Bike: mail it or pack it for the plane?

These responses are fantastic! Could you please describe the ways to pack it for a plane?

Delta said you could box it, case it, or bag it, but you had to turn the handle bars sideways and pull the pedals. There was something else about optionally encasing the protrusions in styrofoam but I didn't quite understand how that would work. EDIT: this is just about what they said, but the styrofoam business is still unclear about how to do it. http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/special_baggage/sports_equipment/index.jsp

My boss does iron man events and had one in Austria. Since his bike cost a million trillion dollars (check out the rules of road biking, bike must cost more than car), he had to pay taxes on his bike to fly it over and it was not cheap (because the bike was pricey). Specifics, I do not know the cost but my boss said it was like buying another plane ticket.

Beth, btdt- leave your bike at home and buy a local one in Siena-sell it before you leave to return home. BTW, fat tires are not needed for road riding in Tuscany. Have a great year & come back with a truck load of memories!

Hi Beth, I would definitely pack it and take it on the plane with you. It has been five years since I did that last, but it was $75 each way then. If you go to your local bike shop, the should be able to pack it in a bike box for you. Shipping isn't a bad option, I just like to minimize that handling and the risk of damage. I don't think you can ship it for less than the price the airlines charge either. I do agree with another poster that buying bike there isn't a bad option, if you aren't that picky about fit. My bikes always take a whole summer to tweak it just right. You will love cycling in Italy!

Hi Beth, When I moved overseas, my company shipped 500 lbs of household goods for us using an international mover. However, they would not let us ship bikes and skis with the mover. Instead, they paid the airline charge for bikes and skis on the plane. Evidently with shipping, the charge is based on both the weight and the volume and they said it was cheaper to pay the airline fee than to ship for an item like a bike. I don't know if that still is true. Taking a bike on a plane is expensive. When I went, it was only about $75, but I think you will find that the airlines have all raised their prices so now it could be $150 or more. Additionally, you will need to get a bike box, remove the pedals, and loosen the handle bar so you can turn it sideways to get it in the box. Then when you arrive in Europe, you need to get the bike from the airport to your residence which may require arranging for a special type of taxi. If I had to do it again, I would not have taken my bike. Instead, I would have bought one in Europe and sold it second hand when I departed.

I just went through it with Delta. $150 each direction. You can prep it in several ways.

You said you were just taking the frame and handlebars - no saddle? I would take it to a local bike shop and find a box that fits the frame, and ask them to help you prepare it. You will need to two axle blocks - front and back, and the high density foam (mentioned earlier) to protect the derailuer or remove it and pack it separate. It is a pain. Fortunately for us we can put our bike in a big suitcase and it goes as our first checked piece of luggage. Avoid the surcharges. Only one airline - Southwest - has tried to surcharges. And they lost when the supervisor showed up and confirmed that it was a suitcase and not a bike. The savings on surcharges will pay for the bikes in about ten years.

I second the recommendation to have a bike shop pack it. I packed mine myself and did not use any foam or interior packing materials. The box ripped in-transit and my frame did get pretty scratched up (but only cosmetic damage). Don't forget to pack the tools you need so that can put the pedals back on, tighten the handlebars, etc. Are you sure you don't want to bring the wheels? One of the challenges with the box is that it is awkward to move the bike around. As soon as I arrived, I took the bike out of the box which allowed me of course to roll it.

I've never taken a bike, but I see that each airline treats this differently, with different fees. Some will count it as an extra piece of luggage, while others have a specific bicycle charge regardless of other luggage. Some charge a lot extra, and others charge a LOT extra (I'm afraid the days of not charging any extra stopped around the time music stopped coming on LP's and 45's). Check each airline carefully; it may pay to get a "more expensive" ticket that has lower fees for your bike. How do I know this? My sister has lived abroad for several extended periods of time, and has had to move her dogs with her. She has learned that she must check and double-check each airline carefully for their specific policies (pets in her case, bicycles in yours), and that these change, so she can't rely on her old research. Also check with FedEx, DHL and UPS for how much they will charge to ship a bike the slowest (least expensive) way, so you can see if it does indeed pay to take it with you or ship it separately.

Hello Beth, I've taken a bike twice to Italy and my wife and I will be taking our bikes once again this Fall. It is very expensive. We've flown both United and Lufthansa from SFO to Milan and Venice (not much riding in Venice :) it cost $200.00 each way! I've used a Bike Pro Travel Case. Its a soft pack with caster wheels. Shipping a bike via UPS or Fedex is equally as expensive. Unfortunately there are no inexpensive answers. There are however many high quality used bikes in Italy, this maybe an option. On a final note, I see that you're in Siena. Then you must not miss the vintage bicycle event in Gaiole in Chianti on Oct 7. Regards,
David

One downside of transporting expensive sporting gear via international airline is the low compensation if they lose your stuff. We pay extra for lightweight bike and ski gear, but compensation is based on weight with a pretty low max.

Thanks so much for the help! I am packing tomorrow. I will dismantle it and take only what makes it my bike (leave my hateful seat behind!). I will try to put it into a box that will hold a few other things I must have. It will be my second piece of luggage. I leave Wed so you may not hear from me for a week but I will let you know how it went. Thanks for the Eroica heroic date! I have never seen it.

Hello, I am back in Italy. This is what happened . . .
I found a wrench and tried to unscrew two bolts or whatever they were and figured it would take me 4-6 hours to figure out how to do it, to do it so I could put it back again, to shop for a long box that would also fit in some of my other stuff, pack it all without getting grease all over . . . well, it just didn't happen. I just figured I'm not meant to ride in Italy, or at least my bike. I'm getting old so I think yoga might be more my style. Beth Young