I'm taking my vp-free home for the holidays and I'm debating whether or not to box it up and UPS it or box it up and take it home with me on the plane. If I take it on the plane, they will charge me 80 bucks but I figured that has got to be close to the cost of sending it UPS ground from Boston, to northeast florida. Which one would you do?
Shipping a bike vs taking it on the plane?
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words of wisdom...the Holidays suck for shipping...I would bring it on the plane and tip the bag handler heavy
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Take it with you
I work for FedEx and can vouch for the treatment of packages. Do not ship it. Alot of stuff gets screwed up and thrown around no matter what company you go through. Take it on the plane that way you know it is going to be at you destination and in one piece vs. lost in a terminal other then you destination broken.
I work for FedEx and can vouch for the treatment of packages. Do not ship it. Alot of stuff gets screwed up and thrown around no matter what company you go through. Take it on the plane that way you know it is going to be at you destination and in one piece vs. lost in a terminal other then you destination broken.
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I traveled several times for biking and I always bring it with me on the plane. It's a bit of a pain at the airport but I think the probability of having your bike safe and it one piece is higher when bringing it with you on the plane. If I could I would take it as carry-on luggage! 
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As far as shipping a bike and the money involved, you have to use someone who has an account and pickup arrangement with UPS/Fed Ex. I don't mean one of these UPS store front deals, as they are in the $100 range. The motorcycle shop I worked at, and other businesses that have a business account can ship the same bike for $30-$40 if it is kept within the size limits, and the bike is picked up at that business location. We use a connection with an automotive supply company for our shop's shipping issues and it's dramatically different from going to a UPS store or taking out to the UPS terminal...usually a $60-$70 difference. The only caveat is maintaining the proper maximum box dimension to meet the minimum shipping price requirements.
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Take it on the plane.
I used to work for Fedex and you really don't want to put your bike thru their system. Everyone is so stressed for time and packages get all beat up plus Fedex assumes their customers have insurance. Oh, and UPS is worse. Take it on your plane for sure.
I used to work for Fedex and you really don't want to put your bike thru their system. Everyone is so stressed for time and packages get all beat up plus Fedex assumes their customers have insurance. Oh, and UPS is worse. Take it on your plane for sure.
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Any way around the $80 one-way fee? I've been told that if you seperate the bike (frame in one box, and wheelset in the other, or something similar), you don't get charged. The charge is for complete bike, and technically each "bag" is not a "complete" bike. Anyone have luck with this?
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Ship it...
The fine folks @ United Airlines wanted $100 each way to put my bike in the belly of the plane from Seattle to Atlanta. I got them to only charge me $100 for both ways since there was no prior notice. Usually, I ship it. I'm going to by a bike case to sold the issue of renting bike cases.
The fine folks @ United Airlines wanted $100 each way to put my bike in the belly of the plane from Seattle to Atlanta. I got them to only charge me $100 for both ways since there was no prior notice. Usually, I ship it. I'm going to by a bike case to sold the issue of renting bike cases.
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584 Posts
I'm gonna check this out....
. How long have IMBA had this perk? (kicking myself). As far as shipping, I did have UPS crush my first custom bike-rear wheel hanging out of the box and a big ding in the frame. They finally handled it but it sucked. Would have been really nice after traveling across the country to ride only to find your bike crushed on arrival . Then again, I've had luggage lost by the airlines too
...for our next trip. 2 bikes x both ways was $360. last time we went to Tahoehurtman said:
. How long have IMBA had this perk? (kicking myself). As far as shipping, I did have UPS crush my first custom bike-rear wheel hanging out of the box and a big ding in the frame. They finally handled it but it sucked. Would have been really nice after traveling across the country to ride only to find your bike crushed on arrival . Then again, I've had luggage lost by the airlines too
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how many times a year and is it all airlines?????hurtman said:
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1,414 Posts
Here is the details. No it isn't that good, but it looks good enough for domestic travel.
https://www.imba.com/membership/bikes_fly_free.html
I just got me one of these bad boys:
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Should last for my next 100+ bike trips.
https://www.imba.com/membership/bikes_fly_free.html
I just got me one of these bad boys:
Should last for my next 100+ bike trips.
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584 Posts
Got 2 of these on ebay...
...for a $175ea. shipped. I can cram my med. Bullit w a 6" sc fork in it no prob. (fork off). Thickest shell I know of, and designed around airline sizing limits.
https://www.labicicletta.com/edatcat/us/tlsstore.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=US-TRICOIRONCASERobsterCraw said:Here is the details. No it isn't that good, but it looks good enough for domestic travel.
https://www.imba.com/membership/bikes_fly_free.html
I just got me one of these bad boys:
![]()
Should last for my next 100+ bike trips.
...for a $175ea. shipped. I can cram my med. Bullit w a 6" sc fork in it no prob. (fork off). Thickest shell I know of, and designed around airline sizing limits.
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159 Posts
Anyone try this?
I'm flying to Moab in April and Delta wants $100 each way (FedEx and UPS is over $90). I am taking a Specialized Epic. I believe that if I unbolt the front link from the seat tube and remove the shock (a 5 minute procedure), then I can fold the chainstay/seatstays up and over the seat and top tube. Then, if I remove the seat/seatpost and the fork and bars, this should fit inside of a piece of luggage. My largest suitcase is 29x21x12. The frame is 25x21. Then, I can put the wheels/tires and as much clothing as I can into a box (I'll get this from my LBS) that wheels come in. Both check-ins will be within the size restrictions.
I'm flying to Moab in April and Delta wants $100 each way (FedEx and UPS is over $90). I am taking a Specialized Epic. I believe that if I unbolt the front link from the seat tube and remove the shock (a 5 minute procedure), then I can fold the chainstay/seatstays up and over the seat and top tube. Then, if I remove the seat/seatpost and the fork and bars, this should fit inside of a piece of luggage. My largest suitcase is 29x21x12. The frame is 25x21. Then, I can put the wheels/tires and as much clothing as I can into a box (I'll get this from my LBS) that wheels come in. Both check-ins will be within the size restrictions.
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