Can you check a bike on a plane.

[OhMari]

I'm doing a Tri-athalon Labor Day weekend, and I want to use my own bike. Has anyone ever checked a bike?
I'm afraid it is going to get really beaten up. My luggage takes a beaten each time.
Or, can I take it on and check it, like people do with strollers?
I can take both wheels off.

 

[Capt_BJ]

there are bike carriers available but for the most part you are gonna be charged for an oversized piece of luggage. You really need to talk to your planned carrier.

You are not going to be gate checking like you can do with a stroller!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I would recommend that you check with your airline. I'm sure people who do triathalons and biathalons fly with their bikes all the time. There is probabaly a special box to pack it in, and there may be an additional charge. Just check with your airline on what they would require.

 

[tinka-belle]

Gate checking is for items that have to be used to get to the gate, stollers, wheelchairs, etc. Can't picture you riding your bike down the concourse (only kidding!).

Most carriers have a bike box for sale, or ask for something sturdier at your bike shop. Check the carrier's checked baggage information under "sporting equipment", each one will vary a bit on what is allowed and on what is charged, but it most likely will not be cheap.

 

[ironz]

Here's the scoop:

The bike must be checked, and in a box. Either you can have it packed in a cardboard box (often available at a bike shop--it's how the bikes get to the bike shop), or you can use a hard case, such as the Trico case
http://www.tricosports.com/iron_case.html
The hard case is a little 'safer' for your bike, though there are some soft cases out there that are not as heavy and easier to maneuver.
The Trico case costs about $300 if you don't have a friend to borrow one from.

Getting a bike packed will involve taking both wheels off, the pedals, and in most cases, the handlebars and seat. Your bike shop can pack it for you (for a fee) or you can do it yourself. If you don't know how to put it back together, you have to find a bike shop on the race end of things. (my ex bf paid to have his bike packed, assembled, repacked, and then reassembled at home--that was a waste of money--it's not really that difficult to learn how to do it yourself.)

Airline fees-- the usual bike cases are considered oversize: The cheapest are Southwest and Frontier, at $50 each way. Some other airlines, like Alaska, are $75 each way. American is $100 each way. United was at one point $175 each way, but they may have come down a little due to some bad press they got for a ridiculously high fee. Occasionally a carrier will try to charge extra on top of the bike fee if you pack the case too heavy. Best bet to find your airline's policy is under baggage, but then look under 'sporting equipment.'

If you rent a car, it has to be big enough for the case, though my Trico case fits in most except the very smallest (don't need an SUV or minivan unless you have other people, some kids, etc). Magical Express will take bikes, but that is the one time that I will go to baggage claim and then lug the case to the bus--the cases have wheels. (my bike is my baby and I make sure it gets on and off the plane with each trip)

OK...that's the basics. Feel free to ask more questions. I've travelled for about 7 years with my bike...generally 2 or 3 air trips a year.

AND...it's TRIATHLON. the extra A's are not necessary.

 

[chamonix]

Personally I would not check a bike unless it is in an hard case. Our hard cases have protected our bikes very well, and have been a good investment. I just don't think I would trust my bike on an airplane in cardboard.

Another option is to mail the bike, I have friends who do that every year. The bike will still need to be broken down though, so you will have to deal with that on each end.

 

[ironz]

Another option...and this might be the best, as from the OP's pre-trip report, she is somewhat new to triathlon and maybe not so comfortable with all that assembling and disassembling.....is to rent a bike in Orlando. I'm pretty sure there are shops there that rent bikes. Obviously, you'd need a rental car to get into Orlando to go pick it up.

and I agree with Chamonix...I wouldn't put my sweet bike in a cardboard box for travel. But if you have a more basic bike, cardboard can still work. It IS how the bikes get to and from the shops (though those are by ground carrier usually, not passenger airplane cargo holds). The ex-bf used a cardboard box, but his bike was worth about 1/3 of mine.

If you ship it with UPS or FedEx, ground shipping is the least expensive, but you have to send the bike at least 5 days ahead. 2nd and 3rd day air for bikes gets expensive fast.

 

[CPT Tripss]

A friend recently arranged with a local bike shop to send a bike to a bike shop some distance away for his college student child. The bike shop at the other end did the reassemby and arranged local delivery. There is time involved, but he was pleased with the total cost.

 

[FireDancer]

Everything I was going to suggest was handled by Betsy. If Southwest is an option I would highly recommend using them. I know people who travel with their bikes and they always try Southwest first not only for price but because they get their bikes back in the proper amount of pieces.

I probably wouldn't want to rent a bike for a Tri unless it was pretty short but if you aren't comfortable with reassembly a local bike shop can also handle that for you. Sometimes the larger Tri's will have an official bike shop that offers discounted assembly and bike fittings.

Good luck.

 

[ironz]

Hi, Frank! Hope all is well! I don't get to the WISH board much anymore.

I gathered that the OP is a newbie, so she could probably rent most any kind of bike--I did for my 2nd tri. But we haven't heard back from her, so I don't know if there was any other suggestions we could offer? Hope I didn't overwhelm her with the packing info...it's easily learnable, but I find that bike mechanical things are a little overwhelming for newbies. I know I didn't mess with it until I had been doing tri for a few years.

 

[OhMari]

Sorry for not getting back sooner, dd got her tonsils out yesterday.

this will be my second race and I am sorry I spelled triathlon wrong.

My bike is a Gary Fischer, I have to sit up very straight on my bike or my back goes out. If I can get my back stronger, I'll rent, I know Danskin the sponsor allows this. I would be more comfortable with my bike. I take my bike apart and I put it back together all the time. I am more of a trail rider,and my wheels are fatter than a rode bike.

I booked Frontier out of Milwaukee, so $50 is a price that is worth it to me. I can use my sons bike carrier. He uses one and has it for his truck. He locks up his bike in his case and takes it to work and rides after work.


Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

 

[ironz]

Sorry for not getting back sooner, dd got her tonsils out yesterday.

this will be my second race and I am sorry I spelled triathlon wrong.

My bike is a Gary Fischer, I have to sit up very straight on my bike or my back goes out. If I can get my back stronger, I'll rent, I know Danskin the sponsor allows this. I would be more comfortable with my bike. I take my bike apart and I put it back together all the time. I am more of a trail rider,and my wheels are fatter than a rode bike.

I booked Frontier out of Milwaukee, so $50 is a price that is worth it to me. I can use my sons bike carrier. He uses one and has it for his truck. He locks up his bike in his case and takes it to work and rides after work.


Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

Hope your DD is doing well!

Sorry 'bout the correction for the spelling...it's a pet peeve of mine, but also, you'll sound way more experienced at tri if you spell it right!

Frontier is reasonable with bikes, I've used them before. If you're good with taking it apart and putting it back together, you should be good to go. But if you do decide to rent (or consider it), most places should be able to rent you most any kind of bike. I rented a hybrid when I travelled for my 2nd tri (hee! same as you!) because that's what I was riding at home at the time. You could even rent a mt. bike. And just FYI, for any tri, not just Danskin, they don't care if you own, rent, or borrow the bike. It just has to be in good working order (esp brakes) and have the handle bar ends plugged.

One thing if you bring your own bike or even just your own biking accessories...if you use CO2 cartridges to air up your tires (some use them for racing, in case they flat, instead of carrying a frame pump), you cannot bring those on the plane at all (not checked nor carryon).

I'm psyched for you...read some of your pre-trip stuff! Welcome to the triathlete family! And...Bay Lake isn't really that bad to swim in...but I've only swum in it in May for the 1/2 Ironman series. I hear it gets hot (and prone to those amoebas) in September. That could be why they moved the race. Or just the hassle of the race crews dealing with Disney. The Disney sports team doesn't put on the race...Trek, or Danskin, or Ironman comes in and has to go by what Disney will allow on their property. It's all good, though.

yay for you! and good luck!! PM me if you come up with any other questions. I'm going into my 12th year doing tri and I love it!

 

[OhMari]

Hope your DD is doing well!

Sorry 'bout the correction for the spelling...it's a pet peeve of mine, but also, you'll sound way more experienced at tri if you spell it right!

Frontier is reasonable with bikes, I've used them before. If you're good with taking it apart and putting it back together, you should be good to go. But if you do decide to rent (or consider it), most places should be able to rent you most any kind of bike. I rented a hybrid when I travelled for my 2nd tri (hee! same as you!) because that's what I was riding at home at the time. You could even rent a mt. bike. And just FYI, for any tri, not just Danskin, they don't care if you own, rent, or borrow the bike. It just has to be in good working order (esp brakes) and have the handle bar ends plugged.

One thing if you bring your own bike or even just your own biking accessories...if you use CO2 cartridges to air up your tires (some use them for racing, in case they flat, instead of carrying a frame pump), you cannot bring those on the plane at all (not checked nor carryon).

I'm psyched for you...read some of your pre-trip stuff! Welcome to the triathlete family! And...Bay Lake isn't really that bad to swim in...but I've only swum in it in May for the 1/2 Ironman series. I hear it gets hot (and prone to those amoebas) in September. That could be why they moved the race. Or just the hassle of the race crews dealing with Disney. The Disney sports team doesn't put on the race...Trek, or Danskin, or Ironman comes in and has to go by what Disney will allow on their property. It's all good, though.

yay for you! and good luck!! PM me if you come up with any other questions. I'm going into my 12th year doing tri and I love it!

Thanks for all your suggestions.
I am so new to the race, and the more I can find out, the better.
Sort of like first timers that go to WDW.
Are you doing the one in May?
I am really leaning towards cancelling the Labor Day one in Clear Water and just doing the one in Pleasant Prairie in August. Then next May hopefully go to Florida and doing it at WDW.

I can't wait till June til our local pool opens. It is a sand bottem pool with cement sides. But the pool is so large it acts as a lake.
The head guard told me, 8.5 laps or 17 back and forth equals 1/2 mile.
It usually took me 45 minutes to complete.
Now that I swim at the YMCA they told me how many laps and they said 8.5 laps equal 1/2 mile or 17 . I finish in 24 minutes.
I think the length at my local pool is a lot longer.
I plan on measuring this summer.