Any thoughts on bike shipping w/ airlines?

"tcmedara" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:P_5cb.12639$AH4.3498@lakeread06...

Quoted message said:

I'm contemplating a trip to Moab next month to visit family and want to

get

Quoted message said:

some riding in while I'm there. Last time I was there I managed to find a decent bike to rent
for the day, but couldn't find a decent ride equipped with anything but rapid-fire shifters. I
don't intend to create a Shimano vs SRAM debate here -- suffice it to say I'm too old to change.
I'd love

to

Quoted message said:

fly my much loved, SRAM-shifter equipped FS bike out with me, but I'm a little leary. I'm trying
to evaluate the overall pain-in-the-ass factor

as

Quoted message said:

well as the potential for damage. Is it worth the hassle? Any advice and/or horror stories about
shipping via airlines?

My research via Google suggests it can be done, but there is very little

of

Quoted message said:

worth to help me figure out if its worth it.

I flew to Colorado in July and opted to ship my bike Fed Ex rather than lug it on the airline.

Advantages: cost about $50 each way, about half the airline quote, and easier time getting around
the airport (nothing to carry, nothing to inspect).

Disadvantages: the added hassel of traveling to and from the Fed Ex office each end.

"Doug Taylor" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I flew to Colorado in July and opted to ship my bike Fed Ex rather than

lug

Quoted message said:

it on the airline.

Advantages: cost about $50 each way, about half the airline quote, and easier time getting around
the airport (nothing to carry, nothing to inspect).

Disadvantages: the added hassel of traveling to and from the Fed Ex office each end.

FEDEX is looking like a viable option, especially since I've got someone who can take delivery of
the machine at the opposite end. Now that I think of it, shipping is probably cheaper than renting
for more than 2 days, plus I've got the advantage of having my own set of wheels -- ah yes, the
wonderous fee exchange of ideas via USENET. Now I've just got to convince my wife that a) its not
too much money and b) that I do understand that I'll be leaving for a vaction while she stays home
with two kids -- and all this while the kids are on an extended break from school closures due to
hurricane Isabel. Wish me luck.

"tcmedara" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:P_5cb.12639$AH4.3498@lakeread06...

Quoted message said:

I'm contemplating a trip to Moab next month to visit family and want to

get

Quoted message said:

some riding in while I'm there. Last time I was there I managed to find a decent bike to rent
for the day, but couldn't find a decent ride equipped with anything but rapid-fire shifters. I
don't intend to create a Shimano vs SRAM debate here -- suffice it to say I'm too old to change.
I'd love

to

Quoted message said:

fly my much loved, SRAM-shifter equipped FS bike out with me, but I'm a little leary. I'm trying
to evaluate the overall pain-in-the-ass factor

as

Quoted message said:

well as the potential for damage. Is it worth the hassle? Any advice and/or horror stories about
shipping via airlines?

My research via Google suggests it can be done, but there is very little

of

Quoted message said:

worth to help me figure out if its worth it.

Thoughts?

If you're going to fly united (IIRC, and I probably don't, what with the concussion and all), then
join NORBA. even if you don't race, its like $50, but you get two vouchers for bringing one bike one
way on a plane. its $50 instead of like $150!!!

Jon Bond

"Jon Bond" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"tcmedara" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:P_5cb.12639$AH4.3498@lakeread06...

Quoted message said:

I'm contemplating a trip to Moab next month to visit family and want to

get

Quoted message said:

some riding in while I'm there. Last time I was there I managed to find

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

decent bike to rent for the day, but couldn't find a decent ride

equipped

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

with anything but rapid-fire shifters. I don't intend to create a

Shimano

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

vs SRAM debate here -- suffice it to say I'm too old to change. I'd

love

Quoted message said:

to

Quoted message said:

fly my much loved, SRAM-shifter equipped FS bike out with me, but I'm a little leary. I'm trying
to evaluate the overall pain-in-the-ass factor

as

Quoted message said:

well as the potential for damage. Is it worth the hassle? Any advice and/or horror stories about
shipping via airlines?

My research via Google suggests it can be done, but there is very little

of

Quoted message said:

worth to help me figure out if its worth it.

Thoughts?

If you're going to fly united (IIRC, and I probably don't, what with the concussion and all), then
join NORBA. even if you don't race, its like

$50,

Quoted message said:

but you get two vouchers for bringing one bike one way on a plane. its

$50

Quoted message said:

instead of like $150!!!

Jon Bond

Or you can join IMBA.

imba.combikes fly free.htmlOpen ↗

RE/

Quoted message said:

My research via Google suggests it can be done, but there is very little of worth to help me figure
out if its worth it.

Haven't gone anywhere with my Ellsworth yet, but I used to take my old StumpJumper hardtail
everywhere I flew - not that I flew that many places...but Chicago, LA, Florida, Frankfurt....

I had a case made out of industrial-strength cardboard by a guy that made cases for large
instruments.

No problems except for the PITA factor of dragging it through the airport. Oh yeah, there was that
time in Frankfurt when the folks meeting me didn't get the message about the box and I had to wait
several hours while they drove back and got a bigger car...

With the hard cases I see available today (hinges, wheels...) I wouldn't think twice.
-----------------------
PeteCresswell