Pro but I don't feel comfortable pulling a trailer with the CF bike. The CoMo would be the perfect pulling/touring machine once equiped with a drum brake.
My only other option is to use my Trek 850 :(
The BikeForums Team
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We bought our tandem on the floor, meaning if we would have ordered one to our liking...most likely they would have charged us full price and then some. Never thought we'd have need for the couplers but now we do. Is there any way to get a tandem from the U.S. to London safely and relatively inexpensively?
Our inlaws are riding Land's End to John O'Groats and then crossing the pond to the Netherlands where we'll continue on down into Germany, Ramstein AFB where my brother is located. From there I could pack it back up and ship it home. Has anyone done this and know about what it would cost? I'm thinking that flying the bike over with us is out of the question (costly). We can be without the bike for whatever amount of time we need for it to ship over. We also have my wife's sister in London who could receive the bike for us.
I'd like to use my Robaix Pro but I don't feel comfortable pulling a trailer with the CF bike. The CoMo would be the perfect pulling/touring machine once equiped with a drum brake.
My only other option is to use my Trek 850 :(
I considered this myself. I ordered our tandem and made sure to keep the box, but I don't think the factory box would be nearly safe enough for a trans-Atlantic trip. However, I would start by finding a factory tandem box, or two half-bike boxes spliced together. Then, I would build a wooden frame around the box, perhaps even using some thin plywood. However, a good wooden skeleton frame can protect things quite well. I'd check with the usual shippers. Our tandem came UPS to my LBS, and UPS does do international shipments. Since your brother is (presumably) in the military, what about a possible military shipment? I know some of the military guys ship their cars and other household stuff all around the world.
Perhaps someone with actual experience can help, but these are my ideas.
Doggus
ahhh....APO-FPO...good idea. Put some of my tax dollars to work for me for a change.
Team Godzilla
We have flown overseas with both coupled and non-coupled tandems several times. For our regular tandem, by taking the wheels off and storing beside the frame, we could fit the bike in a bike box for singles issued by the airline. With it well wrapped and packed with bubble wrap, the bike has traveled fine along with our helmets, shoes and other gear in the same box.
Depnding on the airline, the bike has either traveled free as one piece of check-in luggage or with an oversize fee of $60-100 each way. For those airlines with policies of charging, there seems to be some discretion with the check-in agent whether to apply the charge.
I've found shipping quotes to be more expensive but military freight may be a better option.
twonbike
Have a look at this link http://members.shaw.ca/boxyourbike/ For a tndem use 2 boxes cutting one end off each box and sliding one inside the other to get the correct length. Then run lots of tape over the join to hold it together. I found cable tying the plastic together makes for a really srong secure container. I also cover the frame in foam pipe lagging. You can buy it in diifernt sizes for the different tube sizes. Then pack clothes etc around it all. Make sure you put spacers in the forks and chain stays. Get from LBS from when they get new bikes. This is an almost bullet proof way of transpoting the bike. Hope this helps.
Cheers Brian
merlinextraligh
they make tandem carrying cases for full sized tandems. We have one by Bike Pro USA and have flown the tandem to Europe. The charge is $80 each way. The logistical hassels are significant. we actually had to get 2 cabs to get to the train station. One for us and one for the bike.
Doggus
they make tandem carrying cases for full sized tandems. We have one by Bike Pro USA and have flown the tandem to Europe. The charge is $80 each way. The logistical hassels are significant. we actually had to get 2 cabs to get to the train station. One for us and one for the bike.
Was your cost incurred on the domestic flight or the International flight? I'm assuming we're gonna get hit 4 times...DFW->NY and NY->London and back. This sounds interesting. I've discounted taking the tandem...but looks like we may be able to. How recent did you do this?
Is this the case you use? Bike Pro Tandem case (https://www.bikeprousa.com/tandem_pedal.php?UID=2006021314202864.0.171.213#)
Beautiful case...but that price tag makes me wanna cry.
merlinextraligh
Was your cost incurred on the domestic flight or the International flight? I'm assuming we're gonna get hit 4 times...DFW->NY and NY->London and back. This sounds interesting. I've discounted taking the tandem...but looks like we may be able to. How recent did you do this?
Is this the case you use? Bike Pro Tandem case (https://www.bikeprousa.com/tandem_pedal.php?UID=2006021314202864.0.171.213#)
Beautiful case...but that price tag makes me wanna cry.
1) it was international. If its a through ticket on one airline you'll just have to pay the $80 each way, not for every leg of the flight.
2) the tandem to france was 2001. but I flew with bikes to Europe and in the US several times in 2005.
3) the case we have is the Bike Pro USA Tandem race case(same manufacturer, just the race series) I like the race cases better because of the steel frame that the bike locks into and protects the derailleur.
pel
We bought our tandem on the floor, meaning if we would have ordered one to our liking...most likely they would have charged us full price and then some. Never thought we'd have need for the couplers but now we do. Is there any way to get a tandem from the U.S. to London safely and relatively inexpensively?
Our inlaws are riding Land's End to John O'Groats and then crossing the pond to the Netherlands where we'll continue on down into Germany, Ramstein AFB where my brother is located. From there I could pack it back up and ship it home. Has anyone done this and know about what it would cost? I'm thinking that flying the bike over with us is out of the question (costly). We can be without the bike for whatever amount of time we need for it to ship over. We also have my wife's sister in London who could receive the bike for us.
I'd like to use my Robaix Pro but I don't feel comfortable pulling a trailer with the CF bike. The CoMo would be the perfect pulling/touring machine once equiped with a drum brake.
My only other option is to use my Trek 850 :(
Is a round the world ticket an option for you? in which case you are entitled to two 32kg items (each!) of baggage plus cabin baggage - bike in box in one and all the rest in the other?
Doggus
Speaking of 'round-the-world' tickets...I'm amazed at how much cheaper those are compared to a single ticket to say, Australia. Unfortunately...I don't get enough time off to do things like that.
sula
We have flown our tandem a number of times, also put on an over head luggage rack on the train from Russia to Mongolia, had it on busses, in busses, ferries, etc.
As far as flying goes it one of those; you pays your money and take your chances.
Two schools of though are,
1 do nothing to the bike, just let some air out the tyres so baggage handelers will treat it with respect.
2 Package it in buble wrap and box.
I have done both. Both work neither are garenteed to get it there un scathed. When I fly the bike I always reserve two spots for bikes so that check in staff never feel you are trying to pull a fast one. If you get a couple of boxes and cut and tape them its surprissing who small a package you get. Not much bigger than a single. Most air lines carry bikes without an issue. Even if they have a no tandem policy just ignore it and box it. No one will know.
It really is no drama.
BananaMan
The policy seems to vary from airline to airline. Some specify maximum sizes for baggage, other don't.
We flew London to Auckland via LA with British Airways and Quantas with our (one-piece) tandem in a big box and had no trouble. There was no extra charge since the total weight including panniers was still below the normal limit.
johnfhess
HIya,
flew to Austria last year with a couple who had a non-coupled tandem in the big tandem hard case. Lufthansa didn't care. Everyone in the group got one bag for luggage and one bike case, free. Our S and S coupled tandem went in one box, so my wife and I got 3 pieces of luggage and a bike box free. Previously, flew to Mallorca, 2 soft cases for tandem (hard cases are better), again, no charge (San Francisco to Madrid to Mallorca on Iberia).
European airlines are more bike friendly, check British Air or Lufthansa or others. BTW, we loan our single bike box out to locals. Tandem boxes are harder to find, but maybe you can find one nearby? Local Club?
Or drop some serious cash and have the bike converted to S and S (only possible if tubes are round).
good luck,
zonatandem
'Safely' AND 'inexpensively' are mutually exclusive.
Unless you intend to fly frequently (several times a year) with your tandem, the upcharge for S&S retrofit could be a bit prohibitive ($1,000+; and buying 2 hard cases, about another $800).
Either shell out the $$$ (not cheap) for a Bike Pro case or go with a tandem specific cardboard shipping box or 2 single bike boxes spliced together as previously suggested.
Bubble wrap or pipe foam the tubes; put braces into dropouts (a notched small wooden bloc works) or get a couple braces from your LBS (those are usually plastic).
Make sure tandem/damage is covered by insurance policy.
Also possible to rent a tandem overseas (?).
Enjoy your trip!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem