Packing bike for flying

[Active Monkey]

Im going to cpt next month via plane and want to take my mtb along. What should i know and how do i pack it? Note i do not own or plan to buy and specialised carry bag. Can i just put it in a normal box?

[The Drongo]

Im going to cpt next month via plane and want to take my mtb along. What should i know and how do i pack it? Note i do not own or plan to buy and specialised carry bag. Can i just put it in a normal box?

 

Yes. Reinforced with duct tape. Strapped. Plenty bubble wrap. BIG fragile stickers.

 

They treat it like a chew toy.

[Just Keep Pedaling]

Sorry to hijack - do all airlines allow this? Do they charge? How much?

[The Bike Vendor]

Im going to cpt next month via plane and want to take my mtb along. What should i know and how do i pack it? Note i do not own or plan to buy and specialised carry bag. Can i just put it in a normal box?

 

 

Hmm I once packed my bike into a PADDED BIKE BAG, the guys at the airports have no respect for it even with FRAGILE stickers all over... That bike had a major scratch on the downtube and the dropout was bent! now you want to put it in a box?

 

Well I would take a lot of bubble rap and...

 

- Wrap both the wheels nice and thick.

- Take off pedals.

- LOOsen the stem so the bars can be rotate to the same position as the frame.

- wrap the frame.

- Wrap your seat and RD.

- Put it into the box and fill spaces with bubblewrap or paper.

[The Bike Vendor]

Yes. Reinforced with duct tape. Strapped. Plenty bubble wrap. BIG fragile stickers.

 

They treat it like a chew toy.

 

True

[SwissVan]

Sorry to hijack - do all airlines allow this? Do they charge? How much?

 

 

Swiss are quite accomodating, you dont pay excess for your bike and box but a fixed fee (USD 150 for intercontinental and USD 100 for within Europe).

AND they will supply a bike box for free nogal....

 

http://www.swiss.com/web/en/services/baggage/pages/sporting_equipment.aspx

[Just Keep Pedaling]

I would probably remove the RD too. If anything is going to get squashed your hanger* is going to bend (as it is designed to do).

 

 

 

 

*no pun intended.

[I FLY]

Sorry to hijack - do all airlines allow this? Do they charge? How much?

 

I think airlines insist bike is boxed/bagged.We had no problems with bikes in boxes last time we flew.

 

Part of your luggage allowance up to your limit then pay excess at about R25/kg. If you know that you will have excess luggage weight then you can go online and prepay at a discount rate.

[TNT1]

I'd rent one of those hard case bike transport thingies from ASG or the lab or wherever was renting em.

[gadget]

I think airlines insist bike is boxed/bagged.We had no problems with bikes in boxes last time we flew.

 

Part of your luggage allowance up to your limit then pay excess at about R25/kg. If you know that you will have excess luggage weight then you can go online and prepay at a discount rate.

 

Mango charges R200. I put my bike into a www.bikesafe.co.za box

[Groggery]

I know you don't plan on buying a bike bag, but it's worth it - got mine a few years back and it's an absolute pleasure (2 Arguses, 2 Shovas and 2 Durban rides and not a single problem, as well as the fact that it's much easier to transport the bag than a box).

[Just Keep Pedaling]

"Swiss are quite accomodating, you dont pay excess for your bike and box but a fixed fee (USD 150 for intercontinental and USD 100 for within Europe).

AND they will supply a bike box for free nogal...."

 

Nice.

 

I was thinking of flying to Durban with my bike for Christmas holidays with the wife and inlaws - that is how I will stay sane in these trying times...

[Hearts*]

Last year going up for the 94.7 I saw guys with complete bikes roll in on to the fragile section...I couriered my bike, but it seems less of a hassle than taking it apart? But then again my road bike is not really expensive, so I plan on rolling it complete as is...has anyone tried this before? Flying 1time, last time was with kulula.

[Caerus]

I would probably definitely remove the RD too. If anything is going to get squashed your hanger* is going to bend (as it is designed to do).

 

 

 

 

*no pun intended.

 

 

Fixed

[Active Monkey]

Thanks guys...

[FSA]

Jacques, phone around in JHB 'cos I'm sure some bike shops will have bags to rent. Makes a huge diffs in travelling with a bike. Also, remove your rear deraileur if you can. Cunks of polystyrene can be used between forks, etc.