Flight to Colorado-Pack my MTB???
 

Hi,

I will be taking a flight to Denver Colorado for 3 weeks and would love to take my Mountain bike to trail ride near Denver.

Are there transport boxes that might allow me to take my frame, maybe separate from my rims?

Is it safe?

Thanks,

Edward_Breck

I know airlines have boxes or know where you can get boxes to transport a bike, however I would call the airline you are planning on flying first to find out and get an idea of the price. If you are on a smaller plane like a regional jet or smaller, it may not fit into the cargo area. Do you know what type of plane you will be flying on (should say on the reservation)? You might just be better off trying to find someplace in Colorado where you can rent a mountain bike (or 2 or 3...) while you are here. It might be cheaper, less hassel and a good opportunity to try out different bikes.

Hey, thanks for the response. I appreciate it.

I will be most likely flying in a large plane. I willl contact the airlines and ask about the weight, size and insurance issues. Continental once lost 2 snowboards and some ski blades for several day. They were returned, luckily.

But on that trip Continental said they have a standard insurance that covers up to some $1500 or maybe $2500 in lost items.

But, I'll also call bike shops (the airlines as well) to ask about boxes.

I once rented in my college town for the semester. It must have been around $100 for 3 months. Around here in the DC area, shops rent bikes on a daily basis, some $25-30. I'm unsure what I would encounter in Colorado.

But you have a point. I would probably ride a few times and I would like to ride a full suspension.

I competed on Sunday and the roots killed me, I have a hardtail. I couldn't stand on the pedals much, to ease the pain, because I had ridden too hard on Saturday and my legs were beat.

Again Thanks.

Have a bike shop box it up for about $50. They should give you the box free, and make sure to check the airline's dimension requirements and bicycle surcharge price. The bike shop could also ship it for you to another bike shop, instead of flying with it. I am not sure who I would trust less, UPS or the airlines+security.

IMO, it is cheaper and less hassle to just rent a bike.

You could work out a deal with one of the local shops and one in Dever to have your bike boxed and shipped to the shop in Denver. There they would unpack, reassemble and tune your bike, then at the end of the trip, rebox and send back to the local shop.

This way shipping is either UPS or Fed-Ex and you don't worry about baggage handlers destroying your bike.

Or just rent, might be cheaper in the long run.

Or better yet, buy a bike IN CO, then have the shop send it to you at the end of your trip. That way, you get to ride a brand new bike for your time out there and have them ship it to you and have it waiting upon your return.

Lol,

Thanks for all the opinions and options. We'll see how things go.

Funny, during a trip to Reno Nevada this past spring the Security baggage handler was searching for some nose hair scissors in my carry on. I lost them on the trip and he found them through the scanner.

Anyhow he was having a difficult time actually finding them in my carry on. He was bound and determined. I think he broke a sweat.

Upon finding them he followed protocol and shouted "Supervisor!" and held the scissor high in the air for all to see. A guy rushed over and stared me down. I felt dirty and like a cronie from one of Osama Bin Laden's camps.

Geeez, I can imagine them destroying a hollow bike frame with delicate cables and parts.

Lots and lots and lots of bike shops in Denver to rent from.

That is an excellent point. I have a cargo case for my bike and I am not at all afraid of the luggage handlers beause I know I packed it good. I'm afraid of the TSA inspectors. Caue when they have to inspect it, they take it all out, and you can't put it back, they do. Very scary.