As others have said, check the maximum weight for a single item of luggage with the airline as its expensive to go over the limit. Also I would be cautious about putting anything as a single heavy item like a tent in there as when they sling the bike box onto the plane there is a chance that a loose heavy item inside will burst out of the box. As for coming through customs, the guys there are experts at spotting the best tactics of Columbian drug cartels. Don't think they will be fooled by a bit of mud on a bike. You can take a chance but if they do stop you fess up straight away and take your punishment. And remember they can do things like access and check your credit card record to see if you've just bought a bike and how much you paid for it. What you will have to pay if you declare it is about 36.8% of the purchase price in the US - 14% duty plus 20% VAT on top (not Brains' figure)
Flying with bike- advice
- Thread starter Somebuddy
- Start date
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BigonaBianchi
Yes I can, Yes I am, Yes I did...Repeat.
- Location
- Iskele TRNC & Mordor UK
yeah bike beat in newport news wanted $80 to pack it up...I did it myself in their shop ..they had the plastic stay supports tape box etc ready for me and helped with tools etc...I just gave them a tip .
OP
OP
Somebuddy
Über Member
- Location
- Lanarkshire
To answer Nigeyy as to where I am. This is my first tour. I flew from Edinburgh to Boston, Massachusettes via London.
My sister lives 12 miles out of Boston, in Lexington. I bought a bike in a local bike store. It was a toss up between
The surly long haul trucker with disk brakes or I know it's not really a tourer but the specialized tricross sport!
I previously owned a tricross 2010 model and wasn't sure if I would really get into touring and thought if I bought the surly it might spend a lot of time in the shed. So I got the tricross sport.
I cycled from Lexington into Boston. Caught a train to Manchester Ma and cycled north up the east coast heading for
Bar Harbor. I got within 40 miles when the tail end of a tropical storm hit. I decided not to continue, and cycled back to a town where I put the bike on a bus. Wish I had done more, but hey! I have been over here for 5 1/2 weeks now and am keen to get back home. Maybe I'll continue to tour ........
My sister lives 12 miles out of Boston, in Lexington. I bought a bike in a local bike store. It was a toss up between
The surly long haul trucker with disk brakes or I know it's not really a tourer but the specialized tricross sport!
I previously owned a tricross 2010 model and wasn't sure if I would really get into touring and thought if I bought the surly it might spend a lot of time in the shed. So I got the tricross sport.
I cycled from Lexington into Boston. Caught a train to Manchester Ma and cycled north up the east coast heading for
Bar Harbor. I got within 40 miles when the tail end of a tropical storm hit. I decided not to continue, and cycled back to a town where I put the bike on a bus. Wish I had done more, but hey! I have been over here for 5 1/2 weeks now and am keen to get back home. Maybe I'll continue to tour ........
Nigeyy
Legendary Member
- Location
- Massachusetts, USA
Somebuddy, I remember now, you posted previously about Google cycling maps, yes? I'm about 20 miles to the south of Lexington in Westwood.
Hopefully you enjoyed your tour -sorry about the storm! In the past I've also included my tent and sleeping bag (in their respective bags) in the bike box with no problems. I also have taped my pannier bags together to make one bag as well, which worked well.
I think much may depend on which airline you use -fwiw, I've always found BA accommodating. My advice is to always print out the rules and regulations from the web site so you can *politely* back up your point if they question anything at the check in. Have a credit card ready or ask your sister or whomever is with you if they can wait until you check in your bike for worst case scenarios.
Concerning packing the bike yourself (assuming you are reasonably confident), I'd do it and save the money. Why?
-in my experience, if it's your bike, you'll pack it the best
-you'll save some money, yippee!
-even if you pay the bike shop to do it, and it gets damaged in transit, there's not much you can do -usually you'll have to deal with the airline -anyway, even if you might think they packed it improperly, you'll be an Atlantic ocean away...
Take your time packing it -I usually put the pedals on facing inwards (assuming you secure it so they can't scratch the tubes.) I'd definitely recommend using a couple of pieces of wood/strong plastic that can protect your fork and rear dropouts too. I usually take my rear derailleur off too (still attached to cable), wrap it, and tape it to the inside of my rear triangle -though I could see some people saying this might be a bit of overkill. Twist the handlebars sideways and assuming your Tricross has STIs, remove them and tape them to the inside of the bars or front triangle (expensive to replace) so they are well protected. Lower the saddle all the way. I didn't used to protect the crank, but now I do by using a large piece of hard foam the chainring can rest in. More than likely what I've posted is overkill but given the ease of removal and time penalty to put everything back and the cost involved if you break something, I think it's worth doing. Oh, yeah, make sure you can get that box in the car beforehand if your sister is driving you to Logan.
It's nice to leave home, it's nice to get back
This weekend is looking a bit rainy at the moment too around here, sadly.
Hopefully you enjoyed your tour -sorry about the storm! In the past I've also included my tent and sleeping bag (in their respective bags) in the bike box with no problems. I also have taped my pannier bags together to make one bag as well, which worked well.
I think much may depend on which airline you use -fwiw, I've always found BA accommodating. My advice is to always print out the rules and regulations from the web site so you can *politely* back up your point if they question anything at the check in. Have a credit card ready or ask your sister or whomever is with you if they can wait until you check in your bike for worst case scenarios.
Concerning packing the bike yourself (assuming you are reasonably confident), I'd do it and save the money. Why?
-in my experience, if it's your bike, you'll pack it the best
-you'll save some money, yippee!
-even if you pay the bike shop to do it, and it gets damaged in transit, there's not much you can do -usually you'll have to deal with the airline -anyway, even if you might think they packed it improperly, you'll be an Atlantic ocean away...
Take your time packing it -I usually put the pedals on facing inwards (assuming you secure it so they can't scratch the tubes.) I'd definitely recommend using a couple of pieces of wood/strong plastic that can protect your fork and rear dropouts too. I usually take my rear derailleur off too (still attached to cable), wrap it, and tape it to the inside of my rear triangle -though I could see some people saying this might be a bit of overkill. Twist the handlebars sideways and assuming your Tricross has STIs, remove them and tape them to the inside of the bars or front triangle (expensive to replace) so they are well protected. Lower the saddle all the way. I didn't used to protect the crank, but now I do by using a large piece of hard foam the chainring can rest in. More than likely what I've posted is overkill but given the ease of removal and time penalty to put everything back and the cost involved if you break something, I think it's worth doing. Oh, yeah, make sure you can get that box in the car beforehand if your sister is driving you to Logan.
It's nice to leave home, it's nice to get back
This weekend is looking a bit rainy at the moment too around here, sadly.
OP
OP
Somebuddy
Über Member
- Location
- Lanarkshire
thanks everyone who offered some advice. i'm now back home in Scotland. I decided to let the bike shop box up my bike as they have probably done it before and would have spacers to put inbetween the forks etc. they done a very good job of it, it arrived home without a scratch. the bike shop did charge me 75 USD for that service. the extra 10 was because i asked them to place my sleeping bag, tent and one pannier in the box! But they removed the rear deraileur and when i reattached it, i couldn't get the rear gears to work. Had to spend another £13 at the LBS for them to sort that for me. maybe regret not getting the long haul trucker or the disk brakes on the tricross, but hey its home, i have what i have and thats my first big tour done, hurray........where to next? maybe wait for better weather.......
