Finally qualified for Kona after 5 years and I’m struggling to decide how to ship my bike. Checking it in with the luggage seems straightforward but…1. will someone open it up elsewhere and undo my gentle packing and 2. the airline’s paltry insurance won’t cover the value of my P3. Shipping via UPS/Fedex/other seems easier but more expensive and you don’t know when the bike will arrive.
What do other’s do?
Thanks, Graham
They may open it. Make sure not to ship CO2 or other compressed gasses in the box. These are the things they most often open for. Remember, they want to open up your box less than you want them to open it. It is a pain for them. Be smart about what you pack. But whenever I talk to the TSA guys, they always tell me they do NOT want to have to undo the 7 straps, open it up, and then try to get it back together.
Check and see if your homeowners insurance covers the bike in case of damage. It may. And remember, getting $5K or whatever out of UPS is not easy. I had a friend who’s bike was “lost” by UPS, and there was a lot of haggling – “how do we know it was worth that much?” and things of that nature. The finally settled, but it took about 3 months. Bike in question was a Litespeed Tuscany valued at about $4K.
I think it is a risk you accept when you travel with a bike. Pack your bike well. Use the fork and dropout spacers. I’ve heard a few horror stories about bikes coming off planes mangled. But most people make it through okay.
I’d check with your insurance to see if you have any coverage. And also maybe there is “bike insurance” you can buy for this? On some level, I think it is a risk that comes with the territory.
Also, I believe UPS/FedEx DO guarantee an arrival date.
I highly recommend finding a bike store near the race to whom you can ship the bike and have them rebuild and tune it up for you. You can also have your LBS pack it for you in the box provided by FEDEX.
If you read the Bikesport thread about pre IM Wisconsin faults then you can understand the benefits of having someone look over your bike post-shipping-pre-race.
I travel a lot and have invested in a travel case (TRICO Iron Case) to keep it safe. Depending on the country the case will get opened up so you may want to take this into consideration if you consider buying a case and taking it yourself. It can cost you extra on certain airlines so you may want to consider that as well.
I have had my bike damaged, checked and repacked badly, lost, found and kicked around more than I’d like. I accept that because I’ve never had a problem getting some form of remuneration from the airlines but for a race such as this you might not want to take the risk. However, I’ve also not had to worry too much about a major race a few days after I arrive…
Long story short, have your LBS pack the bike, ship it UPS or FEDEX and find a bike shop to rebuild it and check it once you get there. It may be a bit more expensive but this is KONA, it may be a once in a lifetime shot and the cost is worth the peace of mind.
you can ship GROUND to kona. they will drive your ground shipment to their main national distribution center, then they will fly it to kona. not sure if both ups and fedex offer this service, but i know one of them does…just can’t remember which one…
Aloha!
I handle the receiving and shipping of bikes for Bikeworks here on Kona for Honu and Ironman. What I can tell you from experience is if you cheque your bike as luggage with the airlines, 1) they can not guarantee it will connect with you (and your other luggage), 2) they won’t insure it, 3) they have every right to open the bike box and inspect, 4) if they do #3, most of the time your bike does not get put back into the box as you have packed it.
We are seeing more and more athletes further east on the mainland, send their bikes via UPS or FED EX out here because of what I have just stated, and they can insure their bikes with either company. It may be a bit more expensive to ship with a carrier, but you can insure it and I’ve yet to see either company open a bike box (card board, hard case, etc). I haven’t seen anyone with a direct flight into Kona from the west coast have issues with bikes on the plane.
Choose a service with either company (2nd day air, ground, etc…) and call them telling them what date you need your bike to be on Kona. They will tell you what date they need to collect your bike box from you(or when you need to drop it off at a UPS/FED EX site) in order to meet your needs. You would then want to send your bike out with them one day earlier then what they tell you due to the fact each bike box goes through Honolulu prior to coming to Kona. Sometimes it makes it in and out of Honolulu to Kona same day. Sometimes not and sits one extra day.
I’ve experienced an athlete sending their bike UPS ground from California having it take up to 7 days to reach us.
Please take into consideration that neither shipping company delivers on weekends and Ironman time is the quite busy for both carriers and airlines (inter-island).
See you in October!
Linda
I flew to Kona last winter for vacation and took my bike with me. I had no problems at all - I had it packed in advance - I went to the airport early to makes sure they had time to check it - and it arrive no problem. Most of the time the TSA people just take the swab and run it around the outside of the box. Sometimes they open it, but I’ve always had it repacked just as well.
To be honest anytime you travel with a bike there are potential problems, but I’ve had less damage to my bike box by flying with it then the times I’ve sent it by UPS / Fed-Ex
Living in Alohaland, I have packed and shipped many a bike. One of my bikes went all the way to England from Kona before I moved here. It arrived three weeks later in Louisiana. Totally torn apart including the bar tape was off, BB disassembled (with a Pipe wrench) man what a bummer.
Anyway enough of that. I personally have had better luck and cheaper with FedEx than UPS. (That is Me). Flying with the bike and TSA can be a mess if you get the" red tag" special. My buddys bike case got raked pretty hard on our River City Tri trip last month. The dumb shit told the TSA guy that" he really didn’t want to open that box". Like gee ok, we won’t do that wink wink. My S&S coupled bike didn’t get checked.
If I were to fly with my bike I would bubble wrap the whole frame and put the wheels in wheelbags in the bike case. TSA does a pretty good job with luggage, but they aren’t bike packers. I don’t know Linda, but am good friends with Kona Bike Works owner Grant. I can vouch that they will do you right in the un packing and reassembly at the Ironman. In all fairness I think B&L will do that too.
If you ship FedEx ask for “ground” rate . It will go ground to the coast then fly to Hawaii. It takes about a week to 10 days. Do Grant a favor and ship it as early as you can. Having more than one bike does have advantages, and besides the training should be in the barn by then.
Good luck in Kona, congratulations. G
well done on kona, its sure out of my grap but hopfully I can help you with shipping. I have traveled to 5 races by air this year, with a P3 and carbon wheels. Get a trico case and you will be fine, dont put co2 in there and deflate the wheels and use the fork and stay jambs that come with the box. your bike will be in good hands
Travelling with a bike is a challenge:
Depending on the screening equipment at your airport or airports that you pass through, your bike case may be opened.
The bike fee which varies from airline to airline is administered very inconsistantly. Essentially, you never know when they will hit you with it. I just returend from Penticton and IMC. No mention of an extra bike fee on the way out when we checked in, but we were hit with the bike fee on the return trip, even though the bike case was the only piece of checked luggage!
If travelling with your bike, consider carefully ground transportation to your local airport and then at your destination. Bike cases can be a hassle. In particular, be sure that they will fit easily in your rental car( Some do some don’t and a bigger car may be of little help as it really depends on the shape ie. a small hatch back may be better than a bigger sedan). And not all cabs will take them.
Extraordinary transport methods with UPS, FedEx or with some of the new services springing up with some bike shops that will pack, ship, reassemble and tune your bike to various IM and other events are starting to become more attractive. However, be prepared to part with some cash as these latter services are set up as a premium service. However, for peace of mind they certainly seem to be the way to go if you are not that mechanically inclined and want to avoid some of the above hassles
Fleck
I only fly with the bike as I’ve heard too many horror stories about UPS “losing” bikes. From SF to Kona I have a direct flight, so no transfer issues (hopefully).
My bikes have been trans-Atlantic and Pacific numerous times and what I’ve found is:
That said, if Tri Bike Transport had service to Kona, I’d use them.
www.tribiketransport.com/
clm
Please think ahead about what you may do if the bike does not make it. Hey, it happens. Oversize luggage always gets bumped. Carry your race clothes and shoes (bike/running) as a carry-on bag.
Taking your bike anywhere that is out of your direct control can be scarey. Some others have given some really good advice to which I’ll add… Don’t try to conceal that it is a bike. Just tell them it is a bike and pay the fee with a smile (the attendent doesn’t make the rules). Get there very very early so they have plenty of time to get your bike to the plane. Make sure your name/ destination/ flight number is in plain sight on your case. Pack your case in such a way that they can open it and close it if they want. If they ask you to open it, do it with a smile for them. Those plastic zip ties are really helpful allowing you to secure anything that might move. I’ve had to open mine most of the time… Don’t exceed the max weight limit (check the airline website).
I fly with my bike all the time. What I do is request TSA to open the box in front of me (you CAN do that). I’d say 1 our 5 times they open it. Most times they put a sticker on it. i get nailed with the fee every third time or so. I am debating as well about shipping it but last time I shipped my bike with fedex to phoenix, it ended in boise,Idaho and the rear drailleur was smashed. so no good experience there. So right now I am thinking about flying with it and shipping it back. (I go direct to honolulu and connect from there)
“Don’t try to conceal that it is a bike. Just tell them it is a bike and pay the fee with a smile (the attendent doesn’t make the rules)”
I don’t mind paying the fee but:
The airlines seem to have it out for anything that is spelt B-I-K-E. If it was just about anything else, there would be no extra fee
The inconsistancy is a bit of a pain. If it’s a rule - enforce it across the board.
After forking over $50, some airlines make you sign a waiver releasing them of any responsibility for damage. Why then, am I paying the extra handling fee?
Fleck
I am an advocate for taking it on the plane also - one thing I do - in addition to the obvious overcompensation on packing - is to place plastic zip ties into the eyes of the latchs on each side of my bike box.
The bike case is effectively not locked - TSA can still get in - but if the ties are broken - (and thankfully as of yet they have not been - so the box has not been opened) I intend to open the box and inspect the bike for damage BEFORE leaving the baggage claim area - in the presence of an airline employee - better to be safe than sorry
If you are paying the fee to take it with you - AND mention to the check in staff that you are attending the World Championships - you should have no issues with it going - regardless of whether or not it is oversize. It is not excess baggage - rather - oversize.
Contact your airline in advance - relay your concerns - and get names of people you spoke with.
Your check in should not be a problem
Unfortunatel - too many people get al jacked abut paying the fee - it is simply another cost in this sport - if you get away with it - great - if not - so be it and you simply have to factor it in.
AJ
TSA will open the box to search for contraband. They most likely will try to return your bike and its components to the original configuration but suffice it to say it will become dishoveled. Then it will be placed in a holding area to be loaded through the side of the aircraft apart from most of the smaller luggage (aircraft dependent). Having a damaged bike before an “A” race is a stress producer you don’t need. Check with www.inside-outsports.com to see if they can ship your bike to and from your race.
If you have a P3, why are you worried? (i.e., cost)
If the airlines “paltry insurance” won’t cover, your homeowner’s insurance will (Check the fine print, establishing a value for the cycle with all the receipts,etc., etc. Put in the safe for record-keeping purposes as the insurance claims agent will demand at some point).
Best option: Ship 7-10d ahead via FedEx to a bike shop on the island; do without your P3 and train on your second-string cycle.
Good luck at Kona…
What happens?
They get a gorilla to sling it across it’s cage.
They sometimes hose off the gorilla feces, sometimes not.
They open the box with a crowbar
They leave the gorilla alone with the open box for at least 15 minutes.
They coax the gorilla away with a banana, and send in a drug-sniffing dog to the box…if they washed away the gorilla feces, the dog will “mark” it.
They pull the bike out and assemble it.
They give it to a Russian Circus Bear for one lap around an area as big as a normal circus ring.
They get an elephant to pick the bike up, dismantle it, and replace it back in the box…if it weren’t for this delicate pachyderm treatment, more people would complain.
They sling the box onto a conveyor belt that carries it past an x-ray machine which is set on “stun”.
They load it onto the first plane that has room.
This is the honest truth, I don’t care what anyone else tries to tell you.