zeo_max

Like...if you wanna take your bike to a vacation spot to ride it there ?

If so, any ideas on cost ?

Machka 

Possibly ... if you're willing to put your bicycle in a plastic bag and your airline of choice will allow that. I still think you'd have to remove the pedals and turn the handlebars.

Read this:
https://www.ibike.org/encouragement/travel/bagregs.htm

Then look up the bicycle policy for your airline of choice. They all differ, and they tend to change their policies frequently.

Davet

Not that I know of. Even if it were possible, the risk of damage to your bike is huge! AFAIK, bikes have to be in some sort of container; bike box, travel case, etc.

roadiejorge 

Getting a bike case that will protect your bike is the way to go.

zeo_max

Hey there. I was waiting for you. I know you've traveled with your bike, here to Puerto Rico in particular. How do you do it ?

banerjek

If you own the plane, this is no issue. If you have to ask about cost, this option is not available to you.

jdon

Fixed

Atol

Have you seen how they treat baggage at the airport? Get a heavily padded bike case, bubble wrap the hell out of everything. Then bubble wrap the hell out of it some more.

Then write a note on the case saying you'll kill the handler in his sleep if he decides to toss your bike.

bdcheung

Trico Iron Case.

zeo_max

Ok people so I suppose you take your bikes on your vacations to cycling destinations. So now the question becomes, how do you do it ?

SourDieseL

This

TwoShort

Money. You buy a case (there are several kinds), put the bike inside, and check it. It will be oversize, so you will pay the airline a substantial amount extra each time. Google "bicycle travel case" and look up the regs for some particular airline to get an idea. Each airline is different in the details, but how loud you say "Yikes!" at the cost will probably be comparable.

Renting a comparable bike at your destination may be a better option.

zeo_max

You mean this:



1) So do I carry that like a regular travel bag into a plane ? Won't they charge me extra for the heavy weight ?

2) Or.....were you suggesting I UPS'ed it ? (wouldn't be very practical for vacations)

3) Also, there seems to be bike assembly and disassembly required. How good of a bike mechanic do I need to be ? (cause I'm not)

zeo_max

Holy Molly ! I'm seeing an average of $500 ! Crazy !!!

kudude

yup. not cheap for the case, not cheap for the fees. not cheap at all.

EventServices

You never buy a bike box.
You borrow one from somebody else.
You pack your bike into it.
You take it to the ticket counter and LIE about what's in the box.
You say Artwork. Or Musical Instrument. Or Golf equipment.
All three have worked for me.
You pay nothing.

If you say it's a bike, you pay at least $150.

jrobe

Most of the airlines have a maximal bag size of 62 inches (length + width + depth) or you otherwise have to pay the pretty expensive oversize bag charge (expensive). If if it for a very rare trip, it is probably best to rent a bike at your destination. The other option is to ship the bike to the destination by UPS, etc..

I travel a fair amount and recently bought an inexpensive steel frame bike on Ebay and am having "S&S couplers" installed on the frame so that it will fit in a 62" travel case. The couplers and the travel case are costing me about $1000 but then I can check it as a regular bag. https://www.sandsmachine.com/

alpha_bravo

What about getting a used box from your local bike store and mailing it to the hotel via UPS?

echappist

someone on my team had the same problem. solution was to ship it via Fedex ground, about $50 each way for a 1200mile trip. most airlines charge $100 one way, some charge $50. & no matter what you do, don't fly delta if you want to check your bike, it'll cost you $340 roundtrip. better start saving for the S&S coupled frames or the ritchey brakeaway (some of which, iirc, will incur an oversize luggage charge but nothing more).

BengeBoy 

Some options:

1. Ship the bike in advance. Do it yourself or contact one of the companies that specializes in shipping sports equipment (skis, bikes, etc.).
2. Rent a bike at your destination.
3. Take the bike on the plane with a case (buy one, borrow one, or rent one - many bike shops rent 'em).
4. Or, some airlines will take a bike *completely unboxed.* Just remove the pedals, turn the handlbars sideways. Cross your fingers and hope they don't damage. Some folks (myself included) have had good luck with this method. Since the bike is clearly *visible* the baggage handlers take more care with it and don't throw it around. At least, that's the theory. Your mileage may vary.

Warning: anything posted on an Internet forum regarding airlines charges, fees, restrictions, policies etc. *must* be verified *by you* with the airline you are flying. These policies change all the time, and they never get better, they always get *worse* (meaning, more restrictions, or more expensive).

And what the reservation agent tells you on the phone is subject to change/debate/confusion when you actually show up at the airport with your bike.

urbanknight

This has me wondering if Smoke (I believe he said he was a commercial freight pilot) just leans his road bike against a cockpit wall when he brings it to other states. I'm gonna have to ask him some time.

bigtea

Sure you can...if you get a ride with Lance on his private Gulfstream

Rocket-Sauce 

Disassemble as much as you can to make your bike as compact as possible. Cover everything you can with pipe insulation. Pack very carefully. Make sure nothing moves or rubs. You can usually get a bike box from most shops for free -if they charge a fee, try a dumpster dive behind the shop.

Write "Fragile. Artwork" several times on the box with a black marker. It helps if you disassemble the bike box and turn it inside out so there are no obvious bicycle company markings or logos. Most airlines have special automatic surcharges for bicycles that exceed the normal oversize fees. They will also usually automatically charge those fees even if you have a folding bike that fits into a box less than 62 inches.

Just check your work of art as normal luggage. Never mention what is inside. If they ask, it is up to you to decide how honest you have to be. I personally think my bike is a work of art.

Always check directly with the airline. Go to their website and print out the bicycle policy and bring it with you. Don't take our word for it -or expedia, etc...

zeo_max

This is smelling like too much trouble. I don't think my bike is gonna travel with me. Maybe I'll keep an entry level bike at my parents house for when I visit. I guess that's about as good as I can do.

kudude

....which is what the airlines were hoping you would say.