Folding Bike for Airplane Trips
#76
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Join Date: Apr 2012
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I have a Tern P9 that has 9 gears, rides well and would fit in your car. Without major disassembly it is incurs oversize baggage charges on most airlines. The fold takes about 30 seconds. I use it for commuting about 16 miles a day and it serves me well.
#77
Senior Member
Got 2 used Brommies in the UK on my way to Canada. Within Canada I expect to put the Brommies in a closed canvas carry-on bag with my insulin, meds, and some clothes for packing when flying with Air Canada. Contents? Why only "blood pressure and diabetic meds, some clothes and some exercise equipment". Nomenclature in a positive bicycle friendly mode when dealing with bicycle-aversive airlines.
#78
Senior Member
Thanks for your suggestions.
Not having seen a Brompton in the flesh, I am of course limited in my reaction however from what I have read, Bromptons are like Bike Fridays, in that they cost more than they are worth when one looks at the components and what you get for what you pay. I could probably afford one, but I am a cheap bastard at heart. Also, the trips I would take the bike on are NOT bike touring trips, rather they are largely gastronomic and wine-related trips to France, where I try in vain to exercise enough not to come back looking like Bibandom, the Michelin Man, or to visit family in San Diego. I hesitate to spend several thousand dollars on a bike that it might turn out I don't use all that much. And if I get completely infected by the bug of bike riding on these trips, then I could always sell or give away whatever I buy now, and buy something better in a year or two. But I do want to prove to myself that I'll actually use the thing enough to justify a big purchase price, something I have yet to do.
If I was to buy a Brompton, since I do pass through London Heathrow on my trips to France, perhaps there would be a way to buy one in the UK at a lower price and have it delivered to me in the airport en route to France, but then it (probably) would still be considerably more expensive than I want to pay at this point.
thanks again
Not having seen a Brompton in the flesh, I am of course limited in my reaction however from what I have read, Bromptons are like Bike Fridays, in that they cost more than they are worth when one looks at the components and what you get for what you pay. I could probably afford one, but I am a cheap bastard at heart. Also, the trips I would take the bike on are NOT bike touring trips, rather they are largely gastronomic and wine-related trips to France, where I try in vain to exercise enough not to come back looking like Bibandom, the Michelin Man, or to visit family in San Diego. I hesitate to spend several thousand dollars on a bike that it might turn out I don't use all that much. And if I get completely infected by the bug of bike riding on these trips, then I could always sell or give away whatever I buy now, and buy something better in a year or two. But I do want to prove to myself that I'll actually use the thing enough to justify a big purchase price, something I have yet to do.
If I was to buy a Brompton, since I do pass through London Heathrow on my trips to France, perhaps there would be a way to buy one in the UK at a lower price and have it delivered to me in the airport en route to France, but then it (probably) would still be considerably more expensive than I want to pay at this point.
thanks again
I have 2 custom built touring bikes that cost over $3000 each and have been superb for touring in Australian outback conditions. But, for less rigorous travel with a companion who suggests a "more cultured" way of travel, I figure two Brommies is the way to go when renting a car and travelling in Canada, the UK and France. Buying used in the UK is cost-effective too but the search and effort does take some time and risk... Doesn't sound like you did not want to do that. What happened eventually - bicycle, food, wine, and otherwise?
#79
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Henrico, VA
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Bikes: Origami Gazelle, Origami Crane 8, Origami Cricket 7
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Just figured that I would include this link here for those interested in packing their bikes for air travel.
https://youtu.be/R8_5GGdvyAo
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Paul Pinigis
Owner of Origami Bicycle Company
Paul Pinigis
Owner of Origami Bicycle Company