pctjeff23

Hi,
Does anyone have this silver model, which is the model prior to the current Reach Racing model? I'm looking to see if the folded dimensions are different than the current model. I know the current model can fit in a standard suitcase, but I'd like to know if this 2009 version does. I've come across very positive reviews and videos showing folding for both the 2007 and current version, but I've found basically very little info on the 2009 version. Not sure if this is a bad sign.

Ozonation

Perhaps the absence of negative reviews is a good sign then?

pctjeff23

Haha, thinking optimistically yes. Other than a picture on nycewheels website (no specs.), I can't find any information on it: positive, negative, neutral. I e-mailed Pacific and apparently they don't keep old catalogs.

jur

My wife has the Reach Offroad which uses the same frame. It only fits into one suitcase we have, which isn't a Samsonite. It won't fit onto the Biggest Samsonite available. From that I would say the folded size of the older frame is bigger.

Folding-Bikes

i have the both the old City version (Same frame as Jur but with tougher elastometers and city components) and the new one, the new one is slightly smaller when folded, if you take the front fork and wheels off it fits in a brompton bag.


Check out this facebook group with Reach owners: https://www.facebook.com/MyPacificReach


Relevant video:




In terms of quality, the difference between both old and new are marginal, both great bikes to ride, and very fast!


Juan

pctjeff23

Jur, I assume your wife has traveled with that suitcase so what has been her experience with the airlines? Do they accept it as regular luggage or charge the overcharge fee? Do you know the dimensions of the suitcase?

pctjeff23

Thanks for the link, Juan. That's what I would think: that the older model would be very similar in ride quality to the new one. I know both the 2007 Reach Road/Racing and the current model fold into standard suitcase dimensions, so it seems odd that the version Pacific made between the two (2009) does not.

Ozonation

When I traveled with my Brompton last year, I found that different airlines had different policies. One would charge $50 for a bike - presumably NOT one that could fit into checked luggage - but then, it wouldn't matter how big or bulky the bike was. Others didn't seem to care much - so long as it was within checked luggage dimensions and weight. Each airline has different policies, so I would probably avoid flying on an airline that seems to have very draconian rules.

Security is another issue. They're after check-in, so they care less how much it weighs/size, but they did ask me on two occasions what it was. And at that point, since it was after check-in, when I said "portable bike", they basically said, "okay", and away it went.

pctjeff23

Ozon, is your Brompton under the 62 inch limit? Obviously any overcharge I want to avoid, but $50 is not that big of a deal. I guess the question is, some airlines are more strict about the 62 inch limit than others? I think the Reach Road would be a few inches over, but nothing that would be blatantly beyond 62. In that case, some airlines might be lenient about a few inches.

Ozonation

It depends... I live in a smaller city, which ironically sometimes means airlines and security are more strict - they don't want bad people thinking they can sneak in through in smaller urban centres as opposed to the big metropolitan ones. The flip side is that staff are sometimes more friendly.

What happens here is that I check my bag in, they weigh it - they have yet to take out a tape measure to check the 62" overall dimensioning - and then I have to take it personally to security where it is then placed through a large scanner prior to being then loaded onto a conveyor belt for checked luggage. I've often feared that security might ask about dimensions or weight, but then, they usually don't care because the airline has already checked it in. So, the bottleneck is really the person or persons at the check in counter on how rigidly they enforce their own rules.

I use a B&W case for the Brompton. I don't think this case was built specifically for Bromptons, but prior owners found it worked and a lot of Brompton dealers carry it or can order it. The case is regulation compliant: all three dimensions add up to 62".

How would you plan to check in your Reach Road? The case will make a difference. Now, if you have a very pliable, soft case, and wrap the bike and cinch down and tuck in all the loose ends, the overall dimension might be 62" or less. Some people check in their Bromptons that way and - hopefully - nothing gets damaged. But for me, the bike is just too expensive.

I suspect that the Reach, while foldable, will not fold down as compactly as the Brompton and therefore any case will exceed the 62", but perhaps not by much. Maybe if you plead your case to the counter agent, he or she won't charge you extra, or if you just don't bring up the issue, maybe they won't care. Weight, I think, is usually the major concern, unless your luggage is massively oversized.

If you want a photo of my Brompton packed up into the case, let me know. I've posted it on many threads now that I'm not sure it's worth reposting.

pctjeff23

Yeah, I get what you're saying about the possibilty of stricter, but more friendly staff in a smaller city. New Yorkers are notorious for unfriendliness, so if I took it to one of the NYC airports I'm not sure they would be too lenient. But I guess it just comes down to the check-in representative and their willingness to strictly enforce the rule.

I was hoping to avoid the hard case because I would be doing a point to point multi-day bike trip and I want to avoid lugging the heavy case on the actual ride. I I'd have to look into soft cases as this would probably be better than a cardboard box, assuming I padded and wrapped the bike well to protect it like you said. I thought the weight limit was 50 lbs for most (or all) airlines. The bike is 21, so that shouldn't be a problem.

If you would just point me to the thread where you posted the picture, I'd appreciate it.

Ozonation

I know what you mean. There was another thread in which the OP and other posters wanted to know how to basically land, deplane, unfold, and ride off. That means either gate checking the bike, or else using a case as you describe that could be folded or scrunched up, tucked away, and then away you go.

Now, here's one biker who used an integrated luggage/tow carry solution that offers a nice balance between convenience and protection. Not sure if it is what you'd want to pursue but it is uber cool!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwStL94Xudo

Me? I don't usually go city to city, so I'm happy to just bus or taxi it to my hotel, unload the case, unfold, and then head out.

Here's my packed Brompton, ready to check in.

pctjeff23

I can definitely see the convenience of that, with the suitcase doubling as a wheeled attachement for the back of the bike. I would just be concerned about the weight. I would think a hard case like that would weigh at least 10 pounds. I think splitting the bike up into two soft shell bags might be the way to go if the bike is over the limit. Maybe I could carry one of the bags with the wheels, handlebars, and seatpost as carry-on, assuming they are not interpreted as lethal objects (I've never heard of an attempted highjack using 20'' bike wheels or padded handlebars).

Yeah, you definitely have got the ideal system there for your Bromton. Looks very convenient if you just keep the case in a hotel.

Ozonation

Assuming a standard weight limit for carry on of 50 lb or 22 kg, I usually come out at 48 to 49.5 lbs with bike and case. Close, but it adheres to their regulations. I've never had a problem yet. I use a scale at home obviously to check prior to leaving. All bike components are in the hard case, including my helmet and a judicious selection of tools, which you usually can't bring on board as carry on.

I think you would have some difficulty boarding with wheels, seatpost, etc., especially a seat post. Long, hard, metal objects could be interpreted as weapons. I know they usually question my tripods for photography, even if they're small ones.

DVC45

Man, that guy sure is quick!

smallwheeler

he's... uncomfortably energetic!

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jur

It is thicker than an Oyster but otherwise looks not huge. We were not charged for size. We had 2 cases, of of which was the biggest Samsonite, and never a problem.