Bike bag recommendations

meanredspider

I think, one way or another, I'm going to need a bike bag when I do London-2-Edinburgh - I'm still trying to figure out the best logistics but I think it's going to involve the train at some point - probably Edinburgh to London for the start.

Anybody any recommendations for a good bag that's reasonably priced?

asprilla

Have you thought about hiring?

Bike Box Alan are supposed to be highly regarded but expensive to buy. You can hire them direct though.

cjcp

Have you thought about renting one from a shop? It's cost me £40 or so to rent a Bike Box Alan

meanredspider

Hmmm - that's an interesting idea. What are trains like about bike boxes? It's also just the logistics of getting a box and getting it back to wherever it came from. I'd imagine it would cost more than £40 in postage.

pete54

I've never needed a bag to take my bike on the train. Just book a space for it if necessary.

cjcp

+1 to the above - only ever needed to book a space in the carriage. You're not supposed to lock them, but I'd lock the Volagi up. And have hungry Alsatians guard it.

What about DHL? Maybe make enquiries through work.

cjcp

And I'd put lagging around the frame, just in case the bike next to you isn't handled with as much care.

meanredspider

Bloody train journey has got about 3 changes and costs more than flying - I'm beginning to remember why I don't go by train... :roll:

sketchley

On east coast Edinburgh London trains bikes go in guards van see. http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/on-board-our ... ts/cycles/ if I remember correctly you cannot lock them, which runs the risk of someone else on
unloading it if the guard is not paying attention, although they would have to have reason to be in the guards van in the first place so it should be safe enough. As bike is unlocked you will not be insured. The guards van is next to first class, if you book in advance and don't go for peak train a first class upgrade isn't much and you could stay near the guards van to keep,an eye out.

If you use a bike bag or box you can keep it with you but must be smaller than 90x70x30cm see http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/on-board-our ... s/luggage/

mtb-idle

I'm just back from Spain. I have a soft shell bag from Teepee. Not ideal to lug around cos it doesn't have wheels and a full suspension bike is pretty heavy but then again I didn't need to carry it far

itboffin

@MB-idle if I didn't know better i'd say that's a goddamn MTB :evil:

mtb-idle

itboffin wrote:

@MB-idle if I didn't know better i'd say that's a goddamn MTB :evil:

@IBoffin sure is!

rolf_f

meanredspider wrote:

Bloody train journey has got about 3 changes and costs more than flying - I'm beginning to remember why I don't go by train... :roll:

They've got trains direct from Edinburgh to London these days. I think they introduced the service in the 1890s

I don't think you'll have any bother with the East coast anyway. They have proper luggage vans so I'd imagine you just need to let them know. TBH, I don't think you'd need a bag for that - just a bit of frame protection. The luggage vans have bike racks irrc.

meanredspider

Rolf F wrote:

They've got trains direct from Edinburgh to London these days. I think they introduced the service in the 1890s .

That's good - except I'm trying to get to Cambridge

Rolf F wrote:

I don't think you'll have any bother with the East coast anyway. They have proper luggage vans so I'd imagine you just need to let them know. TBH, I don't think you'd need a bag for that - just a bit of frame protection. The luggage vans have bike racks irrc.

The first train I tried didn't have any bike spaces to Peterborough. The later train does but now I'm trying to find out if a bike bag can just go as oversized baggage as I want to get there earlier. Seriously, planes are SOOOO much easier

rolf_f

meanredspider wrote:

The first train I tried didn't have any bike spaces to Peterborough. The later train does but now I'm trying to find out if a bike bag can just go as oversized baggage as I want to get there earlier. Seriously, planes are SOOOO much easier

Much as it pains me to suggest it, what about flying to Stansted?

I guess a rigid box might be OK on the trains that have no bike space. There were only about 4 racks I think when I used it but the rest of the van was mostly empty and very large. But surely less faff to get a train which does have space and not carry the box at all? Peterborough to Cambridge ought to be OK - it's not as though anyone actually uses that route

meanredspider

Rolf F wrote:

Much as it pains me to suggest it, what about flying to Stansted?

I guess a rigid box might be OK on the trains that have no bike space. There were only about 4 racks I think when I used it but the rest of the van was mostly empty and very large. But surely less faff to get a train which does have space and not carry the box at all? Peterborough to Cambridge ought to be OK - it's not as though anyone actually uses that route

I know - I've booked the train now (£60 first class as per recco above) but flying would have been a lot simpler. Frustratingly my Volagi box is already down south (shipped my Cayo in it for a friend to borrow). Took it on a plane and it was so easy (especially leaving from Inverness where it's 50 feet from the car park to the oversize bag drop).

My folks are going to pick me up from P'boro

So, I'm back to needing a bike bag recco, please. It will come in useful for other trips.