Flying with my bike...

Call the airline to confirm the price. NZ is VERY particular about dirt, so you'll need to put on new tires and really clean your bike before flying. Don't even think about trying to get in with a dirty bike.

It depends on the airline. I have flown with a bike on most of the major US airlines. They will do everything they can to extract more cash from you. Some airlines have a specific bike charge. So do whatever you can to hide the fact that it is a bike. If you have a full suspension bike see if you can completely disassemble it and possibly fit it into a normal looking suitcase. Many gate agents will not key upon the fact that you have oversize luggage if it looks like normal luggage. If it looks like a bike, they will charge you.

The other thing to do is carefully read the airlines luggage rules. I was once able to fly my bike for free as the airline had poorly worded rules. I basically got by on a technicality. I had printed the rules out, highlighted the section that I thought allowed me to fly the bike for free. If you read all the rules I was wrong, but that didn't stop me from arguing and winning my point. You can have the advantage if you are smarter and more determined than the agents, who are not know for being smart or determined.

You may also want to consider shipping it instead of flying with it, it can be cheaper if you are looking at a $200 each way charge.

Chris and the crew at Big Mountain are a top-notch outfit. I've ridden with them a few times. Great guides who really work at being local experts.

As far as your bike, if you're mechanically inclined enough, I've heard of guys doing a nearly complete disassemble and fitting everything into a hockey bag, but I've never done such a thing myself and it sounds like a massive pain in the ass where a lot could go wrong.

Have you looked into renting or shipping?

I would just rent a bike. Probably cheaper, no risk of damage during flight that would ruin your trip. Less hassle, etc.

There is a manufacturer that makes a travel box that is only slightly larger dimensionally that a wheel. If you can pull your rear triangle and fork off, you should be able to fit your bike into it.

Other option is to rent or buy there and send it back via postal.

I haven't flown with a bike in some years, but it USED to be that bicycles were a flat rate for each leg of the flight. I remember $75 each way on United, but again this was like 10 years ago. Search your airline's website for freight charge FAQs or "bicycle" and you may find their policy.

A buddy comes out to ride with me once a year and he uses that EVOC bike bag. Absolute winner in my opinion. Everything is in it's place, it's easily moved, and though expensive you could rent it to friends when they travel and sooner or later it would pay for itself.

stoney said:

Call the airline to confirm the price. NZ is VERY particular about dirt, so you'll need to put on new tires and really clean your bike before flying. Don't even think about trying to get in with a dirty bike.

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This x1000, my wife and I caught hell for hiking boots that weren't brand new and spit-shined. In all honesty, I've been to NZ, and flown (not there) with my bike. If I went back, I would seriously consider renting unless I was going for a long time.

The airlines really are hit and miss on fees. We recently paid like $150 on the way to Canada through Alaska Air on the way there and then I think it was $40 CAD on the way back.

I concur with Nick. Evoc is the way to go. I borrowed a Thule Iron case and it worked, but was miserable. My buddy had an Evoc and it was awesome.

Couple days of riding and it would still be cheaper/easier to rent. It also seems relatively easy to find legit bikes and shops over there.

From my experience, there's not much to argue about. If you bring your bike, you are pretty much at their mercy of what they are going to charge you. Your best bet is, if possible, to book tickets through known bike-friendly airlines. There really are no hard and fast rules. It's big, it's usually heavy, and it's obviously a bike. If you can, make sure you keep it under 50lbs. That way, you are able to avoid heavy penalty and just pay the oversized. Alaska charged for one or both depending on the bag. I have a few friends that have flown quite a bit and they have had the same experience. Once you show up at the airport with your bike, it's not exactly like you can just not board the plane without getting screwed...

Rock and a hard place and you have no leverage.

I used BikeFlights.com to ship mine from Florida to California over the summer. They use FedEx but at half the price. In a full size bike box, fully insured ($5000), was under $100 one way. They even held it a couple days at the FedEx location until I picked it up. It just had to be an office that could receive shipment. Worked out great since we drove home. I think they have a fee schedule for the box your trying to use.

yeah, i've never done it, but if i did i'd ship vs bringing bike on plane. that bikeflights thing looks legit. wonder if the tour company would be willing to receive it for you? have an effing blast!

oh, you have debating skills? they'll probably let you fly for free.

I have used BikeFlights and recommend them. The insurance is a big plus - airlines won't give you squat if they lose or damage your bike. I'm not sure if they ship internationally.

I have discussed this with Bunnsta, but I'll put it out for the group: I built two cases for carrying a bike from plywood reinforced with epoxy and fiberglass. One fits wheels, one fits frame with forks and swing arm removed. I pack tools, pack, clothing, whatever, in between the bike bits. If gate agent asks what's in it, my reply is clothing and personal effects. If TSA asks, it's a bike and all my gear. Both boxes satisfy dimensional requirements, small stuff can be moved between boxes to satisfy weight restrictions, and they have wheels on two corners to make dragging them around easier. If they get beat up, they're easy to repair.



Of course, the wheel box was built for 26" wheels, and I have not even started to consider what I would do to ship the Moonlander.

johnbryanpeters said:

I have used BikeFlights and recommend them. The insurance is a big plus - airlines won't give you squat if they lose or damage your bike. I'm not sure if they ship internationally.

I have discussed this with Bunnsta, but I'll put it out for the group: I built two cases for carrying a bike from plywood reinforced with epoxy and fiberglass. One fits wheels, one fits frame with forks and swing arm removed. I pack tools, pack, clothing, whatever, in between the bike bits. If gate agent asks what's in it, my reply is clothing and personal effects. If TSA asks, it's a bike and all my gear. Both boxes satisfy dimensional requirements, small stuff can be moved between boxes to satisfy weight restrictions, and they have wheels on two corners to make dragging them around easier. If they get beat up, they're easy to repair.



Of course, the wheel box was built for 26" wheels, and I have not even started to consider what I would do to ship the Moonlander.

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Pretty cool. Looks like you could easily convert it to use clip locks, which rule.

http://packiq.com/clip-lok-simpak

jstuhlman said:

yeah, i've never done it, but if i did i'd ship vs bringing bike on plane. that bikeflights thing looks legit. wonder if the tour company would be willing to receive it for you? have an effing blast!

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Shipping a bike has become very expensive. 2015 introduced dimensional-rate up charges on all packages. Ex. - previously 45.00 each way to SWFL is now 112.00 with a much smaller box.

Westy said:

Pretty cool. Looks like you could easily convert it to use clip locks, which rule.

http://packiq.com/clip-lok-simpak

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That would be interesting if I could get the clips by themselves - the ratchet straps tend to be somewhat of a PITA. The photo's prior to the first trip. Corners and edges are now fiberglass and epoxy taped.

There are a few things I will approach differently if I construct more cases.

johnbryanpeters said:

That would be interesting if I could get the clips by themselves - the ratchet straps tend to be somewhat of a PITA. The photo's prior to the first trip. Corners and edges are now fiberglass and epoxy taped.

There are a few things I will approach differently if I construct more cases.

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Embedded barrel nuts could also make for sturdy yet easily deconstructed crate.

kazlx said:

From my experience, there's not much to argue about. If you bring your bike, you are pretty much at their mercy of what they are going to charge you.

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This. I fly with a bike frequently, and despite the illusion of packing magic and negotiation strategy, it will ultimately boil down to this one sentence above.

Personally, I find it's pretty consistently $200 each way, Domestic or international, regardless of my flyer status or knowledge of the rules. Sometimes it's free, but that's always because the agent is young and green. On my trip to NZ last March, it was $200 there via United (AirNZ), and $200 back via AirNZ.

If I had to make any recommendations, it's to start by staying under 50lbs. My status allows for 70lb pieces, but international airlines don't care about your status, and getting nailed with a bike fee, extra bag fee, and overweight fee on the same luggage piece is where your horror stories come from. 50lbs is generally universal, and if you're under that, you're not bummed. Second, pack your bike as a bike - don't get into taking it apart. It's a bike, and those are wheels; they aren't retarded. Pack all take-off items in 1 clear bag (pedals, rotors, hardware.). TSA will forget 1 pedal, but they won't forget 1 bag of parts. Same with your gear. Lastly, as stated earlier, tires and shoes need to be clean.

Have fun, take your own bike, don't stress on fares. It'll cost you, and it'll be worth it.

Also, this:

I'd go bikeflights.
I sold my v10 to a kid in germany and the shipping costs were cheaper than what i paid to send another bike ground to quebec, and it got there faster.

If you're considering taking your bike apart, I've been contemplating getting a couple of the large hardcase suitcases. One suitcase for wheels, parts and some clothes; one suitcase for frame, more clothes and gear. (helmet comes with me as carry-on). You'd have to separate the rear triangle from the front, which depending on bike can be a cinch or a pain. But given that they'd be stuffed into "normal" suitcases, it would not raise questions for the check-in agents.

Bunnista said:

I'm definitely not taking my bike apart. I have a big bag, and I'm going with it. I expect I will be able to get the bag under 50 lbs. as the bike weighs 27 and the bag weighs 22 (can put the pedals in my suitcase if needed). I will look into BikeFlights, but since this is a long trip, I'm not sure if it'll be cheaper (especially since I can't tell what they will charge me). Plus, I'm stopping at two locations to ride (NZ and Australia), so I'm not sure shipping would be practical in this case. Something to look into for sure, though.

I was assured by an experienced bike traveler that I could 'argue' my way out of most charges. I deal with attorneys and insurance adjusters on a daily basis, so I can craft a good argument and confuse folks if it's clear they're not keeping up. BUT---I feel I'm pretty much at their mercy once I'm at the airport ready to go. It's just frustrating that it's not clear by calling/reviewing websites how much I'll be charged.

In the end, I'm going regardless, it's only money, and I'm not going to let that get in the way of a trip of a lifetime with some killer riding.

Thanks again.

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So you are flying air New Zealand? Their oversize bag rules seem pretty iron clad. However they seem to have a loophole in that you can prepay oversize sporting equipment as an extra bag.

http://www.airnewzealand.com/oversized-items

It would seem that a long haul flight would be $70, which is reasonable. If you are flying out of certain airports after feb 29 that would only be $1.

http://www.airnewzealand.com/prepaid-extra-bags

I would print and highlight the above pages. Prepay online then argue with the above rules if challenged.

I think prepaying might be the key. When I checked-in in Phoenix, I should have paid oversize baggage fee. But I had prepaid, and charging me would have entailed refunding me and then charging me again, or calculating the difference and charging me that. I think it was too much work to bother... Prepay didn't have the oversize luggage fee option. So it's was simply the second luggage fee.

F it. It's just money. Live a rad life.