Doing IMCDA and Florida 1/2 this year and these are the first races that I have done that I need to fly.
Anyone have experience with Tri Bike transport? Or any advice on successful bike transport?
They are exceptional. I used them for a few races and will always choose this option if I have the choice. You will realize how less stressful it is to ship your bike this way and you will be converted too!
My experience working with these guys is that they are top notch. We’ve been a pick-up, drop-off point for them three times now I think. We always look in on the loading process and how the bikes are packed and they have done a fine job.
I would suggest they do a consistently much better job of packing and handling than the airlines do- by far.
The other thing is convenience: You get your bike moved exactly the same way a pro in the Tour de France does. They can even carry your race wheels or a race bag to the race site and back again for you.
I highly recommend Tri-Bike Transport. Five stars *****.
Exceptional. Used them at IMF, and will use them again.
I think I read a post here about how the LBSs contracted by TBT may post pics on the internet of your bike, lamenting how poorly maintained it is. I wouldn’t patronize a car mechanic, or dry cleaner, or LBS, who breached that trust with their customers. Not directly TBT, but within their value chain. Caveat emptor.
How far in advance does it make it to the race? Day before, two days before?
On their website when you are making a reservation, the choices for pickup were Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Seemed like cutting it a bit close for comfort to me, so I chose the way I’ve shipped mine for the last few years–Inside Out Sports—hoping it would get there much earlier than that.
So my bike arrives in PCB on Friday, the 28th. Plan on picking it up on Monday, the 31st…go over the the Boardwalk and finally track my bike down (after asking a lot of folks who didn’t really know the answer, both from IMNA and the hotel) still in a box, in fact in a room full of about 30 bikes still packed up in their boxes. This was about 3:30 Monday afternoon, and no one had heard from the folks who were charged with building the bikes up.
Likely it was all handled by Monday evening or Tuesday morning (due to scheduling for the week I waited until Wednesday morning to go back and pick it up)…and all was well when I did pick it up finally. Was just a little bit disappointed in it not being all ready to go on Monday, but perhaps that was just an unrealistic expectation on my part.
Given the same set of circumstances at another race, I would probably choose Tri Bike Transport—no tear down and building back up, lower cost and certainly less stress. And the timing seemed to work out just the same as the method I chose.
Hmmm, Thought I heard somewhere that some of there dropoff points were so finaticall about bicycles that they cleaned and repaired minor issues, and contacted the owners about major issues. They were even willing to share with others examples of what to look for in your bike to make sure you are maintaining it correctly.
My geuss is each drop off store is independently owned and operated so you might get different service at each place.
My wife and I have used them twice Canada and Florida and they were fantastic. Great service - highly recommended.
I read the site and they say departure depends on how far you are away from the race, but doesn’t say how far in advance they arrive at the race. I am sure it arrives in plenty of time, just curious really. I am doing AZ and thought about driving down but airfare is cheap so flying down seems like the way to go and this way I don’t have to entrust it to the airlines, which makes me edgy:)
I used them for IMCDA this past year, and I will use them again. Great experience.
Actually, not sure of the departure dates…from Tom Demerly’s thread about how poorly maintained those steeds were, IIRC that was on I believe a Wednesday (too lazy to look up the thread) so doesn’t seem like it’s that far in advance…my worries were on the receiving end.
Like you I’m going to likely drive to AZ in April and just transport it myself.
I heard the guy actually cleaned up some of the bikes for FREE. What kind of sick bastard does that?
I used them for IMFL—All I can say is AWESOME!!! It is so pleasurable to travel to a race and not have to worry about taking your bike and gear with you or bringing it back after the race.
TBT is fantastic.
- No bike breakdown or building required
- Cost is on par with shipping or flying with the bike
- Don’t have to lug a bike box around the airport, car, or hotel
- Post-race drop-off makes life much easier when you’re hurting from an Ironman
I used them to send my bike and a bag to IMAZ in April. It was great. I flew out to AZ with just a carry on bag - no reassembling the bike - no bike box to worry about. I am doing IMAZ and IMCDA in 06 and will be using them for both races.
Anyone know if they do international races?
I heard he doesn’t get an ok from a client before he does work on a bike and post the pictures.
Doing IMCDA and Florida 1/2 this year and these are the first races that I have done that I need to fly.
Anyone have experience with Tri Bike transport? Or any advice on successful bike transport?
No experience with Tri Bike, but several times a year I ship three bikes to races around the country and overseas via FedEx ground (in the US) and have had zero problems.
We usually have the bikes available for pick up at the race destination Thursday afternoon and Friday for Sunday races and Wednesday PM and Thursday for Saturday races (IMAZ and IMFL).