Bike as airfreight

Joop said:

I want to take my bike to Europe as unaccompanied airfreight, so I need to
pack it properly.
Any suggestion for the best way to package it?

Thanks

Joop

go to your LBS and get a bike cardboard box. they will have plenty of empty ones (if they are moving them!). Also see if they have any of those (usually plastic) fork braces to sit in and protect the dropouts to stop your fork being compressed/bent sideways.
Get lots of that pipe insulation foam stuff to protext all your frame. too much aint enough. Take off your front wheel, seat + post, and loosen your stem and bars so you can turn and rotate to the side and down (presuming dropbars).
Deflate tyres a touch (some Co's may insist you do it totally which is unreasonable).
Cant think of anything else. anyone else?

Oh. take digipics beforehand to verify condition just in case...

Joop said:

I want to take my bike to Europe as unaccompanied airfreight, so I need to
pack it properly.
Any suggestion for the best way to package it?

Thanks

Joop

When I did it I just used a Qantas bike box, or if you are clever get a
free box from your LBS (they are usually smaller). Have you checked the
cost of shipping, it is much cheaper to take it with you (qantas do it
free). Possibly leave it in left luggage at the other end.

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Jack Russell

flyingdutch said:

go to your LBS and get a bike cardboard box. they will have plenty of empty ones (if they are moving them!). Also see if they have any of those (usually plastic) fork braces to sit in and protect the dropouts to stop your fork being compressed/bent sideways.
Get lots of that pipe insulation foam stuff to protext all your frame. too much aint enough. Take off your front wheel, seat + post, and loosen your stem and bars so you can turn and rotate to the side and down (presuming dropbars).
Deflate tyres a touch (some Co's may insist you do it totally which is unreasonable).
Cant think of anything else. anyone else?

Oh. take digipics beforehand to verify condition just in case...

Just one thing to add to FD's excellent advice... loosen your shifters if they're the STI type. If the box is squashed, they'll turn on the handlebars rather than bend.

Ritch

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

Quoted message said:

Joop said:

I want to take my bike to Europe as unaccompanied airfreight, so I need
to
pack it properly.
Any suggestion for the best way to package it?

Thanks

Joop

go to your LBS and get a bike cardboard box. they will have plenty of
empty ones (if they are moving them!). Also see if they have any of
those (usually plastic) fork braces to sit in and protect the dropouts
to stop your fork being compressed/bent sideways.
Get lots of that pipe insulation foam stuff to protext all your frame.
too much aint enough. Take off your front wheel, seat + post, and
loosen your stem and bars so you can turn and rotate to the side and
down (presuming dropbars).
Deflate tyres a touch (some Co's may insist you do it totally which is
unreasonable).
Cant think of anything else. anyone else?

Oh. take digipics beforehand to verify condition just in case...

Thanks form this extensive suggection.
Good idea to take some pictures, can prevent a lot of hassle if things go
pearshaped.

I saw a special bicycle suitcase, however they wanted to have $699 for that
:-(

Checked with SIA and they let me take it on the pane, but it eats into my
20kg luggage allowance, leaving me with approx. 1 pair of socks and 1 set of
clean underwear to take with me.

Also good idea from Ritch. I will check all bolts to see which can be
loosened to prevent needless strain.

Joop

Jack Russell said:

When I did it I just used a Qantas bike box, or if you are clever get a
free box from your LBS (they are usually smaller). Have you checked the
cost of shipping, it is much cheaper to take it with you (qantas do it
free). Possibly leave it in left luggage at the other end.

Wow Qantas send for free! send me the contacts number 🙂 I think if I remember
rightly he was referring to International flights, the best you can hope for is
an Asian carrier which gives you 10kg allowance for sporting equipment but you
will have to check as that was before the fuel increases.
The multinational Qantas will charge you for a bike box or if you buy a cheap
bike bag you can fold it up & carry it around with you rather than dumping it
an aiport taxibay.
Steve @ IDEAL

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Jack Russell said:

When I did it I just used a Qantas bike box, or if you are clever get a
free box from your LBS (they are usually smaller). Have you checked the
cost of shipping, it is much cheaper to take it with you (qantas do it
free). Possibly leave it in left luggage at the other end.

Wow Qantas send for free! send me the contacts number 🙂 I think if I remember
rightly he was referring to International flights, the best you can hope for is
an Asian carrier which gives you 10kg allowance for sporting equipment but you
will have to check as that was before the fuel increases.
The multinational Qantas will charge you for a bike box or if you buy a cheap
bike bag you can fold it up & carry it around with you rather than dumping it
an aiport taxibay.
Steve @ IDEAL

Quoted message said:

My understanding is that although Qantas international charge for the
box there is no charge for the bike (it counts as sporting equipment as
do golf clubs and surfboards.) I also flew to Venezuela with United and
was not charged leaving Sydney although there was a charge (US$40?)
leaving Caracas.

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Jack Russell

Jack Russell said:

Quoted message said:

Jack Russell said:

When I did it I just used a Qantas bike box, or if you are clever get a
free box from your LBS (they are usually smaller). Have you checked the
cost of shipping, it is much cheaper to take it with you (qantas do it
free). Possibly leave it in left luggage at the other end.

Wow Qantas send for free! send me the contacts number 🙂 I think if I remember
rightly he was referring to International flights, the best you can hope for is
an Asian carrier which gives you 10kg allowance for sporting equipment but you
will have to check as that was before the fuel increases.
The multinational Qantas will charge you for a bike box or if you buy a cheap
bike bag you can fold it up & carry it around with you rather than dumping it
an aiport taxibay.
Steve @ IDEAL

Quoted message said:

My understanding is that although Qantas international charge for the
box there is no charge for the bike (it counts as sporting equipment as
do golf clubs and surfboards.) I also flew to Venezuela with United and
was not charged leaving Sydney although there was a charge (US$40?)
leaving Caracas.

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Jack Russell

That' s good if that is the case, problem is difficult getting all these deals in
writing & check-in chicks worldwide are not the most predictable of creatures 🙂)

Venezuela! love to get there one day , what was the cycling like?
Steve @ IDEAL

Joop said:

... but it eats into my 20kg luggage allowance, leaving me with approx. 1 pair of socks and 1 set of clean underwear to take with me.

Joop

your bike weighs 19.9kg????? 😄 😄 😄

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

Quoted message said:

Joop said:

... but it eats into my 20kg luggage allowance, leaving me with approx.
1 pair of socks and 1 set of clean underwear to take with me.

Joop

your bike weighs 19.9kg????? 😄 😄 😄

You haven't seent the size of my underwear!

I took my bike to Europe this year on QANTAS.

Unfortuntely they include the weight of your bike in the luggage allowance.

I got mine packed into a box for $20 by my LBS (Cranks North Sydney), they did a great job.. lots of bubble wrap, foam on the tubes and spacers in the right places.

Quoted message said:

Jack Russell said:

Quoted message said:

Jack Russell wrote:

>When I did it I just used a Qantas bike box, or if you are clever get a
>free box from your LBS (they are usually smaller). Have you checked the
>cost of shipping, it is much cheaper to take it with you (qantas do it
>free). Possibly leave it in left luggage at the other end.
>
>
>
>
Wow Qantas send for free! send me the contacts number 🙂 I think if I remember
rightly he was referring to International flights, the best you can hope for is
an Asian carrier which gives you 10kg allowance for sporting equipment but you
will have to check as that was before the fuel increases.
The multinational Qantas will charge you for a bike box or if you buy a cheap
bike bag you can fold it up & carry it around with you rather than dumping it
an aiport taxibay.
Steve @ IDEAL

>
>
>

My understanding is that although Qantas international charge for the
box there is no charge for the bike (it counts as sporting equipment as
do golf clubs and surfboards.) I also flew to Venezuela with United and
was not charged leaving Sydney although there was a charge (US$40?)
leaving Caracas.

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Jack Russell

That' s good if that is the case, problem is difficult getting all these deals in
writing & check-in chicks worldwide are not the most predictable of creatures 🙂)

Venezuela! love to get there one day , what was the cycling like?
Steve @ IDEAL

I went through the Andes,check
ALAN BAKER CYCLING TOUR LEADER <http://www.caminero.fsnet.co.uk/>

I found it a bit disappointing, perhaps because I went down with Delhi
Belhi in a big way, missed a days cycling plus was nearly unconscious on
the rest day.. It was not how I imagined South America , I suspect the
south of the country would be more interesting.
However if you are in to car audio systems it is the place to be . They
favour ute's with the sound system (domestic size speakers) mounted on
the tray at the back, and everybody loves a party.

Jack Russell

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Jack Russell

I don't know what type of bike it is or what you want to do with your bike,
overseas.
What I did was purchase a Dahon Speed TR fold up bike and a Doubleplay Carry
Bag which proved bloody awesome
could take it anywhere public transport aeroplanes anything.
Having the Dahon allowed me to tour many more places
I saw others with bikes refused public transport or hassles but of course
nobody knew what was in my bag
I met a girl with a Dahon bag on a train and the rest is history
We are going to the US to tour in 2 weeks and of course taking our Dahon
bikes

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

Quoted message said:

I want to take my bike to Europe as unaccompanied airfreight, so I need to
pack it properly.
Any suggestion for the best way to package it?

Thanks

Joop

Joop said:

You haven't seent the size of my underwear!

BOOM tiiisssshhhhh!!!!

whatya wastein kgs on underwear for? travel in your knicks and apply the 4-day-theory. u know. forwards-rightway out. backwards...

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

Quoted message said:

I don't know what type of bike it is or what you want to do with your

bike,

Quoted message said:

overseas.
What I did was purchase a Dahon Speed TR fold up bike and a Doubleplay

Carry

Quoted message said:

Bag which proved bloody awesome
could take it anywhere public transport aeroplanes anything.
Having the Dahon allowed me to tour many more places
I saw others with bikes refused public transport or hassles but of course
nobody knew what was in my bag
I met a girl with a Dahon bag on a train and the rest is history
We are going to the US to tour in 2 weeks and of course taking our Dahon
bikes

Nah, I'm taking my normal road bike. It's not for holiday, but I'm deported
for 2 years to head office, in the South of France at the Rivièra. Talking
about bad luck......

Quoted message said:

whatya wastein kgs on underwear for? travel in your knicks and apply
the 4-day-theory. u know. forwards-rightway out. backwards...

LOL!!
Only the smell. But then again, room enough on your way back: no-one will
sit next to you.

Joop said:

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

Quoted message said:

I don't know what type of bike it is or what you want to do with your

bike,

Quoted message said:

overseas.
What I did was purchase a Dahon Speed TR fold up bike and a Doubleplay

Carry

Quoted message said:

Bag which proved bloody awesome
could take it anywhere public transport aeroplanes anything.
Having the Dahon allowed me to tour many more places
I saw others with bikes refused public transport or hassles but of course
nobody knew what was in my bag
I met a girl with a Dahon bag on a train and the rest is history
We are going to the US to tour in 2 weeks and of course taking our Dahon
bikes

Nah, I'm taking my normal road bike. It's not for holiday, but I'm deported
for 2 years to head office, in the South of France at the Rivièra. Talking
about bad luck......

If it is for the company for an extended period surely they will pay for
the cost of baggage.
You might also think about buying a bike over there, I suspect you are
not interested in touring bikes but in my humble the best come from the
UK. I suspect there a lots of nice road bikes made in Italy and France.
If you have not done it riding in France is fantastic!

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Jack Russell

"Joop" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

I want to take my bike to Europe as unaccompanied airfreight, so I
need to pack it properly.
Any suggestion for the best way to package it?

http://www.deanwoods.com.au/store/prod175.htm

http://www.deanwoods.com.au/store/prod555.htm

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"]

the best you can hope for is
an Asian carrier which gives you 10kg allowance for sporting equipment but you
will have to check as that was before the fuel increases.
The multinational Qantas will charge you for a bike box or if you buy a cheap
bike bag you can fold it up & carry it around with you rather than dumping it
an aiport taxibay.
Steve @ IDEAL

Quoted message said:

Just to add to that. JAL (Japan Air) dont consider a bike sporting equipment. I had dramas while checking in for a flight to Amstersdam. I thought it was ridiculous so did the check in lady but they were adament its not sporting equip. They told me even if it was sporting equipment it was only going to be 3-5 kilos extra that they would give me. Luckily i had contacts with their JAL sales rep beforehand and had given them measurements of the bike box and weight and had got extra kilos to get it on the flight. (still had to put up with an hour delay and many calls back and forth before it was all given the ok). This is just my experience with JAL, maybe someone else has had a more pleasant one but for travelling overseas with a bike id stay far away from them.

Joop said:

I want to take my bike to Europe as unaccompanied airfreight, so I need to
pack it properly.
Any suggestion for the best way to package it?

Make sure that the chainring doesn't cut through the bottom of the box. Put
something sturdy like masonite board on the bottom of the bike box and tape it
in place. Also a good idea to unscrew the rear derailleur and attach it to the
chain stay with some tie-wraps (and plenty of old clothes to stop scratches
and things).

It's also not a good idea to fit lots of other things into the bike box -
makes it hellish to carry. Nearly tore my arms off when I brought mine over to
the UK.

Which company are you using to send it over? I got whacked by some handling
fees and things when I did Brisbane -> Heathrow. Going to try door-to-door for
the return leg (in a month! woo!).

-- CH