Fly bike back in soft shell case?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Fly bike back in soft shell case?
I will pack the bike in the soft shell bike transport bag inside a bike box for the start of my tour, to make sure it arrives in one piece, (the soft shell bag folds up so it can be transported on my bike), and use the soft shell to transport my bike on buses and trains.
wiggle.com | Scicon Travel Basic Bike Bag | Soft Cover Bike Bags
I am thinking that I will buy bubble wrap at the UPS store and foam pipe lagging to encase the bike when I am traveling by bus and for the trip back by plane. That would be one less headache, (hunting around for a bike box for the trip back home). Question, should I do this?
I feel it is important to protect the drop outs using frame spacers, this seems a good solution
"To protect the dropouts I simply bought some 8mm studding, some large washers and nuts from a Hardware store. I then cut the studding to size, adjusted the inside nuts and washers to the size of the dropouts, then tack welded the washers to the nuts and the nuts to the studding."
There seems to be conflicting views regarding using a soft case.
This is how others fared...
Flying With A Bicycle In A Plastic CTC Bag | TravellingTwo: Bicycle Touring Around The World
Taking bicycles on planes
Example of how to pack...
How to pack a bike for travel ? Condor Cycles
Opinions?
wiggle.com | Scicon Travel Basic Bike Bag | Soft Cover Bike Bags
I am thinking that I will buy bubble wrap at the UPS store and foam pipe lagging to encase the bike when I am traveling by bus and for the trip back by plane. That would be one less headache, (hunting around for a bike box for the trip back home). Question, should I do this?
I feel it is important to protect the drop outs using frame spacers, this seems a good solution
"To protect the dropouts I simply bought some 8mm studding, some large washers and nuts from a Hardware store. I then cut the studding to size, adjusted the inside nuts and washers to the size of the dropouts, then tack welded the washers to the nuts and the nuts to the studding."
There seems to be conflicting views regarding using a soft case.
This is how others fared...
Flying With A Bicycle In A Plastic CTC Bag | TravellingTwo: Bicycle Touring Around The World
Taking bicycles on planes
Example of how to pack...
How to pack a bike for travel ? Condor Cycles
Opinions?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,847
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2577 Post(s)
Liked 1,900 Times
in
1,192 Posts
Where are you flying? I get the feeling European airlines tend to have a culture that's more bike-friendly than American airlines. If you're flying back from the continent to Britain, for example, the soft bag might work. I wouldn't even think about it with Delta or United.
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Where are you flying? I get the feeling European airlines tend to have a culture that's more bike-friendly than American airlines. If you're flying back from the continent to Britain, for example, the soft bag might work. I wouldn't even think about it with Delta or United.
#4
aka Timi
#5
Senior Member
I have used a similar bag. I augment it with plenty of cardboard and find it pretty adequate. I flew Southwest and doubt that they handle baggage with any greater care than Delta or United. It is a lot bigger/heavier than I really want to haul on my bike though, so the only real advantage over a hard case is that I can mail it ahead or home pretty easily and fairly cheaply.
#7
aka Timi
#9
aka Timi
Fly bike back in soft shell case?
New bikes come with drop out protection spacers and round wheel protector thingies that prevent the hub ends from pushing through the cardboard. Bike shops throw them away, so will give them away too
I carry pieces of plastic tubing (used for electrical installations) cut to 100mm ((front) and 132.5mm (rear) then just put the quick release (and springs) back on after they've been removed from the hubs.
I carry pieces of plastic tubing (used for electrical installations) cut to 100mm ((front) and 132.5mm (rear) then just put the quick release (and springs) back on after they've been removed from the hubs.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,484
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1182 Post(s)
Liked 830 Times
in
433 Posts
New bikes come with drop out protection spacers and round wheel protector thingies that prevent the hub ends from pushing through the cardboard. Bike shops throw them away, so will give them away too
I carry pieces of plastic tubing (used for electrical installations) cut to 100mm ((front) and 132.5mm (rear) then just put the quick release (and springs) back on after they've been removed from the hubs.
I carry pieces of plastic tubing (used for electrical installations) cut to 100mm ((front) and 132.5mm (rear) then just put the quick release (and springs) back on after they've been removed from the hubs.
That is also how I get my packing material: fork spacers, axle protectors, rear derailleur protector, and some protective wrapping material. However, I like pipe insulation better.
I also squeeze our empty panniers in the bike boxes.
#11
aka Timi
Fly bike back in soft shell case?
Unscrew the RD, wrap it in a plastic bag and zip-tie or tape to the chainstay, so it won't get damaged or bend the drop-out in transit.
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have used a similar bag. I augment it with plenty of cardboard and find it pretty adequate. I flew Southwest and doubt that they handle baggage with any greater care than Delta or United. It is a lot bigger/heavier than I really want to haul on my bike though, so the only real advantage over a hard case is that I can mail it ahead or home pretty easily and fairly cheaply.
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#14
Senior Member
Yeah I have seen similar tearing of the hand holds even from my own handling. Looks like normal wear and tear. I have often had boxes look like that and had zero damage.
#15
Senior Member
I have used a similar bag. I augment it with plenty of cardboard and find it pretty adequate. I flew Southwest and doubt that they handle baggage with any greater care than Delta or United. It is a lot bigger/heavier than I really want to haul on my bike though, so the only real advantage over a hard case is that I can mail it ahead or home pretty easily and fairly cheaply.
edit.....obviously no RD to take off this single speed bike.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: QC Canada
Posts: 1,950
Bikes: Custom built LHT & Troll
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 832 Post(s)
Liked 141 Times
in
100 Posts
For me a padded flight bag is the best, if not the only option. A hard shell is a logistical nightmare and, because it cannot be carried, leaves you without solution if you have to take the train or bus on tour. A cardboard box is rarely reusable, meaning that you have to hunt for a solution on the return leg of the trip and travel naked on train/buses segments of your trip. (which may not be an option in some cases, where naked bikes are not allowed.)
I carry foam tubes (pipe insulation) and fork spacer (I can leave the rear wheel on). WRT rear derailleur, I don't really know what's the best strategy. I've removed it only to find that it is a real pain to mount back, risking stripping the mount because you are in an awkward position to do the job properly. I now leave it on, shifted to the largest cog. And pray a bit.
I can ride in/out airports/train/bus stations and prep the bike -- I do not want to have to worry about finding transportation to the airport that will accommodate a bike box.
I carry foam tubes (pipe insulation) and fork spacer (I can leave the rear wheel on). WRT rear derailleur, I don't really know what's the best strategy. I've removed it only to find that it is a real pain to mount back, risking stripping the mount because you are in an awkward position to do the job properly. I now leave it on, shifted to the largest cog. And pray a bit.
I can ride in/out airports/train/bus stations and prep the bike -- I do not want to have to worry about finding transportation to the airport that will accommodate a bike box.
Last edited by gauvins; 01-13-16 at 12:57 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
nisqualee
Folding Bikes
3
07-02-14 11:21 PM
shipwreck
Touring
11
09-16-12 06:06 PM