HOW-TO DEPARTMENT
Shipping and Bike Cases
 by Aaron Teasdale
|
The best way to get your bike somewhere is, of course, to ride it there. Sadly, this isn't always possible. Most of the time we stuff
ourselves in flying metal tubes for a few hours, and Kazow! we're in Bali. But what of our bikes? No matter if it's Katmandu or
Kalamazoo, our faithful steeds need to arrive there too. And in one piece. Few things have the potential to sour a tour before it starts
like a cracked top tube or a snapped derailleur hanger. Bottom line: we want our bikes to arrive unmolested and intact. There are two
primary ways to attempt this: as checked baggage or as a shipped parcel. Shipping, especially domestically, can often be less of a
hassle, but you are apart from your bike for several days and many people simply prefer to keep their beloved metal steed in hand. Even
more important though, is how your bike is packaged. Options range from used, cardboard bike boxes to top-dollar hard-shell cases that
could survive attacks from roving bands of jumping gorillas. Or even airline baggage handlers.
If you do choose to bring your bicycle on a flight, be prepared to pay an extortionate, blood-sucking, flagrantly villainous
"bike-handling" charge of up to $100. With the new, excruciatingly thorough baggage inspections, the golden age of claiming your
elephantine case holds "conference materials" may be over. I still recommend this tactic, however, if only to illuminate the airline's
blatant hypocrisy. And, who knows, maybe it'll work.
SHIPPING YOUR BIKE
Given the increasing expense of bikes on flights, shipping has become ever more appealing. The old standby, UPS, now has serious
competition from newcomer FedEx Ground, which is often both faster and cheaper. For instance, to ship a bike in a Trico Ironcase at a
weight of 65 pounds, insured for $1000, from Missoula to New York is $59 and takes six business days with UPS, but only $39 and five
business days with FedEx Ground. FedEx also insures your case, UPS only insures its contents; a serious failing when you're using an
expensive case. And make no mistake, this is where an expensive case is worth its weight in titanium spoke nipples. Take note: shipping
companies eat bikes in flimsy cardboard boxes for breakfast, lunch, and late-night snacks.
If you're a leave-everything-to-the-last-possible-minute kind-of-person, or just need to get your bike somewhere in a hurry, look at
Sports Express (sportsexpress.com, 800-357-4174). This impressive company will ship your bicycle, via FedEx Express, in one, two, or
three days, at an enormous discount over standard FedEx rates. The trusty Missoula to New York City route costs $87 for the three day,
and $138 for overnight delivery. Sports Express will pick up and deliver to home or business, guarantee on-time arrival, and they
meticulously track your bike in transport to insure its safety. Adventure Cycling members save $10 off every shipment too. Sports
Express also lets you lock your case; try that with an airline and they'll whisk you away to a cold dungeon chamber and throw away the
key.
Another shipping option is Shipbikes.com (708-383-0823). They require you to purchase a $99.95 Aircaddy, a stout wedge-shaped cardboard
case with an internal, fork-mount-equipped mounting plate. The Aircaddy requires the least disassembly (remove front wheel and lower
the seat) of any case available and folds up for storage. Shipbikes uses DHL for the shipping door to door even your home for $42-$65. UPS is another option. They can also ship many bikes at once. Shipbikes isn't particularly cheap
but if minimal disassembly is you goal, they are the answer.
Amtrak also has a service that takes bikes, Package Express (800-377-6914). A bit erratic, it may be worth looking into if you live
along one of their routes. Greyhound, too, has a Package Express (800-231-2222), but if you're willing to send your bike away, alone on
a bus, you may as well duck tape it to the roof of a passing car and hope it magically arrives at you destination.
BIKE CASES
When it comes to the all important case, a cardboard bike box from the neighborhood bike shop can work, especially if it's packed well
(see Boxing Your Bike article), but it's risky. Your bike is minimally protected and it takes a lot of time and disassembly to do it
right. I've seen this approach work, but I've also seen good bikes arrive damaged. It's worth considering if you're (a) broke, (b)
arriving and departing from different airports and need to ditch your case, or (c) know you'll never need a bike case again as long as
you live. If you do go cardboard, remember, double box it.
A much better option is to invest in a bike travel case. Yes, they're expensive, but they're cheaper than cracked top tubes and when you
arrive in Namibia that's all that matters.
The Ironcase by Trico Sports ($299, tricosports.com, 800-473-7705) is the most well known case on the market and for a good reason.
Constructed of an exceptionally durable plastic (cleverly named Triconium), the Ironcase has been designed to maximize UPS size
requirements and survive the toughest abuse the boys in brown, or anybody else that will be handling your bike, can dish out. Inside the
hard-shell are three sheets of foam that separate the wheels from the frame and protect the bike from outside impact. Thick cinch-straps
tighten the whole thing down on the outside and their adjustability allows for a large amount of extra gear, shoes, helmet, tools,
toaster ovens, etc., to be stuffed inside. Typically, pedals, seatpost, and handlebars must be removed to fit, but all cables stay
connected. I find the locking mechanism a bit flimsy, but it does lock, albeit with itty bitty locks. Wheels and a web handle (which
some find uncomfortable) allow for relatively easy dragging through airports. This ease and protection, as in all hard-shell cases,
doesn't come lightly - 31 pounds to be precise. Be prepared to pay (literally) for that weight when you check your bags.
A worthy alternative to the Ironcase is Serfas' Bike Armor Transport Case ($350, serfas.com, 800-424-0047), which for brevity's sake,
we'll call the BAT Case. The BAT Case is the exact same size and shape as the Ironcase, so it's shippable, equally tough, and has
similar foam inserts, wheels, and a web pull-handle. The key difference is the BAT Case sacrifices expandability for increased security.
In place of the Ironcase's cinching straps and buckles, the BAT Case uses four seemingly bulletproof steel locking latches. The word
"flimsy" wouldn't even be allowed in the same airspace with this locking system - it's the most secure on the market. The security theme
continues on the interior of the Serfas with a collection of straps and metal tie-down loops that hold bikes solidly in place. It can't
accommodate everything you own, as the Ironcase can, but it takes peace of mind to a new level.
Offering a very different philosophy of encasement is BikePro's excellent Race Case ($430, bikeprousa.com, 800-338-7581). Bucking the
hard-shell trend, the amply-padded, soft-shell Race Case features a unique steel mounting frame that securely clamps the bike down with
a quick-release fork mount. A flexing, bottom-bracket mount also absorbs the shocks of any passing gorillas or baggage handlers and a
steel derailleur guard shields your transmission. Two wheel bags and a gear bag nestle inside for safe storage of helmets, shoes, and up
to two sets of wheels. Disassembly is the same as the Trico and Serfas' wheels, pedals, seatpost.
No, it's not a hard-shell, but that can have distinct advantages. It's lighter, less bulky, and can be easier to lug around, stuff in
cabs, trains, etc. It also rolls up for more compact storage. BikePro claims the three inches of multi-density foam padding in the Race
Case offers better protection than a hard case by absorbing the shock rather than transmitting it. Physics theory aside, the protection
is outstanding, aided by impact-resistant side panels, and many travelers and racers swear by this case. Its biggest downside is that,
because of its size, it's not shippable. But for air travel, the Race Case is tough to beat. BikePro also offers cases for two bikes at
once and tandems. All are made in the U.S.A. and carry an unrivaled lifetime warranty.
The Tri All 3 Sports Velo Safe ($420, triall3sports.com, 800-733-7231), like the BikePro, utilizes a quick-release fork mount but
combines it with an ABS plastic, hard-shell exterior, providing one last option in the money-is-no-object category. A block of dense
foam supports the bike's bottom bracket and the wheels lash to the case walls. The seat and pedals stay attached and there's plenty of
extra room for even the most committed over-packer. Unfortunately, this capacious capacity comes at the expense of ship-ability, though
a more compact UPS version is available. The Velo Safe comes with two adequate, if not bombproof, locking latches, four sturdy casters,
and a weight of 30 pounds.
Those seeking an economy case should look at Crate Works' cleverly engineered Pro 1 ($109, crateworks.com, 800-934-5214) and Pro XLC
($159). Essentially glorified cardboard boxes, these cases are nonetheless a huge step up over bike shop handouts in terms of protection
and durability. Besides construction material (Pro 1 is stout double-walled cardboard while the Pro XLC is waterproof, double-walled
corrugated plastic) the cases are identical. An ingenious plastic frame plate offers Velcro tie- downs for frame, seatpost, handlebars
and even a helmet. The wheels are separated from the frame by a cardboard sheet and held fast by cinch-able straps and hub-protecting
foam blocks. The Pro 1 weighs 19 pounds and should last for several trips, while the Pro XLC weighs 22 pounds and should last a dozen or
more. These cases are compact, easily shipped, completely collapsible, and every component of the system is replaceable. Crate Works
gets high marks for value and ease-of-use. Oh, and they make tandem and recumbent cases too.
A final option is the Rome Bicycle Travel Bag ($100, bikebags.com, 888-766-3245). A large, simple bag that has a shoulder strap and two
interior pockets for wheels, it's good for light-duty use and bicycle storage. It offers only light protection, but the padding is
easily beefed up by the user.
Article written by Aaron Teasdale
|
|
