Travel Case for my DH bike?????
- Thread starter kellyn7
- Start date
I rented a hardshell bike case from my LBS for like $30 for a week. I fit my Brooklyn w/ 8" fork in there as well as an extra set of tires, tools, ETC. I cant remember the name of the case, it was grey with big black straps that were on the outside of the case.
Also, no matter how nice and neat you pack your bike, you can be 100% sure that a TSA ninja will open it up, move shiit around and then wonder why it wont close. If you are particular on how you want stuff packed, i suggest wrapping each component separately and then placing it into the case, not placing everything in the case and then stuff cardboard or whatever inbetween touching areas cause when you stuff gets tossed in security, they will not carefully pack it back. So wrap up each piece individually with zip ties or tape.
joel
Also, no matter how nice and neat you pack your bike, you can be 100% sure that a TSA ninja will open it up, move shiit around and then wonder why it wont close. If you are particular on how you want stuff packed, i suggest wrapping each component separately and then placing it into the case, not placing everything in the case and then stuff cardboard or whatever inbetween touching areas cause when you stuff gets tossed in security, they will not carefully pack it back. So wrap up each piece individually with zip ties or tape.
joel
I have a Bike Pro double DH bag. It is a nice bag and you can fit 2 DH bikes in it. However, it exceeds the 100 pound weight limit that the airlines have been enforcing for the past couple of years. Even with just 1 DH bike in it, I can only put an extra pair of wheels in without exceeding 100 pounds. The bag weighs 45 pounds with nothing in it.
My team mate has the DaKline bag. It is really nice and weights about 30 pounds. That way, you can stuff a bunch of more gear in it. They are relatively small and fit nicely into a rental SUV or minivan.
My team mate has the DaKline bag. It is really nice and weights about 30 pounds. That way, you can stuff a bunch of more gear in it. They are relatively small and fit nicely into a rental SUV or minivan.
My next monetary goal is a DaKline bag... It sure seems like a good investment with a $2000-plus dollar DH rig! Every time I fly with a bike, the airlines break or lose something.
Do the airlines accept wheel bags (tied together) as normal luggage?
I can get everything into a suitcase besides the wheels, and a wheel bag without a big logo on the side (spray paint!) would allow for free bike travel.
Do the airlines accept wheel bags (tied together) as normal luggage?
I can get everything into a suitcase besides the wheels, and a wheel bag without a big logo on the side (spray paint!) would allow for free bike travel.
I have a Trico IronCase. I've only used it for XC bikes which fit in there fine. I'm absolutely sure that my DH bike would not fit in there unless I take the fork off.
They typically have a size restriction of 60". That is length+width+thickness. The wheels will not meet that. The frame needs to have the rear triangle and fork removed to come close. Then, each bag needs to be under 50 pounds. A buddy of mine that is always on the road for his sales job has a XC bike that he stuffs into a couple of regular suitcases. It seems like a real pain to spend a couple of hours on the teardown and build up.bikenweed said:
If you can fly United, get the vouchers from Norba. Then, bikes fly free.
I have a box from crate works - its chaep and it works but its always to heavy with the wheels.
If you can find the pieces, do what I do.
I double cardboard box my bike for travel. A big one on the outside takes the brunt of the damage (dings and ninja-star strikes from baggage handlers), the inside box stays mint and provides dent protection. I also bought a section of pipe insulation and cut it into pieces that I put on the fork legs and parts of the frame that come into contact with the inner box. I zip-tie those pieces on so that if the TSA removes the bike from the box, they stay put and the bike will still be protected when they toss everything back in.
The outer box looks like ****, the inner box is still mint and my bike doesn't have a scratch on it. Theres also plenty of room for my armor and tools/pump inside the inner box.
Do that and you've saved yourself like $200+ for a Dakine or Trico case.
I double cardboard box my bike for travel. A big one on the outside takes the brunt of the damage (dings and ninja-star strikes from baggage handlers), the inside box stays mint and provides dent protection. I also bought a section of pipe insulation and cut it into pieces that I put on the fork legs and parts of the frame that come into contact with the inner box. I zip-tie those pieces on so that if the TSA removes the bike from the box, they stay put and the bike will still be protected when they toss everything back in.
The outer box looks like ****, the inner box is still mint and my bike doesn't have a scratch on it. Theres also plenty of room for my armor and tools/pump inside the inner box.
Do that and you've saved yourself like $200+ for a Dakine or Trico case.
canondale cardboard box, cost is free.
3 or 4 rolls of clear packing tape and a dispenser 20.00 or so from walmart.
works good, I have a folding 2 wheeler I used as carry on to get from the luggage pickup to the rental car. ...use the search feature you will find some good instructions.
3 or 4 rolls of clear packing tape and a dispenser 20.00 or so from walmart.
works good, I have a folding 2 wheeler I used as carry on to get from the luggage pickup to the rental car. ...use the search feature you will find some good instructions.
search for a thread i started on this topic (a few months ago). there is a company that makes cool cardboard boxes. they are not just bike boxes. they are a stronger grade of carboard with some design features that are very nice.
I got mine via www.dakine.comkellyn7 said:
I have an old Bikepro style bag. Works ok, but it's top heavy so it rolls so so in the terminal. On trick i have done with my road and XC bike before is put the peds, and seat in my other bag, put like my helmet and shoes...etc in the other bag, and got it on as "sporting goods", when i was asked once if it was a bike, i said no it's bike parts, you can't assemble it into a rideable bike...so they let it go without the bike fee. Probably only works on some people...but hey worth a shot.
If you had a zipper bag like the one by dakine, you could lock the zippers. Would they still open it? Does the altitide affect the fluid in the brakes?
The TSB would cut the lock.mtnbrider said:
No, brakes and tires are not affected.
DAMN ninjas.....I would hate to have someone of my bike stuff, and not put it back right (or misplace things).
i've seen people that just buy a couple of big ass old suitcases from the thirft store and then toss everything in.
mtnbrider said:
And that happens....something is always out of place when i fly these days.
Maybe it would be a good idea to put put smalll parts and tools in a small bag that wouldn't get checked.
Maybe just putting frame, fork, armor, and helmet in the bike container would be a good idea.
Maybe just putting frame, fork, armor, and helmet in the bike container would be a good idea.
The Dakline bag has plastic panels similar to the Bikepro.
As far as not checking parts and taking them through the carry on: I has a coil over shock and a pair of clipless pedals in my carry on for 2 airplane trips this year. Both trips and both directions, they searched the bag. One time, the TSB guy dropped a F-bomb as the suitcase went through the x-ray. I advise against carring shocks and other things that look like that in an X-ray unless you like getting the run around and searched.
As far as not checking parts and taking them through the carry on: I has a coil over shock and a pair of clipless pedals in my carry on for 2 airplane trips this year. Both trips and both directions, they searched the bag. One time, the TSB guy dropped a F-bomb as the suitcase went through the x-ray. I advise against carring shocks and other things that look like that in an X-ray unless you like getting the run around and searched.
The Dakine bag looks pretty good but if I did get this one I think I'd use the idea that someone had in regards to using the foam you put around pipes just for added security. Its kinda funny what we put our bikes through out on the trail and then we get all worried about some baggage handler in BFE screwing our bike up. Oh yeah, anyone thats used the Dakine bag, I'd appreciate it if you could give me some reviews on it. Thanks again
I always use pipe insulating foam when I pack my bike(s). that and a few old sheets - works great!kellyn7 said:
Frank - you have nothing to worry about. If you ever want to check out the Dakine bag, you can always come to my house - I might even offer you a beer
I have a planet x bike bag that works pretty well. It's kinda ghetto and I would change a few things about it but it gets the job done.
Nothing beats a trico iron case. It's like tupperwear with wheels, for your bike. I have used one to travel in europe, canada and all over the states. I have used it on the airlines and via UPS. Never had a bike hurt when travelling in it.
That's what I used prior to the Dakine bag. It was great until the zipper went tits up and was ripping open all the time. I recall picking up parts of my bike scattered all over the place at the Vancouver airport (at the large baggage claim) when the zipper tore open after they threw the bag out.konabiker said:
That doesn't sound like fun...Acadian said:That's what I used prior to the Dakine bag. It was great until the zipper went tits up and was ripping open all the time. I recall picking up parts of my bike scattered all over the place at the Vancouver airport (at the large baggage claim) when the zipper tore open after they threw the bag out.
Why they didn't put wheels on the thing is beyond me. Bah, I guess I can't complain at the price of $70 shipped to my door.
I could make you one. I took lots of pictures and got everything all set up to make a post on here, but just have been too lazy to do it. Maybe now I'll get my ass in gear. My dad is in the custom packaging industry, and have made TP, CC, and myself custom bike boxes.
Let me know if there's any interest.
Let me know if there's any interest.
my PX bag had wheels - two small ones on the back, but they never worked for sh-tkonabiker said:
LMFAO! I remember that. I think that was in Seattle, BTW. 8)Acadian said:I recall picking up parts of my bike scattered all over the place at the Vancouver airport (at the large baggage claim) when the zipper tore open after they threw the bag out.
oh yeah yeah...that's where it was. :mumble:John P. said:
Delta is at a 63" max for width + heighth + length, but I'm hoping someone here has tried to take a pair of wheels as the second piece of luggage without any problems. They really don't look that big, and if they're fastened together, it might not be too intimidating. 27"+27"= 54", 6" of width remaining...
Taking a few bolts off of a swingarm when you're flying to a race, or flying to Spain or the US to stay for 6 months is definitely worth the hassel. With only 2 travel vouchers from NORBA per year, it helps, but it's not much. Four would be muuuuch better. Is USA cycling cool about giving away extra vouchers?
Taking a few bolts off of a swingarm when you're flying to a race, or flying to Spain or the US to stay for 6 months is definitely worth the hassel. With only 2 travel vouchers from NORBA per year, it helps, but it's not much. Four would be muuuuch better. Is USA cycling cool about giving away extra vouchers?
I have a tire box that I cut down and reinforced to hold 3 DH wheels with tires mounted. It exceeds the airline size requirements for regular bags but they havn't charged me yet. Your milage may vary.bikenweed said:
Norba has given me extras but not in the past few years. I always have teamates that are not flying anywhere give them to me. Post up a request here for some. I am sure someone will mail you theirs.
I tarvel back and forth home to NZ. I have an Iron case that I put my hardtail in, but I am yet to try and put a Dh bike in it. I will say this though, The customs guys have no regard with how they repack it after they go through it and wont let you repack it with their supervision. I learnt the hard way, the first time and ended up with the cassette sitting against the frame and gouging the crap out of it and the front disk got the **** bent out of it.
heres another option, there are pics of this guy preparing the box and bike from start to finish
http://www.dropmachine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14900
http://www.dropmachine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14900