Bike bag advice needed

[Speed Devil]

I am planning on flying down to CT for the weekend of 4-7 Sept '09 and am going to take my bike with.

 

I have a Shimano "papsak" (bikebag) but am a bit worried that my bike might still get damaged.

I will be flying on the green mamba.

 

Does anyone have any experience with flying on the green mamba and using a bike bag? Or will a bike box be better?

 

What is the approximate weight of a bike box?

 

Personally I would prefer to use a bike box.

 

Next question....Is there someone who is willing to lend me a bike box for that weekend should the cosensus be that a bike box is a better call?

[Tumbleweed]

personally, never had a hassle when just using the cardboard bike boxes. spacers and bubble wrap does the trick.

[Johan Bornman]

A papsak is OK but...

 

1) The chainring is the lowest point on the bike without wheels and always punctures the bag. It is also quite vulnerable down there. Either fit the bike to a bike splint (I think it is a brand name) or put ample protection at the bottom for the chainring.

 

2) The longest most vulterable part is the jockey, fully extended backwards  because there is no chain tension. It pays to bend it forward and secure it to the right chainstay with a cable time or string or so. Also protect it from behind and below by wrapping some cloth around it.

 

3) The frame can still be dented by a big bump, so I always protect the tubing with pipe insulation foam sleeves. They can be purchased in various thicknesses from hardware shops and is make of medium density closed-cell foam  and is quite tough. A bike with that stuff on inside a papsak is pretty secure.

 

4) The handlebars always pose a problem and when turned sideways, the one shifter lever is vulnerable. I haven't found a solution for this, just hope.

 

I've had occasions when I've had to travel with a bike in a plane without any bag or anything else. Surprisingly it only came out with flat tyres (they stupidly deflate them thinking they may explode in the air) and a scuff on the saddle.

 

Bikes should never  be so precious that you don't want to travel with them. They're tools, use them, enjoy them. Don't worry about scratches and dents. You'll remember great routes long after the pain of a scratch is forgotten.

[Minion]

 

4) The handlebars always pose a problem and when turned sideways' date=' the one shifter lever is vulnerable. I haven't found a solution for this, just hope.[/quote']

A partially effective way to get around this is to pull the lever back (as if you're braking) and cable tie it to the handlebars. It works nicely with Campag levers, but less well, I think, with Shimano since this leaves the upper part of the mechanism more exposed to damage.

Put a piece of cloth or bubblewrap between the cable tie and the bar tape if you're worried about scuffing.