Hire Bike or Buy Travel Case

[straight dad]

I'm planning a trip to New Zealand next year, part of the trip will be spent on a cycle tour (appox 7 days). I was going to hire a bike when in NZ, but I've got to thinking that for roughly the same amount of money I could buy something like this:

http://www.probikekit.com/uk/accessories/luggage-t...

Pro's I can see:
I'll have all my own bike, set up how I like it.
Can have access to a bike for the full trip.
Will have a bike bag for future trips abroad.

Con's I can see:
Could be a pain getting through airports.
Could I trust airlines with P&J?

Edited by straight dad on Saturday 9th March 23:31

[CaptainSlow]

How much will it cost to take to check in?

[straight dad]

CaptainSlow said:

How much will it cost to take to check in?

It will be included in with my baggage allowance from the UK & about £15 for an internal flight.

[Pothole]

IME, No pain at all in airports and they are generally handled well. In a hard case it'll be fine, in a soft one get some studding to keep the forks apart.

[CaptainSlow]

I'd buy a bag then, maybe spend a bit more on one though.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

You can hire a good bike case for £30-40 a week. Worth a look if a one off.

[Rich_W]

http://bikeboxalan.co.uk/

Never used but hear reasonable things.

[nammynake]

These look well made and cheaper than most similar cases:

http://www.canyon.com/_en/shop/?category=Z07&i...

[straight dad]

Looks like I'll be going for the take my own bike option, plus I can pretend to be an international cyclist hero while going through the airports!

[Simond S]

Most bike shops have an option to hire, or if you are Northern based a guy on ebay hires for £30 per week.

or http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triathlon-bike-case-the-...

[Sarkmeister]

I went for the cheapo bike box solution on the last alps trip. Just ask you local bike shop for a cardboard bike box, then pad the hell out of it . Only lasts one trip , but free...