If you want to cycle America then at some point you will need a bike case to transport your cycle on the airlines. But what bike cargo case is going to last the flying around the USA. There can only one competitor really and thats the Bike Box called Shokbox. If you value your cycle and want to ensure an uninterrupted cycle tour then get a protective cycle box.
Fly with Your Bike USA
If you’re flying to your point of departure, you might want to fly your bike there, too.
For flying with full-size bikes, the rules and fees differ from airline to airline but expect to be required to use a bike box or case. Some airlines consider a boxed bike to be regular luggage and charge the same as a checked bag; others classify it as oversized luggage and charge quite a lot. Check each airline’s rules carefully.
U.S. Domestic
International
Choose Your Airline Carefully
I always hunt for the best deals on airline tickets, but when flying with a bike I have to do this a little differently. While most airlines will accept them as checked baggage, the cost can range from free to a couple hundred dollars! And with more budget airlines charging for checked bags of any kind these days, figuring out the total bill isn’t always easy.
Understanding Airline Policies
1) Find the airline’s policy.
Search google or the airline website for “oversize luggage,” “sports equipment,” “special baggage,” “excess baggage,” “bicycle fee” or similar combinations of terms until you find the airline’s policy. Usually it will be something like this one from Alaska Air, or this one from Eva Air (both have bicycle-friendly policies with no oversize or overweight fees.).
2) Check the oversize and overweight limits and fees.
Many US airlines have standard checked baggage limits of around 50 pounds in weight, and 62 inches combined dimensions (this is the length + width + height of your box, all added together, also known as linear inches). International airlines especially may have different limits, typically in metric units, so check carefully.
Most cardboard bicycle boxes will exceed these dimensions. One typical box I’ve used was 43 x 11 x 32, though they vary in size, but that adds up to 86 inches which is definitely over the limit. Bike boxes could potentially exceed the weight limit too, if you have a large steel bike and pack some accessories in the box with it.
This means your bike box is likely considered oversize and possibly also overweight and you will have to pay those fees, unless there’s an exception for bicycles.
3) Check for an exception for bicycles.
Some airlines waive overage fees for bikes and other sports equipment. If you can’t find bicycles specifically mentioned in their policy, be prepared to pay the fees.
Beware, I have seen airline websites say bicycles are accepted with no extra fees, but only if they’re below size and weight limits that are essentially impossible for any real adult-size bike. Check the size and weight limits carefully!
4) Find out how many checked bags are included in your ticket.
Some budget airlines, and even not-so-budget ones these days, do not include any checked baggage with their cheapest tickets.
If your ticket doesn’t include any checked bags, or if you exceed your baggage allowance, you’ll need to pay for a checked bag regardless of whether the oversize/overweight fees are waived for bicycles.
5) Let the airline know if necessary.
Some airlines request that you contact them at time of booking to reserve space for your bicycle box on the plane. If this is what the policy says, do it. I’ve only encountered this a couple times, usually on a very small plane or an international airline based in a bureaucracy-loving country.
Bicycle Case
If you’re flying in and out of the same place and travel with your bike often, it may be worth buying a dedicated bike case for it. They do a good job of protecting your bike, and save you the hassle of having to beg for a cardboard box from every bike shop in town.
Cardboard Bike Box
Yes you can usually get these free from good cycle shops, you can wrap around as much foam as you like but from experience they offer no protection at all. That cardboard is not going to protect your bicycle from the baggage handlers.
Remove The Rotors
I highly recommend removing both the front and rear rotors before packing your bike up. Rotors can be easily bent during transit, even if the bike case has specific rotor pockets or padding. Removing the rotors only takes a few minutes and it can save a ton of hassle and headache!
Top Tip: remove both rotors and wrap in bubble wrap or a clean cloth. Screw the bolts back onto the wheels so you don’t lose any during transit.
Use Pad Spacers Between Brake Pads
New bikes typically come with little plastic pieces between the brake pads to prevent them from getting damaged and/or prevent brake fluid from leaking out of the brake levers get squeezed. It’s a really good idea to do this for your bike when you pack it up into your bike bag as well.
Airlines Weight And Size Restrictions
Each airline has their own weight and size restrictions so it is best to check the airline that you intend to travel with. The Shokbox bike box dimensions are
120cm Long x 33cm wide x 91cm high
The weight of the Shokbox is 12.9 kg
Average Weight Of Cycles By Type
- Average weight of a Mountain Bike = 13.6 kg
- Average weight of a Road Bike = 10kg
- Average weight of a Touring Bike = 13.5 kg
- Average weight of a Cruiser Bike = 16.5 kg
- Average weight of a Utility Bike = 17.4 kg
Do weigh you bike in the bike box before you set off to the airport as you do not want any nasty excess charges before the holiday begins.
Pack Your Bike Properly for Air Travel
Ideally you will pack your bike in a hard bike box like, Shokbox. If you don’t the airlines recommend the below.
- Partially deflate the tyres to reduce the risk of damage.
- Turn the handlebars so they’re in line with the frame.
- Remove any attachments, including pedals.
- Ensure the gearing is especially well protected.
- Protect the frame with bubble wrap.
Don’t carry tools in your hand luggage
Make sure you read the airlines guidelines but as a rule of thumb do not take tools in you hand luggage. The UK airports rules are “say no screwdrivers, pliers or “tools with a blade or shaft longer than 6cm”. However, We’ve heard of people having multi tools and hex keys taken off them, so you’re better off avoiding the hassle by putting anything like this into the hold.
C02 Cartridges On Airlines
Do you take your CO2 cartridges or go for the old fashioned hand pump when flying aboard. The CO2 does come with some complications and this his what the CAA has to say
No more than four small cylinders of carbon dioxide or other suitable non-flammable non-toxic gas per person and the water capacity of each cylinder must not exceed 50 mL. Note: For carbon dioxide, a gas cylinder with a water capacity of 50 mL is equivalent to a 28 g cartridge.
However, the bike forums and real life experience says a little different about carrying CO2 canisters. It seems that it depends on the airline and in some instances the 3rd party security and baggage handlers. It really is much easier to take a simple hand pump with you.
Size Of Transport At Your Destination
Something that is very often overlooked, you get your bike box to the airport. Then its on the airplane to your destination and once your there you find out that our rental vehicle won’t accommodate your bike box and luggage. Ensure you check the manufacturers dimensions of your hire vehicle before setting off to your destination.
More often than not it is more expensive to upgrade your hire vehicle once you are abroad, rather than online. Secondly the option of upgrading to a larger vehicle once you are the may not be available. Not every destination airport has a mass of large vehicles available to hire at a moments notice.
Check Your Bike For Damage When You Reach The Destination
If there is any obvious damage to the bike case report it to the airline immediately, ideally contact the insurance as well. Hopefully there will be no sign of damage to you bike box but do inspect your cycle as soon as possible. Upon inspection if there is any damage to the bike then document and photograph. It may be a good idea to take a picture of the bike in the open bike box before you fly. This way it will be easy to show the insurance company any differences that occurred during transportation.
