You are correct. They work, but are not my first choice of boxes. The big boxes are also a challenge inside the airports.

Wow! You could transport a small car in one of those things! What are they thinking?

They are probably thinking that it would be so much easier to roll the bicycle into the box, and not dismantle anything ... and on the one hand, yes, it is easier ... but ...

There are also dimension issues that come into play. When I flew a domestic leg from Vancouver to LA last year with a Coroplast bike box that I bought in Australia, claiming to be as used by the Australian Olympic team, it was measured at the counter, and was several inches oversize. The box was in this case my one piece of checked luggage and would have been free.

I got away with it being free because I was early, and smiled and was nice to the clerk, and pointed out gently that Qantas had flown it to LA for free, as had her airline to Vancouver.

Those big boxes would, on some airlines, attract a charge automatically because they are well oversize.

In the end, though, you are in the hands of the check-in clerk, irrespective of precedent, printed-out conditions, and any other paraphenalia or arguments you might bring with you.

I read many such stories about clerks doing such favors, it's rather mystifying since airlines increasingly rely on extra charges to make money.

It's actually a hassle in some cases. In Japan and the UK this year we had wait for an order to be raised by the clerk, then we had to go to another counter to make the payment, then come back to the original counter to finalise the checking of the bike box. For some airlines, the check-in clerk cannot accept payments, whether cash or CC. It just streamlines their day when something can "slip through" the rules.

I used to have a box which had been used for a mountain bike. This box fit the dimensions, but it was wide. If I removed the wheels, I could get the bike inside without taking off the pedals. I also had room for much of my gear.

My helmet does not travel in the bike box. I keep it with me because it's probably the most fragile thing I use on a tour.

Yes, my helmets have been attached to my "man bag" as carry-on luggage (usually my handlebar bag) or put in the lightweight duffle bag along with my clothing for the trip, that also is carry-on.

I've never contemplated leaving my helmet in the bike box.

Amen to that Rowan. OTOH, I ONCE flew CX into and outta SYD and actually had to leave a bike trailer behind because of the check in attitude. Later with another airline system (BA and UL) it was smooth sailing. Sometimes being polite and smiling is useless. But, I smile and am polite anyways. YYMV

The box appears to have been speared through in three places. Some people play rough. A forklift through a wheel would ruin your day.

If you want to take it with you Ground Effect's Tardis fits nicely in a front pannier with a bit of room for some other stuff.

From this...



to this.

I used a similar sized bag from Performance a couple times and it has worked out well. It was pretty easy to carry everything at once and the bag folded up small enough to mail home or to the end of the tour.

The Tardis is nicer, but harder to find in some countries. The Performance has the advantage of being inexpensive often going on sale for about $50.

I've never seen a forklift in an airport, anywhere.

The two large holes at the top are well-used hand cut-outs that are on just about all bike boxes.I usually try to reinforce around them with extra tape, but from what I have seen on my recent travels, there are often two guys handling the boxes, and most of the damage to the hand-hold is caused by... me.