I use the Trico Sports case and if the bike is properly packed you could drive a truck over it with no worries. Be sure to wrap the tubes in foam pipe insulation, and block the top of the seat tube with cardboard. Block the forkends too.
My bikes are 60-62cm and they BARELY fit but I have had NO problems even shipping very valuable vintage bikes by UPS or airline. I do worry that airlines will want to open the case for "security" and then not re-close it properly, so I try to avoid shipping as checked baggage.
===================================================== Mark Petry 206.618.9642 Beautiful Bainbridge Island, WA mpetry@bainbridgeisland.net
===================================================== "Most of American life consists of driving somewhere and then returning home, wondering why the hell you went."
John Updike, "Rabbit at Rest" =====================================================
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2003 18:27:29 -0700 From: Steve Maas <smaas@nonlintec.com> To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Cc: Hetchinspete <hetchins.pete@verizon.net> Subject: Re: [CR]Wanted; Information on Bike Traval Cases Message-ID: <3EF3B481.6000100@nonlintec.com> References: <20030621005354.CHBZ246.out004.verizon.net@localhost> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Precedence: list Message: 14
I have the case that Performance Bike sells. I have used it several times for my modern bikes, never had the nerve to pack a bike that I cared a lot about. Still, I think it's about as good as any, and far better than using a cardboard bike box. I've seen cardboard boxes trashed by baggage handlers, and in my experience, European baggage handlers are a bunch of gorillas. I've sat on a plane and watched them fling suitcases from a plane to a baggage trolley. Once I saw a cardboard bike box delivered to the baggage claim with big gashes in it and the bike half out of the box.
To pack a bike in the Performance case, you take off the wheels first, and place them in the case. Next comes a thick layer of plastic and a foam layer. Then, you put in the bike, with the pedals off, of course, and handlebar turned or removed. I've usually had to remove the handlebar completely, as well as luggage rack and fenders. It's also a good idea to remove the rear derailleur. There are straps to hold the frame in position, which always come loose. Then comes another layer of foam and the top of the case. The whole thing is wedged together quite tightly, and it all stays together pretty well in transit. There is always a possibility, though, that something may move and rub or scrape.
For a good old bike, I would definitely wrap the frame in bubble wrap before packing it; I think that would be enough to keep it safe. The only damage I've experienced was once when the rear dropouts were bent slightly closer together.
The box weighs about 60 pounds packed. It has wheels, which I consider essential for any bike case. It costs $280, but goes on sale frequently for $250. It's well made and you can lock it for security.
Packing a classic bike for transport by air is a risky business. This is
one reason why I haven't attended the Cirque: I am just too worried about placing one of my babies in the case. I don't care so much about my modern bikes, and they get pretty roughly used on a tour anyway, but my Colnagos....that's hard to face.
Steve Maas
Long Beach California