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James Banta
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Bike Travel Box
06/19/19 at 1:31pm
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Anybody out there have a bike travel box that they want to sell or rent me for a week?  I'm debating taking my own bike on a trip out west depending on costs.
  
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Oskie
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Re: Bike Travel Box
Reply #1 - 06/19/19 at 4:36pm
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Interested in this?

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Like to sell the one I have.
« Last Edit: 06/19/19 at 4:38pm by Oskie »  
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EverRed
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Re: Bike Travel Box
Reply #2 - 06/20/19 at 2:11pm
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I have one that you can use but its in Black Mountain and you would have to come and get it.
  
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Robert C.
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Re: Bike Travel Box
Reply #3 - 06/21/19 at 2:20am
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Taking a bike on a plane was a pain in the ass before flying sucked.  Unless you are really attached to your rig, find an LBS where you are going and rent one.

  
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SurlyDave
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Re: Bike Travel Box
Reply #4 - 06/21/19 at 3:41am
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Robert C. wrote on 06/21/19 at 2:20am:
Taking a bike on a plane was a pain in the ass before flying sucked.  Unless you are really attached to your rig, find an LBS where you are going and rent one.



I found this to be correct although I can see how some trips would make sense to bring your own depending on the logistics.  Flying Delta for example  would cost me $300 round trip to take my bike.  I've  got rental reservations for 2 different bikes in 2 different towns for 2 days each for $280.  No stress of boxing and unboxing and how it will work with the rental car and such. Plus I get to demo a carbon Honzo Cool
« Last Edit: 06/21/19 at 3:42am by SurlyDave »  
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Yellowduck
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Re: Bike Travel Box
Reply #5 - 06/21/19 at 11:34am
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You could ship it out there and back.  Bikeflights.com
  
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Re: Bike Travel Box
Reply #6 - 06/21/19 at 4:44pm
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Check with your airline.  Recently Delta, AA, and maybe some others have changed their policy and a bike, as long as it's less than 50#, flies for the cost of a checked bag.  Read the fine print but I'm flying with my bike out to PNW in about 3 weeks.  Demos are cool but having your personal bike with you on new trails is something special as well.   
  
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Re: Bike Travel Box
Reply #7 - 06/21/19 at 5:58pm
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There's someone renting out an EVOC bag on the Raleigh craigslist site.
  
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Re: Bike Travel Box
Reply #8 - 06/24/19 at 3:20pm
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I fly with my bike often, the problem is not the weight of a bike in the box but the size of the box does not meet the requirements for a standard checked bag.  I use the Bike Ninja that make the requirements.   Be prepared to pay the oversized fee

American Airlines

Standard checked bag fees of your destination apply up to 50 lbs / 23 kgs and 126 in / 320 cm (length + width + height) [/color]or $150 fee applies from 51 lbs / 23 kgs to 70 lbs / 32 kgs.
  
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teamdicky
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Re: Bike Travel Box
Reply #9 - 06/24/19 at 4:13pm
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bikermedic wrote on 06/24/19 at 3:20pm:
I fly with my bike often, the problem is not the weight of a bike in the box but the size of the box does not meet the requirements for a standard checked bag.  I use the Bike Ninja that make the requirements.   Be prepared to pay the oversized fee

American Airlines

Standard checked bag fees of your destination apply up to 50 lbs / 23 kgs and 126 in / 320 cm (length + width + height) [/color]or $150 fee applies from 51 lbs / 23 kgs to 70 lbs / 32 kgs.


Lots of bike bags and cardboard boxes fit in those requirements.  Downside with the cardboard box would be TSA opening it up, peeking inside, moving things around... and then taping it back up correctly. 

"We calculate the size limits of your bag by adding the total outside dimensions of each bag, length + width + height."

EVOC Travel Bag 138 x 39 x 85 cm = 262cm (58cm under)  for example.

It is difficult to find a hard case light enough to keep a mountain bike inside the 50lb weight limit tho.

American is considering it luggage.  $25 for first bag, $35 for the second.  

 
« Last Edit: 06/24/19 at 4:19pm by teamdicky »  
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Tom F
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Re: Bike Travel Box
Reply #10 - 06/24/19 at 4:39pm
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teamdicky wrote on 06/24/19 at 4:13pm:


Lots of bike bags and cardboard boxes fit in those requirements.  Downside with the cardboard box would be TSA opening it up, peeking inside, moving things around... and then taping it back up correctly. 

"We calculate the size limits of your bag by adding the total outside dimensions of each bag, length + width + height."

EVOC Travel Bag 138 x 39 x 85 cm = 262cm (58cm under)  for example.

It is difficult to find a hard case light enough to keep a mountain bike inside the 50lb weight limit tho.

American is considering it luggage.  $25 for first bag, $35 for the second.  

 


I flew Southwest to Texas a  couple years ago before they were in CLT. It was worth the trip to RDU then. Checked the bike and got by without the fee. (It was a 26").  THe rub came in Denver with a gate change. I went on to TX and the bike enjoyed a ride to San Diego. The bike came in three days later. TSA had rifled thru the box and removed some CO2 cartridges. (My fault) The retaping job was less than stellar. 

How about Bikeflights.com Other than the lead time to ship both ways and linking with a local shop at the destination to pick up is there any downside?
  
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teamdicky
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Re: Bike Travel Box
Reply #11 - 06/24/19 at 4:47pm
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Tom F wrote on 06/24/19 at 4:39pm:



How about Bikeflights.com Other than the lead time to ship both ways and linking with a local shop at the destination to pick up is there any downside?


Upsides:  

No dragging your bike (and baggage) in airports.
As long as you planned correctly, you'll have the peace of mind that your bike is there before you.
You can ship CO2 with the bike.
No TSA agents unpacking/repacking your stuff.
You can pack bulky/light stuff around your bike... maybe enough to get away with just a carry-on saving more money.
Can be cheaper (depending on the airline).

Downsides:

Depending on your ground transportation, it may add a logistical problem.
Being without your bike for a potential of almost two weeks on either side of your trip.
Can be more expensive (depending on the airline).  Insurance can add up quick.

I'm flying American to Denver in August, and I still haven't made up my mind. 

Keep in mind, UPS determines oversize differently than airlines.   

"Length plus girth [(2 x width) + (2 x height)] combined exceeds 118 inches."

There are bike boxes out there that do exceed that, and if your cardboard box bulges out at the sides, they do have scanners basically auditing and charges can be added.  Take a tape measure with you when you start rummaging through boxes behind your local bike shop.
« Last Edit: 06/24/19 at 4:52pm by teamdicky »  
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James Banta
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Re: Bike Travel Box
Reply #12 - 07/01/19 at 2:43pm
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Thanks for all the input fellas!  After reading this I decided to leave my Smuggler at home and rent bikes in Denver.  I'm flying out there with American and back with Frontier...I dont think its worth the headache.  I will only have 1 week out there and 3 solid riding days while my wife is in training...so rental bikes wont break the bank.  American is supposed to charge standard baggage fees for bikes but somehow I doubt that'll work out smoothly.

After looking into Denver rentals, here is what I found.  Pretty much any shop has demos. 
Yeti - $40 for a 2.5 hour ride out of their facility
Guerrilla Gravity...They are going to let me try both the Smash and Trail Pistol.  No mention of cost...so maybe free?
Bike Source - $75 as long as you pickup and return same day within shop hours.
Golden bike shop, c3  - $100 a day (allow you to return next day)
eVo - $125 / day
  
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Re: Bike Travel Box
Reply #13 - 07/03/19 at 7:10pm
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ATTN: the updated cost to bring a bike on American flights is legit as long as you are within the parameters (126 linear inches and 50lbs). Getting under 50lbs is the challenge especially if using a designed bike travel case. I just flew to SLC for the weekend and it cost $30 each way to bring my bike. I had it packed in a cardboard bike box with some reinforcements and taped shut. It came in at 49lbs with a spare tire and a few tools. 

Btw the box is still in good condition if anyone wants it. Sized for XL mtb.
  
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