bike packing for flights
Thread started by
KiMS1 at 10.29.08 - 3:39 pm
anybody know of cheap ways to pack a bike for a flight?
i figured going to a bike shop for some throwaway boxes but i dont know where to find foam or whatever for padding.
also, does anybody know of any MR type rides in minneapolis? cycling is huge over there but i dont know where to start as far as looking for rides.
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I think last I went to minneapolis, I had to take Northwest and Northwest charges $100 to carry a bike.
http://www.nwa.com/travel/luggage/specialitems.html#bicycle
I've never took my bike on NWA, but I've done it on JetBlue flights to Oakland and Austin and it's only $75 with a bike box each trip.
Noble Experiment10.29.08 - 3:43 pm
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You can buy an actually hard or soft case for the bike.
Graham10.29.08 - 3:47 pm
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ive noticed the prices range from 70-100 depending on the airline.
when you packed ur bike, was it in those cases or packaged at home with foam and cardboard?
KiMS110.29.08 - 3:47 pm
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@ graham
those cases are expensive though no?
unless REI has bike boxes, they have that mean ass return policy.
KiMS110.29.08 - 3:48 pm
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I'll have to note I went on JetBlue with a bike that was not during those Tour De France promotions. That's the only time JetBlue does it for free and chances are you'll get the case from the airport (in my case, Long Beach and Oakland), and chances are you'll have to bring in the box (like I had in the last miinute at Austin). Wonky but yet reliable.
Noble Experiment10.29.08 - 3:52 pm
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I've seen one or two on craigslist for around 100$, its something you can keep around forever or just re sell is after your done.
Graham10.29.08 - 3:53 pm
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i think im gonna break the sucker down and wrap the shit out of it with padding.
i dont think REI sells those cases :(
KiMS110.29.08 - 3:58 pm
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take the train. it costs $10 and all you have to do is remove the pedals and handlebars.
ruinedbyidiots10.29.08 - 4:17 pm
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5 hour flight vs idk 13 hour train ride?
KiMS110.29.08 - 4:24 pm
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Break it down. i put mine in an airline-provided box (which they charged for) wrapped it with padding...and wanted to cry when I retrieved the battered bike at my destination. They claimed no liability even tho I paid for transport. I needed a new wheel. Take ur bike apart if u can't get a case to put it in. pad it like a mofo and pad it somemore and whatever else u feel is necessary. Other ppl may say otherwise, but better safe than sorry. Have fun, and may you find bike friends there!
kryxtanicole10.29.08 - 4:25 pm
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yeah, ive been reading a lil bit bout packing.
i guess its smart to put something in between the forks and inside the wheels just in case it gets crushed.
hopefully i can find some people to drink and ride with over there haha.
might need to get new tires for this trip.
ive never dealth with snow and ice before haha
KiMS110.29.08 - 4:28 pm
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its easier to sneak intoxicants onto a train than it is an airplane. those 13 hours will seem like nothing.
hell, it was over 10 hours by train to get from union station to flagstaff. but i had w33d brownies and a sixer of tecate + making friends with some rich guy in the observation deck with more booze who was more than willing to give it out.
ruinedbyidiots10.29.08 - 4:39 pm
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Packing a bike is easy. Get an old bike box. There are tons in the trash of most bike shops.
Keep the back wheel ON.
Remove the front wheel.
Remove the handlebars.
Remove the pedals.
Remove (or lower) the Saddle.
Tetris them all in the box. Shove extra pieces of cardboard everywhere - between any metal, and between the box and where ALL AXLES touch the box.
Tape it up, drag along.
$50 at Jet Blue.
the reverend dak10.29.08 - 4:52 pm
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i might take up RBI's idea on teh train.
32 hours
but it makes stops around the northwest and what not.
thatd be kinda cool.
or not.
ha.
KiMS110.29.08 - 5:07 pm
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Minnesota has a huge bicycle scene.
http://www.mplsbikelove.com/
http://www.cicle.org/cicle_content/pivot/entry.php?id=440
Joe Borfo10.29.08 - 5:13 pm
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the guy in the white shirt in the picture i posted was going from union to detroit. it was taking him three days because he was doing sight seeing or whatever. he had a sleeper car and everything and at the end of the night took some underage girl back there with him. i ran into her and her friends a week later when i was coming back from flagstaff. i called her out on her supposed promiscuity or whatever you want to call it and she got beet red and super embarrassed and then quickly downed two shot bottles of jack daniels.
i want to take another trip on the train somewhere.
ruinedbyidiots10.29.08 - 5:33 pm
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Dak's instructions are totally spot-on.
turrican10.29.08 - 5:33 pm
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i would also ziptie your front wheel to the frame if you do what dak does. when my iro was shipped to me via ups thats how they packed it. thats how liz' mercier came as well.
ruinedbyidiots10.29.08 - 5:36 pm
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