Taking a frame/fork/seatpost on East Coast

Ben6899
Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
edited January 2013 in Commuting chat
Do you think I'll be able to sneak onto an East Coast train with an assembled frame/fork/seatpost, without booking a bike spot?

I'm just wary that my chance of success could well be at the mercy of an officious little shite in an East Coast overcoat.
Ben

Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/

Comments

  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    Yes - without wheels it's hardly a functioning bike. You should be able to get it in the overhead racks for a start.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    These were my thoughts, Rolf. At least nobody has come on here to tell me I'm living in Cloud Cuckoo land!
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 27,484
    O/H rack might be a stretch, unless it's a compact frame with the seatpost removed

    http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/on-board-our-trains/baggage-and-pets/luggage/
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    'Standard' 56cm frame. I'll remove the seatpost.

    Its width is less than 30cm. Check.
    Its height is less than 70cm. Check.

    Its length... probably a touch over 90cm. 56cm TT plus seat stays. I'll reverse the fork to remove any problem associated with the rake.

    Hmmm
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • wgwarburton
    wgwarburton Posts: 1,863
    Ben6899 wrote:
    'Standard' 56cm frame. I'll remove the seatpost.

    Its width is less than 30cm. Check.
    Its height is less than 70cm. Check.

    Its length... probably a touch over 90cm. 56cm TT plus seat stays. I'll reverse the fork to remove any problem associated with the rake.

    Hmmm

    Unless you're confident the train will be quiet(!) I would be tempted to brace the forks and rear triangle.
    You're probably on top of this already but a couple of lengths of, say, broom-handle (or old axles) taped in place to prevent bending would be wise.

    Cheers,
    W.
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    Ben6899 wrote:
    'Standard' 56cm frame. I'll remove the seatpost.

    Its width is less than 30cm. Check.
    Its height is less than 70cm. Check.

    Its length... probably a touch over 90cm. 56cm TT plus seat stays. I'll reverse the fork to remove any problem associated with the rake.

    Hmmm

    Unless you're confident the train will be quiet(!) I would be tempted to brace the forks and rear triangle.
    You're probably on top of this already but a couple of lengths of, say, broom-handle (or old axles) taped in place to prevent bending would be wise.

    Cheers,
    W.

    Yup, but thanks for the heads up anyway. I have the widgets that came with the last frame I bought, so I can use those.

    PS. it won't be quiet; it'll be a sh1tfight!
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • majormantra
    majormantra Posts: 2,094
    Put a sheet of plastic or a big bag around it. Then it goes from an illicit bike to 'just another bit of luggage'.
  • Gazzaputt
    Gazzaputt Posts: 3,227
    I'm traveling on East Coast in a couple of weeks with a bike bag. Not sure if this has to go in the guards van will ask when I get to the station.
  • tetm
    tetm Posts: 564
    Wrap it in bubble wrap and sheet so it becomes generic luggage, but with bracing between the drop outs (please!)

    Last frame I had delivered didn't have the bracing and when it arrived the front forks had an OLN of about 30mm. Not best pleased.
  • Roastie
    Roastie Posts: 1,968
    tetm wrote:
    Wrap it in bubble wrap and sheet so it becomes generic luggage, but with bracing between the drop outs (please!)

    Last frame I had delivered didn't have the bracing and when it arrived the front forks had an OLN of about 30mm. Not best pleased.
    Yup, and if you are using the plastic widgets that the frame came with, please tape them in place so they can't fall out (even if you wrap the whole lot up anyway).
  • daviesee
    daviesee Posts: 6,386
    Put a sheet of plastic or a big bag around it. Then it goes from an illicit bike to 'just another bit of luggage'.
    +1
    Big bag = luggage.
    None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    tetm wrote:
    Wrap it in bubble wrap and sheet so it becomes generic luggage, but with bracing between the drop outs (please!)

    Last frame I had delivered didn't have the bracing and when it arrived the front forks had an OLN of about 30mm. Not best pleased.

    Don't worry. :)
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 27,484
    daviesee wrote:
    Put a sheet of plastic or a big bag around it. Then it goes from an illicit bike to 'just another bit of luggage'.
    +1
    Big bag = luggage.

    I think above the sizes in that link, it doesn't matter whether it's a bike or not, they can still make you put it in the guard's van if they think it is causing an obstruction.
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition