I’ve heard a few stories in each category, but I would like to get a feeling for the general consensus. I’m debating on using them to get my bike down to Panama City, and the ~25 dollar difference in price to use them vs. flying my bike seems to be worth the hastle of disassembly, case, car, airport, re-assembly, race, disassembly, case, car, airport, re-assembly. Plus if I take a bike case and fly, I almost have to drive and park at ORD instead of taking public transport which is really easy unless shlepping a bike case.
Shipping isn’t a much better option then flying in that it only cuts out one step, and I’d have to deal w/ shipping it back the day after the race.
I used them for CDA and thought it was some of the best money spent. I also heard some other stories re: scratches, dings, etc., but I didn’t have any of that. I would use them again before flying with my bike if it is an option. Just my $.02, and I don’t have any affiliation with the group.
The only “bad” I can think of is you lose your bike for a week before the race, but that’s not so much of a big deal. If I wasn’t driving myself to Lake Placid, I’d be using them again. It’s a great service.
It is a complete no-brainer. My wife and I have used them for IMC, IMCDA, IMLP, IMAZ and my bike is on one of their trucks right now headed to NYC. I will use them again for IMC in August. I love the convenience factor of being able to drop it off right after crossing the finish line, not having to deal with assembling my bike in the hotel, etc. Plus, the owner Marc is a great guy. I’d rather support him than the assholes at United.
-crichton
I’ve heard a few stories in each category, but I would like to get a feeling for the general consensus. I’m debating on using them to get my bike down to Panama City, and the ~25 dollar difference in price to use them vs. flying my bike seems to be worth the hastle of disassembly, case, car, airport, re-assembly, race, disassembly, case, car, airport, re-assembly. Plus if I take a bike case and fly, I almost have to drive and park at ORD instead of taking public transport which is really easy unless shlepping a bike case.
Shipping isn’t a much better option then flying in that it only cuts out one step, and I’d have to deal w/ shipping it back the day after the race.
When I picked my bike up after Wisconsin here in CT, I noticed that one of my aerobar pads was missing. I guess they cover all the bikes with thick moving blankets to keep them extra secure. When they took the blanket off, I would guess it ripped off the rain drenched pad.
I sent them an email and they sent me a check for the cost of a new set of pads.
I agree with all the positive commentary here. I used them for IMC last year. Its great to not have to worry about dissembling your bike, packing it up, checking it (paying the airline), hoping and praying it arrives with you - without damage, and reassembling. My experience is that TriBike sets up “shop” very close to the finish, so after the race, you collect your bike, walk a few meters and send it off without a thought. Complete no-brainer for me. Doing it again this year for IMC!
I had a great experience using them for St. Anthony’s this year. Dropped my bike off a week before the race and picked it up 100 feet from the transition area. For comparison, I flew with my bike to USAT Nationals in Portland. It turned out fine, but ended up costing a lot more money and was generally a pain in the arse. Sure I wish I had my bike for that week, but I could always ride my road bike since I’ll generally only be spinning in the week before a race anyway. I wish they provided the service to more races.
I’ll be using them for the first time for IMC. I’ve done it all three ways: Shipped my bike to a race: A bit scary handing over to UPS and hoping it gets there in one piece (it did). Taken it on the flight twice (got misrouted on the return trip on my last race (Eagleman), but I had it the next day. Total cost was about $160.
I have communicated with Mark several times in the past as he was trying to offer service to the 70.3 Championships last year, and I found him to be very helpful, pleasant, and responsive to questions. Looking forward to giving them my business for IMC and future IM’s.
I used Tri Bike Transport for IM CDA. Nothing but a positive experience. I higly recommend it. The only downside is you don’t have your bike for a little over a week ( Thye picked up my bike on the 13th of July and got it to CDA by July 21.) After the race, you just walk the bike over to the TBT area and they take it and your done. Very good service.
I have never heard any bad at all about them, only very glowing reports. The only bad I can think of is that they aren’t going to IMWA in Dec to take my bike!
I used them for IMAZ. I would recommend them. The only bad experience I had with them was something that really wasn’t their fault, but i wish they would have fixed.
You could pick your bike up on Thursday from 12-5, my plane landed at 5 so I really wasn’t planning on getting my bike until Friday anyhow. Around 6ish the skies opened up. I really wasn’t worried about my bike because I figured they would put the bikes back Thursday at 5 when they closed. I assumed wrong, the bikes were left out all night, during the rain storm. My bike was covered with sand and dirt because of the rain. I had to go to a bike shop and get it cleaned. I can’t describe the grinding sound it was making because of the junk. The bike Tech spent 3 hrs cleaning sand and junk out.
i will use them again, but now I will plan on a stop at a bike shop after I pick it up
Agreed with all other positive comments. Used twice for IMAZ and will use in '08 for all other out of area races. Don’t deal with Airports and don’t have the stress of putting bike back together and risk not being dialed in to the exact fitting you have been training with- this happened to me when I shipped bike seperately to Ralph’s 1/2 IM and my back was killing me for entire ride.
I’ve shipped bikes with them for three races and would do it again in a second. If you are worried about damage, buy a little of their offered insurance, it’s only $6 per $1000 of coverage.
We’ve been a pick-up point for Tri Bike Transport for quite some time now. We don’t get a kickback from them or any benefit other than people visiting the store to drop their bikes off.
In general I think they do a very good job. They moved a lot of bikes to Ironman CDA with very minimal issues. Inevitably there are going to be issues with moving a lot of high end racing machines.
Our experience is that when you turn in a clean, well adjusted, meticulously maintained bike for race day that is what you get back from Tri Bike Transport.
I used them for IMC last year, California 70.3 this year and will use them again for IMC this year. The best part is handing your bike over after the race. I do purchase the insurance just to make myself feel better, but have never needed it and don’t ever expect to. I highly recommend using this service.