Travel Bag/Case vs TBT ship & pack

Michael Quinton

ENer's- I'm on the fence on the methodnin which I should get my bike to IMMT (from AZ). I have a Trek SC (size XL) and I've always used Tribike Trans for shipping to races requiring flight. In this instance, the "full-assembly" truck pickup is not offered, rather they're offereimg "pack and ship" for $450.
Due to the cost (which seems somewhat wasteful), I'm considering purchasing a travel bag or case. Scicon 3.0 looks like a simple option but I have some reservations about flying with an intact cockpit inna soft shell case. I love the convenience though, so if this is a pretty reliable bag I'm all for it. However, the 3.0 is a bit long and would definitely incur added baggage fees ($150 on delta)...perhaps some of you have gotten around fees with a different/smaller bag?

I'm also looking for reccommemdatiins you guys might have on hard shell cases that don't require completely disassembling my bike...and aren't uber bulky/heavy. I'm fine removing bars, pedals, and RD but rather not have to go deeper.
thanks team!

Shaughn Simmons

TBT is an option I used for a few years and very convenient.  I stopped using them because I did not want to put a 2015 FELT IA in their trailer and find scratches later......

I now use the Ruster Hen house bags.  My frame is a 58 cm frame and it barely fits in these bags.  The bags do not incur any baggage fees and have paid for themselves.  It does require work on my part for the disassembly, re-assembly at race site, etc......

I always tell the airline counter I am carrying bike parts/tools and that seems to be fine with them.

SS 

Francis Picard

I always go to my LBS and rent their soft bag and try to have the weight to be equal to the first checked in bagage limit so I just need to pay 30$.

Rest of my equipment is in my carry on.

Thats what I did when I flew to IMAZ and was really happy it worked

The downside of TBT is that you have to provide them your bike like 10 days in advance ? and if you are like me and only own one bike.. no bike training for 10 days is a no-no

Michael Quinton

Thanks for the recs, gents. I've used TBT in the past and do live the convenience. I like the idea of renting a bag from a LBS...I'll explore locally. 
Lookkng to rent some race wheels onsite as well..doesn't look like raceday wheels will be at this race...any good local options you guys know of? Otherwise, will prob hit up my LBS for those as well..

Al Truscott

Sad to say, but there are few ways to avoid airline fees on bikes. The bags which I've seen in action are the Pika (1, heavy) or Roster Armored Hen House (2, one with rollers, the other an over-the-shoulder for wheels). Both require removing the fork which is easy ONCE YOU LEARN THE PROCESS. For the past 17 years, I've avoided fees with my TT bike which has S&S couplers, but that's only an option if you're willing to go with round titanium or steel tubes on your bike frame.

I checked Bikeflights.com, which I've used in the past @ less than $100 one way within the US, for a round-trip between Phoenix and Montreal via FedEx ground (5 days). That was ...$450. Crossing the border is apparently the issue, not the shipping fee.

Michael Quinton

Thanks, Al- i looked into Bikeflights and was a bit surprised by the cost as well. I've spoken to my LBS and they have a Thule hard case they'll rent me for $60, so I'll likely go that route. I've decided against the scion aerocomfort 3.0 after reading about some horror stories regarding damage incurred in-transit...simplicity comes with risk, I suppose. I do have my eye on the BiKnd Jetpack (that's on trisports.com for $360 (after 20% sale). http://www.trisports.com/biknd-jetpack-bike-travel-case.html  looks like a solid case that I could get some future use out of since it will carry TT, road or MTB...pretty sweet!

Jeremy Behler

I've used the Hen House with great success.   Also heard very good things about the Airport Ninja.  In fact I'm highly likely to pick one up myself as wheels and bike fit in the same bag which is within airline dimensions

Michael Quinton

Jeremy- just checked out the Airport Ninja...very impressive! Thanks for the rec! It's standard size won't fit my size (XL) bike but it looks like they'll build to spec as needed at no additional fee- awesome! However, there is a possibility it could get bigger than what the airlines allow as standard checked baggage, thus incurring those nasty fees. I've emailed the company to see if my bike has the potential of being an airport ninja or if I'm just a beverly hills ninja (think Chris Farley).

Scott Alexander

I used TBT for many years, especially since I was sponsored by them! I haven't used them since, simply because I haven't done any events that I needed bike transportation. While I was sponsored by them, I heard that their claim process was quite cumbersome and infrequently satisfying in case something did happen. I know their prices have gone up the last few years as well. Keep in mind that you'll have to surrender your bike at least two weeks in advance in most cases (depending on to/from locations). So, get your hands on a different bike to complete your last few workouts if you can.

I've used shipbikes.com and bikeflights.com both. If you've got your own hardside box, it's somewhat affordable. And within the US they can pretty much guarantee shipping timeframes.

Taking your bike/box on a flight is always hit-and-miss in my experience. Some airlines charge next to nothing while some charge $200+ for a single direction. Even then it's no guarantee it'll be on the same flight as you! It's no guarantee that the airline will deliver it to you, so you have to go back to the airport and get it yourself! That happened to me in Mallorca a few years ago and I had to spend an additional 90 euros to get to/from the airport to retrieve it myself.

Keep in mind that almost all airline carriage agreements (those lovely terms and conditions on the back of your tickets or buried in the fine print online) won't reimburse/replace if a soft-sided case is used for sporting equipment. Not like their process is easy to begin with, but that's something to consider.

Tim Sullivan

I have a bag for my wheels and then I disassemble my bike, zip tie swim noodles around everything and place in a black bag.  Bag is small enough to go on conveyor at airport. Haven't been charged. Takes me about 30 minutes to put back together.  I guess frame could get crushed but I feel decent with the foam noodles around each section of carbon