Flying with the Bike

Wirral_paul

Hi all

After doing some research myself, i am still pretty much undecided about the best way to transport my bike when flying. This will be the 2nd year running that i am doing a foreign trip - although the bikes went in a van with Polocini last year. This year though means flying - and so I need to safely transport a £2,500 bike via the flights booked. Now the obvious choice is BikeBoxAlan but these seem a little heavy. My touring bike weighs 9.2kg with mudguards which i would remove for summer trips abroad whilst Monarch (who i fly with this year have a 20kg weight limit) I guess i could pay the excess charge if it gets weighed and goes over (and maybe carry my pedals etc in my normal luggage) if needs be to get the extra protection of the hardshell - but are there any other lighter options that are worth considering??

Ta

marcusjb

Pay the extra, send it as sports equipment, get 32kg limit. Done.

Wirral_paul

Hi Marcus

I've just checked and its only an extra £10 each way - but allows me to chuck extra stuff in the box at least. I may just do that then as i clearly cant weigh my kit beforehand.

marcusjb

Wirral_Paul wrote:

Hi Marcus

I've just checked and its only an extra £10 each way - but allows me to chuck extra stuff in the box at least. I may just do that then as i clearly cant weigh my kit beforehand.

Technically, only the bike can go in the box if you are flying it as sports equipment. No clothes etc.

I've not flown much with bikes, but have never had an issue when I have included clothes in the box, but it only takes a jobsworth and you're in bother.

Wirral_paul

Well it would be handy to pack some tools in there really. Marmot Tours who i am going with do have tools but i would take some specific tools and spares - Campag bottom bracket bearings and tool, spare spokes, tyres etc. Its a 1,250 mile trip i am doing - so some extra spares would be handy. I've got a 20kg baggage allowance also - so no worries on clothes etc

ugo.santalucia

Wirral_Paul wrote:

Well it would be handy to pack some tools in there really. Marmot Tours who i am going with do have tools but i would take some specific tools and spares - Campag bottom bracket bearings and tool, spare spokes, tyres etc. Its a 1,250 mile trip i am doing - so some extra spares would be handy. I've got a 20kg baggage allowance also - so no worries on clothes etc

Say hallo to the nice people at Marmot from me (use my real name... )... I did the Raid Pyreneen with them in 2010... really nice lot

Wirral_paul

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Wirral_Paul wrote:

Well it would be handy to pack some tools in there really. Marmot Tours who i am going with do have tools but i would take some specific tools and spares - Campag bottom bracket bearings and tool, spare spokes, tyres etc. Its a 1,250 mile trip i am doing - so some extra spares would be handy. I've got a 20kg baggage allowance also - so no worries on clothes etc

Say hallo to the nice people at Marmot from me (use my real name... )... I did the Raid Pyreneen with them in 2010... really nice lot

Will do Paolo - i was going to do the Raid Pyrenean with them (both ways) but have changed the trip after Cathy kindly agreed to this as I am recovering from a hip injury (and have LEJOG finishing 11 days prior to planned departure). I am now doing Raid Alpine (S to N) and then Raid Dolomites after a day rest in Thonon on the banks of Lake Geneva.

I'll even be riding on the wheels you built me most likely!! 8)

slowbike

marcusjb wrote:

Wirral_Paul wrote:

Hi Marcus

I've just checked and its only an extra £10 each way - but allows me to chuck extra stuff in the box at least. I may just do that then as i clearly cant weigh my kit beforehand.

Technically, only the bike can go in the box if you are flying it as sports equipment. No clothes etc.

I've not flown much with bikes, but have never had an issue when I have included clothes in the box, but it only takes a jobsworth and you're in bother.

Tools, spares & clothes are all part of the "sports equipment" are they not ?
We're flying with our bikes and intend to put everything we can't get in hand luggage in with the bikes. Not that there will be huge amounts ... but it'll include charging blocks, cables, drinks bottles, food & drinks tablets as well as shoes & some clothing.
I think we get an allowance of 30Kg - I don't intend to reach that on either bike bag - so would trust we don't hit any issues about what is technically allowed in the bag ... we've paid a fair bit more than a normal hold bag so I don't feel like we're cheating the system.

[edited to correct the weight limit]

milleman

I have flown quite a few times with my Van Nicholas in a bike box (Can't recall the exact make of bike box), it weighs in on the airport scales as 21kgs. Mate of mine has a Specialized Roubaix and uses a BikeBoxAlan, his case weighs in at a very similiar weight to mine.
I know that Monarch have a 20Kg limit, I have booked a flight back from Barcelona with them-sleazy jet are a bit more generous with their weight allowance.
90% of the people on the trips I have done have used their own bike and its probably split 50/50 between rigid boxes and soft case ones. The flip side to that is I have also seen people use cardboard boxes, depends on how much you value your bike......

Wirral_paul

I do like the look of the BikeBoxAlan - especially as it has a steel rod inserted through the middle to prevent compression on the sides and requires minimal dismantling. There doesn't actually seem to be a huge weight saving with some of the soft cases - no more than 3kg really - but adding 8 or 9kg of bike then takes it very close to the 20kg. Its just the thought of getting to the other end and finding a damaged bike which potentially could mean a £2500 holiday is ruined. Having checked Monarch's site - the first 3kg excess baggage is discounted if booking online to £10..... so I am thinking I may just book the flights with the excess weight allowed for under "sports equipment" for the additional £20rtn. Its such a small price to pay for peace of mind and to allow me to take the extras that may be handy. Thanks all

rafletcher

Slowbike wrote:

marcusjb wrote:

Wirral_Paul wrote:

Tools, spares & clothes are all part of the "sports equipment" are they not ?

No, they're not. The bicycle is, nothing else. The rest is luggage, and should be part of your hand baggage or hold allowance. Technically.

However the single item limit for bicycles on easyJet is now 32kg, so they must expect some additional items... (bikeboxalan weighs 11.5kg approx) and I guess if you use a bike box and get it security wrapped it's unlikely to get opened - the x-ray operators don't work for the airlines after all.

slowbike

rafletcher wrote:

Slowbike wrote:

marcusjb wrote:

Wirral_Paul wrote:

Tools, spares & clothes are all part of the "sports equipment" are they not ?

No, they're not. The bicycle is, nothing else. The rest is luggage, and should be part of your hand baggage or hold allowance. Technically.

Is that from knowledge of "the rules" or you an ordinary joe like most of us?

I've checked several airlines T&Cs on sports equipment and they don't say you can't put related or other bits in - just a maximum overall weight and size ...

cougie

I usually do an overseas holiday or race annually with my bike.
I use a soft shell bag and wrap the bike to the nth degree in foam and bubblewrap. It keeps the weight down and its easier to store abroad - shove it under the bed etc.

I put a few things in the bag - but usually soft stuff - you don't want anything hard getting loose and damaging the frame. Nobody has ever picked me up on it - they aren't bothered. But don't try CO2 canisters.

rafletcher

Slowbike wrote:

rafletcher wrote:

Slowbike wrote:

marcusjb wrote:

Wirral_Paul wrote:

Tools, spares & clothes are all part of the "sports equipment" are they not ?

No, they're not. The bicycle is, nothing else. The rest is luggage, and should be part of your hand baggage or hold allowance. Technically.

Is that from knowledge of "the rules" or you an ordinary joe like most of us?

I've checked several airlines T&Cs on sports equipment and they don't say you can't put related or other bits in - just a maximum overall weight and size ...

My interpretation - though when a "large" sports item is listed as (for example) a "Bicycle" or "Kayak", and the wording says anything else is hold luggage, it's fairly straightforward. But as I said, with an all up allowance for a bicycle of 32kg, I'm guessing they are expecting a few "extras". Tho' as Cougie says, no CO2 canisters (even if the hold is pressurised :roll: )

cougie

And to avoid hassle - tell them you've let air out of your tyres. But don't let out much - in order to protect the rim.

marcusjb

Slowbike wrote:

rafletcher wrote:

Slowbike wrote:

marcusjb wrote:

Wirral_Paul wrote:

Tools, spares & clothes are all part of the "sports equipment" are they not ?

No, they're not. The bicycle is, nothing else. The rest is luggage, and should be part of your hand baggage or hold allowance. Technically.

Is that from knowledge of "the rules" or you an ordinary joe like most of us?

I've checked several airlines T&Cs on sports equipment and they don't say you can't put related or other bits in - just a maximum overall weight and size ...

http://www.easyjet.com/en/bicycles

There's one. Every airline will be different - but some do have this stipulation. I've flown Easyjet and been asked whether there was anything else in the box, I lied and the bike still made it.

slowbike

We're going RyanAir - its a bit more ambiguous...

marcusjb

Slowbike wrote:

We're going RyanAir - its a bit more ambiguous...

I don't think I was even asked about it on RyanAir (I fly ALL the classy airlines me!)

slowbike

more money for ... inner tubes!

pilot_pete

Slowbike wrote:

rafletcher wrote:

Slowbike wrote:

marcusjb wrote:

Wirral_Paul wrote:

Tools, spares & clothes are all part of the "sports equipment" are they not ?

No, they're not. The bicycle is, nothing else. The rest is luggage, and should be part of your hand baggage or hold allowance. Technically.

Is that from knowledge of "the rules" or you an ordinary joe like most of us?

I've checked several airlines T&Cs on sports equipment and they don't say you can't put related or other bits in - just a maximum overall weight and size ...

I'm an airline pilot and can confirm that each airline will have their own specific Conditions of Carriage. If you can't find them defined anywhere on their website you can contact the airline to get a copy. If you ask you may well just get the opinion of the person on the phone rather than the defined conditions.

In my experience most airlines define sports equipment as the bike. Helmet, shoes, tools etc etc do not come under this definition. Remember, it's their train set, they set the rules, if you don't like them don't use them. You can argue the toss but you won't win.

To the OP, I always use a Bike Boxalan when I fly with my bike. I have posted on this forum about it before. Many state how they have used soft shell bags for years and been fine. I see how bags are handled every day at airports around the world. In the UK they are generally very good with sports equipment. The same cannot be said about airports elsewhere. All it takes is for your pride and joy in its soft case to be dropped once off a baggage belt loader from height and it could be disastrous. A well packed hard case will protect your bike from such a drop. It's all about risk and your willingness to take that chance or not...

PP

pilot_pete

Oh, and p.s.

You mell well get away with packing other stuff in there but you are taking a risk. If you are under the allowed weight probably nothing will be said and you will go on your happy way.

Remember that getting your bike through security is a completely different process and nothing to do with the airline. If they spot co2 cartridges etc on the x-Ray machine they will tell you to remove them. They will not however complain about normal luggage in there if it poses no security risk.

PP

Wirral_paul

Cheers Pete

Yep i'm convined that BikeBoxAlan is the way to go - it came down to either that or the Polaris Pro Pod anyway - with the Polaris having a slight advantage of being slightly more compact. Still - neither will fit in the car i am buying but i can get to Liverpool, Manchester or Birmingham airports very easily on the train anyway so may as well go for the BBA one. Marmot Tours "rent" out CO2 cartridges for 3Euros each and refund any unused ones which is a great service - so no need to even go looking for the bike shop in Antibes when i get there.