I've settled on buying a Trek 4300, and since my local shop doesn't carry Trek, I'm going to buy a bike when I'm in San Diego on a trip. According to Delta, a bike costs $80 extra to take on their planes, but it would count as regular luggage if the total measurements are under 62 inches. I checked out the Crate Works bike box, and the total added up to 86 inches. Is it possible to break down a 18" frame bike to something smaller than that? If I can avoid paying an extra $80, I'd like to find a way.
I travel with bikes alot. There's no way to meet the 62" rule without using BTCs, i.e., cutting the top tube and down tube and installing couplers.
Most airlines are now very strict about charging for a bike box, whether cardboard or polymer. The best shot at not getting charged for a bike box is to be the top elite level with the airline, AND to have no or only one other checked bag AND to be on a fight that isn't anywhere near full.
Originally posted by sabrina I've settled on buying a Trek 4300, and since my local shop doesn't carry Trek, I'm going to buy a bike when I'm in San Diego on a trip. According to Delta, a bike costs $80 extra to take on their planes, but it would count as regular luggage if the total measurements are under 62 inches. I checked out the Crate Works bike box, and the total added up to 86 inches. Is it possible to break down a 18" frame bike to something smaller than that? If I can avoid paying an extra $80, I'd like to find a way.
Thank you!
League of American Bicyclists has a "Bikes Fly Free" deal with Frontier and America West airlines. If you join and fly one of those airlines, your membership is more than paid for. Otherwise have the bicycle shipped, shop-to-shop, insured. Unless you are quite experienced in the process, you will save time and be riding sooner.
Originally posted by daveornee League of American Bicyclists has a "Bikes Fly Free" deal with Frontier and America West airlines. If you join and fly one of those airlines, your membership is more than paid for. Otherwise have the bicycle shipped, shop-to-shop, insured. Unless you are quite experienced in the process, you will save time and be riding sooner.
