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I've got an upcoming holiday and I'm flying with a bike in some sort of box.
The box I have available at the moment is
155cm L x 81cm H x 34cm W (so pretty big)
The rental I'm looking at (Avis, Compact class) is, possibly, a Peugeot 2008.
According to https://how-many-bags-fit.com/car-make/peugeot/peugeot-2008-1-2-boot-space-dimensions-luggage-capacity/, the boot dimensions with seats down are 155cm L x 77cm H x 96cm W so, in theory, it should fit in lying flat. I'm assuming those measurements are with the drivers and passengers seat slammed as far forward as possible (and I'm 184cm tall).
Anyone know if there are any odd protuberances which means the full 155cm length won't work eg the tailgate would foul the box?
I'm fully aware that Avis won't guarantee this exact car, but even cars in the next class up don't really have substantially more boot length, unless we double the price of the Compact class. Unfortunately, we can't find any Berlingos for rental at this airport (Toulouse TLS) as they would be my preference...
I’m fully aware that Avis won’t guarantee this exact car,
Correct, completely pointless asking in advance. Either book a big car, or just turn up an work it out
Yeah just show up, when you get to the desk ask if they've anything with a long enough boot for the bike. Most of the time they're pretty helpful, I've never been charged for an upgrade when flying with a bike (despite frequently getting one)
Can’t you hire/borrow a bike Alan bike box? Better protection for your bike and they fit in a fiat 500 so go in most cars. Where are you based?may be able to help with a bike box.
If the box doesn't fit, take the bike out (this is the important bit).
Then fold the box in half. Assuming here it's a standard cardboard bike box from lbs.
Fit bike in car in bits, box on top.
Job jobbed.
My bike plus box plus 2 massive holdalls and 2 people all fitted in a polo.
Can't see a 2008 being too troublesome
How ever my top tip after hiring a tiny car hedging my bets on an upgrade - flying with prams and toddler nonsense is....
Take Inflatable roof bars with you
The pram was going on the roof had I not been able to cadge an upgrade.
Enterprise rather than Avis but they're both reputable - similar to above, you have to wait until you're there BUT they always (unless I've been very lucky - but sounds common, from reading above) accomodate when they see your situation. Twice abroad I've booked an SUV thing and when I got there they swapped me to a (mpv spec) caddy without any fuss (maybe cost 20 euros or something, but remember it being 0 fuss all round and not really 'costing')
Generally speaking if they can see you ACTUALLY need the space, they're more than happy to help.
Can’t you hire/borrow a bike Alan bike box? Better protection for your bike and they fit in a fiat 500 so go in most cars.
Thread hijack. Has anyone successfully packed a long, large 29er enduro bike into one of those Bike Box Alan boxes? They look a pretty good bet for keeping a bike safe on a flight.
I’ve never been charged for an upgrade when flying with a bike (despite frequently getting one)
Let's hope I'm as lucky (I'm not a Avis corporate card holder or anything)
Can’t you hire/borrow a bike Alan bike box?
I might be able to, though I'm touring around rather than just staying in one location so I don't really want to have to break bike down and pack it in box each time I move. At least with a cardboard bike box I can flatten it and leave it in the car, and just lay the bike on top of it
Either book a big car, or just turn up an work it out
They (Avis) have used a 2008 to illustrate the size of car and it seems to have a reasonably long boot space, so I'd have a genuine grievance if they intended on providing a smaller car than that!
My bike plus box plus 2 massive holdalls and 2 people all fitted in a polo.
Is a Polo bigger than a 2008?
The 2008 seems to have the longest boot space of the various cars in the Compact class
I'm sure a polos smaller than a 2008..... Polo only seemed marginally bigger than my 108 at home.
Generally speaking if they can see you ACTUALLY need the space, they’re more than happy to help.
This. We got a chr upgrade from a fiat 500 at potiers last year for about 25 euro.
He looked at me. He looked at the trolly and the wife/toddler and said....." All of this in a 500 ? " "Oui" ...... "Let me see what I can do" 🙂
I knew I was golden with the inflatable roof bars - also useful for my paddle board at home on said 108..... My river boards longer than the car haha
Thread hijack. Has anyone successfully packed a long, large 29er enduro bike into one of those Bike Box Alan boxes? They look a pretty good bet for keeping a bike safe on a flight.
My lanky git sized giant propel was a battle- . Wouldn't think a LLS enduro would be much fun.
This. We got a chr upgrade from a fiat 500 at potiers last year for about 25 euro.
Was that 25 euro per day or for the duration of your hire?
Thread hijack. Has anyone successfully packed a long, large 29er enduro bike into one of those Bike Box Alan boxes? They look a pretty good bet for keeping a bike safe on a flight.
Have you looked on the manufacturer's website? They also sell a "triathlon" bike box which they seem to recommend for large/awkward shaped bikes. There's some really useful photos, videos and general guidance on their web page. They aren't cheap, or light though (the boxes are around 10kg+ empty...)
Was that 25 euro per day or for the duration of your hire?
Duration of stay but I was at a very un busy regional french airport.
I also paid almost 900 euro for 12 days of the privilege of the fiat 500 in the first place....
Thread hijack. Has anyone successfully packed a long, large 29er enduro bike into one of those Bike Box Alan boxes? They look a pretty good bet for keeping a bike safe on a flight.
When I flew out to Vail for the Worlds, many years ago, a couple turned up with a tandem in a cardboard box, so a 29’er or smaller ought to be a cinch. Dunno what a Bike Box Alan Box is though, tbh. 🤷🏼
I’m sure a polos smaller than a 2008….. Polo only seemed marginally bigger than my 108 at home.
Current Polos are roughly the size of a 208, but both are significantly smaller than a 2008. I can’t say what the capacity of the boot is like, I rarely had to go poking around in the boot, I was sticking decals all over them, but I’d hazard a guess that a bike with wheels off on top of a flattened box should fit.