downtube

I just fold my bike and put it into the suitcase. What do you think of the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDsb...ature=youtu.be

Thanks,
Yan

BikeLite

Please give dimensions of the downtube suitcase.

downtube

It's hard to say since it is soft and the shape changes ( it's a shape shifter ). However it is around 33"x21"x12"

Thanks,
Yan

Rick Imby

For my Dahon MU D10 I had a bag made. I then cut up an old waffle style mattress topper and lined the bag. I took the rear derailleur off the bike and one of the pedals. Everything else stayed on. It is probably oversize but weighs under 30 pounds. I had thick web material sewn onto two sides from top to bottom for grab handles. Then I used just regular rope in an X type fashion to cinch everything up tight.

I have packed and flown it three times so far and no oversize charges yet. It is kinda clumsy to carry but worked great so far.

zoom26

This is an upgraded Dahon Speed p8 with an Ultegra Dual crank, a shorter outfolding handle bar stem and trigger shifters. I removed the handle bar stem and the handle bar, removed the fenders and rear rack and left them at home, removed wheels, pedals and the chain as well. Brought with me a pedal wrench and allen keys. Put the lights in the saddle bag, weight of the bike with the hard case was about 40-45lbs. Assembly and disassembly would cost you around 15 or so minutes depending on skill level.

zebede

Last month I took a Dahon Caio i8 into 61" home fashioned card box.wheels off, pedals off. Handle bars off (quick released). On a 1 way trip (a gift) to Guatemala. It was under Max weight and diemension. No problems what's ever as checked luggage, 15 min. Re-assy. Threw away the free box when I was done.

Rick Imby

Answers to my questions..

I had a bag made for my Dahon. I cut up my mattress topper (waffle foam style) and put it inside the bag. I unscrewed the rear derailleur from the frame and put a plastic bag over it with a rubber band holding it on. I slid the bike and everything except the pedals into the bag. I had a strap sewn onto the outside of the bag all the way around with it stitched in every 6 inches leaving a bunch of hand holds all around the bag. After putting the bike in the bag I tied a rope through the straps to cinch up the bag around my bike.

It is certainly oversize but I have now flown with it 3 times and no oversize charge. Weight is under 30 pounds. 5 minutes to load or unload.

I put my pedals in my carry on so if they ask what is in the bag I can honestly say "Bicycle Parts" no it is not a complete bike. I am not going to lie to them. My pedals are the dual function Shimano A530 which can be installed or removed with an 8mm allen wrench---lighter and handier than a pedal wrench.

downtube

Rick,

Great idea, however was the mattress pad white? I could see a white pad attracts dirt.

Thanks,
Yan

George3

If you would use instead an old sleeping bag, sleeping pad or clothing, spare bags, spare tire, shoes, gloves, food, rope, etc. for padding, you might carry much more functionality for the same (or more) weight.

downtube

I like the idea of a mattress pad. It is super dense.

Thanks
Yan

Rick Imby

It is foam yellow with the egg carton on one side.
If it gets dirty it is only going to get my bike dirty in the future.
I put some rags (old socks are my favorite) in the bag to clean the bike before putting it in the bag.

Yes I could have used a sleeping bag---not as good of padding and heavier.
No problem adding more stuff to the bag---I just want to be well below the 50 pound limit so as not to pay the premium for oversize. I think it is close to being legal.

graycenphil

The Bike Friday works really well. I dont think it takes me half an hour to disassemble and pack it in the hard suitcase. They're pretty expensive bikes, but I've had mine for about 20 years now, and it's in great shape. Now that they've been around that long, it shouldn't be too hard to find used ones.

2_i 

I have a rack and a basket on my NWT and dynamo lights. The assembly/disassembly & suitcase management last 1.5h+ for each direction and I thoroughly hate the process. Chain grease is involved. I will take the bike along only if I have a minimum of 2wks at the destination. By contrast Brompton takes minutes, but I have to switch from my regular pack to the Brompton T-bag for everyday luggage.

fietsbob

Xooter, maybe those pivot bolts into the frame tube joining the 2 sections, will come out..?

allowing a smaller packed size , both wheels removed etc..

Bike Friday's suitcase pack fold, is a combination of fold and dismantle...

graycenphil

Mine is a Pocket Llama, a pretty different bike I guess. Does the NWT take that much longer to disassemble? If so, I'd recommend folks look for a Pocket Llama or similar model.

fietsbob

New NWT has other benefits , lower BB is not as sky high as the Llama.
which is beyond tippy-toe range at stop signs.

To Stay in the saddle a foot goes on top of the curb.
Otherwise I have to get off the saddle, to put a foot down when stopped
(or fall over)

the High BB does help keep my feet drier in the rain , ..
Proper Mudguards & Cycle Rain Cape. FTW , ...






....

Stewie32

Fly regularly with my Tern Verge X30h. Packs into a 62" case at under 50 lbs with my helmet, shoes, and cycling clothes. 15 minutes at each end to dis and reassemble. 3 years of many flights a year (6 flights on 2 trips in the last 2 weeks) have been hard on the bike with lots of paint chips but it still works just fine. The main packing problem with a security checks. They have unpacked it every time and don't put it back in carefully every time.

rhenning

This is my Bike Friday Pocket Rocket in its Samsonite case along with some other things. I keep a print of the picture in the bag to help remember how to pack it. Roger

arbee

Flying with a packed Swift, I've experienced both problems you mention.

chipped paint: Visit a 99¢ store or something similar and shop for cheap towels. I bought black hand towels at 3 for $2. Hey! They're starting out black; it won't get much worse. Use the towels to wrap the bike parts that are getting smacked by other hard stuff; works for me.

security inspections: Security Net used to protect your bike if TSA opens the case I haven't bought / used these nets, but a friend who regularly flies with a Bilenky Bilenky Cycle Works tells me that most of the time, the S & S nets work as intended.

fusilierdan

I'm a little late with this. My wife and I both have MU-P8s we use different suitcases. For hers I have to take off the kickstand for mine I have to remove the rear derailleur.

remove seat post, detach handle bar and stem from the folding part of the stem, remove both wheels, remove pedals, fold bike so front fork fold into the rear dropouts.

I use pipe insulation on the seat post and stem, plastic shower cap on rear cog, plastic bag on chain ring and chain, I tie the chain together with wire ties so it doesn't twist around. My wife packs hers a little more carefully:-)

It take about twenty minutes to reassemble. Practice make perfect!

Nice to have your own bike when travelling.

Rick Imby

It certainly is nice to have your own bike when traveling. I ended up in Alexandria VA a couple of weeks ago with my Dahon MU d10 in the bag. Wonderful ride down to Mt Vernon and a great day examining the amazing home of George Washington.---By the way he would fit my bike just fine---he was 6'3" also...

George was one of the largest distillers in the 13 states.

Also a great ride up to the Monuments in DC--Bike trails all over the place.

I just fold up the dahon take off the rear Derailleur so it doesn't get bent. I put a layer of cardboard between the frame and the handlebars and the handlebar and the frame after I slip it into the bag. Now a 5 minute job.

kraftwerk 

[QUOTE=fietsbob;19641844]Xooter, maybe those pivot bolts into the frame tube joining the 2 sections, will come out..?

allowing a smaller packed size , both wheels removed etc.."

^^ yes! the main pivot bolt can be removed to fit the thing in a smaller suitcase..

Its not as bad as having to remove the forks. All in all you get pretty good at
building and re-building a bike.. I can do it really fast now.

edelay

Hi Rick.

While not a Mu, here is my Dahon Curve folded into a suitcase. From the photos you can see that taking off the fork wouldn't have made the fold smaller. Taking of the wheels surely would. In my circumstance, only removed the pedals since I didn't want disassemble then reassemble the bike every few days.

kayakindude

Headed to DC this week so I just left my Dahon in the suitcase. I do the same disassembly as you. The Vybe has wheel bolts so my only concern is the bolt ends pushing and the plastic suitcase, I try to put a little foam in between because I worry that the bolt may punch through. Anyone else have wheel bolts and what do you use to make them less of a projectile? Maybe a rubber grommet?

Rick Imby

All the kids bikes coming into your local bike shop will have bolt covers so they don't punch through the box. They are just thrown away so you could probably get some for free.

I have taken a piece of cardboard and folded it into 4 thicknesses. Then punch a hole into one side of it with the bolt you are trying to cover up. Tape the cardboard piece so it does not come apart.

Rick