General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Best Bike Cases To Ship a Bike Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2010-06-15 1:43 PM


1

Subject: Best Bike Cases To Ship a Bike
I am doing my first ironman and am concerned about how to get my bike there.  I am debating whether to mail it (UPS - FedEx - USPS) or check it in the plane.  Either way, I am going to need a bike case.  Any thoughts on bike cases????  What is the best one???


2010-06-15 1:58 PM
in reply to: #2923320

User image

Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: Best Bike Cases To Ship a Bike
Lots of choices...I bought a Thule and like it.

Some are bigger and you take bike apart less but if you ship it, the up charge for the size is very significant. When shipping if your box is such dimensions it bumps you up to a certain minimum shipping cost.

Some get soft sided one, but if you saw the thread last week someone's bike was destroyed by Delta in one of those.

Fly SWA and it is $50 each way for your bike and that is cheaper than shipping a bike. Shipping Fed Express Ground I have found to be the cheapest.
2010-06-15 2:10 PM
in reply to: #2923320

User image

Pro
4578
20002000500252525
Vancouver, BC
Subject: RE: Best Bike Cases To Ship a Bike

I have a hard case, my SO has a soft case, so far no problem with either. I've heard pros & cons to each. I've know people have no problems packing their bikes in a cardboard box either. Just make sure you put the spacers in the dropouts.

The first thing I would look for is the ease of rolling it and moving it around the airport with you. Where are the wheels and handles positioned?

There are still a few airlines that only charge $50 extra each way (which actually nets $25-$35 extra considering that a checked bag could cost $15-$25). That's not too bad. So I book Alaska/Horizon or Westjet or Air Canada usually as those are the $50 airlines near me. United charges $175 each way.

2010-06-15 2:18 PM
in reply to: #2923320

User image

Master
1410
1000100100100100
White Plains NY
Subject: RE: Best Bike Cases To Ship a Bike
I have had my Trico case for almost 10 years and I love it! Super durable. Its been to Europe twice on the plane and shipped it via fedex ground recently down to New Orleans.

It has a hard two piece shell with 3 thick layers of foam. Big enough to fit the bike, shoes, and a floor pump and other smaller stuff.

This is it:
http://www.amazon.com/Trico-Iron-Bike-Travel-Case/dp/B001185C7Q

Gonna have this thing for life!
2010-06-15 2:44 PM
in reply to: #2923320

User image

Champion
6656
500010005001002525
Subject: RE: Best Bike Cases To Ship a Bike
I have a Thule as well. Its a little heavy at about 35lbs or so, but overall I like it. It has straps to close it and comes with wheels that you have to install yourself. I got mine for about $480CDN. 

I fly with my bike and have not had any problems thus far. I also fly West Jet, Air Canada, Alaska/Horizon. Been about $50 each way which isn't too bad considering.  
2010-06-15 3:49 PM
in reply to: #2923320

User image

Expert
774
5001001002525
Subject: RE: Best Bike Cases To Ship a Bike
If you have the time, look for a used case on craigslist. I bought a Trico hard case and my neighbor bought a Serfas hard case, both on Craigslist within a couple of months of each other.

FWIW, he is happy with his Serfas and I am happy with my Trico.


2010-06-15 4:07 PM
in reply to: #2923320

User image

Champion
8540
50002000100050025
the colony texas
Subject: RE: Best Bike Cases To Ship a Bike

for your IM,, can you use tri bike transport??  

where are you at and which IM are you doing..

2010-06-15 4:35 PM
in reply to: #2923320


12

Subject: RE: Best Bike Cases To Ship a Bike
you should check out http://www.triall3sports.com/cases-bike.php . They are the best cases i've tried. (well I've only tried two.) It's hard case and minimal disassembly to your bike is required, all you have to do is remove the wheels and you're done. The only drawback is that they are  more expensive than most cases; about $600. They are super easy to maneveur when traveling and they comply with measurement regulations. You will be charged an over sized fee but I think that's standard with any case.  I couldn't be happier with this case. 

edit: I own the velo original. 

Edited by fadi147 2010-06-15 4:37 PM
2010-06-15 4:42 PM
in reply to: #2923320

User image

Pro
4360
200020001001001002525
Baton Rouge area
Subject: RE: Best Bike Cases To Ship a Bike
Great question as I am looking into ways to ship my bike for Beach 2 Battleship in Nov.  Unfortunately it looks like its Delta or US Airways for me to fly.  US Airways would be $100 each way but still looks cheaper/easier than other alternatives.
2010-06-15 5:17 PM
in reply to: #2923320

User image

Payson, AZ
Subject: RE: Best Bike Cases To Ship a Bike
I am shipping mine via FedEx tomorrow in a cardboard bike box and saying a little prayer that it makes it ok. 
2010-06-15 6:21 PM
in reply to: #2923320

User image

Expert
1484
1000100100100100252525
Subject: RE: Best Bike Cases To Ship a Bike
I used a CrateWorks box for IMCOZ last Nov. worked very well. Bike, Box and some kit was under 50# and I think I only paid $75 extra each way to ship it ($25 for the extra "bag" and $50 cause it was a bike).





(BikeNBox01.jpg)



(BikeNBox02.jpg)



(BikeNBox03.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
BikeNBox01.jpg (56KB - 12 downloads)
BikeNBox02.jpg (53KB - 10 downloads)
BikeNBox03.jpg (12KB - 13 downloads)


2010-06-16 9:38 AM
in reply to: #2923320

User image

Extreme Veteran
5722
5000500100100
Subject: RE: Best Bike Cases To Ship a Bike
I rented the biknd/helium and it was amazing.

I had the choice between the thule and the biknd, and the guy suggest the biknd because it was as bike safe and lighter.

He said some companies can charge extra if the case and bike are over 50lbs. I weighed bike+case+disc cover+few bottles and junk and it was just under 50 lbs. A hard case would have been over

The case is amazing. The bike gets held down, just above pedals and forks attached. You then inflate the sides and the bike is well secured and padded.

apparently these cases are what the Garmin team uses

http://www.biknd.com/index_en.html
2010-06-16 9:47 AM
in reply to: #2923438

User image

Champion
9060
5000200020002525
Charlottesville, Virginia
Subject: RE: Best Bike Cases To Ship a Bike
wstchstrTriathlete - 2010-06-15 3:18 PM I have had my Trico case for almost 10 years and I love it! Super durable. Its been to Europe twice on the plane and shipped it via fedex ground recently down to New Orleans.

It has a hard two piece shell with 3 thick layers of foam. Big enough to fit the bike, shoes, and a floor pump and other smaller stuff.

This is it:
http://www.amazon.com/Trico-Iron-Bike-Travel-Case/dp/B001185C7Q

Gonna have this thing for life!


Rented 2 for my wife and I to go to Lonestar this year, did it's job, bikes arrived in perfect condition.  They seem pretty sturdy.

2010-06-16 9:58 AM
in reply to: #2923320

User image

Elite
2553
20005002525
Tucson, AZ
Subject: RE: Best Bike Cases To Ship a Bike
So far I've taken my mountain bike to Saipan and NJ for XTERRA this year, and it's got one more trip planned for Maui in October for the world championships. I use the Team Bike Case from Performance, and it's usually on sale for $250. It has a handle and wheels for pulling through the airport. I just wish the wheels swiveled for easier turning.

Packing is pretty easy. I usually get the bike broken down and insulated in about 45 min. I pull the wheels and pedals, take the rotors off, and put the wheels in a wheel bag with the tires deflated (makes it easier to pack). Handlebars come off and get rotated down and zip-tied to the frame. Brake calipers come unbolted from their mounts and insulated. Supports go in the dropouts, and wedges go in the brake calipers. I also take off the rear derailleur and zip-tie that to the frame. The frame gets covered in pipe insulation. Seat post comes out and gets stashed in the box. All of it gets put in the box, then my shoes, Camelbak, and other gear gets put around it to keep it from shifting. I even have room for a floor pump. The wheel bag goes on top, and then the clam shell of the box is closed. Keep in mind TSA may open your box, so I try to keep everything tied down so that the box will close easily.

As far as travel cost, sometimes the race provides a waiver for flying a bike. XTERRA does this for quite a few of the international races, so check with the race director and see if there's anything offered for your IM. For NJ I just flew Southwest and paid $50 each way. Another thing to keep in mind is to get a rental car that will fit everything.

I can't tell you how many times I was asked "what's in the case" at the airport by fellow travelers. I thought about making something else up, but when you tell them it's a bicycle many think you are a big deal racer.



Edited by PirateGirl 2010-06-16 10:00 AM
2010-06-16 10:37 AM
in reply to: #2923320

User image

Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: Best Bike Cases To Ship a Bike
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Best Bike Cases To Ship a Bike Rss Feed