JSnow789

*sigh*

Beginning tomorrow, no bikes on the Metra Trains here in Chicago for the next 10 days during 'The Taste of Chicago'.

Folders have to be in bags.

Back to the bus I go!

cherrypicker

Why not just use the bag then?

veggie_lover

I always found taste of chicago a let down, overpriced tiny morsels...

mjw

I'm currently lobbying DC's metro to lift it's "folding bikes in bags" rule without much success. What other train systems require this bag? It seems that a bagged bike would take up more room and be more unwieldy than one that is not bagged.

veggie_lover

The problem is how would you avoid touching other people with your bike on a crowded train? With the bag I don't have to worry about getting unremovable grease stains on my and other people's clothes. I suppose if the trains are not full this is not an issue.

mjw

Hmm that is an issue. I wouldn't ride a train car that was that crowded. Also my bike is really clean with an internal hub and chain guard.

JSnow789

I don't have one yet-otherwise I would.

eta: I supposed I could use a giant plastic yard waste bag...

vik 

If you want one - Bike Friday and Dahon both have a number of soft bags that would work. You could buy from either company and have the bag in short order.

You might also be able to use a large backpack rain cover from REI. Depending on your bike it might do the trick and be close at hand. But, ultimately an industrial sized garbage bag would also solve your problem and perhaps stop anyone from wanting to know what was inside...

JSnow789

Plus I could have a lot of fun with creepy stares and strange facial expressions when they did ask!

I've got a Strida and the bags are $100 which I don't want to spend right now. Come December though when I go to my winter home in Florida I'm going to have to take it down on the plane so I was thinking a hard case-I'd heard of using a hard sided golf club case for Stridas. I think I'd like that better than the soft bags. Anyone know anything about that?

chainstrainer

I've packed a Strida in a soft-sided golf club bag case. I did have to remove the seat/rack assembly which takes a couple of minutes. Other than that it fit easily inside. I padded some styrofoam blocks over the hubs and brake disks and wrapped a couple of beach towels around the frame and cranks. I imagine a hard case would offer more protection for air travel.

makeinu

Just because you have a dirty bike that doesn't mean we all do. Why should I have to use a bag when I don't oil my chains?

My bike is much cleaner than some of the people I see on the train. Maybe the rule should be that dirty people must travel in bags!

JSnow789

Actually, I spoke to the conductor on the train about this yesterday. He said that while MY bike was ok since it didn't have a chain or grease or anything, there was no way for them to selectively enforce the rules. They just don't have the time at each stop. Plus, how pissed off/sad would someone be if I'm let on with my Strida and they are not with their bike. So the rule is no bikes at all. I understand that.

It was funny because someone else later asked him about the bike ban and he said 'No bikes! Not even his!' and he nodded at me and my bike and smiled.

James H Haury

The taste is way too crowded it gives me claustrophobia(no, not really but the crowding bugs me) better to bicycle west on midwest road cross highland avenue the across butterfeild and stop at the Cicis Pizza in the shopping center.Pig out for about 6 or 7 bucks and then bicycle off some of the calories on the way home.

JSnow789

I've never been, but will only be going next week after work... I live close enough that I can just walk down or take the L for 2 stops. I don't really like crowds either and told the BF last night that there was no way in hell I was going to be on the beach for July 3rd. That I'd be happy watching the fireworks from somewhere else that we can just go, stand, watch, and get the heckity doo dah out of there

makeinu

It's silly. If large packages are a problem then the rule should be no packages above a certain size. If exposed grease is a problem then the rule should be no exposed grease. What does banning bicycles accomplish other than requiring an endless list of revisions and exceptions to the rules?

Instead the idiots in charge opt to let anything which deviates from the norm either slip through the cracks (like a greasy bum being allowed to get everything dirty) or be unjustly persecuted (like a small clean bicycle being disallowed simply because it has two wheels) and implement drastic revisions every few years as the norm changes (for example, all the newly drafted rules about cellphones would not have been necessary if they simply banned excessive noise instead of radios).

People who aren't smart enough to realize that singling out specific problems instead of unrelated coincidental circumstances is the most efficient and effective way to draft rules should not be given the job of drafting rules.

Lalato

I have an idea for a somewhat sturdy and cheap Strida bag...

Go to your local store that carries those folding deck chairs that people use for tailgating and outdoor concerts. These can usually be had for $10 to $20 (more if you're looking for a deluxe model). If you can, try to find a particularly tall one. The cool things about these is they come inside a canvas bag with a drawstring.

Now you have a dual purpose bag... Going to an the Pitchfork Festival? No problem... put the chair in the bag. Going to work... no problem, put the bike in the bag.

Sadly, you can't do the same with a 20" folder. Alternatively, you could look for a canvas laundry bag with a draw string for the same effect without the chair.

--sam

Lalato

And one more option... a Cheap oversided dufflebag might do the trick. Plenty of places around Chicago you can pick one up. Look in dollar stores.

--sam

Lalato

And finally... completely unrelated to your post... I noticed your location is Chicago or Orlando. Just moved from Orlando almost 2 years ago. What a coincidence.

--sam

The Chemist

I carry my Dahon on the Shanghai Metro even during crowded rush hour conditions (and believe me, it gets REALLY crowded at rush hour) and I haven't once had anyone bump into my bike in such a way that they could get a grease stain from it. I always try and find a spot right next to the door so my bike is completely out of the way, and then I stand in front of it - nobody can bump into it then.

tulip

Ikea bags work for many folders.

mjw

Good for 20" dahon folders like the Vitesse?

tulip

I don't have a Dahon Vitesse, so I don't know, but it's certainly worth the $2 for the bag to try it out.

JSnow789

I'm working in Chicago and go home every other weekend now thru November. I've got an apt. here in the city. I'm not sure what is going to happen in Nov, if I'll still need the apt. or not. All good for now though!