Taking a bike on a plane

[Ken and Carol]

I fancy cycling in Colombia for a couple of weeks. Has anyone any recent experience of taking a bike on a plane, please?
It's a standard hybrid bike and I wonder whether I need to buy an expensive bike box or similar to avoid damage to the bike.
If so, does anyone have any recommendations?
I will need to travel by train to London first, of course.
Any tips or advice gratefully received.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Have you considered buying one in Columbia ,using it then reselling when you leave. It must be an expensive airfreight cost.

 

[The Lord Squid]

I avoid aeroplanes when I can so no personal knowledge but these are supposed to be the best. Smaller versions are available for road bikes. Depends on what your bike's worth.

https://off.road.cc/content/review/bike-bags-and-cases/evoc-bike-travel-bag-pro-review-3533

 

[Jamesh]

I agree to buying one out there as the cost and or hassle if taking it on the plane isn't worth it.

If you do want to take it find a bike box either cardboard or fiberglass.

I'd put additional protection like scaffolding bumper around the main tubes and have the wheels inflated to say 20psi to give a bit of cushioning and avoid any extremes of air pressure.

Cheers James

 

[kevenh]

I wanted to take a bike abroad but even with employer's freight carrier it was expensive and I was persuaded not to ship it.
Push bikes are large for their size so transport by volume costings and that must make them expensive to ship.

Hiring a bike will be cheaper or buying a bike and later selling it as suggested above may work out cheaper.

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[63720]

Son took a bike a few years back and a bag was supplied by the airline at check-in and staff came to take it away. He was required to deflate the tyres first and the bike survived both journeys without damage, not terribly expensive bike though. Maybe worth a phone call to the airline first.

 

[gpat]

I have done it many many times. If you can't find/afford a decent bike box then as Jamesh says a cardboard bike box is fine and a bike shop will be happy to give you one (a bike box that is!)

If its not an expensive bike then I would just take out the front wheel and the pedals and turn the bars around. Take off the rear derailleur if you can be bothered It its an expensive bike....leave it at home! I have heard horror stories of damage but touch wood I have always been fine. I had an old Giant race bike and I used to take it everywhere with minimal disassembly and no problems.

 

[PhilMary]

I fancy cycling in Colombia for a couple of weeks. Has anyone any recent experience of taking a bike on a plane, please?
It's a standard hybrid bike and I wonder whether I need to buy an expensive bike box or similar to avoid damage to the bike.
If so, does anyone have any recommendations?
I will need to travel by train to London first, of course.
Any tips or advice gratefully received.

I have one for sale on the classifieds.


Security travel box. BWH Koffer lockable security/bikebox for car roof rack or motorhome bike rack. Good condition still with keys. H 85cm, W 127cm, D 33cm. Suitable for securing inflatable canoe/paddleboard, full size mountain bike etc. To be collected or we could meet-up. Phil

£50.00 Security box car/motorhome
Phil

 

[MrPG]

I build race bikes and my son regularly flies with a bike including long haul. You can buy a special bike box but that is generally unnecessary and expensive. Bikes (inc carbon frames) costing thousands are shipped all over the world in card bike boxes. Bike shops love to give these away so just ask a local bike shop for one. Remove wheels and pedals and turn handle bars parallel to the frame. Wheels should fit either side of the frame. Usually the most exposed part of the bike is the rear deraillure so this will need some extra protection. Use plumbing foam pipe on the frame and anywhere else required. Pack it out with some clothes if possible. Tape it all up with gaffer tape.
Check with your airline but most main carriers (BA, Virgin etc) will include this in your baggage allowance. Budget airlines will charge about £50.00 each way in Europe.
Re bike on the train. I made it all the way to the French Alps with a bike packed like this on the TGV.

 

[pampam]

I was in tenerife before christmas and a german guy had his bike in a bike bag ,i assumed he had put it in plane in the hold like golf clubs or pushchair

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[Wizz]

I've taken my bike on a plane several times. Each time in a Scicon wheeled rigid box. I think it all comes down to how much you value your bike, how much its worth, and how much you're prepared to pay out for a protective box. Factor in also the awkwardness of transporting the bike to and from the airport both ways, plus additional carriage/baggage costs. It is likely to work out expensive when all tolled.
I'd say only take your own bike if you really need to. Depending on where you're travelling to its possible to rent some very high spec bikes, just take your own personal saddle and pedals, as these can really help when renting.
Good luck.

 

[Ken and Carol]

Thanks everyone for all the ideas/input/experiences.
I may just put a saddle and a pair of pedals in my suitcase, fly out there and hope like mad I can hire or buy a bike.
My only real problem is that, although I do a lot of cycling including Dover to Durness last July, I have an aversion to the usual drop handlebar road bike with the typical high gears. I much prefer a low geared hybrid bike. This limits my choice a little. I'm sure I'll find something in Bogota, somewhere, though.

 

[Spriddler]

If by 'hybrid' you mean it's electric and it has a lithium battery I recommend checking the airline regs because when I worked at the Duracell plant in the U.S. we had to ship lithium batteries that were over a certain capacity as 'Hazardous cargo'.
I realise that many passengers will have lithium batteries in their personal techy gizmos but the battery in your bike will be far more powerful.

 

[Ken and Carol]

Definitely not electric. Just a standard Trek FX3 hybrid bike.

 

[Ken and Carol]

I have one for sale on the classifieds.


Security travel box. BWH Koffer lockable security/bikebox for car roof rack or motorhome bike rack. Good condition still with keys. H 85cm, W 127cm, D 33cm. Suitable for securing inflatable canoe/paddleboard, full size mountain bike etc. To be collected or we could meet-up. Phil

£50.00 Security box car/motorhome
Phil

Hi Phil, I've looked on the classifieds and can't seem to find it.

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[jumar]

Hybrid isn't Electric....it's a combination of different components...might be as simple as straight bars on a road bike or different wheelsets....

 

[gpat]

I was in tenerife before christmas and a german guy had his bike in a bike bag ,i assumed he had put it in plane in the hold like golf clubs or pushchair

It's just the same as golf clubs. You check in as normal with your bags at the desk, and then the bike goes in the oversized baggage check in point. The check in staff are used to dealing with bikes.

I have seen my bike physically loaded on to the plane. They do chuck them about a bit. Bikes are tough though and if packed well, they take some breaking.

 

[gpat]

Thanks everyone for all the ideas/input/experiences.
I may just put a saddle and a pair of pedals in my suitcase, fly out there and hope like mad I can hire or buy a bike.
My only real problem is that, although I do a lot of cycling including Dover to Durness last July, I have an aversion to the usual drop handlebar road bike with the typical high gears. I much prefer a low geared hybrid bike. This limits my choice a little. I'm sure I'll find something in Bogota, somewhere, though.

I would not be put off that easily. Hiring a bike is not as straightforward as you think. I only tried ot once, it cost me a fortune and the bike was terrible. Never again. That was in Malta. I wouldn't think twice about putting a bike on the plane. Its a doddle.

 

[Spriddler]

Hybrid isn't Electric....it's a combination of different components...might be as simple as straight bars on a road bike or different wheelsets....

For more than 100 years in the less Lycra-trendy motorbiking circles such machines have been known as 'Bitzas'.

 

[jumar]

For more than 100 years in the less Lycra-trendy motorbiking circles such machines have been known as 'Bitzas'.

Bits Scraps and All-sorts.....or was that BSA...what Triumph owners called them..me included....

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[clanjones]

Not a problem, we have taken our tandem, which has couplers, with no issues in a 2 rigid bike boxes.

You might want to weigh up the cost of renting a bike which you can do versus taking one over there. Our problem is we have quite a high spec tandem and it is unlikely that we would find one in resort, hence the reason we travel with it.

 

[Ridgeway]

there‘s also quite a few dedicated bike shippers now. They send you the box, you prep and pack the bike then they collect it and forward to your destination, same for the return.

not fully sure how it differs from an oversized luggage check in but it’s an option that might be worth looking at

 

[Chipster]

I prefer to have my own bike with me ins of having to get used to a hire bike. I’ve shipped my own mountain bike many times without issue in a bag. The cost was also comparable to a weeks hire for a bike of similar quality to my own. Even if you hired you would need your own pedals assuming you ride clipless?

 

[Spriddler]

Bits Scraps and All-sorts.....or was that BSA...what Triumph owners called them..me included....

Yep, my 1940 and 1950 AJS bikes get mocked as 'All Junk and Scrap'.
My elder son has for years been a fanatical Triathlon competitor at events all around the U.K. He's forever swapping bits between the 5 bikes costing very many thousands on which he spends a fortune on enhancements and smothers with love in his Man Cave. He isn't amused when I refer to them as Bitzas.

 

[mofurt]

I've flown with a bike a few times, though in a proper padded bag (not hardshell). One thing to consider when using a dedicated bag is what you'll do with it when you're there; you'll need to store it somewhere and be able to retrieve it for the return journey. It could be easier using cardboard that you throw away on arrival, and scrounge some fresh for the return.

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[MattR]

I fancy cycling in Colombia for a couple of weeks. Has anyone any recent experience of taking a bike on a plane, please?
It's a standard hybrid bike and I wonder whether I need to buy an expensive bike box or similar to avoid damage to the bike.
If so, does anyone have any recommendations?
I will need to travel by train to London first, of course.
Any tips or advice gratefully received.

Do you particularly want your hybrid or would a mtb be suitable?

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[David and Sally]

 

[PhilMary]

Hi Phil, I've looked on the classifieds and can't seem to find it.

I was there! Anyway its a

Hi Phil, I've looked on the classifieds and can't seem to find it.

Its here
Locking Security box car/motorhome
Expired
For sale Locking Security box car/motorhome
Security travel box. BWH Koffer lockable security/bikebox for car roof rack or motorhome bike rack. Good condition still with keys. H 85cm, W 127cm, D 33cm. Suitable for securing inflatable canoe/paddleboard, full size mountain bike etc. To be collected or we could meet-up. Phil
£50.00
£50.00 to £40.00
PhilMary Classified ad May 21, 2021 Category: General Classified
Ive now realised its an "expired" ad.
As others have said, I only travel with my own bikes and the hard boxes such as the BWH that's for sale offer security of you pride and joy and you just check it in as part of your luggage allowance.
ive often travelled with just the bike box, no other luggage, and put my clothes and bits in with the bike.
Im off down to Chichester next week so if you want the box we could meet up.
Phil

 

[Ken and Carol]

I would not be put off that easily. Hiring a bike is not as straightforward as you think. I only tried ot once, it cost me a fortune and the bike was terrible. Never again. That was in Malta. I wouldn't think twice about putting a bike on the plane. Its a doddle.

Thanks for this advice, it is really useful.

 

[Nanniemate]

Thanks everyone for all the ideas/input/experiences.
I may just put a saddle and a pair of pedals in my suitcase, fly out there and hope like mad I can hire or buy a bike.
My only real problem is that, although I do a lot of cycling including Dover to Durness last July, I have an aversion to the usual drop handlebar road bike with the typical high gears. I much prefer a low geared hybrid bike. This limits my choice a little. I'm sure I'll find something in Bogota, somewhere, though.

Try to get hold of a bike club over there they usually know what's on the market

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