Travelling with a bike
 

Do any of you have experience travelling with bikes via Amtrak, specifically the Texas Eagle line? I may be travelling on it soon and I think it'd be fun to do some biking while the friends I'm going with are doing the **** they do that I don't want to do/can't do. Alternatively, what's standard procedure for checking a bike or two on a plane? This is all new to me.

Sorry to derail, but I have a very similar question.

Going back to the Philippines this summer. I want to bring the Raleigh, but I am also scared for it. Does steel rust faster in extreme hot, humid, and dirty places? I might just build one when I get there since everything is cheap.

Anybody with international travel with bike experience?

-

I'm assuming amtrak is a train, so get a bike bag, take off that front wheel, and just check it with security. I've never done this myself, but it shouldn't be too much harder.

i bought my last bike this summer stateside and flew it back here to italy. booked it with airlines prior to departure, for a flat rate that was cheaper than extra baggage, no weight limit. shipped it in the box it came in, stuffed the box full of hockey gear and had no problems. have travelled internationally with bikes several times. check with the airlines well in advance, remove peddles, turn your bars 90 degrees, remove front tire, pack it in a box, or bag and off you go.

the one thing that will get you caught out at security, make sure you leave the co2 cartridges at home.

jimmytango taking your bike on the train here in europe is simple, show up with your bike as small as possible on and off you go

Any suggestions for good, high quality, discreet bike bags?

i have always used good old cardboard boxes, from the lbs, lots of tape and well padded contact points.

Amtrak allows it. I've never done it, but researched it. The cliff notes from their website:

1) Either supply the bike box, or buy one at the station. Like $10-15.
2) You have to semi-disassemble the bike to fit into the box. Things like taking off the pedals and removing/loosening the stem so the bars fit in the box parallel to the bike.
3) You can only do it if the departure station and arrival station offer checked baggage service. Not all stations do.

It depends on the line. On the cascades route you don't have to box your bike or anything, they just hang it in the baggage car, pretty easy. The coast starlight route requires that you box your bike, but they supply the box, and it is huge....only have to remove pedals, turn handlebar and roll it into the box.

It appears that you can take a bike on the texas eagle for $10, but I have no idea if it is "roll-on" service or if you have to box it.

See:
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Satell...accomm=Bicycle

The Texas Eagle is the one that I've ridden, so I know it requires the box.

I saw a sw8 fixie when I was flying from Sao Paulo to Miami; the entire bike was covered with saran wrap. I was soo bewildered... I mean... !?!??!?! Then I saw the dude come pick it up -- total hipsterbro with a moustache. I stared daggers at him and made a point to check out where he was flying next... NYC. lol.

OK, if you have to box the bike on amtrak then you need to show up to the station early, inquire about a box, they might have one used you can have for free, otherwise it is $15.

On airlines you will have to properly box your bike. Search around on BF as i remember a tutorial on how to box a bike for shipping, and a lot of the tips apply for airlines. Pipe insulation can help protect the tubing. There is no guarantee your bike will show up unharmed. When we flew from Chicago to Paris the bikes were lost along the way, which was actually nice cause that meant they delivered it right to our door, and we were way out in the country far from paris. My wife's front wheel had a broken spoke :( her bike has bad luck, it was also bashed by an amtrak employee, bending the derailer hanger.

Slightly off topic, but OP's question got answered...

I looked into flying with a bike, specifically on Alaska/Horizon flights. It's waaay expensive. Last I checked it was $50 each way not including getting a travel box. IIRC, they ding you extra for additional checked bags too. I checked box rental rates at my LBS for a bike specific hardcase and it's $40 a week. Spending $140 and lugging a giant case around to take my bike on a week's vacation didn't seem worth it.

$50 each way is expensive? hmmmm
And a cardboard box from the LBS is free.

Just from visiting Portland and Seattle I got to use the Amtrack bike box, super easy. They didnt even have me remove my clipless pedals but I had to remove the handle bar and slam the saddle because my bike is too tall. $20

On my way back to LA I took a plane and packed my bike is a bike box from a shop. Take the bike apart, cover everything with pipe insulation, secure everything from moving around. You can keep the rear wheel in the frame and the front in the fork to keep the drop outs from being smashed in.

My bike fared well on the plane but I have heard some stories from others about their bikes arrived a bit beat up. Obviously a hard cover bike box is the best way to go if you dont want to take any chances. $50 to get the bike on

Yes, your bike is going to disintegrate the moment you open whatever packaging you put it in.

Seems reasonable to me. Bike boxes are large.

Yeah, when I flew home from California for PCS leave, they charged me 50$ for the bike. I didn't take any extra bags, though, because the bike box was big enough to stuff all of my uniforms, miscellaneous stuff, and whatnot in it along with the bike. They didn't even check the weight, which is what I thought they would do, just charged me for being oversized. If I had my orders on me at the time, it would have been free. -.-

When I flew out here to Hawaii, I didn't bring my bike with me, but my mom brought it with her when she flew out a couple weeks after I landed. That was on Delta, who seem to be even more expensive than Alaska/Horizon, but it was free because they, for some reason, asked what my mom needed a huge box for, and she said she was bringing it to her son who is in the military, haha. The guy who checked them in even gave her and my sister free meal vouchers for the plane ride.

Both times were with boxes from a LBS, both boxes were free. Well, I guess the second box wasn't free, per se. The mechanic told me I didn't have to pay for it, but he would accept a cigarette if I had any, so I gave him one. :p

I have never had any issues with shipping my bike on planes, either, and I hope I never have any horror stories.

I imagine playing the military card gets you all kinds of perks.

Fees are commonplace; expect to pay. I've never trusted a cardboard box to any of my bikes especially how shoddy the rough and tumble of baggage handling can go. The last time I traveled, somebody learned the hard way of packing bottles of wine in their checked bags and I was adversely affected; I didn't mind through, I thought the major stain was conveyor grease originally until I noticed the sweet aroma.
For peace of mind with my often expensive bikes, I trust a padded and reinforced bicycle carrier to safely cradle my bikes, a trico iron case to be exact; it's a bit of an investment but it's practically bombproof and who knows, you can get one used or borrow from a friend who has one or your LBS might have a loaner program. Nonetheless, if worse comes to worse, check your bicycle thoroughly before leaving the airport to check for damage and report it before leaving because airlines are sneaky and have a time restriction on its claims policy.

10% off at performance. :lol:

I haven't used the Texas Eagle line, but I've shipped my bike from Santa Barbara to Seattle and back no problems. Got a bike box free at lbs as others have said, $50 each way, i removed: front wheel, handlebars, pedals, and seat/post. Was able to pack everything in the box plus tools for assembly, helmet, flat kit, etc. I wrapped every contact point with some old tee-shirts and everything worked out okay for me.

*Edit: I didn't specifically mention this originally but I did use Amtrak to ship. Coast Starlight line, I believe.

Resurrecting this thread for more stories/advice... I'm flying with my bike in a few weeks and deciding between plunking down some $$ for this hard shell bike case:
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...8_10000_202591

or this cheap soft bike bag plus egg crate foam mattress padding and cardboard for reinforcement:
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...1_10000_202591

I like the wheels and being able to lock the bike case. I'd feel much more comfortable about checking my bike in that.

I'm jealous of everyone that only got charged $50 for their bikes; both Continental and United websites are saying $100 each way for bikes. I value convenience pretty highly and also don't want my bike damaged, but $200 for the trip PLUS the cost of the bike box or whatever solution I come up with is a lot. But I'll save serious $$ and time by not having to cab/pedicab around once I'm there. Tough call.

Some bike shops will let you rent a case.

Flying with a bike is expensive and a PITA. If it comes down to a 50-50 decision, leave the bike. It'll be a hassle to drag around the airport. Plus you'll have to rebuild it there, then disassemble and pack it for the trip back.

Hard case is a must for air travel/ travel where you're not in control of the handling of your bike. Soft cases are more meant for road trips.

Also, it's cheaper to ship the bike out ahead of you via FedEx. Then ship it back home before you leave.

Ship it directly to your hotel or friend's house where you are staying.

Use the same bike box.

Also check craigslist. Maybe post a "Wanted" ad. There are plenty of bike boxes sitting in garages collecting dust. Offer 1/2 of MSRP. They are likely in great condition.