Flying with my bike

[AyBee]

I'm flying to Majorca at the beginning of June and will be taking my bike. I have a soft bag (both wheels have to come off before it goes in) - what do people use for packing their bikes for flying? Obviously I want to keep it as light as possible (I'll probably have to put some clothes etc in too ) but the main criteria is protection for the bike.

Thanks in advance,
Arry

[cw42]

Took my bike to me mums in Antequera last November. Packed in a purpose built bike bag, with extra pipe lagging borrowed from work taped along all the tubes, both wheels off and a brace between the 2 hubs. Crank pipe lagged, rear mech zip tied to the frame. Seat lowered, handlebars taken off at the headtube and zip tied to the frame.
Don't pack anything other than a bike in the bag, if you read the t&c's of the airline they may stipulate that, easyjet did.

Thread on my trip here:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=15...

[AyBee]

Thanks for that help. Hmm - wonder why the "no clothes in bag" rule applies? I was hoping I could put my clothes in there since bike + bag is a lot less than the 32kg weight....! Also means helmet and shoes will have to go elsewhere....

[itsnotarace]

Handy vid here http://www.mikecotty.co.uk/Video.asp?VideoID=341

[Bobs Good Eye]

AyBee said:

Thanks for that help. Hmm - wonder why the "no clothes in bag" rule applies? I was hoping I could put my clothes in there since bike + bag is a lot less than the 32kg weight....! Also means helmet and shoes will have to go elsewhere....

We flew BA to Sweden last year and I abided by their T&Cs and only had the bike in the bag and everything else in a separate bag. Many others in our group turned up with just about everything they own in the bike bag. They had no problems getting them on. The bikes have to be taken to oversize luggage checkin and the staff there couldn't give a damn if you've got other stuff in your bag.

[AyBee]

Bobs Good Eye said:

AyBee said:

Thanks for that help. Hmm - wonder why the "no clothes in bag" rule applies? I was hoping I could put my clothes in there since bike + bag is a lot less than the 32kg weight....! Also means helmet and shoes will have to go elsewhere....

We flew BA to Sweden last year and I abided by their T&Cs and only had the bike in the bag and everything else in a separate bag. Many others in our group turned up with just about everything they own in the bike bag. They had no problems getting them on. The bikes have to be taken to oversize luggage checkin and the staff there couldn't give a damn if you've got other stuff in your bag.

That's exactly what a mate told me too so might just try it - if they ask - it's added protection for the bike

[Parsnip]

AyBee said:

Bobs Good Eye said:

AyBee said:

Thanks for that help. Hmm - wonder why the "no clothes in bag" rule applies? I was hoping I could put my clothes in there since bike + bag is a lot less than the 32kg weight....! Also means helmet and shoes will have to go elsewhere....

We flew BA to Sweden last year and I abided by their T&Cs and only had the bike in the bag and everything else in a separate bag. Many others in our group turned up with just about everything they own in the bike bag. They had no problems getting them on. The bikes have to be taken to oversize luggage checkin and the staff there couldn't give a damn if you've got other stuff in your bag.

That's exactly what a mate told me too so might just try it - if they ask - it's added protection for the bike

Same here when I went to Switzerland.


All the extra padding having clothes in there offers is well worth it - the baggage monkeys _WILL NOT_ treat your bike with any form of respect. Despite all the padding (clothes + pipe lagging), and a proper bike bag I got a nasty crack in the carbon steerer on my TCR - double check your insurance covers it - my travel insurance did not, but my home insurance (luckilly) did.