Pine Cone

This is a followup of pictures posted on the Downtube thread about packing a folder. That post has details on how to pack.

Here is a better comparison of the Samsonite Oyster 29 (yellow-orange) and F'Lite (blue) suitcases. Both weigh about the same. The sizes I posted earlier come from a luggage web site, but the F'Lite is clearly taller and deeper than the Oyster. The Oyster is slightly wider.



The F'Lite is much deeper than the Oyster.


The F'Light has bigger wheels which are on the width of the case with a nice pull-up handle. The Oyster has smaller wheels which are set on the narrow edge of the case and a somewhat funky handle. It would be much easier to race through an airport with the F'Lite. I think the Oyster will tend to fall over at speed...


The F'Lite may be technically oversized, but it is easier to pack and transport.

More detailed packing instructions can be found here...
https://www.downtube.com/How_To_Pack_...in_a_Suitcase/

invisiblehand

We have been using the F'Lite for travel. Still no issues with the extra two inches.

Bacciagalupe

Same here. I pack a bunch of stuff into my F'Lite, including helmet, rack etc. Not sure how I'd do it with the thinner Oyster.

invisiblehand

One more followup:

I would be careful of the weight limit. We have had the check-in people carefully look at the weight.

Although we have found that without racks, we can put a lot of stuff in the case without problems like Bacciagalupe. I assume that if you had racks or the Bike Friday trailer, that the 50 pound weight limit could be a real issue.

-G

Scout

I've been on 3 different flights, 2 different airlines and I've had this way oversized Dahon softpack case (thought I'd bought their newer one, that was a mistake).... anyhow, they are hawklike about the weight, one ounce over 50 and I've gotta take stuff outta it, but the supersizing doesn't seem to phase em. Given how they look aside on massive oversized stuff, I can't imagine anyone ever noticing a few inches.

Zonker

is this the suitcase that Bike Friday uses?

TheMadBrewer

Bike Friday now sells the F'Lite.

I took my first plane trip with my Bike Friday this past weekend. No problems at all with the F'lite as far as size went. What is interesting is the same suitcase, with all the same stuff, weighed 48.5 lbs on the outbound and 45.5 lbs on the return.

That led me to a thought -- if I am ever over a pound or so and they want to charge me, I will ask to see the certificate from Weights & Measures for the scale. Charging me for over weight sounds like a "commercial transaction"

kraftwerk 

Mad Brewer -- I think the weight is sometimes printed right on the suit-case claim tag, that would be a good starting point to argue the discrepency of weight on the two scales.

TheMadBrewer

Good point. I'll have to see if I saved them. Of course it doesn't prove to them that I didn't add/subtract something.

Bop

I too have had the experience that weight is a bigger deal than size. That said...
The very idea of putting a bicycle into a suitcase moves the topic, the experience, from cycling to travel. Cycling in the USA seems defined by grams, calories, titanium and such. Travel, on the other hand, is much more subjective, more experiential. In general. I find it a waste of energy to try to reduce the vagaries of air travel to quantifiable, arguable units. Plan your trip with the best hopes for fun and adventure. Expect the journey itself, the mechanics of travel, to be arduous and frustrating. Get over the ounces and inches of luggage. Yes, you might fly five times with an oversized bag. The sixth time will be a problem. Just do your best to adhere to the airline’s arbitrary rules; endure the flying part, then thoroughly enjoy the destination. Arguing with the airline ticket counter personnel is a no-win situation. Writing complaint letters after the fact is a waste of effort. Put that energy into planning, so you can make the journey as smooth as possible. Then enjoy the ride. My point is simply: travel should be enjoyable, like riding your bike. But travel is a bigger deal, worthy of greater attention to details and responsibility, in exchange for the tremendous benefits and experiences that always result.

Fat Boy

I just bought a Downtube FS and an F'lite 31 case. Can anyone give me an idea as to what has to come apart to pack this thing up? I don't need to re-invent the wheel, so if someone that has some experience can help out the newbie, that'd be great.

I travel a bunch and this is part of my big plan to be less of a 'Hotel Bar Potatoe'.

TIA

P.S. I clicked it together and pedaled around my neighborhood. First impressions are very positive. Initial thoughts are maybe a little smaller front sprocket and some component candy.

noahj

I haven't had any complaints about size the two times I've flown with the F'lite. I don't have an Oyster, but I do have the Carleton suitcase that BikeFriday used to sell. The F'lite is the same weight or lighter, but somewhat flimsier. Having the wheels on the wide edge is definitely a plus...it's much easier to haul the F'lite around without tipping it over.

Fat Boy

I'm basically just bumping the thread.

Does anyone have an answer for my question of what has to come apart to get a Downtube in an F'lite 31 case?

I'd appreaciate some help if it's out there.

Thanks

Nigeyy

I haven't go an FS, just a Downtube with front suspension, so I am unsure if it is possible. I assume you've looked on the Downtube FAQs and searched this board.

FWIW, to pack my Downtube front suspension in a Samsonite Oyster (thinner than the F'lite I think) I have to do the following:

i. obviously fold everything
ii. remove pedals
iii. remove saddle with seatpost
iv. remove steerer tube as well as removable steerer tube
v. remove derailleur hanger
vi. deflate tyres and remove wheels
vii. remove rack (not a problem with you, I think)
viii. remove rear derailleur

I think it's pretty much just going on common sense and experimentation. Good luck!

Fat Boy

I got this link from Mr. PineCone.

https://www.downtube.com/How_to_pack_...in_a_Suitcase/

It pretty much lets you know how to do it. I'm going to be doing this little experiment this weekend. Should be interesting.