Originally Posted by
spinnaker
But your cost does not stop at the case. One problem with hard shell cases is they are heavy. Granted mine is a full size case and wehn packed with the bike it barely gets under the airlines weight limit. And that is the bike alone. No extra gear. Unless I am flying SW I doubt I will ever use it again.
A case for an S&S coupled case might be a little lighter but you still need to be careful on it's weight.
My bike packed in its case weighs a bit over 40 pounds.
I have to carry a second bag, which must also be paid for, that carries everything else: racks, clothes, handlebar bag, saddle and post, shoes, etc.
While these bags cost me as checked baggage, they don't incur extra charges for being a bicycle or exta sized or overweight luggage.
Do people who pack full-sized bikes in cardboard boxes get all their gear in just that one box or is a second bag required?