Panniers as airline baggage

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matt2matt2002
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Panniers as airline baggage

Post by matt2matt2002 »

I am flying from Edinburgh to Bishkek with Turkish Airways.
I have sorted my bike and discovered I have 40 Kg baggage allowance as well.
I hope to tour with 4 panniers.
I might not take all 4 filled but wonder about the best way to ' pack' the panniers.
The allowance is for one piece of luggage.

Tape two together?

Any advice appreciated.

Matt
2017 Ethiopia.5 weeks.
2018 Marrakech 2 weeks.
2023 Thailand 8 weeks.
Always on a Thorn Raven/Rohloff hub.
kuba
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Re: Panniers as airline baggage

Post by kuba »

Use this, packs small and weights next to nothing: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Big-Shopping- ... 4177e530db

P.S. I have a similar bag and it holds exactly two rear and one front pannier with a bit of room to spare, and the other front pannier is my cabin luggage.
Last edited by kuba on 12 Feb 2015, 7:41pm, edited 1 time in total.
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BeeKeeper
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Re: Panniers as airline baggage

Post by BeeKeeper »

I wrapped mine in a Bergen liner. Very light and counted as one bit of luggage. But I suspect 4 panniers in one shell outer might be too big. Worth checking the dimension limits first before turning up with a lump they won't accept on size grounds.
MarkF
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Re: Panniers as airline baggage

Post by MarkF »

I use Ikea bags with a bungee, they weigh practically nothing, are very strong and on arrival fold flat into the bottom of a pannier. £1/£2.

Image
bikepacker
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Re: Panniers as airline baggage

Post by bikepacker »

We use an Exped 90 litre duffel easily holds four panniers. Best place to get them is here http://www.tamarackoutdoors.co.uk/PBSCC ... ?PBMInit=1 they don't list them on this website but I believe they still have some.

Here is a picture of ours with the panniers inside at Palma airport: Image
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whoof
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Re: Panniers as airline baggage

Post by whoof »

I put them in a cardboard box.
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foxyrider
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Re: Panniers as airline baggage

Post by foxyrider »

i've use a zipped version of the Ikea bag - popular with travellers hailing from Eastern Europe and available for just a couple of quid. Folds down to sit in the bottom of a bag while on your trip so ready for the return. Being zipped means you can lock it and include stuff like shoes loose.
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simonhill
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Re: Panniers as airline baggage

Post by simonhill »

Heavy duty polythene sheet from bed shop. It is used to wrap mattresses. Use packing tape to make one big bundle.

However I don't fully understand the post. Do you really have an extra 40 KGS and only as one piece?? Most airports have a 32 kg max weight for any piece. I'd check if I were you.
iviehoff
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Re: Panniers as airline baggage

Post by iviehoff »

I have long used a lightweight nylon kitbag for packing my panniers where 1-piece is required. It also protects the pannier's important fixing systems, which can get caught in airport baggage belts. The luggage has to be emptied from the panniers, I can't just chuck them in packed.

The advantage of a kitbag over the more general bags is that the kitbag can be bungied easily onto your backrack as a place to put wet/dirty clothes and tents, and generally for luggage expansion capacity for those occasions when you need to pack a week's food etc onto your bike.
Vorpal
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Re: Panniers as airline baggage

Post by Vorpal »

I use a military type duffel. I can get two full paniers, and a bit more in it.

Some people also use suitcases bought from charity shops and discarded (or re-donated) after each flight.

I think it should be possible with careful packing to pack to the maximum weight in a checked bag, and take everything else as carry-on.
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matt2matt2002
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Re: Panniers as airline baggage

Post by matt2matt2002 »

Simon hill
Yes. I couldn't believe it.
I have checked x2 and been told 40kg each time.
And they confirm the dimensions the same each time.
So I guess they are reading off a form/ script.

I am paying 90 euro for my bike each way.
And that is 40 kg as well.
And the dimensions are generous.

Turkish airlines.

Just reading the eticket confirmation email and 40 kg is stated there as well.

For anyone interested in total costs, the return ticket, Edinburgh, Istanbul, Bishkek, was £545.

£270 each way. I think a good price?

A single was nearly two thirds of a return.

Leave on May 26th. Return July 26th.
Hope to do the Pamir Highway.

Thanks to all the folks who have given advice on packing the panniers.
2017 Ethiopia.5 weeks.
2018 Marrakech 2 weeks.
2023 Thailand 8 weeks.
Always on a Thorn Raven/Rohloff hub.
jim_wks
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Re: Panniers as airline baggage

Post by jim_wks »

I've just a black bin liner with lots of sticky tape in the past
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matt2matt2002
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Re: Panniers as airline baggage

Post by matt2matt2002 »

jim_wks wrote:I've just a black bin liner with lots of sticky tape in the past


Sounds the best idea.
Thanks
2017 Ethiopia.5 weeks.
2018 Marrakech 2 weeks.
2023 Thailand 8 weeks.
Always on a Thorn Raven/Rohloff hub.
kuba
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Re: Panniers as airline baggage

Post by kuba »

I had a problem with plastic bags in the past, as they rip fairly easily, and you may lose bits in transport. Especially if you factor in transit between flights. It would have to be one hell of a bin liner not to rip with 40 kg in it!

Not sure if you clicked on the eBay link above but a zipped bag that will hold it all and serve you a lifetime is £1.99 there, well worth the money. Or try Pundland, I got mine there. And once you land in Bishkek with it, you'll look like a local!
mercalia
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Re: Panniers as airline baggage

Post by mercalia »

rubble sacks
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