Bike Boxes?

Looking to get a "big bike" box that most airlines will allow free. I have searched and found a couple of threads, but I am wondering what you use. It appears that most airlines will allow a 62" box. I believe that the 62 inches is length and width combined that I read, please correct if I am wrong. And it appears that most people who fly with bike bags have no problems. I read some airlines have a weight limit, so a lighter box would be tempting, but don't want to lose protection going that route. Wondering what is the best box for downhill & freeride bikes(xc bikes for some of us?) And what about the bike bags, which ones people like, etc. Any worthy of a DH rig? Your help is greatly appreciated.

They don't allow homer-sectionals in Alaska, so you might as well forget it.

I think, regardless of weight, if they know it's a bike, they charge the fee.
Why not ride the Stinky and make B ride the Gay Fish?

Actually I want it for later this summer to fly to C-Town to ride Snowshoe, hopefully Whistler at the end of the summer, and other trips here or there. But from the research I found, as long as it is under the size and weight your all good, no fee.

Thule makes a great bike box. It's not inexpensive, but it's a good one. Whether you can put your big(ger) mountain bike in it is another story altogether.
http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/images/products/699.jpg

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Originally Posted by InspectorGadget

Thule makes a great bike box. It's not inexpensive, but it's a good one. Whether you can put your big(ger) mountain bike in it is another story altogether.
http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/images/products/699.jpg

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Yeah I saw that one online earlier. I was just wondering what you folks are using to get the job done with the big bikes. I know they have specific big bike boxes, but am wondering if it is possible to get in under the extra cost and what some of you have used to travel.

I had a buddy that flew with his bike all over the US for free. He had a softside black bike case and stenceled 'IBM' on both sides of it. He'd show up at the airport in a shirt and tie and tell the airline it was a trade show display. Worked everytime....

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Originally Posted by fondigley

Actually I want it for later this summer to fly to C-Town to ride Snowshoe, hopefully Whistler at the end of the summer, and other trips here or there.

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When you headed to Chucktown? Damn, I'd love to get another Snowshoe day in, not to mention a day or 2 at The Forest. You got plans, or are you just talkin'?

I shipped last year, and while it was cheaper than airline fees (I figured they were unavoidable and a bike box is stupid pricey), I didn't get away from the ordeal unscathed. Nothing major, but irritating enough to make me think twice about doing it again. Ideally, you take your bike with you, but when it comes to big bikes, it seems difficult to pull off without fees. Again, my biggest obstacle has been the box itself.

A mountain bike will cost you about $80 each way, no matter what airline you fly, or how you pack it. The days of free bike transport are gone.

i just flew rountrip to La Paz, Bolivia with a Yeti DH9 in a friend's hard case that he picked up at Performance. He is an employee there and some woman brought the case back after buying it, so they couldn't sell it retail and he got a screaming deal. after removing the cranks, fork, stem, handlebars, the dh rig fit perfectly and I was not charged one penny in either direction as they just accepted it as my second piece of luggage. If you are seriously loooking for a box, it is in very good shape with only two flights on it and I'll bet he would be willing to sell it for much less than you could find about anything else of this quality (it is equal to the Thule box pictured above). pm me if you want me to ask him (fyi, the box is in boulder).

I have an old Peformance flight case that is about 13 years old. It fits the alloted dimensions. I would be willing to sell it to you for a good price. PM me if interested.

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Originally Posted by Plakespear

I have an old Peformance flight case that is about 13 years old. It fits the alloted dimensions. I would be willing to sell it to you for a good price. PM me if interested.

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i'll second this. i have the same box. found it for about $100 on ebay. solid and fits my xl bullit.


btw, as far as i know, bikes still fly for free on international flights. that's like a $160 coupon off a trip to europe!

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Originally Posted by Ripzalot

btw, as far as i know, bikes still fly for free on international flights. that's like a $160 coupon off a trip to europe!

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I was going to mention that. My bosses brother just flew to Colorado from Israel and he brought his bike. He said, he had no problems with flying and it was just checked as his second baggage.

Well I procrastinated to the fullest as usual and now want to take my bike with me back East, but I am flying out in the morning(July 24). SO is there any Boulder/Denver Mags who have one for sale or one to borrow for a couple weeks. If not, I guess I am going to one of the LBS's and get something.

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Originally Posted by fondigley

Well I procrastinated to the fullest as usual and now want to take my bike with me back East, but I am flying out in the morning(July 24). SO is there any Boulder/Denver Mags who have one for sale or one to borrow for a couple weeks. If not, I guess I am going to one of the LBS's and get something.

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i've flown with just a cardboard box and it was just fine. go to an LBS and see if they have an old packing box. take off as many components as you can (seat, pedals, fork, handlebars) whatever is possible. put them in a suitcase. the less the bike and bike box weighs, the less likely it is that something gets damaged. pad your frame with styrofoam and duct tape. you can get these nerf-like tubes at walmart that kids use in pools as float toys. they are about $1 for a 6 foot length. cut them lengthwise and put around your frame.

i did exactly that and my bike made it 5000 miles and two plane changes without a scratch.