Need Advice - Carrying Bike on Flight

ustad · Sep 23, 2004

3 of us are flying SouthWest to Las Vegas on a mtb trip to Utah & taking our bikes.
SouthWest seems to have size restrictions on cases as per
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/baggage.html

we r thinking to carry disassembled bike - the frame+handle bar etc in one box and the wheels in a different box to deal with the luggage size restrictions.

any suggestions in this regard r appreciated.

Lucky · Sep 23, 2004

ustad said:
3 of us are flying SouthWest to Las Vegas on a mtb trip to Utah & taking our bikes.
SouthWest seems to have size restrictions on cases as per
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/baggage.html

we r thinking to carry disassembled bike - the frame+handle bar etc in one box and the wheels in a different box to deal with the luggage size restrictions.

any suggestions in this regard r appreciated.

If you have two boxes for the bike, where are you going to put your clothes and other stuff? You only get 2 check-through bags, and carry-on size is pretty limited. If everything else fits in the boxes with the bike parts, it may work. I don't know anyone who has done it that way.

On that page it says that oversized items (like a bike in a case) are accepted for an extra charge. Most folks that fly with bikes are pretty resigned to the fact we have to pay extra for our toys. Fees and enforcement vary. I recently flew out to ND with my bike in a case and was only charged one way, though the stated policy was to charge each way. United's fee was $80 each way, but some friends last year traveled on Southwest were only charged $40 each way.

IMBA and NORBA have agreements with some airlines that if you book through a specific agent, your bike flies free as one of your two pieces of checked baggage. However, the number of participating airlines has dwindled in recent years, some folks complain the fares aren't as good, and if you already have your tickets, it's too late to use this option.

I highly recommend borrowing or renting a hard-shell travel case. I traveled for years using cardboard boxes, and never had any serious problems, but I've heard horror stories from other folks.

My usual strategy is to pack a large backpack with my clothes as one check-through and check the bike in a travel case. The backpack frees up a hand for towing the case through the airport. Critical (but non-threatening) items, like helmet and shoes, go in my carry-on. I used to carry on my pedals, stuffed into a sock to keep them from contaminating my clothes. In the post 9/11 world, this was seen as a potential weapon.

If you need guidance on the details of how to pack your bike, use the search function. There have been several posts on this topic, and what you need is probably out there already.

Have fun!
Kathy :^)

Homebrew · Sep 23, 2004

When I went out west to Oregon last year, I took my bike apart (it's full suspension) and put everything but the wheels and tires in a large suitcase. Wheels and tires in a separate box, riding gear in the suitcase with the bike and "other" clothes in a carry-on and backpack. This eliminated the problem of oversized luggage. If you don't have a full suspension bike, this might not work out as well though. Good luck and have fun!

SpareTireScott · Sep 23, 2004

If you are going to stay at a hotel, you could always call the hotel and ask them to accept the bike shipped FedEx Ground. I did that out to Vermont, cost me $39 to get there, $39 back to my house. The other plus is you don't have to haul it through the airport. Of course, you have to do it ahead of time and hope the hotel doesn't drop the ball.

heatstroke · Sep 24, 2004

If full suspension, then take take off the rear triangle and you should be able to squeeze into their 60inch limit with a large suitcase. My Racer X can be folded practically in half with the shock bolt removed and the rear disc brake taken off.

Lucky · Sep 25, 2004

SpareTireScott said:
If you are going to stay at a hotel, you could always call the hotel and ask them to accept the bike shipped FedEx Ground. I did that out to Vermont, cost me $39 to get there, $39 back to my house. The other plus is you don't have to haul it through the airport. Of course, you have to do it ahead of time and hope the hotel doesn't drop the ball.

He could ship it to a bike shop in town as well. Lots of folks do that.

Kathy :^)

autoduel · Sep 27, 2004

Check the contract of carriage

Some airlines like hawaiian air count bicycles as one piece and not restricted by size (since there is a separate charge for them),
Golf bags are all oversize, but they never get charged as oversized?
(friggen double standard)

ride-the-slide · Sep 27, 2004

Funny you should mention it....

ustad said:
3 of us are flying SouthWest to Las Vegas on a mtb trip to Utah & taking our bikes.
SouthWest seems to have size restrictions on cases as per
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/baggage.html

we r thinking to carry disassembled bike - the frame+handle bar etc in one box and the wheels in a different box to deal with the luggage size restrictions.

any suggestions in this regard r appreciated.

I'm going to Moab next month and was planning on shipping($40 ea. way) it to Chile Peppers and have them put it back together($25). Looked into the Trico Iron case($200) and $80 each way, which didn't sound right to me.

Last week I thought of doing just as you suggest. So I took some measurements and headed to the Samsonite outlet. They have a suitcase called a 31" Flite that is pretty much a poly box for $129. Inside dim. are 20"h X 29"w X 10"d. Diagonally its 34". They are on eBay as well. Going to get one this week and do a test fit. The dimension that is tricky is my BB shell to top of ST is 21.5", but if the bike is on an angle I think it will fit. Wheels, on the other hand, will probably have to go in a box as I can't find any luggage that is 23" wide.

Will post results of test once I get a chance to take my bike apart.

grover · Sep 27, 2004

ride-the-slide said:
I'm going to Moab next month and was planning on shipping($40 ea. way) it to Chile Peppers and have them put it back together($25). Looked into the Trico Iron case($200) and $80 each way, which didn't sound right to me.

Last week I thought of doing just as you suggest. So I took some measurements and headed to the Samsonite outlet. They have a suitcase called a 31" Flite that is pretty much a poly box for $129. Inside dim. are 20"h X 29"w X 10"d. Diagonally its 34". They are on eBay as well. Going to get one this week and do a test fit. The dimension that is tricky is my BB shell to top of ST is 21.5", but if the bike is on an angle I think it will fit. Wheels, on the other hand, will probably have to go in a box as I can't find any luggage that is 23" wide.

Will post results of test once I get a chance to take my bike apart.

Consider checking with your local LBS. Mine rented me the hard case for $20 for the 10day vacation. They do it on the cheap for people who buy their bikes from them. I'm sue not everybody does that, but it would be worth asking.

uofabill · Sep 27, 2004

Where...

can you get a Trico case for $200? The best I've seen is $249.

muddywings · Sep 28, 2004

What I've done

Ususally you can get a box from an LBS and either pack it yourself or have the store do it for 20 bucks. I'm not sure why SW has a size restriction (I didn't look at it) but the three times I've done it a normal bike shipping box works fine, you just have to pay for the oversized luggage: about 75 bucks.

Brian

Cohiba · Sep 28, 2004

got mine at...

uofabill said:
can you get a Trico case for $200? The best I've seen is $249.

the Supergo store in Mountainview, NorCal. Was the last one in stock (and a display model) and they cut me a sweet deal on it.

I have two of these cases, and they are excellent for traveling with your bike. My stuff arrives undamaged at my destination, and I can fly with peace of mind. I can fit in my Turner DHR without any problems, and my GT STS also. I usually stuff all of the necessary tools, clothing and protective equipment in there too. Just be careful that you don't exceed the maximum weight for the luggage, otherwise the airlines won't accept the bike case.

Was on a flight with Lufthansa from San Francisco to Frankfurt with my DHR, and the case weighed over 50kg! I ended up having to move some stuff to a cardboard box and had that as an extra piece of luggage (excess baggage charge too!!). Absolute max would have been 45kg, max recommended weight 32kg. Also, within the US, you may have difference baggage allowances and weights (I think 20kg per piece within the US, 32kg per piece if you are travelling overseas).

Cohiba

gofarther · Sep 28, 2004

Convince the clerk at check-in that it's a modified wheelchair, and you're completely dependent on it for basic mobility. If he/she objects, start screaming "prejudice!" and threatening a discrimination lawsuit

ride-the-slide · Sep 29, 2004

Well I managed to get it in. It took up more space than I thought. Still theres room for a camelback, shoes, and maybe a helmet. Will get some thin foam material to put between stuff that could rub together.

Its a large frame. A medium might fit a little easier. I did have to remove both crankarms and rotate the fr der.

I'll try not to have too many frosties on the way down from SLC as there will be quite a bit of work to do to get it in riding condition.

Chet Bango · Sep 29, 2004

Rent?

Me and some buds drove out there from CA last spring. Me and one friend brought our full suspension bikes, but another friend only had a HT, so he rented a Titus Switchblade. It turned out to be THE set-up for Moab. It should cost less than what the Airlines charge, and unless you have a really sweet bike, it will likely be better.
Just a thought. You may prefer your own bike.

Adirondack Blues · Sep 29, 2004

Chet Bango said:
Me and some buds drove out there from CA last spring. Me and one friend brought our full suspension bikes, but another friend only had a HT, so he rented a Titus Switchblade. It turned out to be THE set-up for Moab. It should cost less than what the Airlines charge, and unless you have a really sweet bike, it will likely be better.
Just a thought. You may prefer your own bike.

Bring your pedals, saddle, and riding gear. Rent a bike. Just an idea.

jimjo · Sep 29, 2004

Cohiba said:
the Supergo store in Mountainview, NorCal. Was the last one in stock (and a display model) and they cut me a sweet deal on it.

I have two of these cases, and they are excellent for traveling with your bike. My stuff arrives undamaged at my destination, and I can fly with peace of mind. I can fit in my Turner DHR without any problems, and my GT STS also. I usually stuff all of the necessary tools, clothing and protective equipment in there too. Just be careful that you don't exceed the maximum weight for the luggage, otherwise the airlines won't accept the bike case.

Was on a flight with Lufthansa from San Francisco to Frankfurt with my DHR, and the case weighed over 50kg! I ended up having to move some stuff to a cardboard box and had that as an extra piece of luggage (excess baggage charge too!!). Absolute max would have been 45kg, max recommended weight 32kg. Also, within the US, you may have difference baggage allowances and weights (I think 20kg per piece within the US, 32kg per piece if you are travelling overseas).

Cohiba

the fees and weight restrcitions depend on the airline and the class of ticket that you have ive had to do the ticket line bag shuffle waaaaay too many times

some airlines (even international flights) only allow 70 lbs max and charge you extra for anything over 50 others the max is 100lbs and have one charge for over 50 and another for over 70

tequila joe · Sep 30, 2004

America West charges $80 US ($125 CAN) each way. So, for my wife and I to travel to Arizona next weekend, we would be coughing up a total of $320 US ($500 CAN) just to bring our bikes. Robbery!! We considered the rental thing but it would cost between $175 US - $225 US per week per bike. A total of $350 US - $450 US ($650 CAN) for the both of us! Holy Karp!

We considered buying some really nice WallMart bikes, (if there is such a thing) riding the crap out of them and then give them away to some lucky kids when done. This would've been less than half the cost of renting or flying our bikes. However, we decided against it because we could bare to see another "WallMart bike kicked my IBIS's ass" thread on this forum!

Luckily, I was able to get our bikes into some old suit cases. Her 15" Jamis Dakar fit easy, my Large Enduro was a bit of a squeeze but fit with only disconnecting the seat, seat stay pivot, pedals, fork, bar and F Deraileur.

10 more sleeps!

Tequila!

BTW: Fed-Ex 3 day delivery was going to cost $100 US each way ($200 US Round trip) to ship our bikes. This was plan B if I couldn't get our bikes into the suitecases.

jimjo · Sep 30, 2004

I'd Like To See You Do That With A Hardtail!!!

tequila joe said:
America West charges $80 US ($125 CAN) each way. So, for my wife and I to travel to Arizona next weekend, we would be coughing up a total of $320 US ($500 CAN) just to bring our bikes. Robbery!! We considered the rental thing but it would cost between $175 US - $225 US per week per bike. A total of $350 US - $450 US ($650 CAN) for the both of us! Holy Karp!

We considered buying some really nice WallMart bikes, (if there is such a thing) riding the crap out of them and then give them away to some lucky kids when done. This would've been less than half the cost of renting or flying our bikes. However, we decided against it because we could bare to see another "WallMart bike kicked my IBIS's ass" thread on this forum!

Luckily, I was able to get our bikes into some old suit cases. Her 15" Jamis Dakar fit easy, my Large Enduro was a bit of a squeeze but fit with only disconnecting the seat, seat stay pivot, pedals, fork, bar and F Deraileur.

10 more sleeps!

Tequila!

BTW: Fed-Ex 3 day delivery was going to cost $100 US each way ($200 US Round trip) to ship our bikes. This was plan B if I couldn't get our bikes into the suitecases.

does anyone know about potential problems with hydro brakes and air shocks/forks in the cargo hold???

Lucky · Sep 30, 2004

jimjo said:
does anyone know about potential problems with hydro brakes and air shocks/forks in the cargo hold???

I've flown a bunch and never had trouble with hydro brakes (HS33's), air shocks, forks or tires in the cargo hold. If the hold was at absolute vacuum, it'd only be 14.7 psia lower than atmosperic pressure. As long as you don't have stuff pumped up to the absolute limit, things should be fine.

With the hydros, I used to carry a syringe and stuff needed to do a bleed if necessary, but never needed it. I wouldn't carry brake fluid if that's what yours use - it should be pretty easy to get at destination if needed.

Kathy :^)

Need Advice - Carrying Bike on Flight

ustad

Lucky

Homebrew

SpareTireScott

heatstroke

Lucky

autoduel

ride-the-slide

grover

uofabill

muddywings

Cohiba

gofarther

ride-the-slide

Attachments

Chet Bango

Adirondack Blues

jimjo

tequila joe

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jimjo

Lucky

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