rutan74

Does anyone have any recommendations for a bike carrier (hard shell) for shipping a road bike?

A couple of us are planning a bucket list trip next year and it will involve packing and shipping our bikes. I am not talking about the shipping boxes that are available but hard shell bike carriers. I do not trust the boxes and we are looking more at hard shell cases. I really don't want to risk damage to my bike in a cardboard box as opposed to a hard shell case. Yes, I know nothing is bullet proof but a hard shell case will provide more protection than the typical cardboard box type cases in my opinion. I also know they are expensive, but I'd rather spend the extra to feel better about shipping my bike 2,000 miles.

Anyway, all of us who are planning this ride are experienced riders but have never had to travel or ship our bike 2,000 miles. Any recommendations or advice would be appreciated.

john

coupster

Hard shells are nice, but they are truly only big empty boxes that never can get any smaller (think storage during and after trip). I've got the plastic version of a collapsible bike box from these guys - https://www.crateworks.com/. Its plenty strong and sturdy to protect your precious steed. But it also folds flat for storage. Standard UPS shipping size. I wouldn't trust an airline with my bike packed in anything unless it was absolutely the only way to get it where it had to go. Contact LBS at your destination and have them accept the shipment. Most will be willing to do so, even if you don't have them reassemble the bike (or maybe you do). You might even be able to talk them into storing your box during your trip and holding it for return shipping when you finish.

spinnaker

It is going to be very expensive to ship your bike in a case. They are very heavy.

fietsbob

We get them in regular bike boxes*,
It's difficult to pack them better than they did at the bike assembly factory,

but @ a Bike Shop, you can get all the packing materials and a box for free. ..

get extras... it is a waste disposal issue , otherwise, for shops.

* On the coast a good number, of bikes get sent ahead ,
and riders fly PDX, & take a Bus Here.
and can ask the bike be ready to ride when they get here..

this time of year taking them apart , boxing and shipping east, is the thing.




...

rutan74

Thanks.

Basically, storage at the event is not a problem because the event home bike shop will store it for nothing. So storage at the event is not a problem. Not worried about collapsible either unless it is a good design. Storage at home for this case is not a problem either. The event is recommending not to box the bike in a cardboard box. No way either am I breaking my bike down to how it was shipped from the Mfg before assembly. I can see taking the handlebars, wheels and pedals off along with the seat, but I'm not looking to rebuild my bike from scratch when I get there. Not going to fly with the bike either. Shipping it UPS or some carrier. Believe it or not, once upon a time I worked for UPS as an unloader and truck packer so I am VERY aware of how packages are ahem, handled.

I will check out your recommendations, thanks again.

rutan74

My bike weighs 17lbs. Some hardshell cases I have seen are like 30lbs, so combined, I am under 50lbs give or take 5lbs. UPS should be able to handle this with no problem. I just need a good case.

john

Brocephus

I've flown between Mexico and Honduras and the states with boxed bikes, more times than i can recall, and never had a problem. I always used regular bike boxes I'd get from the local bike shop, and pack them myself. I would wrap things like shifters in a foam plastic material, and duct tape it up, and protect other parts in various creative ways (extra wrapping around carbon forks, main frame tubes, big chain ring, protruding wheel axles,etc.).
I also would add a sheet of cardboard to the sides for extra protection. Also, I would typically use the whole ensemble as another piece of luggage, figuring if i was paying those chimps an extra $100 for the bike, I might as well get my money's worth.
So, I'd fold up t-shirts and shorts, then wrap them in multiple plastic Wal-mart bags, and strategically place them around the bike, for extra padding and stability. I would also reinforce the outside and corners of the box with clear packing tape (getting pretty close to having the whole thing completely plastic wrapped, because it's not uncommon for a liquid container in someone else's luggage to break or leak, and wet the luggage around it. For this reason, I was also in the habit of wrapping the clothes in my main checked bag with plastic wal-mart or hefty-type bags.)

coupster

Ok you've got my curiosity up. What's the event?

rutan74

The event is Cycle Greater Yellowstone. I've been looking at this event for 5 years and haven't had the chance to pull the trigger until now. 2019 looks like a go at this point and I'll have to register pretty quickly because they sell out really fast. Anyway, I have not been out west and Montana around Yellowstone looks like a fantastic place to cycle a weeks worth of vacation. I am getting up there in age and if I don't get going on these bucket list cycling events, my health could change and it then becomes, "I should have.." type of thing.

2020 might be a real road trip to go and cycle in Italy which would probably be my last chance to try the Stelvio.

john

TimothyH

Within the US have a look at https://www.bikeflights.com.

coupster

Looks like a great time and it too has been on my radar for several years. But as you've also found, life doesn't always cooperate. Have a blast.

rutan74

Thanks. I've seen them before. Recommendation from the event promoters is to NOT ship in a box hence the tread stating that I was looking at a hard shell case.

Again, I know my bike came in a box from the Mfg and there are boxes that must work or they would not stay in business long. As I have said, being a long ago UPS loader/unloader, I am aware of the abuse any package takes on a shipping route. Part of me just does not feel good about packing up my bike in a cardboard box and shipping it. I also realize that my hard shell case could be just as easily damaged but for me, I would "feel" a lot better if I was packing up my bike in a hard shell case. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of reviews on hard shell cases and 99% of the people I know, have never shipped their bike across the country.

john

Machka 

Go to your LBS and see what they've got available to rent.

I've used a hard shell case a few times as a rental, but never needed to buy one.

Most of the time I've used a cardboard box ... and that's been for a lot of flights!