Bike Shipping containers

baprince

Does anyone have advice/experience with particular bike boxes that have either worked well or have not worked well?  Are there boxes that can get on airlines without additional charges?

GMAN 19030

Are you talking about boxes (like the cardboard box your bike came in) or a bike case?

I have used a TriAll3 coffin case.  It's big but protects your bike well and requires minimal disassembly.  http://www.trisports.com/triall3sporv.html

This year I decided to try the new Biknd helium case: http://www.biknd.com/case/index.html



There's pretty much no bike case that's going to fit the parameters airlines use to check your bike for free. A lot of the airlines say your bike could fly free if it can fit certain dimensions which you're never going to be able to comply with. Basically, have the mentality you're going to be charged a bike fee and pick your airline accordingly.



http://www.airlinebagfees.com/bicycles/charts/

coop6

Supposedly the Ruster sports hen house case is small enough to fly as just luggage, no bike fee. It requires some extra disassembly of the bike though. I don't have one myself, but it's something to look into if avoiding fees is your goal. In my experience with airlines, once the item in the bag has been identified as a bike, they will want to charge you a bike fee regardless of the size and weight of the bag.

I fly with an aerus biospeed. I'm happy with it.

Norton

I've used the TriAll3 case for years. I usually ship the bike via FedEx ground; cheap enough and fast enough.

I did an event in France last year and had to bring the bike along on the plane. I upgraded to snazzy seats; this allowed my oversized and overweight bike case to fly for (sort-of) free!

Paul Hough

I own the Pik a Packworks. See review at http://www.competitivecyclist.com/review-bike-cases-travel/Pika-Packworks-EEP-Stretch-Travel-Bag.3767.html

I flew to Holland at no charge over and about $150 back (Delta). Flew to Germany at no charge over and $200 back (United). Used it on Southwest to Idaho at $50 each way. Rapstarr on Slow Twitch is getting folks to input the current charging practices of various airlines. Seems I don't get charged when I'm the only one traveling with a bike...but when I come back from an event and EVERYone has a bike case then I get jacked.

Brad Loescher

I had a TriAll3 case, which was great in terms of not having to disassemble the bike, but it is big. Things may have changed with the airlines, but it was almost didn’t fly with me in 2005 to the Florida 70.3. The Southwest ticket agent refused to accept it as baggage, claiming it was too big. While the airline accepted bike cases, she insisted this was not in that category. Not sure if she thought it was a homemade contraption, or what. After getting supervisors involved, they eventually took the bike as baggage, but that was a stressful start to the trip.
The TriAll3 case got busted up pretty bad in 2006 shipping my bike to Coeur d’Alene. UPS agreed to replace the case, and at that time I decided to switch to a Serfas case https://www.serfas.com/products/view/75/referer:products|index|bike-accessories|page:6
There is more work involved in packing the bike, but after several trips, none of my bikes have been damaged in shipping. And, the case is super maneuverable through the airports. It has a handle the pops out the top and looks like a wheelie bag on steroids.
Hope this helps
Brad

Coach Rich

Performance clamsell case (think Trico Ironcase)

I keep the weight under 50lb and fly Frontier whenever possible. If not possible, I ship from a commercial location with a good FedEx rate (Wheelbuilder in my case, or an LBS for you? A friend with a business that does a lot of shipping?) . I also do a return label through WB, shipping it from/to their shop and have FedEx pick it up at the hotel or drop it off at a FedEx store if I can't hook that up.

In my experience, bike shipping is more a function of size of the box vs weight. So when when flying (they'll get you big if over weight X) I pack just the bike and pretty much nothing else. I weigh it to verify under 50lb (comes in at 47-48lb). If shipping I might add a big more stuff to the box but not much.

Lastly, I fly with my shoes, pedals, helmet and cycling kit in my carryon. I figure I can always get a bike in my destination if something happens but that stuff is much harder and more personalized to replace on short notice.

[Deleted User]

I have both the Performance case and a Trico Ironcase and used fed-ex to ship two bikes to IMSG. both bikes with lots of insurance was still under $200 each way. The airline wanted $250 for each bike, each way. Both cases are hard plastic and lockable. The Trico case is easier to pick up and wheel around.