chrisx

I want a bike that fits in a 62 liner inch case. Yea, I like the idea of the bike friday case that turns into a trailer. That case is over sized. That means you pay more at the airport. Any idea how to do somehing like that without paying the oversize baggage fee? For bonus points, a 1.5 inch, (or more), wide tire would be nice. For double bonus, takes a bmx size hub. A common size hub around the world, not some hub they only sell in England or some damn place.

gdlerner

I own a BF and the case is not over sized it is 79cm I never need to pay extra.Anyway if you are only allow to take 23kg my bike weight about 14,5 with rohloff plus the samsonite about 6,5 so I always buy another luggage some times no when you are allow 30kg

bargainguy

Just my experience: When you check luggage at the airport for an international flight, much more attention is paid to weight than dimension, at least initially. The usual disclaimers: Your mileage may vary, ask your doctor or pharmacist, etc.

So if your piece of luggage is over 50 lb., they'll be sure to measure it as well, and slap some oversize charges on if warranted. But if it's under 50 lb. - and hopefully well under - less likely to be measured. This is especially true when you have a huge line behind you and the clerk is well aware of this. There is a human element involved.

On the BF trailer kit, you don't have to fit an oversize piece of luggage. If memory serves, the original BF recommended suitcase - the Carlton - does not exceed the 62" total and therefore is not oversize. The next one, the Samsonite Oyster, was really close to that 62" number. And the third recommended one, the Samsonite F'lite, is definitely over 62". So the piece of luggage you fit to that trailer doesn't need to fall in the oversize category if you shop carefully.

Fair warning, tho - the Carlton and the Oyster are the most difficult to pack because of the smaller dimensions. The F'lite is easiest, but that's because it's oversize! Much will depend on the size of your folded bike and how much wiggle room you have to play with. And try to resist the temptation to fit all your extras into the nooks and crannies, as that tips you toward the 50 lb. international weight limit.

BruceMetras

Origami Bicycles have a case they sell that is airline legal and should fit a lot of 16" or 20" folders assuming some disassembly.. . also a trailer kit is available to tow it . . seems reasonably priced.. the company owner, Paul, is on this forum and could likely answer further questions..

chrisx

I am referring to the case that is also a trailer to pull behind the bike friday.
last time I looked at the measurments it was over 62 inches.
I do not see the trailer dimensions on their page today.

Ozonation

Brompton in a B&W case. No problems checking it in for flights (at least domestically here in Canada). Maybe some Terns/Dahons/or others could work. I'll report on the Helix next year. Until then... you're not going to have a lot of choices.

linberl

From BF website: The GT Flite case is under 62" (barely) and can be used with the trailer.

+ The lock on the GT F'Lite is TSA approved. Samsonite does not measure the wheels or handles in their measurements.The case dimensions are 29.5" tall x 20" wide x 12" deep. This adds up to 61.5 linear inches, which falls just under the 62 linear inches used by most airlines as their cut-off limit for suitcase dimensions. The suitcase weighs 11.65 lbs. +
+ + The gross weight limit for the trailer is 75 pounds. This includes the weight of the trailer (6.7lbs/2.95 kg) and if you are using the F'Lite case (13lbs) so the total capacity for your gear is 55lbs.

bhkyte

On the tyre and standard hub issue. Anyone tried fitting a Dahon curve SL, a diblasi 16 inch, a Mezzo or a Birdie in to a non over sized case?

tudorowen1

Most Dahons and Terns will fit in a less than 62 inch suitcase with some disassembly..wheels taken off,pedals off,seatpost and saddle taken out and the handlepost and handlebars taken off..No harder than a Bike Friday to do..An hour or less to put back together..I have a Bike Friday NWT and taken it to 4 continents but a Dahon is quicker and easier to disassemble....A Moulton APB or TSR will fit in a suitcase....

Pinigis 

The Origami case is under 62" and does convert to a trailer to pull behind your bike. Our Crane 8 packs nicely inside.

fietsbob

I have a friend who took his Bike Friday Tikit with him to South East Asia. and the BiFri Suitcase trailer .


He is there now.. Playing piano in Bar bands in tourist resorts ..

You will find abundant bike friday owners around the world , touring .

their 406 wheel bikes were made for that ..

Its why they made racks that come apart and pack in the suitcase too..

Winfried

Get a Brompton and head for your nearest dealer to salvage a shipping carton box before they ditch it. Free, and disposable.

Find a Store

BassNotBass

I have a BF NWT and Samsonite Flite case that turns into a trailer... they get on as checked luggage with no additional fees.

prathmann

And 'bargainguy' already responded. The original suitcase sold by Bike Friday to go on their trailer frame was the Samsonite Oyster - that's what came with my '94 Pocket Rocket. After numerous flights it was getting pretty beat up and Bike Friday offered a trade-in to their newer suitcase - made by Carlton. That's what I have now. It's a bit larger than the Oyster but measures almost exactly 62" (L+W+H). Packing the bike in it is easier than it was in the Oyster. The current suitcase sold by Bike Friday for putting on their trailer frame is the Samsonite F'Lite in a size that is a couple inches over the 62" airline allowance. But in my experience the airlines rarely get out their tape measures when the luggage looks like (and is) a regular suitcase. So the chances of getting charged for oversize are very small.

chrisx

Sounds like a winner.
I want to fly to Nicaragua, and Guatemala, and places such as these
1.75 inch tires, check
bike and trailer wheels inside case and under 62 inches, check
Not to expensive, check

3 questions.
Does handle bar to seat 24.5 inches mean the front of the seat to the handle bar?
28 inches from the center of the seat post to the center of the handle bar works for me. I am 6 feet tall

Does it fold quickly into the case, or is some disasembly required?

What size are the hubs, if my wheel were to fail, how far would I need to look for a new hub?

Sounds good on paper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYkz...39B6753DDCAD7D

Pinigis 

My responses are in blue above.

Ozonation

Actually... the Brompton in a B&W case does not require any disassembly... but that's a moot point for the OP given the requirements.

MAK

Paul,
I checked your site and the 30" case looks great. What are the inside dimensions? I'm wondering if a Brompton would fit inside, whole or maybe with the seat and seat post detached.

Tony Marley

My Bike Fridays pack into "normal sized" suitcases. I have never had to pay extra baggage fees for the cases.

Pinigis 

The interior dimensions are 27.8" x 20" x 11.6".
It is unlikely that your bike will fit without some dis assembly.

fietsbob

Because they dont fold the main tube in half, rear section coming alongside the front,

Brompton's rear fold under and just the front wheel coming back to cover the chain, has a narrower width .

ttakata73

If you want to ride around casually then a Brompton is the smallest and easiest to pack.
If you want to ride fast then a BFriday, Birdy, or Moulton are the way.
If you want something in between maybe a side folding 16" tire Dahon. I say maybe since the side folded frames can be pretty wide.

Ozonation

That being said... I passed a 6 foot plus guy on a mountain bike while cycling up a steep incline on my Brompton! He remarked how I put him to shame... So, I guess your definition of casual might vary.

chrisx

A while back I saw a thread here about comfort on long rides. The lads seem to think a brompton was for around town, short trips of a few miles. A few piped in that a Tern was better for a longer day.
Anybody have a thought on bikes for 30 or 40 mile days.

chrisx

Does it fold quickly into the case, or is some disasembly required? Some dis assembly is required, as it is with any bike into a suitcase.

Which parts need to be removed from the bike to make it fit into the case?