Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Need help with European bike

« on: July 22, 2017, 03:29:44 pm »

i shipped my bikes from and to the us/europe many times.
airline charges vary from free to $ 150 one way. (remember a bike is oversize baggage)
sometimes an airline will require you to use a box.

i never disassemble my bike; except for the front wheel.

walter

2

General Discussion / Re: bike rental, amsterdam

« on: July 22, 2017, 03:25:31 pm »

not many options there; its mostly macbike and yellowbikes; OVfiets that offer rentals. they are either orange; yellow or yellow/blue.

i biked in amsterdam many many times. if you are not familiar with the bike scene and 'etiquette' in amsterdam i would actually prefer a tourist bike. even though the locals are not a fan of unexperienced cyclists (some of the tourist cyclists don't watch out anywhere) they at least are able to anticipate you. if you are familiar with the local bike scene ride like the locals do: fast and sometimes erratic!
you can also buy a clunker at some local bike shop.

walter

3

General Discussion / Re: Bicycle Dynamo Charger

« on: July 22, 2017, 03:12:25 pm »

i have been using hubs for a very; very  long time; as a bike commuter. i prefer the Son hub. nowadays you can charge almost anything with a hub as well. batteries are heavy; $$; die when you need them most; die fast in cold conditions and are hard to recycle when you're touring.

walter

4

Gear Talk / Re: Flying with synthetic luricant

« on: October 07, 2016, 03:27:35 pm »

typically (consumer) libricants are not considered flammable or corrosive; unless they are an aerosol which makes them a flammable compressed liquid.

I pulled the MSDS and with a flashpoint of 120F it is considered flammable hazmat in air transport. the only exemption would be the quantity packaged in consumer products such as a small bottle of T-9. quite a few hazmat consumer products are exempt for practical reasons.
personally I do not see a real problem here; package it in a ziplock or whatever.
walter

5

General Discussion / Re: Hello All, Happy to be cycling again

« on: May 17, 2016, 09:44:17 pm »

I never experienced lower gears being a problem during long; extended climbs and high grades. then again, I typically 'zone out' during long climbs.
I absolutely love the rohloff hub. I even ride a rohloff road bike now.

if you plan to buy a rohloff bike make sure your shop and mechanics are familiar with the system! it is not a common system in the US.
rohloffs can also be equipped with belt drives. both make for a totally (but $$$) carefree system that lasts forever. belts can not be retro fitted.

have you researched the forum on Rohloff yet?

walter

6

General Discussion / Re: Hello All, Happy to be cycling again

« on: May 15, 2016, 12:10:50 am »

I have been using Rohloffs for 10 years. What would you like to know?

7

General Discussion / electric bikes air transport

« on: April 22, 2016, 07:47:24 pm »

referring to the item on electric bikes in the recent magazine please note:

many airlines do not accept electric bikes anymore. and if they do it is by request only.

electric bikes are powered by a very powerful Lithium-ion battery which is restricted by IATA dangerous goods regulations (IATA DGR). consumer goods containing hazardous materials are sometimes exempt from these regulations. this is mostly for practical reasons; think powered wheel chairs or laptops.
due to the significant incident increase involving Lithium-ion powered items; articles and vehicles such as hooverboards; airlines are more reluctant to accept these consumer items for air transport. main reason: Lithium fires are extremely hard to extuingish.

disassembling these batteries provides a challenge as well. these batteries are not allowed in ANY checked or carry-on baggage and will result in removal and possibly even a IATA DGR violation fine.
shipping these batteries with for example UPS is not really an option either. shipped as cargo IATA DGR apply; resulting in high rates for packaging and transport. there is an option shipping by continentally by truck. CFR49 limitations are less restricted in regard to IATA DGR.

walter.

8

General Discussion / Re: Looking for bike in Europe to ride between Amsterdam and Basel

« on: April 22, 2016, 01:46:29 pm »

dutch craigslist: www.marktplaats.nl

here's a more detailed search link for Men's touring bikes; used; location Amsterdam
http://www.marktplaats.nl/z.html?=&attributes=S%2C32&categoryId=454&postcode=1018aa&=0

unfortunately it's in Dutch only; but I can assist you with that.


walter

9

General Discussion / Re: Question for those who have boxed up their bike at the airport

« on: April 22, 2016, 01:17:51 pm »

shipping bikes vary VERY MUCH by airline. some require (airline provided) boxes, some don't. some have dimension and weight restrictions. Xiamen for example requires removing the front wheel.
some charge both sports equipment and oversize. rates vary from $ 50 up to $ 200 one way.
local flights sometimes cannot carry bike boxes due to their cargo hold doors and hold size.
most of the time I removed the pedals, turned the handle bar and released some tire pressure. I always attach assembly tools to the bike, so I can reassemble my bike at arrival. any kind of tools are NOT allowed in carry-on.

I never had problems getting boxes at airports, one time I had one delivered by a bike shop (at a delivery charge)

before you fly and/or book look up the rates and requirements and calculate the total price. sometimes a more expensive ticket airline charges less for bikes and vice versa.

walter.