Flying your bike...is this the ideal solution?

FSITR

So I have been scouring the net and a lot of people seem to have the issue of carrying a bike bag, or finding a bike box from a local shop etc. Now I may be behind with the times here as I'm fairly new to the bike scene but I have found this website:

http://www.safe-bag.com/en/services/bik ... ection.php

They will provide a bike packaging service for around £10 at the airport. Seems like a pretty good deal to me!

It might not be available at all airports however. Can anyone vouch for this company? Any thing I need to be wary of prior to turning up at the airport on the assumption it will all be sorted for me?

sungod

it's a tenner for the plastic film wrap and an insurance policy

that does not include the box itself, which you buy at the airport store and from the wording probably has no padding etc. to stop things denting/scratching each other

limited airports, none in uk

http://www.safe-bag.com/airports.php

andcp

Excuse my cynicism. So you rock up at the airport, someone with unknown mechanical aptitude/sympathy strips your bike (and your threads possibly), shoves it in a cardboard box and wraps it in clingfilm. Repeat at an obscure airport in the middle of nowhere for the return journey, if it's available there. Think I'll stick with Boxbike Alan.

(edit: I was writing this as Sungod posted, but I think we're of the same opinion)

fenix

How early would you rock up at the airport then ?

Pointless.

Get a bag/box yourself.

Get metres of pipe lagging and other bits of foam. Read how to pack a bike.

Do it properly and you'd be happy to lob the bag down the stairs. If you're not happy - you haven't padded it enough.

Are you involved with them ?

Best of all is if you can use one of the bike courier lorries - if you have a big event over in Eu - you drop the bike off a week or so before and they drive it over ready to go. Great for Ironman races etc. But not much use for your hols.

FSITR

Not quite the reaction I was expecting!

For myself, who will be touring and ending in Venice (where they have a branch) I think its a good idea, saves me having to find a bike box in Venice and saves me having to carry a bag around (not feasible when touring).

Also I'm sure they would be kind enough to let you do the labor of taking the pedals off and turning the handlebars, so I wouldn't worry too much about stripping your threads.

fenix

Glad it's handy for you - but when I fly with my bike I want more than just some plastic round the outside of the box.
I think you're kind of missing the point ?

I don't see anything about extra protection in the box ? So basically you get a cardboard box and some stretch wrap ?

FSITR

I don't think I am 'missing the point' but rather we are looking at this from different angles. You are correct it is basically a box with stretch wrap around it, but its not about the protection, or at least that's not the angle i'm approaching from.

What I'm simply saying is that its a convenient option if there is nothing else viable, as in the case of touring if you do not manage to secure anything else.

Anyway I spoke with the company and although their website states this service is available in Venice airport....it is not. Funny how it all works out!

mallorcajeff

I always use a bike box alan as i own one but before that i have used a cardboard box and tons of packaging etc and pipe lagging. You coukd do that and bin it all at the airport but then need to do same for return journey. Used to take five hours to pack it properly never had an issue. Bought a bike box alan and 20mins and more secure.