Birdy Packed in a Samsonite Flight Case.
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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Birdy Packed in a Samsonite Flight Case.
Tried packing a Birdy Monocoque LX Deore into a Samsonite Flight Case in less than 15 mins.
Things to remove:
1) Front wheel
2) Rear wheel
3) Telescopic handle stem with handle bar
4) Front fork
Tool? Only 1 size 5mm Hex/Allen Key.

Things to remove:
1) Front wheel
2) Rear wheel
3) Telescopic handle stem with handle bar
4) Front fork
Tool? Only 1 size 5mm Hex/Allen Key.
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 351
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From: Victoria BC Canada & La Quinta CA USA
Bikes: Birdy Red 8 speed, Birdy Blue 21 Speed, Birdy Monocoque 24 Speed, 2002 Devinci Desperado, 1996 Rocky Mountain Hammer Race
Here is an old style frame Birdy in a Flite.
In addition to the Birdy, I fitted 2 helmets, a U lock, a pair of shoes, 2 wine glasses, sox, small handle bar bag, and miscellaneous items that can't be carried on.
On the trip out I had 2 bottles of wine instead of the wine glasses
It was my 1st time and it took me took me more disassembly as well as a fair bit longer than 15 min to fit this much. (eg. I have replaced all quick releases with, allen key fastenings and I took the handlebar off my fixed stem, took the chain off the chain ring and packed it and derailleur in a plastic bag, pulled the skewers out of the wheels and bagged them. With practice, I would expect to take under 30 min .
David
In addition to the Birdy, I fitted 2 helmets, a U lock, a pair of shoes, 2 wine glasses, sox, small handle bar bag, and miscellaneous items that can't be carried on.
On the trip out I had 2 bottles of wine instead of the wine glasses
It was my 1st time and it took me took me more disassembly as well as a fair bit longer than 15 min to fit this much. (eg. I have replaced all quick releases with, allen key fastenings and I took the handlebar off my fixed stem, took the chain off the chain ring and packed it and derailleur in a plastic bag, pulled the skewers out of the wheels and bagged them. With practice, I would expect to take under 30 min .
David
#6
Part-time epistemologist
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Washington, DC
Bikes: Jamis Nova, Bike Friday triplet, Bike Friday NWT, STRIDA, Austro Daimler Vent Noir, Hollands Tourer
https://gaerlan.com/dahon/pack.htm
... you should take some pictures and describe it. I gather that the choice of suitcase is important. Which one do you use?
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A narrative on bicycle driving.
A narrative on bicycle driving.
#7
Part-time epistemologist
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,870
Likes: 3
From: Washington, DC
Bikes: Jamis Nova, Bike Friday triplet, Bike Friday NWT, STRIDA, Austro Daimler Vent Noir, Hollands Tourer
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A narrative on bicycle driving.
A narrative on bicycle driving.
#11
my nice bike is at home


Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 970
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From: Brooklyn, NY USA
Bikes: 2011 BMC Race Machine / 2012 BMC Road Machine / Trek 2300 / '90's Merlin/ '70's Raleigh 20/ Ti-'swift' folder / Erickson w/S&S couplers
Always interesting to see how our various folding-bike-thing's get into the Samsonite. As a rule, I would never put my helmet in with it- better to carry that on the plane, it's an extra effort but safer than having small cracks etc. in it which will compromise the effect, when you might need it most!
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BMC Race Machine / BMC Team Machine / Rossin Record / 80's Pinarello Traviso / Merlin MTB / Raleigh "Folding 20" / Ti-Swift (!)
Erikson w/C&C couplers / Trek's: 2300, 1200, 990 / Jamis 'Sputnik' / Santana Tandem: Full Campy!
BMC Race Machine / BMC Team Machine / Rossin Record / 80's Pinarello Traviso / Merlin MTB / Raleigh "Folding 20" / Ti-Swift (!)
Erikson w/C&C couplers / Trek's: 2300, 1200, 990 / Jamis 'Sputnik' / Santana Tandem: Full Campy!
#12
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,720
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From: Madison, WI
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
Always interesting to see how our various folding-bike-thing's get into the Samsonite. As a rule, I would never put my helmet in with it- better to carry that on the plane, it's an extra effort but safer than having small cracks etc. in it which will compromise the effect, when you might need it most!
Only once has an airline employee commented on my helmet, he said that the planes are getting pretty safe these days.
I normally do not comment on a ten year old thread, but helmets are safety related so i made an exception.
#13
Senior Member


Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
I learned that I should not suggest in a way the presence of a bike or other sports equipment in my luggage, as the agents will try to engage in a detective work and charge me. Skis in winter get a pass.
#15
my nice bike is at home


Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 970
Likes: 37
From: Brooklyn, NY USA
Bikes: 2011 BMC Race Machine / 2012 BMC Road Machine / Trek 2300 / '90's Merlin/ '70's Raleigh 20/ Ti-'swift' folder / Erickson w/S&S couplers
" Hey.... that's a BIKE!"
then come up with some way to charge for it, even though it is a very generic and conventional suitcase.
...it hasn't happened yet....tho British Airways will probably try to snag me.
__________________
BMC Race Machine / BMC Team Machine / Rossin Record / 80's Pinarello Traviso / Merlin MTB / Raleigh "Folding 20" / Ti-Swift (!)
Erikson w/C&C couplers / Trek's: 2300, 1200, 990 / Jamis 'Sputnik' / Santana Tandem: Full Campy!
BMC Race Machine / BMC Team Machine / Rossin Record / 80's Pinarello Traviso / Merlin MTB / Raleigh "Folding 20" / Ti-Swift (!)
Erikson w/C&C couplers / Trek's: 2300, 1200, 990 / Jamis 'Sputnik' / Santana Tandem: Full Campy!
#16
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 161
Yeah I am always paranoid they will open the 29" Samsonite and say,
" Hey.... that's a BIKE!"
then come up with some way to charge for it, even though it is a very generic and conventional suitcase.
...it hasn't happened yet....tho British Airways will probably try to snag me.
" Hey.... that's a BIKE!"
then come up with some way to charge for it, even though it is a very generic and conventional suitcase.
...it hasn't happened yet....tho British Airways will probably try to snag me.





