Hi London cyclists,

My daughter recently bought me a flashy "city bike" knowing that cycling was my hobby.. normally not a big issue, accept I live in Malaysia and she is in London.. she is flying out here in August and the Airline will take the bike free, but she has to box it, and she hasn't a clue how to go about that. She lives near to Fulham Broadway Tube Station. So my question is: does anyone here know a LBS in that area that would help a forlorn young waif box up the bike?, she is fine to pay then for the service, just needs some help finding a place to do it for her.

Any suggestions would be very welcome.

Thank you.

Dean in Kl

There's an Evans in Fulham. They might be able to help, or at least give her a box and some pointers/tips.

Try Cyclechat a similar forum based in the UK. Many members seem to located in London.

Can't remember if .org or what? On tablet and not great at navigating it.

Did you ask the folks in the UK regional subforum?

Thanks for the replies.

Rivers: I have found the Evens website and will contact them

debebe: I have not tried cycle chat but will look them up, thanks.

RonH: good point, I hadn't thought of the sub-forums.. thanks.

Airlines will sometimes sell you a bike box at the airport. Then you just take off the pedals, turn the handlebars sideways, and put the bike in the box.

Almost forgot, this needs a sound-track:

Absolutely. Nothing better than the Clash....

Sadly that would involve even basic knowledge of a bicycle, my daughter wouldn't have a clue how to take a pedal off.. and sadly her male crowd are from the fashion industry or worse.. banking... no hope of help.... but thanks for the thought.

Did she buy it from a shop? If so, have her call the shop, they will likely box it up for her for a fee.

Do remember boxed bikes are not small, does she have a way to get it to the airport? I'm a rather decently sized guy, while the weight isn't an issue for me, the bulkiness makes it difficult to carry myself for any distance.

If she ties a decent sized rope or luggage strap around the middle of the box it would serve as a pretty good lifting handle.

Given some of the sizes of collapsible wheelchairs and SUV sized strollers out there that I see gate checked.. Anyone tried this with a naked bike?

Unfortunately not bought from a shop, she bought from a friend that bought it then got posted out of the UK, so its just a naked bike no box. She will use an uber van to get it to the airport once boxed, and I pick he up the other end... luckily she has the smile that will not take much to get guys lifting it for her..

Not gate checked, but yes, in a plastic bag. Still requires some pedal disassembly and moving of handlebars, though.

I've flown in and out of London with my bike on several occasions, and I never had it boxed beforehand. It has been awhile, but my recollection is that everyone was FAR more helpful than in the US.