I'm looking to fly to at least one race next year. I've flown with 1 bike before and it was ok, just a semi-pain. But now we're looking at taking 3 bikes.

Any ideas, especially with the airlines now charging for all luggage?

Ken

You could FedEx them. Shipping isn't cheap though. The least expensive option is to ship them FedEx Ground and give them about 4 business days to be safe.

Nice seeing you here still, Ken.

There is a site sponsor that provides discounted shipping. You might want to try them. As far as flying goes... I only fly with one bike, and that is usually for about 20'. You must have some serious skills if you can make it to anywhere farther than the backside of the jump. Good luck! Seriously, try the search here for ogio monster and/or straight jacket. As long as it's one bike/bag being checked per person, I don't think it would be an issue.

My cousin fits his bike in a guitar case and the airlines don't charge him. There is also the bike bags that look like golf bags (they even say golf on them), supposedly the airline don't charge for golf bags for some reason.

J&R carries the DK Golf Bag:
https://www.jrbicycles.com/storefront/index...;productId=2221

I have one of the DK Bags...haven't used it yet, but one of our teammates has used theirs a few times with 100% success rate (on Southwest). You do have to disassemble the bike a more than you would for a bike box, and not sure about cruisers fitting, so definitely ask on that.

If you're on a 20, I'd say go get one!


Best,

M

Thanks, guys. I'm definitely looking at those golf bags. I have a hockey bag that I've put my cruiser in before.

My dilemma is that I'll probably be taking 3 bikes. I don't fly often so I'm trying to weigh the costs of buying a couple of bags vs. shipping the bikes factoring in teh new airline costs for luggage if I don't fly Southwest.

People who ship bikes, where to: your hotel? Do you contact the hotel manager and say they're coming? What about shipping them back home?

Anyone else with ideas, please chime in?

If I take both bikes, I have a hard shell golf bag carring case that holds everything but the wheels. Then both sets of wheels and cloths go in a hockey bag or large duffle bag. Def check your bags at the curb side check in so you don't have to carry all that any more than you have to and more importantly, the curb side check in guys dont ask so many questions. I suggest having 20 bucks ready incase he starts asking too many questions. It will shut him up everytime and its obviously much cheaper than 100 bucks per bike, both ways.
For the guys carrying a 20" only....DK Golf bag. End of story. You can fit everything you need for the weekend in there and just carry on the helmet

DK Golf bags can ship 2 20" bikes with no problems, just remove ft. wheels, pedals and bars. Not sure about a cruiser though. I've had mixed results with airlines and golfbags though. I use a Bob Stroller bag but you have to completely disassemble the bike sans cranks. Be careful with too much weight in a bag though. Over 50lbs and it starts getting real expensive real quick. Also, make sure your tools are in your checked baggage. No need upsetting security guards with tools in your carry-ons. And though it's not too common with BMX, leave the CO2's at home and buy when you get there.
If you're shipping, check prices on Fed Ex Ground and UPS Ground. They can change from day to day. Also do a little research and find a shop near to where you are going. It gives you a good spot to ship to that will be open, plus an "in" with a local bike shop in case you need any parts while in the area. Both of the shippers quote 3-5 business days for Ground shipping so factor that in to your trip plans.

On a recent trip to California I FedEx'd my bike to the hotel.
I called the hotel in advance and they said it was no problem.
Shipping it back home was quite a chore and very expensive.
Lots of people involved, missed pickups, etc, all for an $80 craigslist GT.
Live and learn.
If I ever make the trip again, I might fly out, buy a bike there and just ship it home.

Whatever you don't use the fancy bike case that is sold on Dan's Comp. I bought it and ended up paying the price of a ticket for it. I didn't know any better; I expected to pay $50-75 for it, but not $350. It was the first time I traveled by air to a race. I've learned my lesson. I confirmed with Delta that a golf bag would've been free.

We just flew to the Christmas Classic and used a DK Golf Bag. Heading to the claasic we had to pay $50.00 but I had to check the luggage inside. Coming home we had no issues at all. I just gave the skycap a $10.00 tip up front. Southwest Airlines does not charge for bags and you can check 2 for each passenger.

Yeah, curbside drop-off and a FAT tip seems to work wonders.

I flew with one bike to Disney, just checked bags in online at home and as long as it was under the weight limit, they did not care. $ 25 each way on USair, I have the Ogio straight jacket. I cannot begin to imagine trying to move 3 bikes at once....I feel for you.

Could you post a pic of how it looks packed in?

I had some shots a couple months ago, not sure when I will use it again...

I'll say "it can" fit. I have done it, but had to take almost everything apart (except cranks). It is a very tight fit, and hard to pass it off as golf clubs, the zipper almost didn't shut too.


Also to add to the golf side, I know a freestyle team that got matching Green shirts and embroidered their logo, but just changed it to golf team. He said they had no issues getting through. Thought that was pretty creative.

I've been living out of an Ogio Monster bag for about four months. Fitting a bike in there is easy by removing seat/seat post, stem/bars, forks, pedals, front wheel. No need to remove the rear wheel and just cover the messy parts. All up around ten minutes to pack or unpack it. Most people are surprised when I tell them there's a bike in there because they don't expect some-one my age to have a BMX and immediately think road or MTB.

The problem is not space, rather, limiting it to 50lbs which is the limit per bag for many airlines. Mine is a freestyle bike at around 24lbs, add the bag weight and not a lot for clothes etc. Last time I had to remove 9lbs and put in carry on luggage. Unfortunately the small heavier parts like pedals can't be taken in carry on luggage.

I'd be sending separately if I had three bikes to transport. Or try Southwest as they are the most reasonable of the US airlines with luggage charges.

get a container from Forward Air and ship the bikes and yourself too.....

I use a easton hockey bag. I can fit my 20" in there with all my race gear(accept the helmet) and clothes for the weekend. I carry on my helmet. It is soft bag so I bubble wrap frame, fork, bars and stem, and the seat and seatpost. I flew Air Tran down to the Disney Cup I think I had to pay $25 both ways.