Bikes and planes - tips please

Hi all,

I'm flying to Portugal on 8th April (back 15th) - and I'm taking my bike (flying with Monarch, and have booked to take 'sports equipment'). I think Axiom folk will be in Majorca - so I don't expect I can scrounge a bike box or bag off anyone, but can any of you give me some tips about safety getting my bike there and back without tears, and maybe recommend a good (cheap!) bike box or bag?

Cheers
Will

Hi Will

There are many different bike bags, cases etc, Sarah and I have a Scicon hard case but they are well expensive, but offer good protection, if I was buying again I would go for a decent padded bag. I'm not sure if Andy's, Jon's or Gav's are being used for Majorca? so maybe try them, or you could try the local bike shops as some will hire out this stuff, obviously depending on the type of box or bag you use will depend on the amount of padding required, pipe lagging is good to use.

Most however require you to remove saddle and seat post, pedals and to move the handlebars sometimes having to separate from the stem, if you have a speed link on the chain then take that off.

Don't forget to let your tyres down as the pressure drop at altitude will blow them to bits if you don't!!

Good luck and have a good holiday.

Tony

Will,

a couple of tips for a bike bag>>

Get some of the really thick pipe lagging (it's about 3 inches diameter) cut it to length for all the sections of tube on your frame (and forks). Label each piece with refernce to the tube. I secure each piece with a couple of bits of string.

take off the rear mech and encase it in bubblewrap, then tape it between the seatstays so it'll be safe. this will ensure that if your bike bag takes a knock the rear mech won't get trashed along with the hangar.

loosen the stem bolts (all of them) and rotate the bars round and hook them under the top tube. pad the top tube and also cover the ergo/sti's shifters in bubblewrap.

I take the chainset off but if you don't make sure it's well padded agin so it the bag if knocked you won't bend anything. Take water bottle cages off and put bottles in them so they can't get bent.

put the wheels in padded wheelbags. take the skewers out. I tend to put in some team kit in the bag as well (keeping under the weight limit!) as this also helps pad things out.

luke

The only thing I would add, is that I brace the front forks and rear chain stays with an old hub axle. You can probably pick up plastic braces from one of the local bike shops - they usually throw them away when they get frames into stock - just adds to the stability of the bike.

T

Hi Will

It looks like I can get you a Velox bike bag for £45 You wil have to let me know by tuesday 29th latest, its fairly basic but looks strong, you'll just need to pad it out well, let me know either way if you can.

Cheers Tony

Will

This is a slightly newer version of my bike bag: Wiggle Bike Bag. Good value at the moment at under £70 - depending on how much discount Wiggle give you!!

T