taking a bike on a plane...suspension issues

darich

Hey all….

I’ve just booked a flight to New York to do the five boro bike tour through the city. I’m planning on taking my own bike rather than hire one. I’m going to buy a proper bike box and I know that I might be charged on the weight if I can’t get it below 23kgs……that’s not my problem.

My question is, what precautions, if any, do I need to take regarding my front and rear suspension if the bike is going to be in the hold?
I know I’ll probably need to remove the air from the rear suspension so I’m going to buy a shock pump. But what about the front? They’re standard forks on a Scott MC-50 and I don’t know if they’re oil or gas filled. Is there anything I can do to find out and what should I do to the forks to prepare them for the lower pressure?

Many thanks

Tojo_Ralph

darich wrote: »

My question is, what precautions, if any, do I need to take regarding my front and rear suspension if the bike is going to be in the hold? I know I’ll probably need to remove the air from the rear suspension so I’m going to buy a shock pump. But what about the front?

Who are you flying with?

Baring in mind the hold is pressurised, I doubt you will need to do anything more than pack it securely and maybe ensure that your tyres aren't pumped up to the max..... That said, each airline has their own rules with regards to sports equipment, so look at the rules with regard to the airline you are flying with.

Fruity1

Just checked with my ex for you. He says as long as you pack it well it should be ok. He used to bubble wrap around as much of the bike as he could before putting it in the bag.

darich

thanks guys.

I'm flying with Northwest Airlines.
I quite like the looke of the Polaris Bike Suitcase - it's quite light at only around 7kg so with my bike in it, it would be comfortably under the 23kg limit and that means I'd avoid excess baggage charge of 50euro each way.

many thanks again
Dave

Tojo_Ralph

darich wrote: »

I'm flying with Northwest Airlines. I quite like the look of the Polaris Bike Suitcase - it's quite light at only around 7kg so with my bike in it, it would be comfortably under the 23kg limit and that means I'd avoid excess baggage charge of 50euro each way.

I think you had best read NWA's policy on bikes !!!! .... In particular....

"A bicycle is not included in a customer's baggage allowance"

"Trans-Atlantic travel fee per bicycle $150.00 USD each-way"

"Northwest does not accept liability for loss, damage, or delay of bicycles"

http://www.nwa.com/travel/luggage/specialitems.html#bicycle

darich

Tojo_Ralph wrote: »

I think you had best read NWA's policy on bikes !!!! .... In particular....

"A bicycle is not included in a customer's baggage allowance"

"Trans-Atlantic travel fee per bicycle $150.00 USD each-way"

"Northwest does not accept liability for loss, damage, or delay of bicycles"

http://www.nwa.com/travel/luggage/specialitems.html#bicycle

From the same policy
"Northwest accepts non-motorized touring, racing or tandem bicycles as checked baggage only"
"Northwest only accepts bicycles weighing 70 pounds or less"
"Northwest accepts bicycles only if the handlebars are fixed sideways and the pedals removed or if the handlebars and pedals are wrapped with protective packing material. Northwest recommends bicycles be placed in a bike box."

My bike will be in a box and will weigh around 20kg (approx 45lbs) and will comply with their policy. I will phone them to confirm though.

I think when it says "A bicycle is not included in a customer's baggage allowance" it means that i can still have my standard allowance over and above the bicycle.

if i can't take my bike then i'll either go without or I'll hire one but I'll post here what the allowance is either way.

darich

I've spoken with NWA who confirmed that the bike can be carried no problem. However, they'll be looking to charge 150Euro each way. (which is different from their website)

The confusing thing is that i phoned KLM the other night and was told that there would only be a charge if the bike was over 23kg. A charge of 50Euro.
When i was on the phone to NWA i asked if the conditions were the same for both companies - my flight is NWA on a plane operated by KLM. He said that both companies had the same policy on bicycles. Then he went on to tell me of the 150euro charge.

I'm not sure exactly what the charge would be so I've asked Expedia for their take on it without mentioning that I've spoken to both.
I don't really want to pay 150euro each way for the bike - it wold be cheaper to cancel the ticket and buy another with another carrier that doesn't charge for bikes...eg British Airways.

Fruity1

I stand slightly corrected my ex spoke to his mate at British cycling today who said the amount in your shocks may depend upon your build and your particular bike so you may need to let a bit out take a shock pump with you.

When we took his bike away it wasn't counted in his allocated luggage and I think we paid £30 return for it.