Shipping a bike and a BoB.

[scottm]

I am going to Australia to bike tour this winter. Opinions please (pros and cons) on bike boxes of what seems to be three levels of protection/investment, etc.: 1) basic cardboard bike box,  2) elaborate, foldable box such as Crateworks Pro-XLC, and 3) hardshell style boxes made by Thule and Trico Sports.

And about the Bob (which is more perplexing to me):  Do people box those to ship them? or just strap the wheel/tire into the bed and ship it open?  If people use boxes, are there any made specifically for this use? Etc., etc.

I understand there are a variety of considerations such as cost, storage of good boxes while there, etc. but for now I am just looking for initial thoughts, hopefully from those of you with relevant experience.

Thanks,  scottm

[TheDaltonBoys]

Scott - my humble opinion is the longer the distance, the higher level of shipping protection. You might look at the BoBtrailers.com web site and check out the BoB Cello, or Celo which is a shipping device that becomes part of the trailer when not in use, and both the bike, some baggage, and the trailer are all in one "container". I myself have not utilized one but it looks very functional, and although not specifically made by BoB they do advertise it on their Website....Enjoy the Voyage.....Mark of the Dalton Boys

[RussellSeaton]

I've used the cardboard bike box from the bike shop method several times to Europe.  The return trip was in a cardboard box provided by the airline (British Air and TWA).  Bike arrived fairly fine in all directions.  Last return from Portugal via New York with TWA was not great.  The box had clearly been opened and the bike taken out or fallen out.  Then the bike was set back in the box with the top flaps undone.  Being a Trek 520 heavy truck of a bike, nothing was harmed.  I would not want to travel with a nice touring bike in a cardboard bike.  But I sort of advocate cheaper plainer touring bikes because you don't care about the bike as much and you are free to do more things you would not do on a nice bike.  The cardboard bike box is large and bulky so it is difficult to move when you arrive at your destination.

[BobG]

Scott, I've always been a fan of the LARGE disposable cardboard boxes that the airlines and Amtrak sell. The bike is protected by it's own installed components. The front wheel is installed in the fork, racks are installed and also provide protection, handlebars are just rotated to fit into the box. In fact Air Canada and some of the European airlines sell you just a heavy plastic bag to cover the assembled bike with pedals removed. When you get to your destination just throw the box or bag away and you have minimal assembly on the bike.

I remove the fender, wheel, and attachment fork section from the BOB and pack those with the bike. (Don't loose those two bolts that join the two BOB sections!) Lash the loaded BOB bag to the trailer frame. Carry and check it the same as a suitcase. I usually tape some padding around the protruding BOB wheel fork.

BOB (ha,ha!) G.

[scottm]

Great! One day and three informative and interesting replies. It seems already that this will come down to personal preference and philosophy on how one goes about various parts of a trip.

I still expect there are different (or supporting) points of view out there. And I know I would like to hear those.   I am learning as we go - I already understand more of the options than I did yesterday.

Thanks to the three who have replied AND to those who still will!

scottm

[DaveB]

One thing to consider is will you have a place to store the shipping container while you are touring or will you have to discard it and find a new one for your return?  If you can use the same container, a hard case (Trico, etc.) is much better than any cardboard box.  

BTW, Colorado Cyclist sells a reasonably durable hard side shipping container for about $100.  It's lighter and cheaper than the Trico but better protection than a cardboard box. Again, you have to have a place to store it while you are riding.

This message was edited by DaveB on 7-13-06 @ 7:10 AM