Cheap bike box / hire

chrisw333
chrisw333 Posts: 695
edited February 2014 in MTB buying advice
Any ideas for a cheap bike box or what do people think of the hire ones?

Not sure I trust the see through bag options.

Comments

  • 97th choice
    97th choice Posts: 2,222
    As your LBS for an old cardboard one?
    Too-ra-loo-ra, too-ra-loo-rye, aye

    Giant Trance
    Radon ZR 27.5 Race
    Btwin Alur700
    Merida CX500
  • pilch
    pilch Posts: 1,136
    +1 What he said ^
    A berm? were you expecting one?

    29er race

    29er bouncer
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Yup, Halfords are good for it as well as they have a bigger turnover.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • chrisw333
    chrisw333 Posts: 695
    Will the airlines take the full size wheels on bike boxes?

    May be more difficult transport wise at each end too I guess.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    My mate came back with me with BA with a bike in a full size delivery bike box, the wheels have to come off to get it in though!

    Not sure what the heck you mean by full size wheels on bike boxes, never seen a bike box with full size wheels.....
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • chrisw333
    chrisw333 Posts: 695
    Ha! Obviously I wasn't clear.

    I mean a big box which fits a fully assembled bike in with the wheels on. That's how my bikes have been delivered in the past and what I assumed the above were talking about. They are massive and not easy to move about

    But I guess I should be able to get hold of something smaller and pack with wheels off, so will look around.
  • The Northern Monkey
    The Northern Monkey Posts: 19,174
    Full assembled with wheels on? I very much doubt it.
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Standard delivery boxes have the frame with 2 wheels seperately, ask for one of those, never seen a box where a bike fits in with wheels on!

    Expect a moron from the airline to ask if you've let the tyres down!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Uli
    Uli Posts: 190
    From experience a cardboard box with bike on a plane is a NO NO. Very likely it will be damaged. Get the proper bike transfer case.
    If you insist BA limit for oversize luggage is 190cm x 75cm x 65cm so standard transport box where rear wheel is on would still fit.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Uli wrote:
    From experience a cardboard box with bike on a plane is a NO NO. Very likely it will be damaged. Get the proper bike transfer case.
    Ours came back just fine....we did put a couple of packers in so the box wouldn't crush and wrapped the frame at contact points so the wheels didn't rub, otherwise the box itself did all the protection needed.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Levi_501
    Levi_501 Posts: 1,105
    Cardboard box is fine, just make some triangular strengtheners than support the middle of the box; and make sure you tape them in so they do not move!
  • Uli
    Uli Posts: 190
    Well, I fly quite often my bike and don't do cardboard boxes any more. On one occasion box was left in the rain while waiting to be loaded and I was riding on borrowed wheel . I agree many do it and they are fine, but if you have expensive bike think carefully.

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