Hard case for bike transport

[Klaus]

@ Edman - Thanks, I will look into getting one. Sounds a better plan than shipping or boxes.

 

@ I Felt - I know with Airfrance if you going to Europe you can prepay for the excess luggage online - about R400 - last time I looked and is well worth it if you taking a bike with. Check with your airline if they can do a similar deal. Prepaying for the excess is generally cheaper than on the day rates and stops them being silly when you least need it

Edited April 5, 2011 by Klaus

[Minion]

@ Edman - Thanks, I will look into getting one. Sounds a better plan than shipping or boxes.

I'm thinking of selling mine if you're interested in a second hand one. The BikND Helium I looked at really spoke to me.

 

I'm lending it to someone for Ironman at the moment, but when he returns it next week, I'll probably put it up for sale.

[kosmonooit]

My experience is that its hit & miss whether they going to charge more: once I flew Virgin, going over to the UK was now problem, coming the check-in lady was a real baitch: she insisted on charging me the full excess baggage weight, and trying to rationalised with her, I told her that coming over I didn't pay extra she then wanted to add that in as well. Needless to say I don't/wont ever fly Virgin again.

[Chee Kong]

I am using the Trico Ironcase (actually not iron), just hardcase.

http://www.amazon.com/Trico-Iron-Bike-Travel-Case/dp/B001185C7Q

 

If you always travel and you have a decent bike, it worth invest in a proper hardcase, I travel at least once in 2-3 months, and this case just serve me well.

I have a large frame road bike, all i need to do is just remove the wheels and take off the handlebar (to turn around), dun have to mess with cables and etc.

 

Anyway i find travel from South Africa to other countries is really tough with hardcase, the case (12kg) + complete bike at least 20kg. (easily overweight with clothes and accessories.) The airline charges me around R300/kg to Asia, and R150 to middle east..but i have some airline loyalty card so normally can get away.

To europe and US, i find lufthansa give free allowance to bicycle (must be below 23kg).

 

If you are prepared to pay for overweight and not frequently travel, may be just get a softcase and put a lot cardbaord as padding.