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Hey, no, cause cardboard is a contained protective box. A tarp for example you can expect to be challanged. If and how much fee you pay is not down to the material, it depends on what weights and dimensions for that airline result in the smallest fees. Check the terms of service thoroughly for Ryanair, mark the sum. Ryanair, as far as I know, will charge you bike fee no matter what. The question you should ask yourself is, is the sum of all fees and fares for this airline the best you can get. Maybe Ryanair is the best. Check plenty of others. Try different airports.

Yeah, staying flexible and knowing your own needs is key, agree.

Anytime

Only since I got comments on those as it sounds perfect on all my devices with or without earphones, except on my TV where it sounds like everything happens below 250 hz at the same volume. I apoligize for that and promise change. How did you survive the video?

i have the exact same issue...and that s this exact point who made me cancel my idea of taking my bike and rent a bike at my destination instead

Right on! 🥳

Rain can be an issue some said and they proposed to wrap the duct tape across the whole outer shell. More pictures of sketchy places or the bike box? Cheers

@@LukeGyver of the bike boxes you hack together. My ideal box is one where I don't have to remove my 36cm cockpit from the steerer. Wheels on the side, remove a few things and boom. I'm also wondering if it could ever make sense to make one with fibreglass. Traveling with modern road bikes with integrated cabling makes removing the bars pretty traumatic pretty fast.

@@pierrex3226 I wouldn't use this method for a carbon road or gravel bike. It has no anti-compression aside from your wheels! Great for metal bike packing bikes not so much for more performance bikes. Take a look at the Orucase B2. Its sub 62 liners inches and below the oversize limits,, also, folds down int the bottom ABS tray for storage.jsut need to add purchase price but it's nothing compared to your bike or ruined vacation.

Here's the detailed version with the added spirit line: --- I appreciate the idea of using "any box" as a bike box - it really shows the spirit needed for these adventures, and thanks for sharing that insight despite the audio challenges. Regarding weight, 23 kg works for my current setup, including all essentials like dry bags, cages, tools, shoes, and helmet. I use a proper MTB, and I recognize that gravel bikes tend to be at least 3 kg lighter, while other setups can be significantly heavier with loaded panniers. So, as you mentioned, hitting that 23 kg limit really depends on the specific situation. On the topic of tires, I’d assume they won’t pop in transit since the cargo area is pressurized. Even new tires can typically handle being pumped up to double without issues. In the end, tires will only pop if they’re damaged or simply too old. That said, I know tires can sometimes pop unexpectedly, even when just sitting in storage, which might be why airlines often advise deflating. Personally, I’d still recommend following this guideline to avoid the risk of staff needing to open the box, which could lead to handling issues, as others here have suggested. As for transport costs, they vary a lot and are sometimes included in the fare. With careful planning and by comparing airline guidelines, it's often possible to optimize the setup and save significantly - though, of course, it isn’t always an option. I had a different opinion prior, like you do, until I took a deep dive and went down the whole rabbit whole. Thanks again for sharing your experiences and thoughts! And sorry for the audio, darn thing...

@@LukeGyver Ok, deflate the tyre 1/3rd and so you're absolutely 100% safe. If you don't care pumping then deflate it completely. The whole gear/bike I carry with me weighs about 33 kg. I have a Swiss custom taylored steel frame travel bike by Robert Stolz. As I don't fancy very much taking my bike apart in order to fit it into a woman's handbag I prefer to pay 100 dollar per trip as I can afford it. Don't worry about the music in this video. I'm happy that you recognise the issue. That's enough for me. You're not alone anyway: Background music is the cancer (or corona ...) of countless videos on youtube - even on videos of professional news channels. Greetings from Switzerland - the bicycle paradise (if you're strong enough).

@@svenlima yeah, Switzerland is stunnig, love the loop around Vierwaldstättersee. Including the short unavoidable walk. Was always a good thing to do Saturdays. The decent from Pilatus as well, but then Enduro of course. And so many more, I am happy to see every ski resort is evolving in this regard also. The scenery is banannas.

Instead of saving airfares you can make some money by transporting drugs. (just joking!). When I returned from my cycling trip through Thailand the guys at customs in Switzerland asked me if I had hidden drugs within the tubes of the frame and if they should saw the bike into pieces to find out. I answered that I need a new bike anyway so they could do whatever they liked and then buy me a new bike. :-)

Noted

@@LukeGyver a) the sound was fine on my computer b) this guy spent countless unpaid hours to share a very informative and useful video, putting together a script, animations, sourcing clips, filming, editing -- and working on sound. I'm gonna guess he's not a pro videographer... providing feedback is good and useful for future videos, but without the mean snark would be a lot more productive. @LukeGyver, thanks for your efforts and for kindly sharing your experience in this well put-together video.

​@@DominiqueByou said it all. Very happy to see your comment.

@@DominiqueB cry more

@@apenneukende 😭😭😭 Done, thanks for the reco, wise advice, feel much better now. Phew!

First time I am hearing this

What a good feedback, thx mate

Airports, bike shops, Facebook bike groups...

How do you throw the roll in after you have fully wrapped the box?

You cannot leave your box at the airport to grab it on your way bag. Its too expensive. Leave it at the place you stay, or a bike friendly communuty like warmshowers, or dispose and get a new one when leaving.

Appreciate, glad you enjoyed.. 🥳

It is? please specify, that would help, would surely not want that.

@@LukeGyver same for me. Your speaking voice lower than the background music. Maybe lower the volume of your bg music next time. Other than that, very informative video. Thanks!

@@LukeGyver there's 1, the reason explained by @earthmaniebo below + 2, your voice just sounds muffled.

@@earthmaniebo looks I will have to try a couple things. Thanks for that feedback

Appreciate that feedback as you can imagine. To your questions... Tape I always have on me. (hahaha) Seriously. Knife/Cutter as well, though it is not necessary to have. Not wanting to extend the video, but the thought was also, that e.g. most bikepackers will have a knife of some sort and if you dont put it in your box, you will have to get rid of it at security if you realize you just handed over your bike box (with all inside as you pointed out) and have no other luggage to check in. You wont need the knife/cutter as long as you use duct tape. Box will open without. Its handy for the zip tie if you caught one that does not release easy. The skateboard, yes you gotta plan that if you did not store your box, but these days I can think of at least 2 easy ways to get those without any hassle (Any downtown cheap stuff shop/ Amazon Locker). Does not need to be a skateboard even. Wonder where it will take people.

Like that, that is what I answer to newbees... Any bike, and I mean it, will do. Its an adventure.

Very glad to hear you got something out of this. Where to?

@@LukeGyver Portugal, I signed up for Gravel Birds next year. But since I've never flown with a bike before, I've already started to get my head around it. Your video definitely helped!

Yes! I've had similar experiences. I have learned to call the bike shops ahead from where I'm departing. With a 2-3 day head start they'll definitely have some waiting for you.

They sometimes do, true, however it would be nice to know why they did that. In Shanghai they once called me out to open my box for inspection. They did not want the bicycle light to be in there.

I tagged everything that tsa might pull out and throw back in loose. 3 out of 3 boxes opened leaving the US. 0 out of 3 boxes opened on return. Lufthansa always a crapshoot with extra fees. Paid outbound but free (not charged) from dubrovnik return.

You can/should always give the airport a call. Not the airline company, but the airport actually. I am amazed by how many airports carry boxes by now. There is always a plan B in case.

@@LukeGyver Not always works, think about arriving at a small airport just in time at the end of your trip and no time to find a cycle shop. There must be better ideas than cardboard. Plus ripping parts apart like you did must take a while to put them back together, re adjust the Derailleur and breaks,etc.

​@@LukeGyver the other thing about cardboard is that you gotta throw it away at arrival. Do you throw the half skate board away with it? it breaks the elegance of travel. But all in all, way way better that the expensive bike case. ; )

Hey @@keithfirst good thinking, and yes I do have an answer for that. With the cardboard you are free to do whatever you want...store/dispose. The 1/2 or even 1/3 skateboard you can... take with you on the trip, or arrange a warm showers which will keep it for you, or send it forward to a warmshowers which is at your departing airport, or hide it close to the airport (knowing it will be there when you get back), leave it at the next bike shop (they usually dont mind something as small), or with all the same options look for something even smaller that will roll. Cause I think you are right "elegance". "Ripping" the bicycle apart is no must, in case that came across to you like that. It should let people know that you can do it though in case you will benefit from it. I disassembled my bicycle to that extreme (like you see in the video) only once. Hainan airlines, was awesome. To the thing of arriving late at a small airport. Some things are none negotiable, arrive early and know your options in advanced. If there are no shops, you should know that. You know it early enough that it will be a problem, there is FB and other where you will find people that will help you. I prefer to have some things planned out and sit at the airport with a burger watch people check in, whilst other things I love to just go and not know and be forced to figure out. Adventure... Have a good day

Westjet 43 kg

Wizzair 32kg.

British airways is free to take a bike. EasyJet and wizzaie (and other budget airlines) all charge.

@@velokernow3696 Weight and ground handling all cost money the airline has to make money why do you expect every thing to be free.

@@arcoulant87 I don't expect it to be free, just British airways is free, and so often it's cheaper to fly with them than a budget airline which ends up more expensive. Just a tip.

Thanks. In sum, deflate them, 50% should be just fine and you will slip through the checks like lubricated. There is a good short video by parktool regarding this with shared experiences from riders in the comments. th-cam.com/video/EQ4QUC3n9Es/w-d-xo.htmlsi=qUfw64L4wef62pA2

@@LukeGyver or just don't deflate them :)

Will the change in air pressure in the plane be ok?

@@bryanj12341 from my own experience and what I've found out researching this topic the answer is that you don't not need to deflate your tires.

If you have a Brompton, you can skip the whole luggage check-in queue on newer Boeing 737 jets, like the 737-700 and 737-800 series, Bromptons fit perfectly in the overhead baggage compartment... Awesome you mentioned it.

The new Brompton G line looks like a fantastic world traveller bike.

Good you shared that

Makes sense that one of the "problem" flights was in Germany, greetings from Hamburg!

Always an adventure.

That won’t work for several European airlines. Bike has to be in a box.

😎

😎

To be honest, there is no place for curves in this particualr piece, I am happy to see where others would place them though.

Good points, I will consider this when explaining the Cyber Camper Van, as it simply needs to be thought a different way. However i fitted to DH bikes in the back, that works...

Thanks mate, share it

I guess we have to bring it to a vote.

Yeah, why not...

;-) New Plymouth

Thanks much brother

Thanks, will do!