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Possibly emigrating and looking to transport 1 bike, once, to the destination just for something to ride until I do the Big Move (buying flat as holiday home, permanent move in a couple of years). So, I'm looking to fly a bike out which means some form of bag/box but as a one-off and for a fairly cheap bike I want to keep the price down but still arrive with a rideable bike - any suggestions? Thanks
Cardboard bike box? Pad it out with some bubble wrap. Even some of the hard case bike boxes aren't all that solid. And the bags tend to use supporting pieces inside to prevent them being crushed. For a one-way trip I reckon you could put a good bit of strength into it.
Cardboard box from LBS.
Used that method a few times including trips to OZ and NZ.
I was thinking the £50 bag from Decathlon packed with bubble wrap and some metal struts for support.
I was thinking the £50 bag from Decathlon packed with bubble wrap and some metal struts for support.
I wouldn't bother. I tried something similar and it lacked rigidity - a faff to carry. The cardboard box was much better. I now have a really expensive case (thule) and the first time I used it my bike got damaged.
Don't worry about how it looks.
People fly around Asia and use up their luggage allowance with the de rigeur cardboard box and tape solution all the time. I've just flown back from Sri Lanka to the Middle East with a infant car seat - my solution for the plane's hold? Wrapped in a beach towel and in a black bin bag. Classy.
I'd go for a leftover cardboard box from your LBS, some bubble wrap around sensitive bits, and plenty of brown tape.
Cardboard box and bubblewrap it is then
Thanks
Ok, now we have solved that I think we need to know where and why you are emigrating? Mainly to get jealous, but also out of interest?
yep, also done this many times.. always pick up cardboard box from bike shop--they often provide bubblewrap and/or foam to pad and protect 🙂
Cardboard box and ship it air freight with the full 32kg in it to maximise what you have until your big move arrives.
5plus8 - possibility of early retirement and mid-winter blues made this pretty tempting - Xlendi on Gozo, Malta (scuba is excellent but riding's pretty poor)
LBS cardboard box and £5 in a charity box on their counter.
Mate just few back Basel - Edinburgh with a Fatbike this morning. Went in a cardboard box easier than when I have used a £100 bike bag. Handlebars off, front wheel out and pretty much that was it.
Just check the dimensions as there may be a maximum LxHxW they take
Also the good thing about the cardboard box method is just collect it off the belt, put the bike together and as the box won't fit in a bin, set fire to it.
Ashes don't take up much space and they love that sort of thing at airports... keeps them on their toes...
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When I was last in Malta I thought a gravel bike would be ideal (for the rough main roads as well as the off road).
Poor riding or not that's ticking my boxes. What kinda passport do you need to emigrate there then?
Right now - UK, it's in EU. 2 years from now, hopefully being resident there will do. Will be skint for a couple of years so likely to be working - will be Divemaster and have commercial endorsement on powerboat licence - which should help.
Also, this used to be nearby, till it fell down last year
Right now – UK, it’s in EU. 2 years from now, hopefully being resident there will do. Will be skint for a couple of years so likely to be working – will be Divemaster and have commercial endorsement on powerboat licence – which should help.
Divemaster? powerboats? Yes, now I am properly jealous.
Stuck in an office doing IT monkey work just now - so I am jealous of future me as well. 🙂