Originally Posted by
mtb_addict
If one is doing a Euro vacation...then bringing back a Dutch bike makes economic sense.
But I don't know if I would want to deal with flying with a big heavy bicycle.
Dutch bikes use big 28" wheel--the old standard. The frame is very large usually. I would be paranoid that is is damaged by luggage handlers who like to throw things into the air.
Not sure about the airline fees of such a large box.
What about US customs?
No.
28" in Dutch or 28er in German is just a 622 wheel (or what Americans/French call a 700c). That's why ETRTO should be used.
No one is going to throw a boxed up bicycle on an international flight. They're heavy (probably 30 kg boxed up). They're super durable. I had one in Copenhagen that lived on a square in front of flat and it was lying on it's side every morning. Nothing will happen to it.
I would get a USED bike in Holland (VERY decent ones will run €3-400 include a nice Batavus).
If it's used, there's no duty involved, but you should get like $800 duty free (last time I entered the US).
You're making this much harder than it needs to be and flights are cheap even this late in the season.