stridaman

Tried packing a Birdy Monocoque LX Deore into a Samsonite Flight Case in less than 15 mins.

Things to remove:
1) Front wheel
2) Rear wheel
3) Telescopic handle stem with handle bar
4) Front fork

Tool? Only 1 size 5mm Hex/Allen Key.

Stormclad

Heh. What's the weight boss? As in suitcase and all?

energyandair

Here is an old style frame Birdy in a Flite.

In addition to the Birdy, I fitted 2 helmets, a U lock, a pair of shoes, 2 wine glasses, sox, small handle bar bag, and miscellaneous items that can't be carried on.

On the trip out I had 2 bottles of wine instead of the wine glasses

It was my 1st time and it took me took me more disassembly as well as a fair bit longer than 15 min to fit this much. (eg. I have replaced all quick releases with, allen key fastenings and I took the handlebar off my fixed stem, took the chain off the chain ring and packed it and derailleur in a plastic bag, pulled the skewers out of the wheels and bagged them. With practice, I would expect to take under 30 min .

David

alhedges

Good job! I'd add a BF crush protector (or make your own).

pibach

What does take so much time? Takes me 3 minutes to pack my Mu to a suitcase without hassle. 5 min to rebuilt it on arrival.

invisiblehand

If your process is any different from Jay Gaerlan's ...

https://gaerlan.com/dahon/pack.htm

... you should take some pictures and describe it. I gather that the choice of suitcase is important. Which one do you use?

invisiblehand

Oh ... since Gaerlan used to sell Birdys ...

https://www.gaerlan.com/bikes/birdy/birdypk.htm

jur

Here's my Birdy in a 29" Samsonite Oyster... didn't remove the fork, just folded back.

tartare

I got mine into a similiar suitcase without removing the handle bar at all.

Genius.

Steve Nichols

Thank for the thread on packing a Birdy Monocoque LX Deore into a Samsonite Flight Case, what size Samsonite Flight Case did you use?

kraftwerk 

Always interesting to see how our various folding-bike-thing's get into the Samsonite. As a rule, I would never put my helmet in with it- better to carry that on the plane, it's an extra effort but safer than having small cracks etc. in it which will compromise the effect, when you might need it most!

Tourist in MSN

I wear my helmet onto the plane and put it in the overhead for the same reason. Wandering about the airport, I usually strap the helmet onto my carry on instead of wear it.

Only once has an airline employee commented on my helmet, he said that the planes are getting pretty safe these days.

I normally do not comment on a ten year old thread, but helmets are safety related so i made an exception.

2_i 

I learned that I should not suggest in a way the presence of a bike or other sports equipment in my luggage, as the agents will try to engage in a detective work and charge me. Skis in winter get a pass.

50kguy

Nice to see, that this bike also fits into the BF suitcase.

kraftwerk 

Yeah I am always paranoid they will open the 29" Samsonite and say,

" Hey.... that's a BIKE!"

then come up with some way to charge for it, even though it is a very generic and conventional suitcase.
...it hasn't happened yet....tho British Airways will probably try to snag me.

tomtomtom123

There are other threads on this forum discussing the fees that airlines charge for sports equipment. some airlines do not charge for bicycles as long as they're under the standard weight limit while some airlines charge high fees for bicycles. And some airlines if you have two or more baggages it may actually be cheaper to declare a bicycle if the second baggage fee is more expensive than a bicycle fee. You should search airlines baggage policy. But from what I remember about British airways is that they have very generous baggage policies.