SpeedyBlueBiker

It might be helpful if you have a few photos of you and your bike in the US and wherever else prior to your trip easily accessible on your phone.

Doug64

My wife and I have toured through 10 European countries during 3 trips totaling 7 months. We always took our bikes and gear. If I am going to spend long days and a lot of them on a bike, I want it to be comfortable. If you buy, it still may make sense to bring your own saddle.

We took out 2 daughters with us for a 2-month ride, and the biggest challenge was getting 4 bikes and gear to the airport

We have always flown with our bikes, and have not had any significant problems. We have also flown domestically several times with our bikes without any problems. It is relatively inexpensive to fly with your bike.

rsbob 

My wife and I have rented racing bikes in Europe from LBS. Just took our pedals, helmets and clothing. Worked beautifully. No hassle.

bwilli88 

I have bought bikes in Cambodia, including a Zunow and brought them back here to Pa.

AlgarveCycling

Europe is generally very bike friendly - from trains, airlines, cycling network, storage, parking etc. Some countries, like Denmark, Belgium etc lead the World in terms of cycling and infrastructure.

I flew home from Belgium to Portugal yesterday and there was a Pro woman with her bike - in an EVOC hard case - and someone with a foldable bike, zero protection, attached to a large suitcase. Both looked perfectly happy when they received their bikes at the other end at the oversized luggage area.

There are a number of regular visitors to where I live who come here for training in the great weather and they all bring their own bikes, never an issue.

I've also noticed that Pro cyclist Willie Smit just uses a cardboard bike box for his very regular trips around Europe for races - he shows this on his Youtube channel.

Re renting, I couldn't get a rental on this last trip, despite the Classics race season being over, all booked - in the end, I used a borrowed bike from my brother-in-law but otherwise would have taken my own. The cost for flying a bike in Europe is around 50-60euros per flight which is similar to bike rental. Next trip, I'm taking my own.

Re buying, it is a very nice idea, especially if it is a Colnago where they do have new owner collection options with a lot of fanfare.

DMC707

Couple of occasions, ive hit up craigslist and purchased bikes when in a new town on business --- not overseas or anything -- but in the past , as a insurance adjuster, i would never know how long my assignment would be and occasionally it would stretch into several months.

A CL score would typically give me something to do in the hotel for a night or two (replacing tires and bar tape , etc ) then give me recreation in the evenings after that. I wound up with a couple of Cannondales and a couple of Ironmans that way -

Was fun finding local groups to ride with around the country.

In retrospect, i think id rather get a Ritchey BReakaway , or something similar and just cart it around with me. I wound up taking my vintage finds home and since they were not necessarilly my preference to ride at home, they collected dust until i liquidated a bunch of them when covid started

BertCooper

Back in '85, was going to have to pay a lot to bring my Trek 414 on the plane (cheapish flight), so planned to buy a bike in Paris. (Dollar strong at the time.) Bought a reasonably priced Peugeot touring bike with nice fenders and rack to accommodate my bike camping gear, and it all went smoothly. I headed south from Paris, intending to visit cousins staying in Italy. Only problem was that I left my credit card at the Paris bike shop, which I discovered a day or two's ride south of Paris. Ended up taking train back to Paris, had various adventures, enjoyed Normandy, never made it to Italy. Bike was free on flight back. Airline gave me a cardboard box. Got rebate on the VAT paid on the bike if I recall. Did very little camping - mainly youth hostels. (Downside was needing French parts while living in Switzerland the following years.)