Bike box / carrier

[jamesfrank]

Hello all,

Can someone here recommend a descent, durable, and not too expensive bike box or carrier.  I need a box for my bike as I intend to cross the "pond" in the not too distant future.

Thank You.

James

[indyfabz]

CrateWorks:

http://www.crateworks.com/

Roomy, but sitll airline-legal. You can usually get other items inside, such a small tent, sleeping bag or racks.

Or you could have your bike professionally packed in the same type of box it was possibly shipped from Asia to your LBS in.

[John Nelson]

Do you want something disposable, or something permanent? Do you intend to use it for more than this one trip? And what continent are you currently on?

If you want something disposable, my choice is to build your own, out of cardboard, reinforced with 1x2 lumber. Can be done for less than $10.

If you want something permanent and for use in multiple trips, then there are various hard-shell plastic cases available from $200 to $400. Or a soft case can be had for as little as $50.

[bikeman]

Consider where you will store the box while your riding.
If you can't store box some airports won't let you throw away a cardboard box.
What will you use for return flight?
My hard case box was measured and considered oversize (> 62 inches)  by American airlines, cost more for my bike than my airfare.
Will you need to take your bike apart to fit in box?
I now use bike shop cardboard box (Free) and take my bike apart. Carefully pack it and keep total weight light.

[nun]

I've crossed the pond a couple of times with my bike packed into a Ground Effect Tardis

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-detail-tar-bag.htm

How you will be assessed for your baggage will depend on the airline you fly, but I was not charged extra by either IcelandAir or VirginAir. I don't even think they realized I was carrying a bike, just a large bag. You have to do a fair amount of bike disassembly to use the Tardis and because it's soft sided it's best to pack some of your other stuff around it. But it's light and packs down to the size of a big phone book so it's easy to carry, store in a locker or even mail ahead.

[AdventureRide]

BikeProUSA makes several different travel cases, both hard shell and soft cover.  I've used their tandem case with good results.  Noticed several other manufacturers with a quick interweb search.  None are cheap and you do have the mentioned problem of storing your case (if it's not a disposable) until your return. 

[nun]

BikeProUSA makes several different travel cases, both hard shell and soft cover.  I've used their tandem case with good results.  Noticed several other manufacturers with a quick interweb search.  None are cheap and you do have the mentioned problem of storing your case (if it's not a disposable) until your return.

With a non padded bag like the Tardis it's easy to fold the bag up and strap it to the back rack, put it in a luggage locker, leave it at your hotel or mail it to yourself at your final destination. You have to use your other gear as padding or improvise with locally sourced cardboard, but you don't have the hassle of dealing with the extra bulk once you're done with the bag.

[o2tour]

Question on the Tardis bag. Will the bike fit in the Tardis bag with bike racks still attached?

[nun]

I don't think so. When I flew to the UK I had a rear rack and I simply undid the rack at the drop outs and pivoted it so that it laid along the seat stays. There's lots of room in the Tardis (duh) so you could easily pack any racks inside the center triangle. I use all my gear and bags for padding around the bike and just carry on my handlebar bag.