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Bike bags and bike boxes are
the best way to fly with your bike but its not the only
way.
Firstly if you are flying
with your bike to the Argus (yes some mountain bikers do
do the Argus) then you should check with your airline
about the exact process to be followed. Normally it
involves checking the bike in a day or two before your
flight and then collecting from the airport in Cape
Town. Its probably not a good idea to arrive at the
airport for your flight the day before the Argus and try
to check your bike in. There are also other third party
transporters offering a bike transport service to the
Argus.
Ok so assuming that you
are travelling outside of the Argus you would travel
with your bike on the same flight.
Packing your bike
There are several options for packing your bike. Airline
rules vary and change from time to time so check with
them first. The ideal bike bag or bike box is big enough
to fit your bike with minimal disassembly, is light
weight and offers protection from being dropped or
having items dropped on top of it.
Wheel your bike on
It is possible to wheel your bike on, strictly speaking
you should lower your seat, turn the bars to parallel
with the frame, take the pedals off and deflate the
wheels. But that said it is sometimes possible to wheel
the bike on as is.
Advantages: No major disassembly and re-assembly
necessary, lightest option and some people believe that
the bike will be seen as fragile and be treated more
carefully. Carrying and handling around the airport is
tricky.
Disadvantages: It can get scratched, especially when
they try to squeeze it through the xray machine. So you
need to protect it or wrap it up with bubble rap and
cardboard. Fragile bits like wheels and derailleurs can
get knocked or damaged.
Cardboard bike box
This is a popular secure and cost effective solution.
Ask your local bike shop for an old bike box. Make sure
it is a complete bike box and not just a frame box. You
will then need to remove the wheels, seat and handle bar
and maybe the pedals. Now you should be able to fit the
frame in the box and then pack in the rest of the bits
and pad everything and make sure it does not rub on the
frame.
Advantages: Cost effective, good protection, light
Disadvantages: Requires lots of disassembly/re-assembly,
must have right size box for bike, custom and extra
packaging required, inconvenient for regular travellers
Padded bike bag
Padded bike bags are the cheapest bike packaging option
to purchase. These bags are usually made of a durable
and strong material that has extra padding, the bags
have a varying level of protection depending on the bike
bag brand. Some bicycle transport bags have very little
rigid protection while others have a solid bottom and
sides that offer additional protection. Depending on the
size of the bike bag some or no disassembly will be
required.
Advantages: Designed bike transport system with pockets
for accessories and wheels. Lighter (6-7kg) than a solid
bike box, cost effective, can pack in additional items.
Disadvantage: Padding only offers limited protection,
aircraft handlers may drop and abuse the item seeing as
it is a padded bag. Can be cumbersome and difficult is
handle if it is poorly made with too few handles and
poor or no trolley wheels.
Hardshell bike box
Rigid bike boxes are moulded and made of a hard plastic
material that resists bumps and knocks. They are
available in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Advantages: The most secure system, space to pack
additional items
Disadvantages: Can be very heavy up to 13 kgs, lighter
options can be expensive. Usually a bit cumbersome and
difficult to pack.
Bike baggage costs
Once bike baggage allowance varies for bike bags and
bike boxes depending on the airline. Sometimes the same
airlines even have different rules depending on where
you are and where you are flying to. Generally however
bikes are seen as sporting goods and sometimes there is
a special allowance for this otherwise the weight is
just included in your normal baggage weight allowance
which is linked to the type of ticket, usually 20kg for
economy passengers.
How to transport a mountain bike - video
Airline baggage regulations for bikes
Airline travel with bicycles |
