Taking Mountain Bikes Abroad by Air
Discussion
Sorry if this topic has been covered before, or done to death.
I would like to take my bike on holiday next year, and plan to travel at least one direction by Air.
What can I get to package my bike in to protect it from the gorillas hurling bags around at the airport, and being bent by the weight of cases put on top?
Do all operators allow bikes in the luggage compartment?
What kind of suppliment can expect to have added to my fair, and can I package the bike together with my helmet and body armour?
I would like to take my bike on holiday next year, and plan to travel at least one direction by Air.
What can I get to package my bike in to protect it from the gorillas hurling bags around at the airport, and being bent by the weight of cases put on top?
Do all operators allow bikes in the luggage compartment?
What kind of suppliment can expect to have added to my fair, and can I package the bike together with my helmet and body armour?
A number of options open to yourself.
1. Cheapo option. Go to to a bike shop and scrounge a bike box. Wheels off the bike, rear mech off. (tape it to the chainstay. Bars off, pedals off, chain on big ring. Wrap all up in bubble wrap, into the box. Done.
2. Posh Option. Buy a bike bag. The Neil Pryde ones are good. Similar to above, use pipe lagging to protect tubes. Pop into bike bag. Done.
Price wise Easyjet want £15 per bike, or did this year. BA didn't know how much (they add it onto your allowance, so could be expensive C£15 per extra KG).
1. Cheapo option. Go to to a bike shop and scrounge a bike box. Wheels off the bike, rear mech off. (tape it to the chainstay. Bars off, pedals off, chain on big ring. Wrap all up in bubble wrap, into the box. Done.
2. Posh Option. Buy a bike bag. The Neil Pryde ones are good. Similar to above, use pipe lagging to protect tubes. Pop into bike bag. Done.
Price wise Easyjet want £15 per bike, or did this year. BA didn't know how much (they add it onto your allowance, so could be expensive C£15 per extra KG).
Can I suggest you go over to www.descent-world.co.uk and sign up to the forum as their is masses of info on this subject over there.
The issue of bikes on planes is one that has been debated massively in the past year, you'll understand what i'm on about if you look there.
I also know of a reliable chap selling 2 good quality bike bags at a good price.
I advise against boxes. Fine for moving house, but when you sat in the departure lounge watching your P+J being bounced across the tarmac in the pissing rain followed by a soggy ripped cardboard box - you'll wish you had a bag or box.
The rigid boxes are more expensive (~150 new) but properly indestructable for peace of mind. Could shove a lot of your other luggage in aswell.
The issue of bikes on planes is one that has been debated massively in the past year, you'll understand what i'm on about if you look there.
I also know of a reliable chap selling 2 good quality bike bags at a good price.
I advise against boxes. Fine for moving house, but when you sat in the departure lounge watching your P+J being bounced across the tarmac in the pissing rain followed by a soggy ripped cardboard box - you'll wish you had a bag or box.
The rigid boxes are more expensive (~150 new) but properly indestructable for peace of mind. Could shove a lot of your other luggage in aswell.
My advice:
Disassemble partially, tape things in place within frame if possible, then use bubble wrap extensively. I use stiff cardboard around fragile things, then wrap it all up in bubble wrap so it becomes fairly indestructible. That's it. No cardboard box, no hard boxes. Just bubble wrap so people can see what it is and it is still fairly well protected. And I make a point of putting the Fragile stickers on.
I know this is going against the grain of conventional wisdom, but it has worked for me on over 10 trips now.
Disassemble partially, tape things in place within frame if possible, then use bubble wrap extensively. I use stiff cardboard around fragile things, then wrap it all up in bubble wrap so it becomes fairly indestructible. That's it. No cardboard box, no hard boxes. Just bubble wrap so people can see what it is and it is still fairly well protected. And I make a point of putting the Fragile stickers on.
I know this is going against the grain of conventional wisdom, but it has worked for me on over 10 trips now.
I use bubble wrap and a scrounged bike box. most airlines insist on a box or bag for bikes. both ryanair and easyjet charge £15 for a bike (and with a box you can get all the other stuff in too - shoes, helmet tools for putting it together) remember to let the air out of shocks as well as tyres, remove the pedals and the rear mech and take Discs off and pack them separately as they will easily get bent. then remember you need a big toolkit to get the bike back together...
dans said:
I use bubble wrap and a scrounged bike box. most airlines insist on a box or bag for bikes. both ryanair and easyjet charge £15 for a bike (and with a box you can get all the other stuff in too - shoes, helmet tools for putting it together) remember to let the air out of shocks as well as tyres, remove the pedals and the rear mech and take Discs off and pack them separately as they will easily get bent. then remember you need a big toolkit to get the bike back together...
Very good point about the shocks. Thought about the tyres, but didn't even think about the suspension!
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