Mountain Biking - Taking a bike on the plane

Hello, this is my first post. My question is...I am going to CA this weekend for 2 weeks and want to take my bike. I am wondering if somehow I can avoid the exorbitant 80$ the airlines charge to sent the bike as "my luggage". Any suggestions would be helpful

Thanks
Nik :)

You can avoid expensives repairs by letting all the air out of your air shocks since it will likely blow the seals on the way to 30000 feet.

Seriously. be damn sure to release the air from the shocks before flying. It will blow the seals as mine did once before.

Have fun. I love riding in CA.

take your bike apart... i've raced nationally around the country... instead of a bike box, get 2 boxes and take off your bars, and crank and stuff, then put it in the 2 boxes... when they ask, tell them its bike parts... your not lieing... and you can show them to prove it to them... its generally cheaper than the fee... good luck ~ mikeym

[QUOTE]take your bike apart... i've raced nationally around the country... instead of a bike box, get 2 boxes and take off your bars, and crank and stuff, then put it in the 2 boxes... when they ask, tell them its bike parts... your not lieing... and you can show them to prove it to them... its generally cheaper than the fee... good luck ~ mikeym

Good advice! I was going to suggest putting a large wheelchair sticker on it and act dumb when they question you.

You could probably save money shipping it UPS and it won't be torn open, examined and repacked in a haphazard way by the investigators seeking terrorist bombs and such.
You'll need someone on the other end to receive it though.

You can avoid expensives repairs by letting all the air out of your air shocks since it will likely blow the seals on the way to 30000 feet.

Seriously. be damn sure to release the air from the shocks before flying. It will blow the seals as mine did once before.

Have fun. I love riding in CA.

There is no need to let the air out of shocks/tires.

The cargo holds are pressurized.

http://draco.acs.uci.edu/rbfaq/FAQ/9.13.html

I recently bought a bike while in Germany and brought it back with me as luggage. Took the front wheel, handlebars, seat and pedals off and put it back in the original box. Lufthansa and AA didn't seem to have any problem with it. No extra charges!!!

Yes, the baggage comparments are one in the same with the passenger compartment. It is all the same system. Otherwise all the pets would die from the cold and lack of oxygen.

There is no need to let the air out of shocks/tires.

The cargo holds are pressurized.

http://draco.acs.uci.edu/rbfaq/FAQ/9.13.html


WOW, I was forced to pay for what should have been a warranty repair by Cannondale then for my lefty fork. The seals were blown out after a return trip from CA and the Cannondale service people refused warrantee because I flew with it and I was honest when I told them I left it pressurized.

Crooks!

if you can fit into just about any box(es) besides a "bike box" you won't be charged extra. make sure you transport the necessary tools to put it all back together once you arrive at your destination. have fun!

Get a box from your LBS, pack it (easy process) and ship it UPS or Fedex, either company have special rates for bikes and by timing it right should let you pick it up at one of their local terminal if you don't have anyone to pick it up.
Label it "fragile". Rate should be between $30 and $40. They will take better care of your bike than any airline.

on the petefagerlin.com site, he has a link to some company that makes bike bags for travelling. he used one for his trip to hawaii. he’s got the link and pictures to the right of this page: http://www.petefagerlin.com/maui.htm

they’re kind of expensive, but i’m considering getting one for my bike because i want to take it with me if me and my wife go visit her family in england next spring or summer.

If you ship it UPS or any other package handler do not forget to insure it they can damage it also go to their websites and check out the packaging rules if it is not packed to their specifications they will deny payment. And not all cargo holds are pressurized most luggage goes pressurized but some of it may end up in unpressurized hold. It is alway good deflate anything with air in it to be on the safe side.

It is alway good deflate anything with air in it to be on the safe side.

Why?

Would you deflate your tires if you were riding the high country in Colorado and climbed to 10,000'? How about an air shock on the same ride?

Why?

Would you deflate your tires if you were riding the high country in Colorado and climbed to 10,000'? How about an air shock on the same ride?

Yes. I did exactly that when I rode in Crested Butte two years ago.

I noticed a difference in my shocks at 5000 feet in NC this past weekend. So yes I would adjust for altitude if necessary. My front shock performance at just 5000 made me want to do it but I did not have the shock pump in my camelback pack.

Why?

Would you deflate your tires if you were riding the high country in Colorado and climbed to 10,000'? How about an air shock on the same ride?

Having never rode at the 10,000' level I can only presume that I would not deflate the tires empty but only to hold the required air pressure that is needed. At 10,000 feet in an airplane something that is filled to the proper PSI at sea level will expand since there is less air pressure at that altitude. I am sure there are scientific types out there that can explain that better than I. I do know that as someone who has been shipping packages via air freight for ten year it is highly recommended, and in some case required to deflate air out of any non pressurized unit and that any air that is contained in a pressurized unit is classified as dangerous goods so that they can make sure it gets special handling and stowed in pressurized holds . Remember that the next time you think about taking a co2 pump on a plane with you, you can't take the cartridges aboard.

At 10,000 feet in an airplane something that is filled to the proper PSI at sea level will expand since there is less air pressure at that altitude. I am sure there are scientific types out there that can explain that better than I.

The 10,000' question was related to the fact that the airlines pressurize their cabins and cargo holds to equivelent of 8,000-10,000 feet when they are cruising at 30,000+ feet. The cargo sections are indeed pressurized:

http://www.air-transport.org/public/publications/display1.asp?nid=965

FWIW, you don't need to let air out of your tires, change your shock pressure, etc. when riding at high altitude.

As far as the scientific explanation, the changes aren't as great as you would think:

http://draco.acs.uci.edu/rbfaq/FAQ/9.13.html

p.s. I've flown with co2 cartridges in my bike case a bunch of times. No problems.

p.s. I've flown with co2 cartridges in my bike case a bunch of times. No problems.

If you have flown with them you have not declared them they have a un number when shipped in the air they ARE dangerous goods when they are shipped on the ground they ARE dangerous goods they ar class 2.2 UN 1014 shipped as hazardous when in the are flown and are classified as ORM-D Consumer Commodity (a Dangerous goods classification) when shipped on the ground

if you care here is the table look up Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen Mixtures, under pressure you will find out that you cannot fly them in an airplane with out proper packaging and paper work. So if you have your breaking the rules


http://www.myregs.com/dotrspa/

Shipping air cartridges is something my department does on a daily basis. And at extra charges ranging from $25 to $60 a pop we wouldn't be doing it if we didn't have to.

If you have flown with them you have not declared them they have a un number when shipped in the air they ARE dangerous goods when they are shipped on the ground they ARE dangerous goods they ar class 2.2 UN 1014 shipped as hazardous when in the are flown and are classified as ORM-D Consumer Commodity (a Dangerous goods classification) when shipped on the ground

if you care here is the table look up Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen Mixtures, under pressure you will find out that you cannot fly them in an airplane with out proper packaging and paper work. So if you have your breaking the rules

Every time I start my car I'm breaking the rules. Eevry time I drive I'm breaking the rules. On many rides I break the rules.

It's no big deal to ship a CO2 cartridges inside a bike case, inside a Camelbak, inside a pressurized cabin, in my experience.

Well the fines are very steep it ain't a traffic ticket it is much more than that in case you think I am exagerating go back to the website and look up the penalties

Here are the regs for 4 of the airlines I have had time to look up. CO2 is nothing you want accidently released into an enclosed space and in case of sudden pressure loss in a cabin it will explode, nothing to joke about or to take lightly for that mater.

http://www.alaskaair.com/www2/help/faqs/Baggage.asp#DoNotBring

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,1360,1035,00.html

http://southwestairlines.com/travel_center/wont_fly.html

http://www.aa.com/content/customerService/baggage/restrictedArticles.jhtml

What I really do not understand is why someone would be so whacked off about the idea of taking precautions to prevent possible damage.

He is having a cow over a measure that a responsible thinking individual might take when flying.

I have had personal experience with this exact situation. But still there is some bonehead who decides to mount a crusade against a harmless precautionary measure.

If you want to be helpful then do so. If you want to be a jackass then go hang out in the political forum where it is considered normal.

Well said Sam!

L8R

What I really do not understand is why someone would be so whacked off about the idea of taking precautions to prevent possible damage.

He is having a cow over a measure that a responsible thinking individual might take when flying.

I have had personal experience with this exact situation. But still there is some bonehead who decides to mount a crusade against a harmless precautionary measure.

If you want to be helpful then do so. If you want to be a jackass then go hang out in the political forum where it is considered normal.What do you expect out of a "Junior member"?

What I really do not understand is why someone would be so whacked off about the idea of taking precautions to prevent possible damage.

He is having a cow over a measure that a responsible thinking individual might take when flying.

Huh? Why do you think I'm "whacked" and "having a cow"? That's strange.



I have had personal experience with this exact situation. But still there is some bonehead who decides to mount a crusade against a harmless precautionary measure.

If you want to be helpful then do so. If you want to be a jackass then go hang out in the political forum where it is considered normal.

Crusade? What?

I merely shared some information about an old and common myth that contradicted what you proposed.

Apparently it's got your panties in a bunch. You seem to be much too sensitive. As far as posting in another forum, who the hell are you to tell anyone where they can and cannot post?

Wannabe moderators crack me up.

Thanks for the laughs.

Here are the regs for 4 of the airlines I have had time to look up. CO2 is nothing you want accidently released into an enclosed space and in case of sudden pressure loss in a cabin it will explode, nothing to joke about or to take lightly for that mater.
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Thanks for the links.

I have never brought C)2 cartridges in the cabin. They've always been inside a Camelbak, inside a bike case, in the cargo compartment.

There's a ton of info out there regarding whether C02 cartridges will explode or not. For instance:

Some more info about these myths (http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=off&threadm=stella-ya023180002005991104160001%40news.apple.com&rnum=24&prev=/groups%3Fq%3Ddeflate%2Btires%2Bplane%26start%3D20%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26safe%3Doff%26selm%3Dstella-ya023180002005991104160001%2540news.apple.com%26rnum%3D24)

What do you expect out of a "Junior member"?

Bwahahahahaha.

You can't be serious can you?

Somehow one's "status" on a relatively low traffic matters somehow?

Bwahahahahaha.

You can't be serious can you?

Somehow one's "status" on a relatively low traffic matters somehow?
Yes I can be serious mainly because you're being a jerk towards someone who's taking steps to ensure his stuff doen't get screwed up wheter he "needs" to do this is immaterial. Also they don't fine you for stuff it's "ok" to do now do they? May you live an interesting life.

Wannabe moderators crack me up.
i don’t mean to stick my nose into this, but i thought i should mention something...

the star beside their username means they are forum moderators, not just wannabes.

i don’t mean to stick my nose into this, but i thought i should mention something...

the star beside their username means they are forum moderators, not just wannabes.


Ah, I see.

That's even more disturbing that someone who is ostensibly a moderator would get so bent out of shape by someone who is sharing information, even if it contradicts a myth that he apparently holds dear.

Oh well, if folks can't discuss biking issues without getting all bent out of shape there's not much that you cann do except chuckle.

Yes I can be serious mainly because you're being a jerk towards someone who's taking steps to ensure his stuff doen't get screwed up wheter he "needs" to do this is immaterial. Also they don't fine you for stuff it's "ok" to do now do they? May you live an interesting life.

My goodness it certainly seems that there are quite a few very fragile folks on this forum.

If you equate sharing the truth about transporting your bike in an airplane with "being a jerk" there's not much I can do to help you.

Thanks, I am living an interesting life. I hope you are too.

Thanks for the links.

I have never brought C)2 cartridges in the cabin. They've always been inside a Camelbak, inside a bike case, in the cargo compartment.

There's a ton of info out there regarding whether C02 cartridges will explode or not. For instance:

Some more info about these myths (http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=off&threadm=stella-ya023180002005991104160001%40news.apple.com&rnum=24&prev=/groups%3Fq%3Ddeflate%2Btires%2Bplane%26start%3D20%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26safe%3Doff%26selm%3Dstella-ya023180002005991104160001%2540news.apple.com%26rnum%3D24)

Nice link but why don't you give something that I can read from a source that is verifiable. First if there was no danger, believe it or not, the regs would not be there Industry has a very strong voice in these regulations. They are not just put on things because some bureaucrat has decide to make such a rule. The regulations are not only what you carry in the cabin, but for Cargo and luggage. When I ship catridges counter to counter they go with the luggage and the freight. So do me a favor and everyone else on this site please post your flight itineraries so that I might avoid flying with you.


The next time you fly buy a bag of chips before you board the plane, note what condition the bag is in, then when you reach flying altitude and the cabin is fully pressurized pull the bag out and note the difference in the bag when it was on the ground and how at 10000" in a pressurized cabin it is different.

And as Sam said why have a cow for suggesting to someone from our experiances it would not hurt to do something to protect his bike just in case. Personally I don't get it no harm no foul right?

...snip...... So do me a favor and everyone else on this site please post your flight itineraries so that I might avoid flying with you.


....snip....

And as Sam said why have a cow for suggesting to someone from our experiances it would not hurt to do something to protect his bike just in case. Personally I don't get it no harm no foul right?
AMEN!!!!!

Huh? Why do you think I'm "whacked" and "having a cow"? That's strange.

Every time I start my car I'm breaking the rules. Eevry time I drive I'm breaking the rules. On many rides I break the rules.

This comment identifies you as an arrogant little smartass.



I merely shared some information about an old and common myth that contradicted what you proposed.

Thank you, and my shocks suffered actual damage on a flight that debunks this little bit of info you posted. But I suppose I just imagined that month without my shock while Cannondale repaired it and the bill they sent me.


Apparently it's got your panties in a bunch. You seem to be much too sensitive. As far as posting in another forum, who the hell are you to tell anyone where they can and cannot post?

I am a nobody, just like you. But I did try and give some useful information to this individual that you seem compelled to portray as lies or bull$hit.


Wannabe moderators crack me up. Actually you are the one cracking everyone up. I'm just agging you on to prolong the entertainment. Jerks are fun to jerk around.


Thanks for the laughs.

Your welcome.


My apologies to the original poster of this legitimate question. Please take all the responses and make your own decision and I hope your flight is uneventful.

Now, in all fairness the chances of a CO2 cartridge posing a hazard is minimal and would only be due to a manufacturing defect in my opinion. But shocks with seals made from flexible componenets will burst and if you are a larger fella like myself running 200 psi or more in a shock then there is greater risk of rupture.

It is not a definite that it will burst but only a possibility. Unfortunately for me mine definitely exploded.

Every time I start my car I'm breaking the rules. Eevry time I drive I'm breaking the rules. On many rides I break the rules.

This comment identifies you as an arrogant little smartass.

Ok. If that makes you feel better then so be it.

It's the truth though and is merely an example of why "breaking the rules" isn't always such a horrible thing. Maybe it was too subtle for you.




Thank you, and my shocks suffered actual damage on a flight that debunks this little bit of info you posted. But I suppose I just imagined that month without my shock while Cannondale repaired it and the bill they sent me.

I can see how you, or Crackandfail, could link the two situations and try to establish some cause and effect.

When you look at the actual pressure difference between sea level and 10,000' (pressurized cabin), it certainly could be argued that your flight had nothing to do with the shock failing.

Does the fact that three different air shocks of mine (two rear and one front) have never suffered any damage due to flying "debunk" the little bit of info that you posted?

Using your logic that would be the case.



I am a nobody, just like you. But I did try and give some useful information to this individual that you seem compelled to portray as lies or bull$hit.

Wow. You're certainly reading a whole lot into what I wrote.

I didn't call you a liar. I didn't say that you were writing bull$hit.

I merely presented some facts about a common cycling myth.

I'm sorry that those facts upset you so much.


Actually you are the one cracking everyone up. I'm just agging you on to prolong the entertainment. Jerks are fun to jerk around.


LOL!

So you're psychic now and know how everyone is reacting to this thread, eh?

If you call ignoring scientific fact "egging" me on, have at it.

Cheers!

Nice link but why don't you give something that I can read from a source that is verifiable. So do me a favor and everyone else on this site please post your flight itineraries so that I might avoid flying with you.

There is boatload of information and analysis available on the net (and usenet) regarding this myth.

My only bike-related flying plans look like SF-NZ sometime in March. If you're going as well, I can certainly get more specific once the flights are booked.

Your request reminds my of that classic, Chicken Little.


The next time you fly buy a bag of chips before you board the plane, note what condition the bag is in, then when you reach flying altitude and the cabin is fully pressurized pull the bag out and note the difference in the bag when it was on the ground and how at 10000" in a pressurized cabin it is different.

You can't really think that the containment properties of a bag of chips is the same as a bike tire, bike shock, or CO2 cartridge, can you?


And as Sam said why have a cow for suggesting to someone from our experiances it would not hurt to do something to protect his bike just in case. Personally I don't get it no harm no foul right?

LOL about the "cow" thing again.

Along those same lines, don't walk under ladders, don't step on cracks, etc. etc.

I can see how you, or Crackandfail, could link the two situations and try to establish some cause and effect.

When you look at the actual pressure difference between sea level and 10,000' (pressurized cabin), it certainly could be argued that your flight had nothing to do with the shock failing.

Does the fact that three different air shocks of mine (two rear and one front) have never suffered any damage due to flying "debunk" the little bit of info that you posted?

Using your logic that would be the case.

It is a possibilty which is arguable. I'll take precautions that may save me 100.00 on my next trip on a plane. You and anyone else may continue to take the risk.

But keep in mind that the older the shock and the more use it has seen will lessen its capacity to withstand pressure due to normal wear and tear. Or do you think seals last forever without fail? My shock was a week old and it blew. Strange?

Theories are not facts. My conclusion is not an absolute fact but merely a possibility. One which can be ignored or acted upon.

I had not heard Crackandfail until now. Pretty funny considering of 9 Cannondales I have owned, raced and ridden into the ground over the past 10 years none have failed other than this shock problem I had due to the flight.

Before buying C'dale I rode (and broke) Diamondbacks, GT's, Trek, and specialized framesets. And I did in fact have frame failures on all these before discovering the quality of C'dale. The Trek was the worst of all the failures. Furthermore I weighed less than 180 lbs before switching and since riding C'dale I have regularly been over 200lbs.

I'll take my personal experience over sceintific theories any day.

You can't really think that the containment properties of a bag of chips is the same as a bike tire, bike shock, or CO2 cartridge, can you?

I think not. It was merely a simple example of how the air expands that is trapped due to changing pressure outside the bag.

But yes you are correct in the manufacturing standards. It is highly unlikely a cartridge will fail. Unlikely does not mean it absolutely will not fail. It is the possibility that creates the scenario of risk in these instances.

I worked with Pneumatics and hydraulics in industrial applications for over 15 years and never met a seal that could not possibly fail. Some of these applications called for pressures as little as 5 psi and some as much as 5000 or more psi.

The quality of seal technology today is almost fail free under normal circumstances as long as the rated useful life of a seal design is not exceeded. But no manufacturer will guarantee a 100% non-failure rate that I know of. Do you?

BTW, where exactly is this scientific data you talk about? The links you post are vague and only refer to bike tires.

My shock was a week old and it blew. Strange?

That actually sounds like a manufacturing defect more than anything else given that it failed when it was new.


I had not heard Crackandfail until now. Pretty funny considering of 9 Cannondales I have owned, raced and ridden into the ground over the past 10 years none have failed other than this shock problem I had due to the flight.

It's sctually a pretty common nickname.

Any frame can break. It's just more difficult to come up with a snappy nickname for Trek or Specialized that includes crack.

That actually sounds like a manufacturing defect more than anything else given that it failed when it was new.

I will not dismiss that possibility but I do know the failure was ultimately triggered during the flight. But it is all money down the drain now.

But I won't let it happen again because I travel deflated now. Until a good looking stewardess walks by.

So that I do not come across as a "sky is falling" kind of guy (why I have even been known to walk under ladders, and step on cracks )we have already established that manufacture defects never happen right? The odds are in your favor that it won't happen. Accidental release of CO@ in an enclosed place won't ever happen right? So the odds are slim that will not happen. So I always like to ask what will you do when it does happen? Especially since it is preventable and there are current International, Federal, and even State laws in place to prevent the long shot from happening. Sam was right about the potato chip bag it was used to prove that even in pressurized cabins things with air in them do expand so if it don't hurt and it could stop something bad from happening why not do it. Just for the sake of argument mind you. Oh yes and of course just because someone takes the time to post something on the Internet/Usenet then it must be true. :D

[QUOTE=SamDaBikinMan
But I won't let it happen again because I travel deflated now. Until a good looking stewardess walks by.[/QUOTE]

shhh, don't tell CB now ;)

shhh, don't tell CB now ;)

She has me on the short leash.

She has me on the short leash.Now that's kinky. Didn't know you liked that sort of thing. :roflmao:

Now that's kinky. Didn't know you liked that sort of thing. :roflmao:

My all time favorite letters of the alphabet are S E X

In that exact order. :D:D:D

Oh yes and of course just because someone takes the time to post something on the Internet/Usenet then it must be true. :D

Obviously not, or we wouldn't be discussing the warnings about deflating tires, etc.......

Hey, nvkulk, hope you're still thinking of taking your bike with you after all this :rolleyes:

I bet he will think twice before signing up for an internet forum again. ;)

The kids just won't behave will they?

I've just REREAD this entire diatribe. You guys need to lighten up on the caffeine in the afternoon!

BTW, the red star means contributing member, the blue star (like MINE) means moderator.

Debate is good, name calling and personal attacks are bad! You guys are on the verge of BAD!

Don't make me bust out my can of moderating powers on this thread!

L8R & Chill guys!

Hey A2, it is getting into that time of year when we cyclists cannot ride as much and we become irratable from withdrawals. I'll try to be nice after today.

Does this mean I don't get a cookie? I really wanted a cookie. I think I'll go bake some cookies.....

Bad Sam, No Cookie!

Sam, you mean you guys don't ride all year round?

Hmmmmm, our "good" riding season has just begun. (One of the "few" good things about being a mtn biker in FL)

L8R