(Non-Padded) Bike Bag?

[oxford_guy]

Has anyone got any recommendation for a bike bag, as will be needing to pack my bike in one for our trip to the Czech Republic? Will probably have to go for a non-padded one (but may wrap the frame and delicate parts in bubble wrap), as will have nowhere to leave the bag (Prague airport has no lockers), so will need to pack it up small to take with us.

This one looks okay, but am open to suggestions!: http://www.thebikebag.com/

Any other tips for taking bikes by plane? We're probably going to fly British Airways, as they don't seem to charge extra to take bikes, whereas Easy Jet do!

I'm aware we'll have to remove the pedals, which is a pain, though I have a decent Park Tool pedal spanner.

 

[Brains]

Bike box for a one way trip ?
(Free by arrangement with your LBS)

Rather than bubble-wrap use pipe lagging and masking tape
Pedals on back to front (inside)
Handlebars at 90 degrees
saddle right down
Tyres visibly soft
If you have to remove the front wheel then get a (free) fork spacer from your LBS
Pack all 'bits' lights, pump, speedo, tools etc in a strong bag or pannier in the middle of the frame
Finally remember to pack all tools with the bike and not with you hand luggage as they will take them off you

 

[oxford_guy]

Bike box for a one way trip ?
(Free by arrangement with your LBS)

Rather than bubble-wrap use pipe lagging and masking tape
Pedals on back to front (inside)
Handlebars at 90 degrees
saddle right down
Tyres visibly soft
If you have to remove the front wheel then get a (free) fork spacer from your LBS
Pack all 'bits' lights, pump, speedo, tools etc in a strong bag or pannier in the middle of the frame
Finally remember to pack all tools with the bike and not with you hand luggage as they will take them off you

Thanks for tips, though will definitely need a bike bag, preferably one that you don't have to remove the front wheel for. The bikes have drop handle bars, if it makes any difference. Any tips on how to protect the derailleur hanger? I can see that getting bent easily...

 

[MarkF]

Bike box for a one way trip ?
(Free by arrangement with your LBS)

Yes, why do you definitely need a bike bag? I've never had a problem getting one in the UK (foc) nor for my return trip and I have only had one place try to charge me for a box , a shop in Barcelona. They are made for transporting a bike safely.

Here's a good bike packing link for you, including a tip for the derailleur.
http://www.condorcycles.com/workshop/packing-a-bike-bag.html

 

[oxford_guy]

Yes, why do you definitely need a bike bag? I've never had a problem getting one in the UK (foc) nor for my return trip and I have only had one place try to charge me for a box , a shop in Barcelona. They are made for transporting a bike safely.

Here's a good bike packing link for you, including a tip for the derailleur.
http://www.condorcycles.com/workshop/packing-a-bike-bag.html

Thanks for the link. Regarding the bag - don't want the hassle (or time wasted - am only going for a week) of having to hunt down a bike box on the trip back.

 

[MarkF]

Thanks for the link. Regarding the bag - don't want the hassle (or time wasted - am only going for a week) of having to hunt down a bike box on the trip back.

Ok, but if you know when are where you are flying back from, just arrange it prior, I've never had to hunt down a box, I always have one waiting for me. .

 

[oxford_guy]

BTW a friend has recommend to me Ground Effect's "Body Bag" - does this look any good?: http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-detail-BOD-BAG.htm

Looks like you don't even have to remove the front wheel, but am unsure if British Airways will be okay with something this long. The also do a bag called the "Tardis", which is much shorter, but you have to remove both wheels and do more disassembly: http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-detail-TAR-BAG.htm

Despite being based in New Zealand, prices and shipping is cheap (I guess because it packs down so small)

EDIT: looks a bit of a tight squeeze for a bike with 700c/28" wheels, but they imply it will fit:

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raUiKoRu2Oc


BTW the frame size of my bike is quite small, as I'm only 5'8"

 

[oxford_guy]

The other option would be to hire a proper bike box for the week e.g. from here (http://www.bikebox-online.co.uk) or here (http://www.pod-it.co.uk/hire-centres.html), as looks like we could potentially leave the box at Prague airport (we're flying in and out of the same airport and apparently they do have a left luggage facility, just no lockers) , though we'd have to remove the mudguards and rear racks, which would be a pain - though removing the front mudguard at least might be necessary for most bike packing solutions, and I guess we could live with that.

 

[ColinJ]

Any tips on how to protect the derailleur hanger? I can see that getting bent easily...

Unbolt the rear mech, wrap it in bubblewrap and attach it to the chainstay. Get spacers from your LBS to insert between the dropouts to stop your frame or forks getting crushed.

A Scottish lad arrived on one of our training camps in Spain with a hanger bent by baggage handlers. He straightened it out but it snapped off in the middle of his first ride, resulting in his mech going into the back wheel so he ended up with a broken hanger, broken mech, broken chain, and broken spokes ...

He was damn lucky because:

• Between us, we had enough tools and know-how to bodge his bike into a singlespeed to get him back to the hotel
• Great ex pro Robert Millar was staying at the hotel
• He was the same size as RM
• RM had a collection of superbikes with him to test for Pro Cycling magazine (Pinarello, Colnago, Bianchi etc.)
• RM lent him a different superbike every day in return for a mini-review!