CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

How do I get my bicycle to Canada?

(15 posts)
  • Started 13 years ago by rosscbrown
  • Latest reply from chdot
  • This topic is not resolved

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  1. rosscbrown
    Member

    Sad news: I'm leaving Edinburgh.
    Better news: I'm going to Montreal, Canada to stay with the girlfriend

    So, with that in mind - how do I get my bike to Canada? Specifically, how do I pack it?

    I have covered the frame and exposed parts in pipe insulation to protect it, turned the bars and removed the pedals. Can I just hand it over to the airline like this - my thoughts are that in doing so it will still look like a bicycle, could be pushed etc, and as such will receive better care?

    Or do I take it appart and put it in a bike box? Or leave it in one and put it in a bag?

    I really don't know and KLM have told me they can take it any of these ways...

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. wingpig
    Member

    Maybe take the rear mech off, bubble-wrap it and tape it somewhere safe from knocks too?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. Instography
    Member

    A bike shop should be able to give you a box that would still identify it as a bike but give it a good sturdy surrounding. That and insurance (and wingpig's advice).

    Posted 13 years ago #

  4. custard
    Member

    whats the weight limit?
    would it be possible to build a wooden box around it?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  5. rosscbrown
    Member

    Thanks for the replies - looks like some sort of packing would be good. Now to find a box...

    Weight limit is 23kg, bike is around 15kg.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  6. custard
    Member

    wonder if you could do a wooden frame with ply for 7kg ish?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  7. Instography
    Member

    Tricky even with 3mm ply. You'd need a frame to attach the ply to. Cardboard's fine. It's quite hard for the chuckers to throw a bike.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  8. kaputnik
    Moderator

    The Bike Works do a "we'll package your bike for flight" service. Or they might be willing to part with a bike box for you to do it yourself. Infact any of the friendlier LBSs may be able to donate you a box in which a flatpack bike comes.

    Personally I think wood isn't the way to go - to make it strong enough to be worth your while, you'd add a lot of weight. Cardboard is good because it is fairly light and tough and is flexible enough to take knocks and bumps without breaking.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  9. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Notwithstanding TBW, if you're going to go all le constructeur then have a think about armouring your cardboard or eBayed bike transit bag with coroplast/correx. I did this a couple of years ago to help protect against slicey things that my transit bag had experienced before. Easter Road Plastics, of East Telferton industrial estate, sells huge 8x4 ft sheets for not too much. Or you can try getting offcuts from signmaking places perhaps.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  10. kaputnik
    Moderator

    There's a foam warehouse place on Causewayside, near the Tesco, that will custom-cut foam for you. I've heard rumours on Twitter that they have a delivery bike. Perhaps they will cut you something for your bike for a good price if you tell them what it's for.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  11. Roibeard
    Member

    I can confirm the cargo bike - SRD and I spotted it on Friday.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  12. custard
    Member

    re bike boxes
    I often see bike boxes out for rubbish outside the bike shop(sorry,cant recall the name) on Slatford road/Hermands/Robertson Ave lights

    Posted 13 years ago #

  13. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Freewheelin'. Gembo and Spytefeare's favourite.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  14. custard
    Member

    thats the one
    I often cycle by on my way home
    I like to know where they are for emergency parts!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  15. chdot
    Admin

    Extreme version (but you probably need a Brompton) -

    http://pathlesspedaled.com/2011/03/this-bike-is-not-a-bike

    Posted 13 years ago #

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