Any good tips for taking my bmx bike on a plane without being charged the fee? I remember there was a thread on this awhile back but I couldn't find it.
Taking your bike on a plane
- Thread starter joelalamo45
- Start date
it's hit or miss if you get charged but these days it's more likely that you will get hit with the fee.
these days, it's practically impossible to take your bike without getting charged hella extra money. times are too cheap for them to overlook that kind of stuff anymore...
I read on mtbr that you could use a 42" duffle bag and completely disassemble your bike and it will fit. Then it would just look like luggage.
here is a video of George Ryan packing his DH bike.
if you take your bike down to bare frame you should be fine! The weight limit is pretty strict (different for each airline but check the weights before you pack it)
good luck!
http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/member/GRs-How-to-Pack-Your-Bike-for-the-Plane,352/GeorgeRyan83,311
if you take your bike down to bare frame you should be fine! The weight limit is pretty strict (different for each airline but check the weights before you pack it)
good luck!http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/member/GRs-How-to-Pack-Your-Bike-for-the-Plane,352/GeorgeRyan83,311
which is still going to be the least expensive option (vs golf bag or bike bag)
http://cgi.ebay.com/40-Rolling-Duffel-Bag-Wheeled-Travel-Luggage-New_W0QQitemZ250475565430QQihZ015QQcategoryZ16085QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo=LVI&itu=UCI&otn=4&ps=63&clkid=7913597827940236847
My bmx would fit nicely in there completely disassembled.
My bmx would fit nicely in there completely disassembled.
two of my friends flew from nyc to visit me in oakland.
they disassembled their bmx bikes and put them in big duffle bags.
no charges either way. just make sure it's not overweight.
they disassembled their bmx bikes and put them in big duffle bags.
no charges either way. just make sure it's not overweight.
found this on plussizebmx.com
Dirtbike in Ogio Monster golf bag on Vimeo
my friend fits his bmx in a large duffle bag. stem/bars, pedals, wheels/pegs come off. pack shirts around loose metal parts. let air out of tires.
Dirtbike in Ogio Monster golf bag on Vimeo
my friend fits his bmx in a large duffle bag. stem/bars, pedals, wheels/pegs come off. pack shirts around loose metal parts. let air out of tires.
I took my bike on southwest airlines a few months ago. What I did was take a huge cardboard box, with relatively good dimensions in relation to my disassemble bike, and cut and reassembled the sides of the box to be within the airlines max total dimensions criteria (which was something like the sum of the length width and height couldn't be more than 108"). I duct taped all the edges of the box to make sure they were sturdy enough that the box would not get completely destroyed. I then took the bike completely apart and fit the frame diagonally across the longest part of the reassembled box and then put all the parts and wheels around the frame. I then just put all of my clothes I needed for the trip around the frame and all of the parts. I was able to keep the total size of the box under their 'maximum size' and was able to keep the total weight under 50lbs so I was not charged with any extra fees and no questions were asked. My flight was from Albuquerque, NM to Los Angeles, CA and neither airport added any fee.
that was cool. bag looks a lil sketch though being so stretched out haha.here is a video of George Ryan packing his DH bike.
if you take your bike down to bare frame you should be fine! The weight limit is pretty strict (different for each airline but check the weights before you pack it)
http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/member/GRs-How-to-Pack-Your-Bike-for-the-Plane,352/GeorgeRyan83,311
After waiting for an hour and half for Southwest Airlines at the Denver Airport to find my bike, this is what was left of my box, when they located it. I had it double boxed as well.
Their policy would NOT cover damage either because in the fine print it specifically said they are not liable for bikes in cardboard bike boxes.
I used to use an Easton hockey bag for my 20". Not sure if 24" or 26" would fit. But after seeing how they throw bags around it's not worth it. Showing up to the start of a trip with a tweaked wheel is not cool . . . . So, I recommend hardcase.
Their policy would NOT cover damage either because in the fine print it specifically said they are not liable for bikes in cardboard bike boxes.
I used to use an Easton hockey bag for my 20". Not sure if 24" or 26" would fit. But after seeing how they throw bags around it's not worth it. Showing up to the start of a trip with a tweaked wheel is not cool . . . . So, I recommend hardcase.
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I used a big rolling hockey bag for my 20 last month. I got if for $15 at a used sporting goods store.
I was careful to keep it under 50pounds, and they let it go fine, although I'm positive the size measurements of the bag were bigger than they're supposed to allow. The'yre a lot stricter on the weight.
I'd say the more the bag says "Hockey" or "Golf" all over it the better.
I was careful to keep it under 50pounds, and they let it go fine, although I'm positive the size measurements of the bag were bigger than they're supposed to allow. The'yre a lot stricter on the weight.
I'd say the more the bag says "Hockey" or "Golf" all over it the better.
You should be able to get your bike in a duffel bag pretty easy. Take the wheels and handle bar off.
Once again GR saves the day!here is a video of George Ryan packing his DH bike.
if you take your bike down to bare frame you should be fine! The weight limit is pretty strict (different for each airline but check the weights before you pack it)
http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/member/GRs-How-to-Pack-Your-Bike-for-the-Plane,352/GeorgeRyan83,311
Keep in mind that bags over 62 inches (length+width+girth) *may* get charged the oversize fee.
If you want to go the bag route, your best best is the Ogio Monster golf bag or the DK golf bag.
- b
Just ship it to where you're going.
It's worth the extra couple bucks not to have to deal with the **** at the airport, and you can insure it for a small fee and pray that it gets lost..
It's worth the extra couple bucks not to have to deal with the **** at the airport, and you can insure it for a small fee and pray that it gets lost..
Decline had a blurb this month about this new site: http://www.shipyourbicycles.com/
They made it sound like it was cheaper than shipping straight through UPS.
i can fit my fully disassembled bike (usb molly) in a normal sized suit case and a duffle bag. careful packing & a clean bike is key here to keeping clothes and other stuff mud and grease free. technically speaking the airline cannot charge you extra for traveling with a bike IF the bike is packed in a container that conforms to the linear size and weight requirements that the airlines have for normal baggage. Anyone, including airline staff, that tells you otherwise is simply wrong. fwiw, i fly with my bike about a dozen times a year and never pay for it...
another option is fedex ground. relatively cheap but it has its serious drawbacks: 1) coast to coast takes about a week and 2) fedex is worse than the airlines in terms of abusing things. (last year they managed to pinch a drop out closed in spite of the fact that the bike was in a trico iron case AND had a spacer in the dropouts. WTF? On the same trip they somehow lost the bike for three days. On the next shipment they punched a hole through the iron case...)
another option is fedex ground. relatively cheap but it has its serious drawbacks: 1) coast to coast takes about a week and 2) fedex is worse than the airlines in terms of abusing things. (last year they managed to pinch a drop out closed in spite of the fact that the bike was in a trico iron case AND had a spacer in the dropouts. WTF? On the same trip they somehow lost the bike for three days. On the next shipment they punched a hole through the iron case...)
i might just have to do this. and soon.
I posted this up last year, but it worked really well. I was gone to Denver for a week, packed all my clothes over my bike, there was absolutely no issue.
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219164
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219164
you can fit a full dh bike in a duffel, you can def fit a 20 in something smaller...get creative...you'll be cool.
i am taking my AM bike on a trip this spring in a duffel...already tested it.
i am taking my AM bike on a trip this spring in a duffel...already tested it.
take the bike all the way apart and if they question you say it is bicycle parts, not a bicycle. put a few of the parts in your carry on(dunno if they will call it a weapon?) in any case you'd be telling them the truth and the fee shouldn't apply.
err where i am, it free to take sommert along with ya, but its gotta be under 30kg... i laughed when i went on a trip to germany and me and a mate took out bikes... he rides a scott gambler DH 40... im with my NS like LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
took my 24 to alaska and it was only $25 each way, had it all compacted in a frame box!
Have any of you used a hard case before?
http://www.adventurecycling.org/features/shippingbikecases.cfm
http://www.adventurecycling.org/features/shippingbikecases.cfm
I have a hardcase, and depending on the airline, you'll be lucky to get through paying under $100 round trip. Plus, hardboxes are not cheap, and nearly every time I have used mine, they open it up and do NOT close it correctly. Which results in tools lost/parts lost/damaged gear. I have been using the hockey bag method for about 2 years now to take my bike with me two and from Montreal, works great. I pack the **** out of it with towels/tshirts though.Have any of you used a hard case before?
http://www.adventurecycling.org/features/shippingbikecases.cfm
I remove:
Pedals
Rotors
Bar
Fork
Wheels (deflate tires)
and depending on the bike, the derailleur hanger
Mitch Chubey can show you the way.
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/fly-cheap-with-your-bike-mitch-chubey-2010.html
I take one of my knee pads, and put it around the brake lever, and the other around my fork uppers. I don't take off the tires because they are extra protection for the rims. I have one of those plastic dropout spacers that I put in my rear dropouts.