Tandem Cycling - International Flights - taking a tandem

We are planning a cycling trip through Europe involving taking a tandem on multiple international flights. Seems we would have to remove both wheels to fit the 1.8 metre limit on accompanied baggage. Any tips on packing? Do we need a folding tandem.? Thanks

We've done it by packing the tandem in a box. Yes, we did remove both wheels and also padded out the frame with bubblewrap. The only problem is you need to either store the box somewhere, or throw it away and get another box for your trip home (which is what we did).

We are planning a cycling trip through Europe involving taking a tandem on multiple international flights. Seems we would have to remove both wheels to fit the 1.8 metre limit on accompanied baggage. Any tips on packing? Do we need a folding tandem.? Thanks

Last year, we took our Koga-Miyata TwinTraveller (non-folding 2003 model) from Europe (Amsterdam) to New-Zealand (Auckland) and back in one piece! We only remove the pedals, and handlebars, but not the wheels. Malaysian Airlines did the job for us. They even offered use an extra 10kg of baggage allowance per person when we booked. And all of this for only a little over 1000 EUR per round trip ticket.

Cheers,
TT

Reassuring comments thanks TT. I've spent days talking to ill informed travel agents on the bike allowance on the relevant airlines. A couple have said that the box length max is 1.8metres but today I'm told the ordinary bike limit of 1.4 metres will be applied. I think Malaysian also mentioned this figure. Our plan is fly to Los Angeles and buy a Cannondale Mountain Tandem there because the exchange rate against the AUD is now so favourable. But if they do not accept the tandem then we will be in for a large excess baggage charge. Was your favourable treatment based on the fact that you were part of a world tour? Is it a case of just pitching at the check in counter and arguing for acceptance of the longer tandem length. ie Calling the bluff?

On the TT, how did you find touring on it. Did you get by with four panniers or pull a trailer. we intend doing the latter on our five month tour through Europe next year starting in Amsterdam. We did consider the TT (although the price is high) but heard that the rear suspension may have problems.

Heel veel bedankt. Pel

I take it you did not have any hassle on the extra length of the tandem over a normal bike. I been told by Qantas thet the limit is 1.4m and anything over that attracts an excess baggage charge. Although it seems that this may not be a hard and fast rule?
Thanks for your comment Simsi. Go well. Pel.

Was your favourable treatment based on the fact that you were part of a world tour? Is it a case of just pitching at the check in counter and arguing for acceptance of the longer tandem length. ie Calling the bluff?

I must admit that we were also told that the maximum length was 1.8m. Presumably the fact that I was a platinum elite member of KLM (a parter of Malaysian Airlines), and therefore using the First Class/Business Class check-in desk did the trick?

On the other hand, I should also mention that KLM simply refused to take the tandem despite my platinum elite status and despite the fact that they had confirmed that they would take it several months earlier. In my opinion, the willingness of airlines to take tandems on regular passenger flights is rapidly changing. Have you considered cargo?





On the TT, how did you find touring on it. Did you get by with four panniers or pull a trailer. we intend doing the latter on our five month tour through Europe next year starting in Amsterdam. We did consider the TT (although the price is high) but heard that the rear suspension may have problems.

We have never pulled a trailer. I guess it would make me feel too much like a "road train" :D. If you want to see a photograph of our loaded TT, click here (http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=4315).

With regards to the suspension, I can't say that we've had any problems with it. But it does take some of the energy :(

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
TT

For those of you travelling to New Zealand, Twin Travellers photo shows Auckland Airports bicycle assembly area, complete ith workstands.

Ian

I checked again on the tandem length and was told that Qantas will accept up to 2.0m and 32kg on the bike box. I spoken to about five people at Qantas. The score is about 3 saying the max length is 1.4m and two upto 2.0m. I'm going on the latest quote since the lady read from the manual. Air freight (unaccompanied baggage) goes by volume if this cost is greater than the mass cost. Rough estimate was that box would compute to equivalent of 100kg at $6.0/kg plus $60 for handling. Not an attractive deal. Have not looked into sending by sea yet. Was wondering whether the folding TT would be accepted by KLM. Would it exceed the width limitation?

Your TT looks great fully loaded. Did you take full camping gear? I figured that we would not fit into four panniers and a roll on the back. But road train is right. :o Too bad. Thanks for comments TT. Pel.

Your TT looks great fully loaded. Did you take full camping gear?

Full camping gear, including tent, sleepingbags, thermarest, pots and pans, waterfilter... the works.
We even carried hiking boots, which we used for only a couple of hours. :rolleyes:

There's plenty of space if you choose your material carefully.

Good luck.

Cheers,
TT

You have got me thinking again TT. Will have to reassess our volume as opposed to mass. You may have saved us getting a trailer unnecessarily. Incidentally Koga Miyata mentioned a pannier mass limit of 30kg in the front and 20kg on the back. We are unlikely to have that much in mass but as I said volume may be a challenge. We weigh 72kg and 52 kg. Approximately what mass did you carry? and what model of Ortlieb panniers did you have. Thanks again. Pel.

re travellin with tandem on plane
we flew to novia scotia a few years ago with tandem and yak bob
our solution was 2 bike boxes put tandem inside push together tape up
yak bob remove wheel place in small bike bok tape up

remove pedals

cross fingers hope for the best ???

also carried all our gear onboard
whch was 2 ortlieb dry sacs and rack pack bag

worked out ok

once we got to boston found a bike shop got new bike boxes

i was a bit nervous comin back from boston to scotland the check in guy said "what
you worried about if we break it we pay for it "

which is true

i am always nervous outbound as you plan a tour
then the bike is in the lap of the gods or baggage handlers

this came true a few years before when our tandem got trashed at glasgow

but that is another story

In June we flew from Auckland to LA with Quantas then on to Heathrow with BA with our tandem (wheels off) in a box. The only thing they were bothered about was the number of bags to check in (four pannier plus the bike) but after they produced a couple of plastic sacks to combine the panniers into they took it all with no charge. The only difficulty then was finding an X-Ray machine big enough.

Thanks for info. Practical tips. Will use. Also thinking of the Bob Yak again. Do you still prefer to pull a trailer versus fully loaded up with panniers and a bag on the back carrier?

If we go via the States on a round the world ticket this entitles us to two pieces of baggage each of 32kg each max plus one each of 7kg in the cabin.

PS. great picture. Pity could not get close up.

We will also be flying to Heathrow with BA from LA. Reassuring comments. Thanks