Originally Posted by
pacificcyclist
First of all, if all your air travel is predominantly US domestic bound, then it is TSA (yes the security people) who will not be nice to your bike. Though in my experience, very rarely will TSA open up a suitcased bike like yours. TSA had been known to damage nice bikes because they did not know how to re-package the bike back into the box. Last year, one of our friends with a Project One Trek Madone had her rear triangle destroyed even while it was in a Thule case or another friend who got her Brodie damaged on the front fork so bad she needed replacing. But these are not common. Make sure you provide instructions on how to re-pack the bike back into the case. More than often, the damage is incurred because they don't have a clue how to put the puzzle back in, though in some cities where triathlon or cycling sport events are held often, these officers are more experienced in handling exotic bikes. However, these are the exception to the rule. In regards to your Dahon, what's wrong travelling with it? If you have a good case for it, you can safely transport it. You can buy 2 different cases for your Dahon available both from ThorUSA. The big one (Airporter) will allow you to stuff your Dahon with minimal take apart. The smaller one (Airporter Mini) will require more take apart, but meets the max 62" linear inches requirements. Secondly, 50lbs is the max, but some airlines have a lesser limit of 40lbs. Plus the scale is overage towards your luggage being heavier than it is by about a few pounds -- we have a digital scale here calibrated often by Canada Post. Some airlines will exercise 1lbs overage good will, but that's it. SO, it is towards your interest to buy the lightest bike you can afford with the lightest case so you can have more leeway in the oversized overpoundage airline nickel and dime you to death policy. I would just keep the Dahon X27h and ride it. Trust me, once you rode a road speedster folder, it's kind of difficult to downgrade to a lesser bike. I know-- I've got 2 Dahon bikes and I like the Mu SL a lot more because it's lighter and stiffer than my Speed Duo which translates to a faster and more responsive ride. I travel with the Mu SL more though than the Duo, though I might christen the Duo this year on its first madden voyage. But the Duo is a heavier bike than the Mu SL! We'll see.
I think I'd be more in "tourist" mode rather than "biker" mode on my trips, and since I've been going to these places for years without any bike, having any sort of bike would be a real plus. In addition, since I'm not going to be relying on the bike I'd use on these trips for transportation, rather for exercise and venturing further than I can on foot, I think I could make the adjustment to having a lesser bike. The issues you raise about travel damage to a bike are very concerning, and all of my trips involve more than one flight, and possibly more than one TSA or similar inspection. This again makes me think of the question of whether a Strida might work, in that it could be packed into a golf bag of some sort (from what I have read) and it likely would not be as subject to damage enroute as a more complicated bike. Plus, its (folded) shape would lend it be more easily put into a public trash can if I needed or decided to dispose of it during a trip :-)