Tourist in MSN

If you do that, do not close the valve on the sleeping mat. At elevation, cabin pressure is reduced and you do not want your matt to over-inflate.

DavidMasse

Thanks for that. I got the idea from a YouTube video. I just found out that I can't post links until I have 10 posts. In that video the person did close the valve.

DavidMasse

I got these ideas from Chris by Bike's YouTube channel. removing the saddle allows the Brompton to fit, with room to spare for the saddle, padding, and other stuff in packing cubes. The Dimpa solution might not provide enough protection. the idea of adding some rigid panels makes sense. 2BikesForAdventure got that route, using discarded lawn signs (election signs, realtor signs).

My Brompton dealer has told me that damage to the rack and wheels often happens if there is not enough padding.

We haven't got our bikes yet, they are scheduled for production in February and are expected to be delivered in March.

Tourist in MSN

When you said election signs, I assume you mean corroplast. I have added Corroplast to my S&S case. It is basically cardboard, but made of plastic instead of paper. Very light weight. Most campaign signs in my area are not corroplast so I had to buy some.

This is what I bought at Home Despot. They have smaller sheets too, but I had several ideas in mind for uses so I bought the big sheet.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Coroplas...896S/205351385

I did not need to cut it to fit in my truck, but if you buy a big piece like that, think about how to get it home. Cuts with a utility knife pretty easy, I run the blade over several times instead of trying to force it with one cut.

2_i 

A friend who ships fragile instruments recommended using foam that comes in bags and expands and sets to the shape of the shipped item. It basically amounts to making custom shaped foam. He was getting these bags on Ebay and even got one but have to try it yet. A quick Google search comes up with a brand name InstaPak, but there may be others.

biker101

In my view, the Brompton cardboard box provides very good protection. I reinforced it in critical places, and have used it on multiple flights.

https://mybikesite.org/#Packing

Winfried

"In my view, the Brompton cardboard box provides very good protection"

That's what I keep saying, but they just won't listen

DavidMasse

I will make sure that we get the cardboard boxes from the dealer.

The challenge though, because we travel to Vancouver often, is to have a travel solution for the bikes that is cost-effective and that we can use for the longer term.

The 29" Kelsey luggage solution is appealing because it provides good protection and it's cheap. You can get suitable used suitcases on Ebay or Kijiji. That works well for Vancouver because we stay with family so stowing the Brompton luggage isn't a problem. It doesn't work as well for European travel where typically we rent a car and move from one hotel or AirBnB to another.

For that kind of travel, the Dimpa + air mattress + Coroplast solution is much better because the packaging doesn't take up as much space as luggage. The same could be true for the Brompton boxes.

It remains to be seen whether my wife will want to bring Bromptons on European vacations.

2_i 

I am baffled by how cheap packing, travel over continents, car rental, coroplast etc. stack here all together. The bike is heavy. When you put into a box, the center of gravity is far away from you and grabbing it, lifting and moving around is awkward and taxing, particularly when you have all kinds of other luggage to handle. A container with handles is easier, because you can keep it low and maybe even drag over a smooth floor. However, roller wheels make it much easier. Still 2 wheels vs 4 caster wheels make again a lot of difference. Is the shape of the container fitting the bike, so you can just drop the bike in and go, or do you need to reconfigure the bike and fight with the shape of the suitcase? Do you need to tape the container over and then rip the tape while handling everything else in travel? Or do you have luggage where the bike sits and the luggage rolls and you can just kick it and move or pull by a strap while handling three other pieces of luggage with no problem. I do not see where the considerations of "cheap" are to enter here and stack against true realities of travel. Sorry for the rant - I am just baffled by what is being considered.

3speedslow

I think the word “cheap” is being used instead of the phrase “ what I can afford “. It’s a reality thing.

billridesbikes

What happened to OP?
Perhaps in one of those rooms in customs getting questioned about 'suspicious' equipment in his luggage?
Could be a long while before he is back!

3speedslow

Naw, he’s off riding around!

2_i 

So you buy Bromptons, go on European vacations, multiple flights, rent cars and then consider cost effectiveness in terms of a cardboard box or Dimpa bag! I am not saying that an inexpensive solution might not work, just it being one of the central criterions especially when you want to convince your wife. Say you organize a K2 expedition and then, when considering ropes, you decide you will save by getting cheap ones. Anyway...

3speedslow

Your rant, not mine. Anyway...

Back to the thread topic! Where is the OP and what has he decided?

Geepig

Look, forget the Brompton, just fly into Poland, buy one of my affordable Romet Jubilats, travel around Europe with it, then sell in the local Polish ghetto wherever you finish before you fly out. You might even make a profit, or at least make some Pole very proud.

Winfried

I heard that's what tourists do when visiting New Zealand: Buy a second-hand van there, and sell it back when you leave.

3speedslow

biker101

BTW, for less than $ 40, you can turn the Brompton cardboard box into a rolling piece of luggage, see
https://mybikesite.org/#CarryBox