What do you do with the bicycle case?

Zaurusman

I've been reading a bit on packing a bicycle to get to where you want to go touring; I'm thinking internationally. One question: When you get there, especially if you're planning on landing in one country and leaving from another, what do you do with the expensive case you transported the bike in? Is it better to just use a bag and lots of foam? What do you do with the foam, though?

daveornee

Plan to stay at a nice hotel in your return city?

Have your case(s) sent to your hotel and ask them to hold it (them) for you. Some agree to do it as part of the service, but some will charge you for storage.

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David Ornee, Western Springs, IL USA

Zaurusman

Thinking hostel, actually. More time abroad for less money that way. But I bet I can get one to do that as well, just get a fairly nice one in a big city, perhaps. Thanks.

luke1972

If going to a "developed" country pack your bike in a cardboard bike box (which you can get from your local bike shop). You can pack your bike nicely and it should not get damaged.

Then on your way back secure a bike box from a local shop (easy to do in France, Australia, etc).

Bike shops are usually happy to get rid of the boxes.

Greyfox10025

For another option check here. www.TodMoore.net

Trekker2017

Once upon a time I heard of a bike case that folded and fit on the back back of the bicycle like a saddlebag. I even remember seeing ads for it in some magazine. I've been searching the web high and low for it. But so far, no luck. I'd love to find it for myself.

Joe West

Co-Motion makes a backpack for transporting their Co-Pilot series of bikes. I purchased one (both the bike and the backpack) and the backpack easily folds into something which can be transported on a rear rack. However... I'd prefer not to have to transport the backpack so I'd probably try to have it sent to the Hotel.

Joe

burjo

My husband and I just toured the south-west of Western Australia for 8 weeks, packing our bikes in a Ground Effects Body Bag for the Qantas flight from Melbourne.

See http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/products.php?category=BAG
and have a look at the TARDIS and the BODY BAG.

We chose the BODY BAG as our bike re-assembly skills are minimal, but if your mechanical competence with a bike is reasonably good you would be better off with the TARDIS.
We were able to disassemble and pack our bikes in about 20 minutes for a couple of bus trips.

The Body Bag folds to about the size of an A4 sheet and about 5 or 6 cm thick. It fitted without hassle on top of the rear rack between the rear panniers and under a small back pack that we both carry there.

As we were camping most of the time, it was really useful as a groundsheet/picnic blanket and a waterproof thingo to put all your gear in while packing up in the rain (except that it only rained once in 8 weeks).

The bikes seemed to have been handled carefully by the airline - the theory being that the bag has carry handles and a shoulder strap, making it much easier for baggage handlers than a bike box.

jboalick

You may want to check out bike friday. They make bikes that will fit into a suitcase and when you get to your destination you can use the suitcase as a trailer to tow behind you.

Josh Lipton

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