So you think your bike is safe in a bike box?

lost_in_thought

Not on El-Al it isn't...

http://www.facebook.com/EL.AL.Baggage

This poor chap's Orbea was completely ruined, not sure if the airline or the box is more at fault.

rjsterry

Blimey! It looks as though someone has driven a truck over it.

il_principe

Great. Just booked next year's trip to France and reserved my bike box...

jonginge

Erk!

James, using the same box as last time? They're pretty solid. Mine is less so...

essex-commuter

Blimey.

My Scicon box was smashed a couple of years ago when returning from Mallorca. Bike was OK. Took the effort to fill in a form at the airport and made them take photographs (even though I was knackered), the airline paid out £500 for a replacement.

Numerous fibreglass repairs and 4 new castor wheels, I was on my way for less that £30.

rick_chasey

For the price of a good box couldn't you hire a bike out there?

spasypaddy

Rick Chasey wrote:

For the price of a good box couldn't you hire a bike out there?

no, i went to israel for 2 weeks 2 years ago. was desperate to get some riding in out there. was near enough impossible to find a bike to hire nevertheless a decent one. in the end i gave up.

bigmat

Rick Chasey wrote:

For the price of a good box couldn't you hire a bike out there?

Its just not the same as being on your own bike though. Fine for mountain biking, but your road bike should be a part of you.

rick_chasey

Does it really make that much difference?

jamesco

Would it be safer to put the bike in a clear plastic bag with strategic bubble-wrap? That way the baggage-handlers can see it's delicate.

daviesee

Rick Chasey wrote:

For the price of a good box couldn't you hire a bike out there?

Travelling once, yes. The box pays for itself intwo trips, depending on the cost of the box & bike hire.

Plus you get your own bike.
Oh, and the brake levers are on opposite sides on the continent. That catches people out.

rick_chasey

assuming neither the bike nor the box breaks!

il_principe

I must admit I'd be surprised if even the most dedicated of baggage handlers could smash a bikeboxalan. I'm hiring one again next year. They are sturdy and have a steel pole that prevents crushing. Bloody massive though.

spasypaddy

i wish i had a bikeboxalan to store my best bike in over the winter. might invest when bonus comes around

daviesee

Rick Chasey wrote:

assuming neither the bike nor the box breaks!

Fair point. But what are the chances of that happening?
Then insurance kicks in.

rick_chasey

Out of interest, how much does it cost to hire a proper road bike?

I've thought about it a lot. My bikes are nothing exciting. The only good thing about them is they fit, but I'm sure some good measurements and I'd be good to go.

Would be nice to take out a special steed just for the champagne cycling abroad.

sketchley

That damage is extreme I'd hazard a guess that box was run over by truck.

What do fed-ex charge to ship a bike?

neiltb

Sketchley wrote:

That damage is extreme I'd hazard a guess that box was run over by truck.

What do fed-ex charge to ship a bike?

erm, how would it get to you again?

rolf_f

daviesee wrote:

Oh, and the brake levers are on opposite sides on the continent. That catches people out.

No they are not

I hired a Giant TCR in Colorado this year. I was fine on it. For a day trip it won't make much difference. For a proper cycling holiday I think I'd rather have my own bike.

sketchley

neiltb wrote:

Sketchley wrote:

That damage is extreme I'd hazard a guess that box was run over by truck.

What do fed-ex charge to ship a bike?

erm, how would it get to you again?

FexEx the bike to the hotel you are staying in, any decent hotel will hold it for you until you get there providing you tell them first, not that difficult to do. I've met a few people that do this for holidays, e.g. ship luggage to hotels as they don't want the hassle of travelling with it.

jonginge

Rolf F wrote:

daviesee wrote:

Oh, and the brake levers are on opposite sides on the continent. That catches people out.

No they are not

I hired a Giant TCR in Colorado this year. I was fine on it. For a day trip it won't make much difference. For a proper cycling holiday I think I'd rather have my own bike.

Tsk. On the continent, he said, not across the pond.

rolf_f

JonGinge wrote:

Rolf F wrote:

daviesee wrote:

Oh, and the brake levers are on opposite sides on the continent. That catches people out.

No they are not

I hired a Giant TCR in Colorado this year. I was fine on it. For a day trip it won't make much difference. For a proper cycling holiday I think I'd rather have my own bike.

Tsk. On the continent, he said, not across the pond.

Tsk - my two comments are separate and independant!

essex-commuter

Rick Chasey wrote:

Out of interest, how much does it cost to hire a proper road bike?

I've thought about it a lot. My bikes are nothing exciting. The only good thing about them is they fit, but I'm sure some good measurements and I'd be good to go.

Would be nice to take out a special steed just for the champagne cycling abroad.

This is the best (in my opnion) cycle hire shop in Mallorca. You can see the prices and bikes available by clicking on book online. Gives you an idea on what you would pay elsewhere probably.

http://www.procyclehire.com/

rick_chasey

Cheers essex - not bad prices!

jonginge

Rolf F wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

Rolf F wrote:

daviesee wrote:

Oh, and the brake levers are on opposite sides on the continent. That catches people out.

No they are not

I hired a Giant TCR in Colorado this year. I was fine on it. For a day trip it won't make much difference. For a proper cycling holiday I think I'd rather have my own bike.

Tsk. On the continent, he said, not across the pond.

Tsk - my two comments are separate and independant!

Thought they might be but your first point doesn't tally with my experience... that the left lever tends to be wired to the front brake over in europe

rolf_f

JonGinge wrote:

Thought they might be but your first point doesn't tally with my experience... that the left lever tends to be wired to the front brake over in europe

Correct - all I was hinting at was that some of us like a nice cable line and have long since already gone to left front braking over here! Therefore some of us will suffer no confusion (not that I ever have any probs switching anyway).

Except on my MTB which is more complicated.......

coopster_the_1st

Rick Chasey wrote:

Out of interest, how much does it cost to hire a proper road bike?

I've thought about it a lot. My bikes are nothing exciting. The only good thing about them is they fit, but I'm sure some good measurements and I'd be good to go.

Would be nice to take out a special steed just for the champagne cycling abroad.

About £100 a week based on the hire I did last year in Majorca.

Considering the airline charged nearly that to take a bike box with you, for a weeks cycling, it is not worth the risk to me

il_principe

Coopster the 1st wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Out of interest, how much does it cost to hire a proper road bike?

I've thought about it a lot. My bikes are nothing exciting. The only good thing about them is they fit, but I'm sure some good measurements and I'd be good to go.

Would be nice to take out a special steed just for the champagne cycling abroad.

About £100 a week based on the hire I did last year in Majorca.

Considering the airline charged nearly that to take a bike box with you, for a weeks cycling, it is not worth the risk to me

See I don't get this. When I go abroad I want my bike, not a hire job, but a bike i am comfortable with and trust. What's the point of spending £x on a road bike and then not using it abroad...

daviesee

Rolf F wrote:

daviesee wrote:

Oh, and the brake levers are on opposite sides on the continent. That catches people out.

No they are not

For the club trip to Mallorca this year everyone took their own bike except one woman who couldn't be bothered with the hassle. She doesn't "do" luggage :shock: Her husband takes care of that.
The brakes being on the "wrong" sides really freaked her out on the descents.

PS:- There would have still been the same hassle of setting the bike up and stripping her saddle, speedo and pedals off. Except she left it in the hands of other mugs to do it for her! Off topic now...........

itboffin

Thanks Liv just what I needed to see, i'm hiring the same inflatable bike box next year and i'm most likely taking my Alu Trek to the Alps - it's just more comfortable than anything else I have, that is unless of course I get a NEW BIKE :roll:

PS. I have two bikes i've swap the brakes over for better cable routing, never been a problem for me.

Jay dubbleU

Its bent the chainwheel How ???