They should simply install a Yakima roof rack on the plane for passengers bringing bikes.

Wait, I take that back.

A hard case is the only way to go... and as luck would have it, I have one available.

For the same reason, I also always rent. But my rental earlier this month sucked enough that I considered starting to search for a good carrier.

What worried me about CC's description was the part that said "If you and your bike fly like the professional teams..." My bike is unlikely to fly like any professional team.

So why do hardcases suck so much? Is it just the shear bulk?

Many of them are nearly at the overweight point before the bike is packed inside of it. Along with the shear bulk factor.

There's a possibility (remote, not realistic) that you'll stop being a complete Flyover Hoser, but that's right up there with the chance of the Mets winning the 2010 World Series.

So you guys making an encyclopedia or something?

Hardcases are a pain in the ass. CF bicycles swaddled with 10" of foam and ballistic nylon on each side are virtually uncrushable. Hell, you could toss my bike in that soft case off a 3 story building and you might have a hard time damaging it. At any rate, for the .01% increase in the risk to my (insured) bicycle, the convenience of a soft case is a total no-brainer.

Of course what would I know, I've only done three round trips to Europe with my bike in that case over the past 5 years.

I use soft-case(s) (for either bike or wheels only).

You can buy pipe insulation at the HW store for $1-2 for insulation. Unless TSA is jumping all over the bike, nothing will happen.

Also, hard-cases often weight more than the item they are protecting. Talk about overkill...

Personally, I think there is a realistic possibility that if this thread goes long enough, there might one day be an intelligent post.

- High probability that TSA will open it up (due to the conspicuous size and shape of case) whereby they will screw up the packing you so meticulously spent time on, defeating the whole purpose of a hard-case.
- Weight
- Size (guaranteed oversize charge, high probability overweight charge as well)
- It's a bike, not the crown jewels. Use common sense and some high-density foam and nothing will happen.

If I ever have enough money to blow on a trip, I'll just buy a cheap bike there and then give it to a charity there when I leave.

I bubble wrap the BB/crank/front derailleur, rear derailleur and brifters too. And it's an odd shape, so the odds that they'd throw other luggage on top of it are lessened. Just doesn't stack so well. Plus it's an oversized bag that's clearly a bicycle, so they'd have to almost have the intent to destroy it. Baggage handlers generally aren't that bad. At least my bike has survived a bunch of trips.

'Rent' a bike.

You guys kill me.

Don't be silly; might as well rent a Lambo, get totally trashed, and drive it through a CVS for kicks while you are at it.

Ah right, makes sense. Actually the only time I've taken a bike on a plane I just used a large plastic bag and a little bubble wrap. Mind you it was a steel bike and a single leg journey so there wasn't huge scope to eff things up.

http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,918095,00.jpg

Seriously though, rather than pay $400 just for a freaking case I might look around and see what I could find there.

It's going to be a challenge riding in the Pyrenees with that.

At least it has a basket for carrying snacks...

some places actually have decent rentals, others don't. Of course pretty much none rent Cervelo.

http://www.westmauicycles.com/Maui-b...ntal-shop.html

Sadly, not quite big enough to carry one of these:

http://www.en.fhnw.ch/business/intb/...ry/alphorn.jpg

This thread is getting horny.

This is all useful. How hard was that? About 20 posts ago, I was ready to head to C-Springs to pick up the effing case while it was on sale. Unnecessary brain damage.

With a ton of those red fragile stickers slapped on it, my trust in this plan is restored. Thanks for the answer (and eff you for all the time I wasted on this otherwise slow day at the office).

It's pretty popular in Vienna, Aust.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/a...y/cesky222.jpg

This is an "enter at your own risk" thread. Maybe there should be a health warning.:twitchy: