Flying to the US with a bike

[Nigeyy]

Yes, one of the downsides to craigslist is that if it is a good item at a good price, it will sell (sometimes within the hour). If you spot a good item, my advice is try to see it asap.

I also second the possibility of potentially buying a bike with a buyback program. While we're at it, also try these sites for even buying a bike new (and subsequently selling it on craigslist):

http://www.nashbar.com (some cheap but reasonable bikes for sale, currently with free shipping)
http://www.jensonusa.com (sometimes you can get a bargain)
http://www.bikesdirect.com (always free shipping)

Excluding bikesdirect, I've used these companies with no problem (and bikesdirect is a well known online bike seller). Of course, this presupposes you know where you will be staying or that they will potentially be able to hold a bike for you..... Alternatively, you might just try to shop at a bike store there.

Hey, good luck and hopefully you'll end up with a bargain bike and a nice stay!

 

[BigonaBianchi]

I flew with.my.bike into Portland in June. I flew us airways. The bike was in a cardboard bike.box. the customs guys opened the box, clearly checked everything and re packed it well. No problem.

 

[CopperBrompton]

I think you will find a fair share of paranoia when taking anything into the US

Customs guys have seen it all before. I've taken all kinds of stuff into the USA (including, on one occasion, sixteen different mobile phones) and never had a problem.

My favourite Customs experience was when I bought a replacement Targa car roof in the States while on a business trip, because shipping would have cost as much as the roof and I was in the States anyway. Arriving back at Heathrow, I went into the red channel with the invoice in my hands. Bored customs guy looked at the huge box quizzically. "Car roof," I said. He just nodded, glanced at the invoice and waved me through.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Sometimes, in the states, you can get a good deal at a pawnshop on secondhand bikes . Especially older hardtail mountain bikes . Around these parts, we see that as dependable transportation . You might look up some of these pawnshop's websites and see what they have going on. Most of the older bikes won't be listed, just stood out front of the shop with a price marked on it..

Got this 1981 Schwinn Voyageur (actually built by Panasonic) for less than 50.00 but that was in the Mid-West, prices on the West Coast will be higher . When I brought this home, my wife asked me if I'd be bringing home any more recycling . Swimmers. Some sense of humor .