Best Folder for airline travel

[bike2math]

I travel a few times a year, and would like to take a bike with me. In my experience many of my destinations are a reasonable biking distance from the airport. Or if not that the places I need to go are close to the hotel. So what is the best folder for this? Let's assume I need something that can handle a light paced 6 mile ride. As I see it there are two or four competing issues: I want something that is lightweight, that won't get damaged by the airline, will be comfortable for the distance I need, and will be in my price range (sub 500?)

What do you use?

[wahoonc]

Anything that will fit in a hard shell suit case...Downtube, Dahon and Bike Friday all come to mind. BF is going to be the priceyist of the lot, but if you ride a mid sized frame there are excellent deals on used ones out there.

Aaron:)

[Bacciagalupe]

A few comments. First of all, for $500 your options are a bit limited. The optimal folder for travel is the Bike Friday -- the optimal choice if you travel more than twice a year with a bike, IMO -- which iirc starts at around $700. A hardshell case alone will set you back $100 - $150.

Second, riding around airports is IMO rather dangerous, due to high volumes of high-speed traffic that will not expect and not be friendly to cyclists. For example, I'd rather not cycle anywhere around Newark Airport; too many highways to get to the airport, and too many narrow / fast / crowded roads to get around the airport.

Third, if you do pack a bike in a suitcase and bring it to the airport.... wha'dya do with the suitcase? The airport won't hold it free of charge for you, and trailer conversion kits are not cheap (BF's is ~$200).

The only other option is to get a Brompton and put it in a bag. In theory the Brompton bag can be padded with cardboard for air travel; dispose of the cardboard and fold up the bag. Unfortunately Brompton is out of your price range, isn't great for long distancs, and I really wouldn't trust that bag for repeated air travel.


IMO, you're better off saving up for a BF and taking taxis to the hotel....

[mtb29]

Check outgaerlan.com. They have good info.

[gbcb]

As I've said here before, the best solution for flying seems to be a bike that can be folded up and "gate checked" -- given to the flight attendants immediately before boarding, as you would do with a stroller or wheelchair. A Brompton works well for this, because you can push it around on its roller wheels while folded. Unfortunately, as Bacciagalupe mentioned, they are a out of your price range.

I have travelled several times with my Dahon Boardwalk checked in a soft bag, and have not run into any serious problems. While I wouldn't actively recommend this (it's quite possible that the bike and/or bag could be damaged by careless bag handlers), it is a workable option IF you're willing to risk it. You can easily carry a soft bag in your luggage or on your bike on the rides to and from the airport.

And to second Bacciagalupe's other point, many airports are not bike friendly, so make sure in advance that you know that it is possible to ride your bike. That said, I hope you find a way to make it work -- Good luck!

[maunakea]

Other than interisland, I only travel with bikes in suitcases. You don't want to discover a mangled bike on the day you hoped to cycle. If you are going to camp/tour, you are going to have suitcases, so pack your bike in a suitcase:

First step. Research on Streets & Trips, Google Maps, etc. the hotels around the relevant airport. Select an off-airport hotel (1) in the direction you want to cycle that has (2) an airport shuttle.
Second step. Make a reservation at that hotel for your the eve of your day of departure from that airport.
Third step. Call the hotel. Tell them your arrival date and that you will check a suitcase on your arrival date.
Fourth step. On arrival, take the hotel shuttle from the airport to the hotel. At the hotel, assemble the bike, and check the bike suitcase (and often a second, "business personna" suitcase) with the hotel, "for your return". Your plans "may change" and you cancel the reserved night, pick up the suitcase(s), pack the bike, and take the hotel shuttle to airport departure. In Europe, many hotels will keep bags for a fee. In Asia, esp. Japan, few will, so the reservation route is usually necessary. Often, I stay in the hotel for an early departure the next day. Nice to get a shower and real bed if I've been in the Hennessy Hammock for a few days.

Variation for an open jaw tour. Book two hotels, one each in the arrival and departure cities. Have UPS, takkyubin, other express labels already made out. Prep at the arrival hotel, coordinate with the front desk for a UPS pickup, slap the labels on the suitcases, and depart for the other city on your bike. It helps to book both hotels in the same chain. Later, cancel the departure reservation at the first hotel... no harm done, you didn't check anything. IMPORTANT: Call the second hotel. Ask to speak to the "receiving clerk". Chat up the receiving clerk a bit, and tell him/her you will be a guest on x day, and that you have suitcases coming by UPS, and that you are on a bicycle tour, or are coming by paisley painted dirigible, anything to get the clerk to remember you and your suitcases. You can then do a quick call to confirm receipt of your suitcases before arriving at the hotel.

[bike2math]

Thanks for the info (my wife will be glad to hear I'm not trying this right away). I had thought of the problem of getting out of the airport proper, but the solution seemed pretty straightforward (with some research):

At smaller airports I've found as a pedestrian it is usually safe and easy to get out of the airport proper (I've been known to walk seven miles to get from an airport to my hotel). At larger airports I figured I could take public transportation to a nearby stop and find a convienient corner to assemble the bike. I guess I just wanted the bike to cut down on some of the time I spend getting around initially.

I travel ultra light so luggage isn't a problem, usually just a small backpack. But I had forgotten about the suitcase for the bike... hmmm.... I'll have to think some more about this.

[invisiblehand]

Given the short distances you travel, the optimal bike would be a Merc or Brompton. Although the ergonomics of either bike are not to my liking. Note that my wife does like her Merc and I tried out a Brompton with the P-bar which was more satisfactory. Value-wise, you get more with the Merc. But you will spend more than $500.

There is a lot of chatter on the forum regarding the new Downtube Mini. With shipping it is less than $500 and quite small and light. It might be just what you are looking for.

[Wavshrdr]

I posted a review of the DT Mini in another thread. I also have photos of next to a Brompton for comparison. Brompton and Merc are pretty much the same size.

[geo8rge]

The bilenkies have a backpack system.

Hard shell
http://bilenky.com/travelbikepack.html


S+S Backpack Case -Just like it sounds. A nylon, padded case with plastic reinforced sides. Also has backpack straps. Meets requirements for all airlines as standard luggage. NEVER PAY AN AIRLINE SURCHARGE FOR YOUR BIKE AGAIN!

[mattygobatty]

I fly with a Dahon Helios in a soft bag. If you are worried about damage, there are side pockets in the bag which can be stuffed with clothing. The bag then folds up and could easily fit into a day pack with room for more. I have flown out of the busy airports of Laguardia and Newark and haven't had any problems. The bike and bag check through regular luggage and can be picked up at baggage claim like any other suit case. I highly recommend bringing your bike with you. If at some point my bike gets smashed on a plane...oh well. First of all, the amount of pleasure I get stepping out of my hotel, snapping my bike together and peddling off is enormous. San Francisco and Montreal this past summer were completely different experiences on a bike. What a great way to get to know a city. And second, I have already saved money enough money on transportation to pay for the bike several times over. So yes, I would be heart broken if my bike got mashed, but them's the risks.

[14R]

Any bike besides Brompton and Merc will require some minor assembly/disassembly that may take from 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on skills, practice, tools and conditions (poor light and no rain protection can make an easy task significantly longer).

After several international trips with conventional 20" folders (Dahon, Giant, Downtbe) I decided to go Merc.

Just my US$0.02