Hi, we're Pam and Gilbert from 2bikes 4adventure. As we mentioned in a previous video, one of the advantages of touring with
folding bikes is how much easier it is when traveling by air.
We flew with bikes for the first time in 1995 and since then have had many experiences checking in both full-size and folding bicycles.
When our adventures involve flying to a faraway starting point, we have to pack our Bromptons to survive this leg of the journey.
We also like to avoid paying extra fees for shipping our bikes.
So while keeping in mind check-in baggage size and weight restrictions, we can recommend the three methods
we now use depending on the type of adventure we have planned.
If we are arriving and departing from the same place, we look for an inexpensive hotel close to the airport
that has free luggage storage and ideally a free airport shuttle.
In addition to staying there our first night,
we also reserve a night there at the end of our tour. In this situation,
we can pack our bikes in hard-side suitcases and leave them empty at the hotel while we set off on our cycle tour.
We use second-hand generic Samsonites.
The suitcases look conventional and as long as they are within weight and size limitations, are unlikely to be questioned by the airline.
Hard cases provide a lot of protection to the bikes, although they may still be opened and the contents handled by security.
Sufficiently large suitcases can be found on eBay or similar sites for around $25.
We advise you start looking a few months before traveling and carefully note the dimensions.
In contrast, the B&W Brompton hard case is much more expensive and much less subtle.
It is also significantly heavier,. so be aware that when packed it may exceed the airline's weight limitation, triggering an extra charge.
We have used suitcases for several of our Brompton adventures and previously with our Birdy folding bikes.
Some bicycle disassembly may be required depending on the suitcase size and the bike type. For our Bromptons,
we remove only the seat posts and right pedals.
There is additional room inside, so we slip in items like tools that are not permitted in carryons.
We always weigh our luggage before leaving home and double check the airline's weight restrictions.
Another thing we've learned is to have an email confirmation that the hotel will accept our luggage storage for the dates required.
Slightly less secure than a hard case solution, but also cheaper, is a cardboard box.
Ideally, its aspect ratio will resemble that of the Brompton, so about 23 by 22 by 11 inches.
We have found desktop computer boxes ideal for this.
We have a contact in corporate IT who can provide us with barely used cardboard boxes of the right size for free.
The same box can be used for multiple trips, but it usually starts showing significant wear and tear after three trips.
Airline clerks will ask what is in the box during check-in.
So if we include, for example, a t-shirt, a paperback and some shampoo,
we can honestly say, Oh, clothes, books and toiletries and don't mention a bike. We have never been asked to open it.
The box is not waterproof so if it sits on the tarmac in wet weather it may get soggy.
When our return plan doesn't involve an airline flight, such as when we take a train or ship home,
we discard the boxes at the airport, cutting the cardboard into pieces that we can leave as recycling and start pedaling right out the door.
If our arrival and departure airports are different, we usually carry part of our packing material with us.
This method requires IKEA Dimpa bags (or equivalent zipped poly bags) and some four millimeter corrugated plastic sheets.
This kind of plastic is often used for political yard signs.
After a local election, we recycle some of the signs in our neighborhood as packing material.
We would avoid selecting the name and face of a politician who is well known or controversial to prevent unnecessary
confrontations.
The ideal dimensions are 24 by 48 inches.
We cut the sheet into three strips of eight inches.
The first two pieces are folded at each end to be the top and bottom.
Then we cut the third piece into two parts, which will be used to protect the right and left sides.
Combining the four parts together will create a protective frame or cage around the Brompton.
We remove the seat and clamps then slip the bike into the Dimpa.
We pad the bike with some clothing, add in the bike accessories and tools and zip it up.
A second Dimpa serves as an outer shell.
The outer layer takes a lot of abuse in transit and after a couple of trips, will be reused as an inner bag.
Front and back protection depends on available material.
We either carry additional plastic sheets or trust that we can find recycled cardboard during our last day of travel,
which can be tricky if it's raining.
We have been known to go into grocery stores to request discarded cardboard or to variety stores to buy foam floor mats.
Look for 24 inch square jigsaw type pieces.
We cinch the packed Dimpa with two travel straps, ensuring any visible political inscriptions are facing inward, and we have no problem at check-in.
Although they are within size limits, we often have to bring them to the oversized baggage counter, but there is no extra charge.
When touring, we fold the plastic frame pieces inside a Dimpa and add the straps and any extra material.
We clip the package onto the back of one of our Bromptons. It's light and waterproof.
It can be also be used to store groceries for our next meal.
Note that a rear rack is critical for this option.
Even when we use a suitcase or box for air travel,
we carry a Dimpa on our trips to slip the bike into when we prefer not to be questioned.
Of course,
there are trade-offs between the level of protection for our bikes and how nimble and lightweight we want to be.
Cost can also be a factor.
For the highest level of protection, the hard case wins, but even if we plastered our luggage with This Side Up and Fragile signs,
there are no guarantees that our bikes will withstand the handling of air travel every time.
So far we have been able to deal with any minor damages.
When we consider weight and size, the hard case is the loser and the Dimpa wins big for portability and flexibility.
Of course if free boxes are available, they provide a compromise for robustness.
But if there's no place to store them, they are a one-shot deal.
We hope that sharing these options helps you work out the logistics of your next folding bike adventure.