How to Survive Flying With a Bike March 26 2013, 0 Comments

Tired of winter? Spring is on the way. One of the most important things you can do is to make sure that your gear is in order. With the EVOC Bike Travel Bag, your bikes will travel first class—whether by airplane, train or car. The Bike Travel Bag packs securely in just a few minutes and can be easily transported thanks to the large wheels on the bottom of the case. Here are a few tips that we thought we'd share with folks looking to fly with their bikes:

Check Prices Before You Arrive at the Airport

Prices and Baggage Allowance
Virtually all airlines have different prices for sports equipment and bulky luggage, which can range from $40 to $200 or more! If possible, you'll want to check with the airline before you begin your trip–and also to see what their baggage allowance is for domestic and international flights (they can be different). 

If you've booked with an airline will allow you to check the bike as part of your luggage allowance, you might try and haggle with them to see if they'll waive the additional fees that they sometimes impose on bikes (if they allow passengers to check golf-clubs for free, this might be your ace-in-the-hole as the weights are very similar between a complete racing bike and a full set of golf clubs). Make sure you get as much information as you can for checking the bike on the return trip as well.

Travel and Bicycle Insurance

You'll definitely want to check with the airline to see what their maximum liability is for damage when it comes to bicycles specfically. Many times their liability caps at around $1000. Don't risk it! If there's any doubt, you may be able to contact your own insurance company to purchase additional coverage that will protect you from loss, theft or damage to your machine while traveling. 

Secondary Transportation

When booking rental cars and taxis as secondary transportation when you reach your destination, make sure that you specifiy that you need a larger vehicle to accommodate your luggage and your bike travel bag as well.

Packing the Bike

The sophisticated of EVOC's Bike Travel Bag mean that it's not necessary to disassemble the components of the bike to fit it in the case, or to cushion it for travel. Simply remove the wheels from your bicycle, release some air from your tires/tubes and stow them the specially-designed exterior wheel pockets. Unscrew the handlebar and attach it to the inside of the bag with the included hook-and-look straps. Remove the pedals remove and place them in the small internal pocket. Check the position of the frame in the bag, making sure that the rear derailleur swings freely. For extra protection, it is recommended that you place extra available cushions (included) to absorb shock and keep the handlebars separate from the frame. Depending on the geometry of the frame and the size of the wheels, the contact points of the individual components may be different. 

Tip: In addition to shoes, helmet and bike clothing, the EVOC Bike Travel Bag has enough space to accommodate the tools that you'll need to reassemble your bicycle. Don't risk trying to carry on tools, the TSA agents may confiscate them when you're going through security.

We hope that this post has been helpful for those of you thinking about flying with your bike. If you have questions about the EVOC Bike Travel Bag, or any of our other products, we invite you to call us at (866) 391-0493.