Panniers on an airplane
 

I'm planning a big tour of europe for next summer. I'm sure I'll be making hundreds of posts here in the mean time asking for help.

I've read tons about shipping a bike by plane, but I can't seem to find much about what you do with your panniers. Is there any easy way to attach four panniers together as one piece of checked luggage? Or please let me know of any other method. Keep in mind that I will be arriving and departing from different airports, so I can't store a large bag or anything at my destination.

A light weight duffle bag large enough to hold your equipment has worked for me as checked baggage for decades.
It folds up to a small package to carry on tour and use on the return leg of the flight.
Here is an example: http://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/Osp...s/AirporterLZ/

Use a carboard box of less than 62 linear inches (i.e. 26x26x10) and put in the nearest recyling bin at your destination.

One time I toured japan, and my friends each duct taped two panniers together and checked them as single bag. This backfired, and the bags did not arrive in Japan until 3 days later. They got inspected because it looked strange. My single bags came through on time, as did our bikes. The worst part was that all the tools were in the duct taped panniers, so we could not assemble our bikes.

You may have better luck putting your panniers and gear into a cardboard box, I've done this in the past. Just make sure you don't end up with an oversize item.

I was able to fit 2 of my panniers in my bike box (emptied them so it would be easier to fit all my stuff in the box), so I checked one as my "luggage", and used one as a carry on. I had to completely repack my panniers when I got to my destination though. That was coming home when I had a small bike box. Going to my destiation with a bigger bike box, I didn't need to check any bags as luggage, everything was in my bike box and my one carry on pannier full of snacks and entertainment for the plane.

I've used a canvas laundry bag with a shoulder strap successfully ... although it can be a bit awkward to lug around the airport.

I've typically also used the lightweight nylon duffel approach:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=127219
contains everything that was on the bike:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=127220

I have tried a cardboard box, strapping the panniers together, and a large duffel.

1. The duffel worked best if you have a place to leave it, are willing to pitch it, or are willing to ship it home.
2. Cardboard boxes worked OK, but the airlines made us sign something to say that they were not responsible for damage. They also stamped that all over the boxes.
3. Strapping my panniers together worked OK on the train, but I used them as carry on. You would have to do a much better job of strapping them together before I would trust them to baggage handlers.

I also have used the lightweight duffel bag option for years. After I set up my bike, I simply roll up the lightweight duffel bag and place it at the bottom of one of my panniers. It takes up very little space.

Friends of mine bought the largest duffel bag they could find and packed it with panniers, which they checked. Not sure what they did with the empty duffel upon arrival- but it probably was stuffed inside their bike suitcase and shipped to their destination. I think I'd try this if I was doing a tour with air travel.

Lots of big airports have baggage shops that will sell you a duffel bag, which makes the cardboard box/throwaway duffel bag option attractive if you don't mind spending a few extra bucks.

How light weight is it, do you know the actual weight? I have seen some really light weight ones but wondered if they are up to the task. Do you have specific models that you have used?

BTW, someone mentioned using the largest one they could find. My experience is that they make them awfully big and I can manage with a medium sized duffle. See the Olive drab one here for an idea of the size. It is about the right size for me and is very durable. It is too bulky and heavy to be ideal for taking along on the whole tour though.

The one I currently use weighs about 425g (15 oz), is 91cm x 38cm (36" x 15") made of cordura nylon. It rolls up to 30cm x 10cm (12" x 4") I previously used a much lighter, thinner, but larger duffel which developed some holes. I got the current bag at REI many years ago and have used it many times on planes, trains, and buses. The last time I checked, REI was only selling fancier, more expensive and probably somewhat heavier duffels. A surplus store might be a good place to look in the US. To be fair, I should add that this size works fine for me holding: 2 rear Ortlieb panniers, 1 Ortlieb handlebar bag, 1 large rack pack, 1 helmet. I have also put a very small mosquito netting tent in it. If I were to carry front panniers and full camping gear, a larger size would be necessary.

Get a giant box and ship it by greyhound, much cheaper

Greyhound is not in EUROPE!

Thanks. That sounds like a suitable size. I kind of blanch at carrying an extra pound, but I guess it is worth it depending on the trip. On a multi-thousand mile trip, I think I might be inclined to mail it home and have it mailed back if it weighed much more than a few ounces.

I may try a lighter one and see if it holds up. I have seen some light but kind of flimsy ones. Since my stuff is not loose in the bag, but rather packed in panniers I am less worried about failure of the outer bag and more willing to risk a flimsy outer duffel. If I don't find one I like I may even try sewing one up out of light ripstop nylon.

All four nested as a carry-on.



Note: SNS bike, 80lb weight limit, two free bags.

Into UK:

Suitcase from charity shop. (Goodwill / St Vincent Depaul): Bike parts
Cut Box: Wheels and other stuff

Total checked weight 75lbs. Suitcase and box given to the nice parking lot attendants after assembly. Dublin has a used suitcase shop so I'm sure the guy made a euro or two for his trouble.

Into Iceland

6 in over the limit Suitcase from charity shop. (Goodwill / St Vincent Depaul): Bike parts
Long Duffel: Fork and other stuff

I was a bit surprised they did not measue the dimensions of the suitcase upon check-in

I use the bungee straps for the tent on the top of my rear rack to bundle three of my panniers into 'one piece of checked luggage' and have one pannier as carry-on. Worked for many international flights. So has putting heaps of other stuff into the bike box that hasn't got anything to do with a bike. A big smile at check in does wonders.

As others, I picked up suitcases/duffle bags from the thrift store and chucked them on arrival, on the way back we found some of those almost tarp like big plaid bags for a few bucks at a dollar type store and they managed for the trip back (may have has some duct tape assistance. helmets were carried on (fragile!).

+1

Re "Panniers on an airplane"
The average speed of a jumbo jet is about 600 mph, so they would probably blow right off.

I credit card tour so I don't carry much gear. What I have done is place part of my gear right in the box with the bike. It can serve as extra padding. I then place one pannier inside the other and pack carry on kit that includes everything that I for sure don't want to get lost.

This past summer whenever I took a plane or train I crammed my handlebar bag into a pannier and attached two of the panniers together (I have a pair of MEC World Tour panniers with straps for this purpose) then I stuck one of my Ortliebs in as my second piece of luggage. and carried the other Ortlieb on as my carry-on bag which had all my most important stuff in it. Easy peasy.

A few times they tried to charge me for three pieces of checked baggage but they never actually did it if I protested politely. Also, trying to keep tabs on all your gear while tracking down throwaway duffel bags and stuff of that ilk isn't always as easy as it sounds when you have to pack everything onto one of those stupid carts with the brakes on them and everything is always about to fall off.

If I had to do it all over again I'd just keep the thick plastic bag I bought at the Airport in Vancouver for $5 and leave my tarp at home. That way if you're in need of a bag for your panniers and the bike has to be boxed you're set. And you'll never have to shell out huge coin for some crappy excuse for a bike bag that doesn't even survive initial packing let alone the voyage.

FWIW, You don't have to stuff the handlebar bag into a pannier to avoid it counting as a piece of luggage. It can be carried on as a personal item and doesn't count as your carry on item. At least that seems to be the case with US domestic flights and I assume it would be for international flights as well. It may be more of a sure thing if it has a shoulder strap (mine does).

I use bungee straps and ensure there is a forwarding address taped to each pannier. After going to Europe for 10 years I have never had a problem. Duffel bags do not work well unless you are arriving and departing from the same airport and have somewhere to store the bags.