Originally Posted by
Boudicca
I swear I saw this one on a thread somewhere, but darned if the search engine will let me find it.
A Friday Pocket Rocket has a pretty big fold (and is not particularly maneuverable when it is folded either). Does anyone know Amtrak will let us take them on board as hand luggage or do we have to check them? We will have panniers as well, so that's quite a bit of hand luggage.
You have the option to either have it checked in as luggage where it will go on in one of the 6 bike hooks or you can have it folded and have it carried in as carry on. Ideally, you should have it in a bag for easy transport. For panniers, get a foldable duffle bag and then stuff in all 4 panniers and what have you into it. Done, now you've got only 2 luggage to worry about!
The definition of the folding bike is that, the length of the bike must be able to reduce to close to half its size. This is important and will be very obvious to you when you get into the train. Which is why full sized bike with wheels off do not qualify as folding or as carry on.
I tow a trailer when I travel and if I feel like I need more compactness, I just simply strap the Dahon onto my Burley Travoy and then just wear the backpack while towing the bike with wheels when changing trains on a different platform!