Bring My Own Wheels For a Fondo?
10-04-19, 12:27 PM
#26
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Look at shipbikes next time. I have used bikeflights several times, with the last time being back in June. It recently made some changes to how it does business, the main one being switching from FedEx to U.P.S. I was not happy with several aspects of the service and pricing I got this time. One thing that really blew me away was that when it used FedEx, the pickup surcharge was $5. After switching to U.P.S. it went up to $15. You now have to create an account and log on to use the service. That means remembering to have handy your user name and password while out on tour or spend time resetting them. I also had problems with their website while trying to buy outbound shipping. Post-experience I priced the same shipping through shipbikes and got an noticeably lower rate.
10-04-19, 12:54 PM
#27
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10-04-19, 01:01 PM
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Either 100% rental or 100% your own bike in a good travel case. I'd never piece meal it.
I took my own bike to France because it was a boatload cheaper given it was 3 weeks long if I rented. Basically the difference paid for the airline cost to pack it and buy a case.
I took my own bike to France because it was a boatload cheaper given it was 3 weeks long if I rented. Basically the difference paid for the airline cost to pack it and buy a case.
10-04-19, 01:19 PM
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It just made sense to buy it there, use it, then bring it back home. Of course, that may have been a bygone era when one could substitute a full bike box for a single bag, and I think it came back without fees, or minimal fees.
10-04-19, 03:58 PM
#32
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Focus on the cookies
10-04-19, 04:11 PM
#33
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10-04-19, 05:48 PM
#34
Sage Member
I'm doing Phil's Fondo on the 27th in Malibu CA. I've rented a bike for the occasion and was considering bringing my wheels to put on the rental. The Fondo itself is is 110mi with 12k feet of climbing, the bike I've been able to rent is a Tarmac Disc Sport. It's an alright bike, but I have some nice new Aeolus pro 5s with gp5000 tubeless tires and Dura-Ace rotors just lying around. I'm flying Delta Air Lines and was wondering if it was feasible to put my wheels in a wheel bag and simply bring them as luggage.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Am I likely to get charged crazy fees? I don't own a wheel bag and would need a suggestion on a cheap 2 wheel capacity suggestion.
As a side note, the shop I'm renting from has no problem with me using these wheels on their bike and has offered to calibrate the calipers so there wouldn't be any rub.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Am I likely to get charged crazy fees? I don't own a wheel bag and would need a suggestion on a cheap 2 wheel capacity suggestion.
As a side note, the shop I'm renting from has no problem with me using these wheels on their bike and has offered to calibrate the calipers so there wouldn't be any rub.
1-3 days of non-competitive riding,
N+1 or S-1 = 1,
SHIP:
1 or more days of competitive,
>= 3 days of non-competitive,
N+1 or S-1 >= 2.
FYI:
If the cycling part(s) are “just lying around,” you probably have bad GAS (Gear Aquistion Syndrome.) I have been unsuccessful in finding a cure. If this is the case, avoid any exposure to new gear and SHIP! Who am I kidding...
GAS = demo and Purchase upon return.
10-06-19, 12:29 AM
#35
Senior Member
For all the trouble of shipping a pair of wheels, I would just go ahead and ship the whole bike instead. (It helps that I already own both soft sided and hard sided bike cases.)
10-06-19, 06:24 AM
#36
don't try this at home.
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There's no need to deflate the tires. The cargo hold is pressurized. Even if it wasn't, and the outside pressure was near zero psi, that's only an increase of about 14 psi.
If you end up shipping the whole bike, let us know about the costs under the new rules.
If you end up shipping the whole bike, let us know about the costs under the new rules.
10-07-19, 12:26 PM
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it is my understanding that the Surley LHT coupler frame with 26" wheels with deflated tires will fit into a standard "no extra fees" suitcase, but that the 700c version will not, the wheel diameter being the limiting feature. Personally, I would just go with the rental customized with my favorite saddle, shoes, and pedals brought from home. Also bring your measurements so they can swap the stem if needed. My experience is that the local bike rental will appreciate that you care about these details, possibly because it shows you know what you're doing and will take care of their property.
10-07-19, 08:10 PM
#39
Senior Member
Hi FB:
Unless you are trying to set a PB, PR or podium, I'd certainly leave the wheels at home and ride the rental bike. As mentioned, you might bring your own saddle and pedals. I'm guessing the LBS will supply you with an excellent repair kit for such a journey.
I've gone this route before, and have found that the rental bikes awaiting me, even the high dollar ones, almost aways needs some tuning before the event/ride. Hopefully, you arrive a day or two in advance to work out any bugs.
Good luck with the ride! Malibu is so beautiful.
Unless you are trying to set a PB, PR or podium, I'd certainly leave the wheels at home and ride the rental bike. As mentioned, you might bring your own saddle and pedals. I'm guessing the LBS will supply you with an excellent repair kit for such a journey.
I've gone this route before, and have found that the rental bikes awaiting me, even the high dollar ones, almost aways needs some tuning before the event/ride. Hopefully, you arrive a day or two in advance to work out any bugs.
Good luck with the ride! Malibu is so beautiful.
10-08-19, 02:44 PM
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Have you asked the shop if they might be willing to throw in some different wheels for you? They might have a wide selection and be happy to throw something more to your liking on there for free (or a small fee...)
10-08-19, 03:08 PM
#41
well hello there
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Either 100% rental or 100% your own bike in a good travel case. I'd never piece meal it.
I took my own bike to France because it was a boatload cheaper given it was 3 weeks long if I rented. Basically the difference paid for the airline cost to pack it and buy a case.
I took my own bike to France because it was a boatload cheaper given it was 3 weeks long if I rented. Basically the difference paid for the airline cost to pack it and buy a case.
__________________
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
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10-08-19, 03:25 PM
#42
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Use them the other 364 days of the year.
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10-09-19, 05:49 AM
#43
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Lol, you're correct! And helmet/shoes.
Helmet is OK in carry on. I clipped mine to my backpack. Shoes, I wouldn't risk the carry on security confiscating by not understanding what the cleats are.
My one pair of shoes I got for $150 on sale, but originally were like $350. I would never risk that in carry on getting confiscated.
Helmet is OK in carry on. I clipped mine to my backpack. Shoes, I wouldn't risk the carry on security confiscating by not understanding what the cleats are.
My one pair of shoes I got for $150 on sale, but originally were like $350. I would never risk that in carry on getting confiscated.
10-09-19, 08:03 AM
#44
Senior Member
As for a bike box, same thing as a wheel box. If you're only going to be using it once or twice, just go to your LBS and ask for one of their cardboard boxes that they were going to throw out. Give them a $5er for their troubles. Buy some bubble wrap (or use old newspaper) and packing tape.
Between rotors, cassette (not just sizing, but also different wear levels), and risk of damage, I'd just leave the wheels at home. Can the Tarmac's wheels really be that much worse? And if they are, you can use the stock wheels as an excuse if you do worse than you expected.
Between rotors, cassette (not just sizing, but also different wear levels), and risk of damage, I'd just leave the wheels at home. Can the Tarmac's wheels really be that much worse? And if they are, you can use the stock wheels as an excuse if you do worse than you expected.
10-18-19, 07:55 PM
#45
Jedi Master
10-22-19, 07:35 AM
#46
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Just an update on this, because (through this thread) I was informed Delta dropped bike specific fees I decided to see if it was possible to simply bring my bike. I was able to rent a hard case bike box for $100 for a week. The bike and box seem to be about 47lbs and around 4 feet for the longest side, so I think it will just pass as a non-oversized item. Kit and everything else is going in the carry-on.
So there you have it, I'm bringing the whole bike!
So there you have it, I'm bringing the whole bike!
10-22-19, 07:36 AM
#47
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Thread Starter
10-22-19, 08:12 AM
#48
Jedi Master
