They are effectively FedEx Ground service - pretty rough when they load/unload between transit points. I would only do it with hard case. The last time I used a software case (Biknd Helium) they did a job on it and it's got some rips. Since then I switched to a hard Bike Box Alan case and never had issues. The box is no longer pretty, though.

What city do you live in?

Little Rock, AR. There is no tri bike transport option in our state if that’s what you’re getting at.

I wouldn’t be opposed to buying a hardshell cardboard shipping box from bike flights.

I think bike flights is out and ship bikes is in based on recent threads on ST.

Bikeflights uses UPS now. I have used them 2 - 3 times for bikes that I have sold and purchased. Each time the bikes have been shipped in a manufacturer's cardboard box and packaged similar to when they are shipped new. I have not had any problems with them. You LBS may have a solid cardboard bike box you could get from them - may have to call and ask them to save you one - if you're not ready to buy a case. I have the Premier Tactical hard case and it works great as well; for the Tactical.

Looks like Bike Flights has raised fees on the switch to UPS- if you fly American they have recently announced only $25 for normal checked baggage for bikes... so $50 total :-)

Something to consider perhaps.

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Graham Wilson
USAT Level III Elite Coach
http://www.thewilsongroup.biz

I've never flown with a bike before. I've always used bikeflights and shipped to a relative's house, then assembled the bike at their house. I use a cardboard box. As long as you pack your bike carefully and use lots of cut up pool noodles and tape, you can pretty much ensure the bike will arrive safe and sound. Totally worth it over potentially losing a bike or the bike being damaged by tsa or airline baggage handlers.

However, now with AA charging $30 bucks each way, unless AA flights are way more expensive than southwest or spirit, I'll probably fly with my bike on AA. It was significantly cheaper to do bikeflights before but more of a hassle. Now the delta is much less, if anything.

Yea I booked United a few weeks ago. I did purchase insurance so for $37 I can cancel my flights. Here’s my breakdown:

United: DIRECT flight both ways. $520.
-bike fees: $400 total.

AA: NOT DIRECT. $560.
-bike fees: $60 total.
-$37 I’ll have to pay to cancel my original United flights with the insurance.

If I fly with the bike I think 2 flights vs 4 would be ideal. But we will see.

Southwest probably doesn't have a direct flight either, but it is $75 each way, and the gate people always seem to know what they're doing when you show up with a bike in a case. I've always been happy with them.

It seems like bikeflights doubled their prices lately. I started using Shipbikes.com

American Airlines just made your decision for you.

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Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

Not really. Less fees but worse flights that require connections.

I researched flights for a while. Southwest (which I love) didn’t have very good options for me. Would have gotten back at like 11 PM and then be on call the next day.

I used BikeFlights to ship my bike from Detroit to Dallas. My bike was waiting in Dallas, as expected. I would use them again.

I used shipbikes.com from Tuscon to HIgh Point NC recently.
I was going to be gone from home for almost 2 weeks and my case weighed 68 then 71 pounds. It was $77 to ship in both directions.

The weird thing was in each direction I was told it would be delivered on X date. I checked 2d after shipping to see where the case was, still had an X date, in this case Friday delivery. Come home on Thursday afternoon from running errands and my case is by my carport door.

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Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching
Insta

Would you have reservations about shipping via that method for a race? I’ll arrive in boulder on Thursday for the Saturday race.

In March I tried to use bikeflights to ship my bike from Tuscon to Detroit area and they wanted $130 one way. Wonder why mine was so much more.

Ironcase at 48 lbs

There's a certain threshold on dimensions where it jumps up considerably. I'm not sure about weight. I've got a few bike boxes in the basement and the last bike I shipped I ended up using a Liv box bc it was a few inches smaller (I think width mostly). That 1 or 2 inches, whatever it was, ended up being about $80 less than a larger box. I think if you go to UPS.com they may have a guideline for total package dimensions. So you add L, W, and H and if that's below a certain number it is considered a "standard" package and is less $$.

I understand what you are saying and I know there may be a threshold for sizes but:

I have shipped that case all over the US before with BF when they used FedEx. I know it's a common case, I just see no reason to double the price.

I just dropped mine of at bike shop.Shipped from Hurricane to Arlington. I'll let you know how it goes. Shipped to a friend, no idea of total yet.

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Be Uncommon

No reservations about shipping it for a race whatsoever. Have done it multiple times, this trip included.

For the most part I'd rather ship my bike domestically than fly with it. I probably ship it 5 to 1 vs flying with it. Use a premier tactical case. Throw all my race & training crap in the case.

Still waiting to see what happens with everyone on American as it's the airline I tend to fly the most. Maybe my thoughts will change.

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Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching
Insta

Dang, I know UPS is more $ vs FedEX but that's nuts.

Even when I've used bikeflights I've never paid >$70. Usually when I go back east I'm staying for 12d -5 mo and the case is loaded up with training & racing crap. I've shipped 2 bikes in standard cardboard bike boxes for only about $140.

Did you check to see if you transposed some #'s when you entered dimensions or weight?

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Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching
Insta

In UT you dropped it off? I am over in Mesquite (well, I will be whenever I need my tri stuff), and just curious to where my options are for shipping from around there.

I've used a bike hard case with United many times. If you're using a soft case and it's under 50lbs you should only be charged $35. That said, EVER United airport interprets their policies differently, and even when having them printed in hand I end up in arguments.

For domestic on United I end up paying $100 each way (consistently) since the hard case weighs around 65lbs with bike and shit inside. I have MileagePlus Silver status which gives me a fee buffer for the weight between 50lbs and 70lbs. That means I only pay the "over sized" fee of $100 instead of over sized + overweight. Once I've had to pay $135 - cost of a checked bag + over size fee, but most of the time I've found if you pay the $100 ahead of time online when you check in online on United website, and the agent sees that you payed an over sized or over weight charge, they just push it through.

Again, every United agent interprets their rules different. But I've found that on every airline. The only exception has been Southwest, but even had a ton of issues with one agent when going to Texas in April - tried charging us $150 for each bike. So, no airline is clear enough apparently. Be prepared for a fight - always.

What I started doing is saving my United baggage receipts and have presented these in future arguments. With United, and other airlines, I've won "the fight" by being able to prove what I've paid for bike shipping in the past.

I used Over the Edgd in Hurrakin, not sure what's available in Mesquite.

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Be Uncommon

Please change airlines. A few years back, I flew United to Boulder. On the way to Boulder they broke my wheel. I raced with patch up work. On the return flight they broke my frame plus a ton of components (separate thread on ST). I opened up the case at the airport and made an immediate complaint. United took responsibility and said they don’t pay jack for any bikes. They meant it and told me to take a hike. Livid and appalled, I complained to anyone I could with United. They don’t care. My insurance company, with a heart of gold, sued United for my bike and the bike (cracked frame) belonging to a Navy Seal. I will never put my bike on another United flight. I know people want to argue the baggage handlers are the same but I have had zero issues flying my bike several times (with TSA checks) on SWA and KLM. I am loving this new American Airlines fee change ... they are making a statement that they care about cyclists.

How are you getting around the bike fee on United?

Just did a quote from 85701 to 48185
Trico Iron Case from their drop down menu, 48 lbs

$116 one way
If I enter the same dimensions manually 47,11,31 I get $96.95
$20 difference entering the same dimensions. Something not right there.

Shipbikes.com with same case 48 lbs
$67.61

Is that for just the shipping only. Do you buy the insurance?