Taking a frame/fork/seatpost on East Coast

Ben6899

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.

rolf_f

Yes - without wheels it's hardly a functioning bike. You should be able to get it in the overhead racks for a start.

Ben6899

These were my thoughts, Rolf. At least nobody has come on here to tell me I'm living in Cloud Cuckoo land!

rjsterry

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/

Ben6899

'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

wgwarburton

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

wgwarburton wrote:

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!

majormantra

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

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

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

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

majormantra 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.

Ben6899

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.

rjsterry

daviesee wrote:

majormantra 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.