Touring - taking 2 bikes to europe - best way ??

hello;
i'm taking 2 bikes to europe this summer and was wondering how people generally do this. we went last year and i took my bike with me on the plane. delta only charged me $100 roundtrip. but it's a royal pain to have to lug the huge case (triko) thru atlanta airport while changing planes (have to go dfw-atlanta-munich) - and you will be pulled out at customs both ways :eek: - GUARANTEED!! has anybody ever shipped a bike ups or via any other shipping method and if so, how much did it cost??

thx,
mk

I've always taken my bike on the plane, and what I've always done is find out what the luggage allowance is for taking a bike on the plane, then I just comply with their specifications. If Delta is charging you to take a bike overseas, you may want to consider switching airlines to a more bike friendly airline. The majority of them will at least work with cyclists and require the bike to be broken down to certain dimensions for free shipping.

Koffee

I have checked with both US Air and American, May 04,NO CHARGE, when handled as your checked baggage, boxes can be provided at ck in, but I'd advise taking your own to make sure.

I've flown on a Canadian carrier called Air Transat a number of times with my bike. I roll my bike into the terminal, remove the panniers which are carry-on and place the complete bike in a plastic bag they provide at check-in for $CAN5.00. I take off pedals, turn handle and reduce pressure in tires before it goes in the bag.

At the destination I retrieve the bike, dispose of the plastic bag, clip on panniers and roll out of airport. I've never been hassled with customs officers or security guards.

I used to disassemble my bike and put it in a box and then I would have to drag the damn thing through the airport until I could find a place to assemble or take a train. Also what do you do with the box?

This new way there is no disassembly, no box and you never have to carry your bike? Would your airline let you do that? I don't see why not because other carriers are.

Just ride it onto the plane. You can ride faster than a fat ol security can run can't ya? Once on the plane claim it is some kind of new foot prothsesis that can't be removed and that you'll call ADA and your lawer if they make you get off, this only works with clipless pedals.

I've got the same question. I'm moving to germany, want the CHEAPEST method to ship a bike to europe. Any experiences out there?

Call the airline u plan to fly to Germany, while advice on here is reasonable accurate things do change, I'm flying to Frankfurt either USAIR or American and both said no charge when checked baggage when I called 2 weeks ago , early May04
Bikes travel as checked baggage and no charge