Getting bike into box with rack attached
 

I had a friend pick up a bike box for me at the local LBS. He says all the boxes are a standard size. Is this true? Well I tested the box today and I think I can get the bike to fir with the exception that the rack sticks out of the out of the box. Do they make larger boxes? The height of mine measure 28 inches.

I took another look at the bike it the box and I think all I really need to do is to take the screws out that hold the rack near the wheel but I would rather avoid this. Might I be able to get a taller box? Taking the rear wheel off does not seem like an option because of lack of space for the rear wheel but more importantly I would also need to remove and secure the rear derailer.

I can't answer your question...have you tried calling a LBS? Some in my area are open....yours might be as well.

Well it is Labor Day today so they are closed. I will actually be visiting them tomorrow but I was hoping for some input now.

Thanks

They come in all sizes - they have to fit 50cm frames and 60cm frames afterall.

You could also try a Walmart or other place that sells cheap bikes - they sell more than the LBS (have to replace them every 6 months :-/

Even if you couldfind a bigger box, it would make life that much more difficult for the baggage handlers when yopu take the bike on a plane (I'm assuming that the box is for a tour you're planning). A bigger box will also be more difficult for you to carry and stow in your car. For the time and trouble it will take you to find a bigger box, you could undo the two screws and have the bike in the box and ready to go.

the box that amtrak gives you is big enough that all you need to do is adjust your handlebars sideways and push it in (they reccomend taking off your pedals but you don't need to). I don't know where you could get one of those though.

If you are going to use the box to ship by air, be advised that airlines have size and weight limits. Check the airlines web site for size limits on bike boxes.

How much does it stick out? Mine usually sticks about 2" above the top of the box, I just do a little creative folding/cutting/taping of additional cardboard to get it sorta covered up.

I bought a box from Qantas once at the airport (in Melbourne), it was huge. didn't have to take the bike apart very much.

Yep about 2 inches. Perhaps I can do just what you did? Add some cardboard and tape etc. This won't be a problem with the airlines?

Sure, they don't care if it's square. I've done it about 5 times. Be aware that they will very likely be opening your bike box, so don't make it so complicated they can't open it and tape it back up.

I remember having this dilemma once. The LBS got the biggest box they could find and folded the flaps over the protruding part. It wasn't pretty but it worked.