Bike transport...ugh

[chw57]

So there's a company near me that's definitely taking bikes to IMTX from my area...but they never call or email me back and I'm starting to freak out.

I don't know enough about my bike to feel comfortable taking it apart and putting it in a bike box, so I'm really not sure what to do now.

Any advice??

[coconutbug]

Ugh, that sucks. Have you looked into other companies that do bike transport? I've heard of Tri Bike Transport and Sag Monkey, though I've never tried them. Are you part of a local tri club, where you could ask others how they've transported bikes from your area before?

[joenali]

Look on the IMTX website and it should tell you which company to ship with, usually Tri Bike Transport. Do it now or there won't be any availability.

[sadlebred]

I vote go with a company if you can. Flying with a bike even if you have a case is a pain. I've done it enough to know.

[chw57]

Feb 8, 2014 18:01:05 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

I vote go with a company if you can. Flying with a bike even if you have a case is a pain. I've done it enough to know.

Crap! I was counting on you to tell me I could easily figure out how to pack it myself

[kams]

Ship it to NM and I'll throw it on my rack

I hope tri bike transport will work out, I've only heard great things about them.

[texassmith]

Let us houston ladies know if we can do any leg work here to help you find a bike shop or anything if you end up taking it apart to ship.

Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using proboards

[chw57]

Feb 8, 2014 19:18:57 GMT -5 texassmith said:

Let us houston ladies know if we can do any leg work here to help you find a bike shop or anything if you end up taking it apart to ship.

Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using proboards

There's still a chance I'll go this route! I may need to get in contact with a bike shop somewhere near the woodlands...

[katinthehat]

Feb 8, 2014 19:29:43 GMT -5 chw57 said:

Feb 8, 2014 19:18:57 GMT -5 texassmith said:

Let us houston ladies know if we can do any leg work here to help you find a bike shop or anything if you end up taking it apart to ship.

Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using proboards

There's still a chance I'll go this route! I may need to get in contact with a bike shop somewhere near the woodlands...

Hubs can do it.  He's built all our bikes.  You can get a bike shop to take it apart and pack it up for you.

But like others have said, go with the company first because if the likelihood of damage is less (I think.)

Also, you and kams, how tall are you?  I'm 5'2" and my bike is a 49".  Either of you are welcome to it as a backup if needed!

[chw57]

After talking with my tri team peeps, I've decided to go with tri bike transport. Hopefully it will go smoothly!

[sadlebred]

chw57 You could easily pack the bike yourself. My philosophy is "let the bike shop maintain my bikes for me" b/c I don't have the time or skill. I always pack my own bikes in the case I have to fly them with (Ok, I may need to get my mechanic to take off the pedals if I can't undo them). It's just a pain to haul the case and bike from the car, through the airport, to check in, from the baggage claim area, to the car, put it in the car, etc. Oh, plus your suitcase, carry on, and purse/camera bag/laptop bag. I would gladly hire a skycap to take it for me if I wasn't so cheap. You have to be cheap to pay the ridiculous fees airlines charge to fly a bike.

[chw57]

Feb 8, 2014 22:30:09 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

chw57 You could easily pack the bike yourself. My philosophy is "let the bike shop maintain my bikes for me" b/c I don't have the time or skill. I always pack my own bikes in the case I have to fly them with (Ok, I may need to get my mechanic to take off the pedals if I can't undo them). It's just a pain to haul the case and bike from the car, through the airport, to check in, from the baggage claim area, to the car, put it in the car, etc. Oh, plus your suitcase, carry on, and purse/camera bag/laptop bag. I would gladly hire a skycap to take it for me if I wasn't so cheap. You have to be cheap to pay the ridiculous fees airlines charge to fly a bike.

True, and we'll have Ellie with us so it would be a big hassle

[kams]

Feb 8, 2014 21:28:20 GMT -5 katinthehat said:

Feb 8, 2014 19:29:43 GMT -5 chw57 said:

There's still a chance I'll go this route! I may need to get in contact with a bike shop somewhere near the woodlands...

Hubs can do it.  He's built all our bikes.  You can get a bike shop to take it apart and pack it up for you.

But like others have said, go with the company first because if the likelihood of damage is less (I think.)

Also, you and kams, how tall are you?  I'm 5'2" and my bike is a 49".  Either of you are welcome to it as a backup if needed!

Thx Kat! I'm 5'3", but I'm driving so I should be a-ok! I mean...i'd better be ok!!!!

[joenali]

We drive and took the bike with us. It was fine!

[trigal]

You could ship it to a bike shop and have them rebuild it for you.

[chw57]

Feb 9, 2014 0:49:20 GMT -5 joenali said:

We drive and took the bike with us. It was fine!

I wish there were more IMs within driving distance! There's tahoe, but after the snow situation last year, no way!