Shipping the bike by plane

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
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Farawayvisions
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Re: Shipping the bike by plane

Post by Farawayvisions »

jamesgilbert wrote:I don't, although I generally avoid flying. The times I have flown, i've cycled or taken the train to the airport and bagged the bike just before check-in.

Looking at your photos, I would be a bit concerned about the fork getting damaged, although it makes sense if you need to transport the packaged bike around the airport.


I wrap some bubble wrap around the forks but the front wheel also provides protection (on one side anyway) and the spacer bar keeps the forks from squeezing together (fake axle).
serbring
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Re: Shipping the bike by plane

Post by serbring »

How do you organize your baggage? For instance I have the rear panniers, the rack pack and the handlebar bag. I paid for the checked bag, only 1 piece. So do you keep any bag with your bike? Which one? I would leave the rear panniers on the rack but I'm worried it might be damaged.
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Farawayvisions
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Re: Shipping the bike by plane

Post by Farawayvisions »

Serbring, we use frame bags, handlebar harnesses, seat pack harnesses and fuel tank bag and carry only hand luggage for trips up to 1 week long. Longer than that and we check in one bag.

We pack the heavy stuff like tools and liquids into the frame bag and fuel tank (still attached to the bike), everything else we carry. Wide necked drinks bottles can be filled with toiletries or other small items in a ziplock bag.
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BeeKeeper
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Re: Shipping the bike by plane

Post by BeeKeeper »

serbring wrote:
BeeKeeper wrote:This was my bike earlier this year before sliding it into the CTC bag. The blue stuff was a stiff foam which was used to protect the edges of a worktop which we had had delivered. I guess you might be able to blag some off a builders merchant or buy the foam insulation you get for wrapping round pipes. It is not essential, stiff cardboard does equally as good a job of protecting the vulnerable bits. The only bits I removed apart from one pedal (the other was reversed, see picture) were the bottle racks which fit on the front forks. These were stowed in the frame bag. My panniers travelled in an 80 litre Bergan liner with a webbing luggage strap around them. The Bergan liner is very light and folds up small for stowing in the bottom of a pannier. It is useful as the airline charged per item of luggage so the two panniers in a bag only counted as one. My bar bag was my carry on luggage. Note tyres were deflated as per the airline's rules although no one checked them at Bristol when I checked it in.

I only needed the CTC bag for a one way flight as we came back by ferry but if you need a bag for the return journey I would recommend buying a second one and leave it unopened. It will take up a lot less room on your bike than if you try and fold up the bag used on the outward journey.


Was it robust enought that protection of the light? I'm afraid that the bracket might bend.


It was OK, but to be honest I don't worry about something like that getting bent. The main thing was to protect the brake discs, brake levers, etc. The main thing is the bike is able to be ridden when it comes off the 'plane.
simonhill
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Re: Shipping the bike by plane

Post by simonhill »

It obviously depends on airline baggage rules, ie how many pieces, but I reckon that it is best to keep the bike 'package' as light as possible. The more bags you attach or pack in box, the heavier it gets and the harder it is for the baggage handlers to manhandle it carefully.

I usually fly Emirates which is as many pieces within 30kgs. So it is bike in box and panniers as check in.

With Virgin. It was bike plus one piece, so I bundled panniers in a bit of tough polythene.

With AirAsia I pay for bike and pay for baggage (ie panniers).

Sometimes it seems to me that people are desperate to save a few pounds, but putting their bikes at risk of damage by cramming everything into the box. You pays your money (or not) and takes your choice.
serbring
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Re: Shipping the bike by plane

Post by serbring »

simonhill wrote:It obviously depends on airline baggage rules, ie how many pieces, but I reckon that it is best to keep the bike 'package' as light as possible. The more bags you attach or pack in box, the heavier it gets and the harder it is for the baggage handlers to manhandle it carefully.

I usually fly Emirates which is as many pieces within 30kgs. So it is bike in box and panniers as check in.

With Virgin. It was bike plus one piece, so I bundled panniers in a bit of tough polythene.

With AirAsia I pay for bike and pay for baggage (ie panniers).

Sometimes it seems to me that people are desperate to save a few pounds, but putting their bikes at risk of damage by cramming everything into the box. You pays your money (or not) and takes your choice.


There are no prescription on Norwegians airlines about the bike package, only the maximum allowed weight (25kg).
I was thinking to connect the two rear panniers with cable ties and wrap them together at the airport. Is it a good idea?
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Re: Shipping the bike by plane

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serbring wrote:I was thinking to connect the two rear panniers with cable ties and wrap them together at the airport. Is it a good idea?


I considered doing that but felt the result was likely to be damaged as it went through the baggage handling system. You could tape up loose straps I suppose but it would be better to wrap it in something, thick polythene or a Bergan liner in my case.
serbring
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Re: Shipping the bike by plane

Post by serbring »

BeeKeeper wrote:
serbring wrote:I was thinking to connect the two rear panniers with cable ties and wrap them together at the airport. Is it a good idea?


I considered doing that but felt the result was likely to be damaged as it went through the baggage handling system. You could tape up loose straps I suppose but it would be better to wrap it in something, thick polythene or a Bergan liner in my case.


you're on right. I'll try in this way and I connect the handles together with a cable tie.
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Re: Shipping the bike by plane

Post by Vorpal »

Many airports have a service where they will wrap stuff in plastic for you. You could consider something like that?
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Re: Shipping the bike by plane

Post by andrew_s »

serbring wrote:I was thinking to connect the two rear panniers with cable ties and wrap them together at the airport. Is it a good idea?

I've zip-tied a pair of Ortlieb back-rollers together, back to back, a few times with no problems and no extra wrapping.

Mine (fairly old, pre-dating hook inserts) have a suitable hole in each end of the reinforcement along the bottom, and it's possible to thread a tie in through the end of the hook slot and out between hook rail and pannier. I used 4 ties, probably 8 or 10 inches long, put the shoulder straps inside, and clipped the rolled ends together over the top and snugged down with the over-the-top strap. It makes quite a handy package as the two lifting loops can just be grabbed in one hand.
Make sure you've an adequate supply of zip ties for the return journey, and something to cut them with at the other end packed at the top where you can find it easily.
When I've also taken front panniers, I've repacked so that one empty front pannier goes into one of the rears, and the other is used as hand luggage. I generally take either 2 front panniers or a bar bag, not both.
serbring
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Re: Shipping the bike by plane

Post by serbring »

here my bike ready to be shipped. What do you think?


Image
Vorpal
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Re: Shipping the bike by plane

Post by Vorpal »

I think it looks pretty good. And more trouble than I've ever gone through to ship my bike! :D

Two questions...
What has been done with the rear derailleur? It looks like there's a bottle or something in front of it.
Is there a spacer or false axle in the forks to protect them?
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BeeKeeper
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Re: Shipping the bike by plane

Post by BeeKeeper »

I would have left the front wheel on. I know why you took it off, which you explained earlier but the spokes look a bit vulnerable where it is. But of course if your experience is this is fine, then go for it! But is that your helmet strapped to the front? If it is I think that is very unwise. Just put it on your head - you are allowed a hat!
serbring
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Re: Shipping the bike by plane

Post by serbring »

Vorpal wrote:I think it looks pretty good. And more trouble than I've ever gone through to ship my bike! :D

Two questions...
What has been done with the rear derailleur? It looks like there's a bottle or something in front of it.


I have broken linked the rear derailleur to the chain stayes through zip ties and then I have covered it with a plastic bottle stuffed with boubble wrap.

Is there a spacer or false axle in the forks to protect them?


I have used this thing:
https://www.serfas.com/uploads/ProductL ... d18b79.jpg

I don't know its name
serbring
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Re: Shipping the bike by plane

Post by serbring »

BeeKeeper wrote:I would have left the front wheel on. I know why you took it off, which you explained earlier but the spokes look a bit vulnerable where it is. But of course if your experience is this is fine, then go for it! But is that your helmet strapped to the front? If it is I think that is very unwise. Just put it on your head - you are allowed a hat!


Yes it's my helmet. I supposed to use it as front mudguard protection.
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