imosqueira

Dear all,

I'll be soon getting on an airplane with my Brompton for the first time. I'll have to check it in as luggage, so I am trying to decide on the best way to pack it. A bag seems to be the best option, as I'll have to carry it with me, and I was wondering what the experiences have been with various bags and different ways of improving their resistance to luggage handlers.

My current thoughts are to go with a bag similar to the travel bag Brompton sells plus some internal foam ¡ padding. I have also thought about an aluminium structure, formed by two rectangular tubes, to form a rigid structure around the bike.

Any other suggestions? Thanks,


Iago

14R 

I would consider a hard shell luggage with internal PVC structures to avoid collapsing (same way I did with my Downtube when I took it to 10 cities in Brazil). I understand Bromptons are more compact, but I still would use conventional hard luggage instead of padded bags.

Just my US$0.02

Chop!

If you use a soft bag, then you really need to fortify the inside with some kind of board or the pointy bits could rip through with rough handling. In Europe, baggage handlers are not taught to be gentle with our beloved steeds!

imosqueira

Thanks. I am afraid a hard case is not going to be a good option in this case, as I will have to carry it with me when taking the train and then cycling to my final destination. I was looking for something portable, maybe a bit more sophisticated than this

https://www.gaerlan.com/bikes/case/case.html

but equally portable once folded and tied to the front carrier.

Cheers,


Iago

spambait11

Why not just get the bag made for a Brompton?

imosqueira

Do you have direct experience as to the level of protection?

Thanks

spambait11

No, I don't. Channell Wasson most likely would know though. I think it's easier to call him.

folder fanatic

As of this writing, several hours ago a major terrorist attack against Great Britian and the United States has been stopped, thank God. The carry-on luggage is now far more carefully screened due to this near miss. So your Brompton might not slip through so easy like before. I would contact your airline company to get more information about bringing your bike on board (I would not count on it myself-we are also share a Brompton at my house and are very protective of it).

Wavshrdr

I have used the Brompton "B" bag with good success. I did pack some extra close around it to be safe but it worked quite well. I didn't think it would do as well as it did but they Bromptons and Mercs are pretty tough when folded and no really easy to break bits are exposed. I spoke with a Brompton rep before and they used it exclusively when flying.

imosqueira

Many thanks. Channel Wasson at foldabikes was also very prompt at replying with his thumbs-up. The B bag seems to be a good option. I did not intend to take it as carry on, too bulky for the planes I'll be flying in.

Cheers

Paul Green

I too have a new Brompton, the titanium model. I also bought a very nice small Brompton carry case which has a long handle and wheels. It is slightly heavy but protects it very well. I have spent a good deal of time lightening the bike anyway with lots of titanium bolts and nuts etc. This has made quite a difference to the ride also. I hope you are successful and good riding.
Paul Green

mattygobatty

I have made four flights with my Dahon carrying it in a soft bag and I have not had a single glitch anywhere. I had called the Air Canada ahead of time and they informed me there would be an extra $50 fee, but when I got to the airport I didn't say anything and they didn't say anything, and I just checked it through like regular luggage. At baggage claims the bike comes up the ramp like everything else even though when I asked the luggage handler they pointed me to the oversized claim area.

edzo

if you pack a Brompton as checked baggae w/o a hard case the plastic fenders are likely to come out cracked. the rest of the bike will survive. you really need a hard case because your Brompton will get wedged under someone elses heavy items and will be squeezed to holy hell.

pxboii

I had a really unpleasant experience flying with my bike from Toronto to Calgary with AirCanada couple weeks ago. I pack my bike in a box from LBS. I check the box at the airport and they charge 50.00CDN. When I open the box in Calgary few things were damage:1, front fender was broken 2, tire pump was dent 3, rear wheel had a really bad warp in it (I dicovered later the rim had split at the weld). I only had a day to repair all this before my tour of the Rockies. An inside source says "HANDLE WITH CARE" sticker means nothing and my bike was tossed and pile on with tonnes of lugagge. On my return trip, I didn't put it in a box I just twist the handle bars and remove peddles and other items from the bike. I figure when I check the bike the handler has to pick it from the check-in because its not in a box. The inside source also says your bike will probably put with other sport equipment like golf/skis/snowboard and etc...When I pick up the bike in Toronto, not a scratch. My advise is don't box it and don't fold it. The handler will toss anything in a box because of their tight schedule.

tfahrner

no bag or box, gate-check it the way people do strollers or wheelchairs: https://todd.cleverchimp.com/blog/?p=94

spambait11

Just got the B bag myself. The good: well made and rolls well without being tippy. The bad: cannot fully enclose a bike if it has a combination of a longer seatpost (not to mention an extended seatpost), a setback adapter, a larger saddle (such as a sprung Brooks), or other similar combination, esp. the seatpost. In other words, you pretty much have to keep your setup stock if you want it to fit. However, every other bag option I've seen is pretty flimsy or just a cover save the Birdy rucksack. But I'll stick with the B bag since I'd rather roll the bike around and only occasionally carry/lift it.

philthygeezer

https://www.calhouncycle.com/productc...idproduct=1252

cmcanulty

I've got a soft sided thrift shop suitcase & lined it with heavy cardboard. Then I built a wheeled cart out of two trash bin wheels and axle and attached a piece of plywood about 1ftx 1 1/2 ft to it. Pack that in clothes suitcase. Get to airport , put bike together, bungee suitcase to little cart, bungee that to bike rear rack, and off I go. Wouldn't hold up for long tour, but fine for airport to motel or bus or town, whatever. Total cost $2.00 for suitcase, $0 for cart. I am lucky that one of my neighbors is a builder and always has a construction dumpster full of goodies. Only charge-some sawdust on clothes and people think I'm wacky but who cares.

14R 

I am one hour and 45 minutes early for my flight from New Orleans, LA to Tampa, FL. My brompton did well here and is on her way back as a checked-in luggage.

With absolutely nothing better to do, I decided to talk with 2 TSA supervisors about bringing a folding bike as a carry-on item. Here is what I heard for the 4th time (twice today, twice before over different airports):

if the airline doesn't have a problem with the dimensions of your bike and it is clear that, even being a metal bike, you cannot take over an airplane with it, you will be able to bring it.

In other words, I am tempted to try to take my Bromton as a carry-on one of these days (as long as I have enough time to do plan B if something goes wrong - like the TSA supervisor thinking that I can use my chainring as a ninja weapon and my seatpost as a warhammer).

Hopefully the bike WILL NOT transform into a robot and start acting weird during the flight.

I'll keep the forum up-to-date with this matter.

dancedoula

Anyone know of any soft carry bags that would fit a Dahon Curve snugly? I don't really like the bag that they offer. It's way too big and seems cumbersome. Maybe something resembling the brompton carry bag?

Thanks!

folder fanatic

Hello Dancedoula,

I never have found the perfect folding bike bag. So now I make my own. Here is a very simple bag which I use for my Piccolo (pictured here-it is the same shape and diameter as the Curve-but do measure yours up first). I can make it up in an hour. Instructions and photos of the actual construction process are all here. Even including a trip to the Los Angeles Garment District as well!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles/sets/72157601331380862/

Please let me know if this is what you are looking for in a bag. You can make it up yourself or find someone who will for far less money than the bike makers charge for theirs. And the most important thing is you can make it as snuggly fit and colorful or conservative as you wish.