ken cummings

Years ago I saw an ad for a folder that was supposed to be small enough to fit under your seat on an airplane. it was one of the most expensive ones in the companys' line-up. A couple of searches did not turn it up. Can anyone out there tell me which company it was? I was out of the country recently and had to rent an ill set up MTB to get my biking fix. It would help if the folder was stainless steel as I rode that MTB through salt water several times.

Dahon.Steve

The last time I was on an airplane, you could barely fit an luch box under the seat! You can barely fit your legs on a regular airline but 1st class might be a different story. The Brompton or Dahon Presto or Mini will be too big for that spot. I suppose the Strida might be a different story because it's thin but you'll probably have a lot of trouble bringing ANY folding bike inside the cabin of an airline.

ken cummings

If we can do it with a wheelchair we should be able to do it with a bike. I do know that mobility challenged people have to transfer to a wheelchair provided by the Airline. And those chairs do fold. I just want to avoid the hassle and expense of checking the bike.

jur

Isn't this academic at this stage, with carry-on luggage limited to passport and toothbrush in a ziplock bag?

Bacciagalupe

I think you were hallucinating.

The closest you can probably get is something like the A-Bike: https://www.a-bike.co.uk/store/home.php -- even that collapses to 27" x 11" x 6". Might fit in an overhead bin, probably not under the seat. And that's with 6" wheels.

I think anything with 16" wheels or bigger will need to be checked. Brompton is probably going to be the fastest bike you can put in a suitcase for travel.


Wheelchairs are different. Accessibility is basically required by law. Cycling, not so much.

Nachoman

I'm looking for a folding bike that will fit into a ziplock baggie. Can anyone recommend one?

14R 

I've been actively looking for a folding bike to take on airplance for the last 3 years. The Best thing you can get is a Brompton inside a luggage. It's not carry-on, but is the best you can get without going to dismantling the bike.

Anything different than that be prepared to spend 20 minutes or a lot more before and after your trip just to put the bike back together.

R

makeinu

As far as production models go, there are a few minifolders that you can get past the gate agent if you don't give him any reason to break out the tape measure (Carry-me, A-bike, etc).

As far as folders which legitimately meet airline carryon requirements, none have ever existed to the best of my knowlege. However, there are a few separables:
The Durham Landing Gear Bike
Drew's home made carryon bike

I have to say I'm very impressed with all of Drew's portable bikes. I didn't think it was possible to fit two 305s in a carryon, much less a whole bike, but he's got the pictures to prove it. I also like his folder/separable hybrid.

geo8rge

If money is really no object contact a frame builder about modifying a BMX frame or other smallish frame with a whole bunch of BTC couplers (I would guess 12, usually about $500 for the normal 2). See https://www.bilenky.com/Home.html.

makeinu

What about adding a few couplers to a Brompton? Has anyone tried disassembling a Brompton to fit into a carryon? Although, if you're going to go through the hassle of disassembly then why not just check it?

Maybe you're talking about this?
https://www.airnimalfoldingbikes.com/...oldingInfo.php

The wheels still have to be checked though.

ken cummings

Lots of good answers. It can be done. Still on a recent vacation the X-ray operator stared at my carry-on tool bag and RoadMorph pump before passing them. On the return trip I checked them and it was clear that my carry-on had been opened and those two items hadd been moved around in the bag.

derail3

Ok guys I found this story about flying Southwest airlines with a Brompton Carry-on. C.M. Wasson co. is a Brompton dealer in Palo Alto CA USA. It does give the name of the customer but no info on how to contact him to confirm.

https://www.foldabikes.com/CurrentEve...y/Dembart.html

Scooper

I grabbed this photo of a Brompton somewhere (maybe here?) and it looks very similar to the one on Channell Wasson's website, but the overhead compartment has a different seat number.



I've checked my Brompton on airline flights packed in the B&W hard case Channell sells, and I regularly carry it in the baggage compartment of a Cessna 172, but I've never tried to take it on the airlines as carry-on. It's pretty clear, though, that it can be done.

I'm not aware of any folders made of stainless steel. I recently bought a Waterford road bike with a frame made from Reynolds 953 stainless steel, so maybe the folder manufacturers will start building in stainless.

14R 

Let's see how far I get this going:

User Name:
edited

User Email:
edited
__________________________________________

To:
tsa-contactcenter@dhs.gov

Category:
Passenger and Traveler Information

Sub Category:
All Other Passenger & Travel Inquiries

Message:
I travel on a regular basis both domestic and internationally with a travelling, folding bike made in England called Brompton.

Before the events of September 11th 2001 I used to bring the bike as a carry-on item but since then I heard some horror stories of bikes being confiscated or people missing their flights so I have avoided that.

Recently I read testimonials of Brompton owners traveling with their bikes as carry on items and I really look forward to do it myself, but would rather have a document from you than try my luck at the day of the flight.

The brochure with the bike dimensions and pictures is here:

https://www.bikesandtrailers.com/fold...n_brochure.pdf

The bike is way smaller that a toddler's stroller, with no sharp edges or anything that may cause an issue. Here is an online picture of the same bike model inside the overhead compartment of a flight:

https://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7...ompartment.jpg

I really look forward to travel with my bike as my (only) carry-on item as some other people are currently doing, but having a letter from you authorizing it will make my life significantly easier on the day of my trip (of course I will get there an extra hour on top of the regular hours in advance to have the bike inspected as needed, no problems with that)

My address for contact is:

EDITED

If you have any further questions please feel free to reach me at EDITED

Thank you very much for your time and attention to this important matter.

__________________________________________
Date and Time of message: 6/14/2007 12:02:34 AM

14R 

Received this morning:

Thank you for your e-mail message.



So that we can better assist you we encourage you to call us at 1-866-289-9673 for assistance. If you are outside the United States and cannot use the toll-number, please call us at 1-571-227-2900.




We hope this information is helpful.



TSA Contact Center

Scooper

Ahhh..

Bureaucrats!

14R 

and I called.

If the bike fits on the overhead compartment AND it does not reflect a serious harzard to passengers and crew, there is no reason why a TSA employee wouldn't allow me (or Whoever is attempting to board with a bike as a carry on item) to board.

The problem is "if it does not reflect a serious harzard to passengers and crew". It is up to the TSA employee to evaluate oil from the chain, pedal spikes, chainring teeth exposure or whatever and make the call, at that time, if it is or if it is not a serious harzard.

I am very tempted now to try this, specially using some of the images from this thread as a point if needed.

Now, the real question is...does the bike fit inside the X-Ray machine?

invisiblehand

What will you do if they deem it a hazard?

14R 

Have a luggage in the car...try to do TSA check-in 120000hours in advance and if it doesn't work, have the bike checked in...

or simulate a seizure, fall on the ground, call for attention, lose the flight and leave laughing...I don't know...

ken cummings

I just checked on my old thread. Sounds like the Brompton is the answer.

invisiblehand

I think that you risk losing the Brompton, missing your flight, or having to ship it at some extraordinary cost at the last second.

14R 

The risk of losing my Brompton is slightly less than the risk of losing my life, I mean, my flight (lol)

Fat Boy

At one point, I was stopped from carrying on 6" measuring calipers. It seems like a bike, regardless of how small, is a stretch. It will be highly dependent on the TSA yahoo you happen to stumble upon.

wim

When I took my Airnimal frame and components as carry-on (before assembly), it was taken aside on every X-ray examination I had to pass. Problem was not the frame, but the cassette and the tools. They looked for sharp bits that could possibly be used as a weapon. Little did they know I am a ninja master with sprockets.

Funny reply I got from the manager when I asked her if all was OK: "There are no wheels on the bike anyway, so you can't do much with it, can you?" So I think it is OK to take a bike on the plane, as long as you don't ride it in the cabin.

But nobody is talking weight here: there is a restriction of 7 kilos (in Europe).

14R 

From the American Airlines web site:


Size and Number of Pieces
FAA security measures limit customers on all AA flights to one carry-on bag plus one personal item.

All carry-on pieces, including laptops, must fit either underneath the seat in front of you or in an overhead bin.

The one carry-on bag must fit in an overhead compartment or under the seat. It should not exceed 45 linear inches (length + width + height) or weigh more than 40 lbs/18 kgs.

Carry-on items which appear too large or irregularly shaped to fit under a seat, in an overhead compartment, or in a closet will not be accepted as carry-on baggage and will need to be checked.

At times, additional limits may be placed on carry-on baggage based on the main cabin stowage capacity of specific aircraft.
These limits may be imposed after the boarding process has begun.

Some carry-on baggage may be stowed in a cargo compartment on selected American Eagle aircraft.
At some airports, carry-on baggage may be more restricted. All other luggage must be checked at curbside or at the ticket counter.
Passengers exceeding the carry-on limit will not be allowed through the security checkpoint.
All portable electronic devices, including laptops, must remain off during taxi, takeoff, approach and landing until we arrive at the gate and the seat belt sign is turned off.