Broken bike box - repair?

Triathlon Forum
1

So, predictably, a certain airline to remain un-named was careless with my baggage. My bike box was dropped and the wheels wound up punching right through the hard plastic casing. So, the airline admitted fault and told me to call a customer service number to file a claim. Predictably, when I called the number, it was India. After many hours on the phone and various correspondence, I gave up and was not paid a dime for damages.

At any rate, I’d still like to be able to use the box. I believe I need to reinforce the edges of the box where the wheel went through. Does anyone know: a) how this is typically done, or b) a company or type of company that would be able to do this repair. Bonus points if it’s in the Philadelphia area.

Thanks in advance,

2

Been there - Done that…

My bike box was crunched on a flight from Frankfurt to Atlanta a couple years ago. I started with the easy stuff - duct tape, but it didn’t prevent flexing of the broken corners. Then I tried a caulk/glue, but it won’t hold together the long cracks when the box flexes. Finally settled on car body fiberglass repair kit (about $10 at WalMart as I recall). You apply sheets of fiberglass cloth over the cracks and holes and then ‘paint’ with resin. It takes a day to dry, but will provide a repair that is almost as strong as the original hard plastic of the case. The fiberglass material will mold to fill corners or other irregular surfaces. You can sand and paint, but I didn’t bother. The repair has survived several transatlantic flights without problems. Good luck.

3

X2- I used a luggage company- Airline Int’l if you have one- they did the repair by using a metal plated roller foot -super heavy duty-it worked. My airline told me to go get a quote for repairs which I did and submitted it back to them- they paid

4

Frankfurt, eh? I’ve been there biggest bunch of bike unfriendly gorillas for bagge handlers I have ever seen. We flew back from there are IM Germany and 13 out of the 14 boxes onboard were broken in some state or form.

Thanks for the fibreglass tip.

5

Thanks for the tips…
Do you apply this to the inside, outside, or both?

6

… Do you apply this to the inside, outside, or both?

Whatever is easiest. Since the case edges ‘nest’ inside each other, I treated the inside of the inner box and outside of the outer box - this way the corners and edges continue to fit together like normal. You might want to sand a bit before you apply the fiberglass so it sticks better; particularly if the box has been cleaned with armor all or waxed. Good luck.

7

I was going to say fiberglass also. It is easy enough to do yourself. I guess I just did say it ;0) if you don’t have time take it to any auto body shop in the Philly area they will take care of it for you. Should not be to much if you just want it applied and not sanded and painted. But you could paint it. Be pretty cool with flames or something.