Bicycle Questions

sannna · Apr 24th, 2008, 16:26

I posted this in the Delhi Aiport thread - but creating my own thread will give it a bit more exposure probably. If these questions are answeed elswhere please let me know, and Ill go there.

I want to bring my Indian bicyle back home from Lucknow. I will fly from Delhi with Swiss, and have to change planes in Zurich.
I think I have figured out how to transport it by train from LKO to NDLS ( but any tips aere welcome) but I am not sure what to do once I arrive at the airport. Obviously I need to put some packaging around my cycle. And someone told me I should go and find a bicycle shop for that. Does anyone know a bicycle shop in Delhi that can help me out? And what I could do in Delhi Airport? Is there someone who can take my wheeles and peddles of and package it for me, if necessary, for example. Should I get the plastic wrap as well?

Basically , any tips and advice on this are welcome.

zoltan · Apr 24th, 2008, 17:19

I've got some understanding of what's required (my neighbours have travelled o/s twice with bikes & I'm still planning similar).

1) your must remove all protruding items (ie. pedals; wheels & handlebars). These items are then packed into the carrier box.

2) the bike must be packed into a bike carrier (available from many airlines)

3) tyres must be deflated

I don't think you'd need to worry about the plastic wrap if you have the bike inside a carrier, but if you can't get a carrier box, then plastic wrap may be suitable.

The weight of the bike is considered part of your overall luggage allowance so try get a lightweight bike if possible.

Cheers
Zoltan

sannna · Apr 24th, 2008, 17:50

Thanks, I will contact my airline to see if they have a box available.

I have no clue about bicycle mantainaince though, and thus no idea how to remove peddles, wheels and handlebars from a bike... Would someone at the airport be able to do that for me??

I am afraid it is not a lightweight bike. It is a real Indian sturdy Avon cycle.. not a sportbike, but a city cycle. (And that is exactly the reason I wan to take it home) But I am willing to pay the fee the airline quotes on the website, about 80 euros or so, as that would still make my bike cheaper than one I would buy new in Holland...

fsg · Apr 24th, 2008, 18:59

Having travelled quite a while ago with my husband and kids,AND bikes, 5 members in all in Europe.

Here's how we did it

You have to turn the handlebars paralell to the frame, and remove the pedals, and keep all these things in check in luggage, they might disappear as being dangerous weapons in hand baggage........ Nonsense, but nevertheless you have to be prepared.

Deflate tyres

I dont think they will be too bothered by mudguards, but again play safe and remove.

If you think they will do this at the airport.. think again.
How many times have you travelled in and out of Indian airport
Get the preparation done by someone you trust .

OK you will have to get the bike transported to the airport. its a cheap price to pay

I dont think and Indian cycle will suffer much damage,

Forget the box

zoltan · Apr 24th, 2008, 20:57

To remove the pedals & move the handlebars, you'll be best off with a small adjustable shifter.

The pedals are just bolted onto the bike - the thread is reverse to the direction you pedal in (ie. counter-clockwise). Connect your shifter to the pedal & push it up - the pedal should undo easily (if in doubt, get any bike shop to do this for you).

As for the box, it's only what's used here in Australia. You may be able to get away with just plastic wrap, but you'd be best asking at the cargo office of the airport.

Cheers
Zoltan

dcamrass1 · Apr 24th, 2008, 22:18

Hi
Sent you a PM hope helps

sannna · Apr 24th, 2008, 23:08

Thanks all! I think I save myself a lot of trouble if I get the whole thing done in a bikeshop during the day and go straight to the airport afterwards - and take one of those taxi-buses instead of an ordinairy cab.

All teh technical advice is of great help though, since I will be able to tell the bikeshop what I want and ee if they are doing what has to be done. SO thanks for that!

Would anyone of you know a reliable bicycleshop in Delhi? or just the area in Delhi where bikeshops are located?

Thanks!

sannna · Apr 27th, 2008, 13:52

Hi all,
I have decided to leave my cycle in India for a bit. I'll pick it up from LKO in July and bring it to Bombay where I will be staying for a couple of months. It saves me the hassle right now (in the summer heat) and I have to go back to LKO anyway to pickup my other stuff.

Your advice remains helpful, as eventually I do want to take it back home. I think I will arrange a direct flight, which will make it a bit easier too.

Thanks.

Captain Ice · Apr 30th, 2008, 21:24

Why not buy a 2nd hand used bike from ebay or any other store where-ever you are going?

i am sure it will be cheaper than taking a bike by flight - unless of course it has sentimental value or something similar!

By the looks of it ( from reading the above posts) - it is too much of a hassle!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sannna

Hi all,
I have decided to leave my cycle in India for a bit. I'll pick it up from LKO in July and bring it to Bombay where I will be staying for a couple of months. It saves me the hassle right now (in the summer heat) and I have to go back to LKO anyway to pickup my other stuff.

Your advice remains helpful, as eventually I do want to take it back home. I think I will arrange a direct flight, which will make it a bit easier too.

Thanks.

sannna · Apr 30th, 2008, 23:31

Well, I have two bicycles at home already... so yes, it's sentimental value. It is a nice bike, new, and Indian. And, more important, it is my first Indian bike whith which I have cycled the streets of Lucknow for a couple of months.

I am a sentimental person, I guess.

It is a bit of hassle, but I think its worth it, though not in summer. That's whjy have decided to postpone it a bit..

Apr 24th, 2008, 16:26	#1
sannna Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 445	Bicycle Questions I posted this in the Delhi Aiport thread - but creating my own thread will give it a bit more exposure probably. If these questions are answeed elswhere please let me know, and Ill go there. I want to bring my Indian bicyle back home from Lucknow. I will fly from Delhi with Swiss, and have to change planes in Zurich. I think I have figured out how to transport it by train from LKO to NDLS ( but any tips aere welcome) but I am not sure what to do once I arrive at the airport. Obviously I need to put some packaging around my cycle. And someone told me I should go and find a bicycle shop for that. Does anyone know a bicycle shop in Delhi that can help me out? And what I could do in Delhi Airport? Is there someone who can take my wheeles and peddles of and package it for me, if necessary, for example. Should I get the plastic wrap as well? Basically , any tips and advice on this are welcome.

Apr 24th, 2008, 17:19	#2
zoltan Forum Leader Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 874	I've got some understanding of what's required (my neighbours have travelled o/s twice with bikes & I'm still planning similar). 1) your must remove all protruding items (ie. pedals; wheels & handlebars). These items are then packed into the carrier box. 2) the bike must be packed into a bike carrier (available from many airlines) 3) tyres must be deflated I don't think you'd need to worry about the plastic wrap if you have the bike inside a carrier, but if you can't get a carrier box, then plastic wrap may be suitable. The weight of the bike is considered part of your overall luggage allowance so try get a lightweight bike if possible. Cheers Zoltan __________________ India (and other) photos click here

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Apr 24th, 2008, 17:50	#3
sannna Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 445	Thanks, I will contact my airline to see if they have a box available. I have no clue about bicycle mantainaince though, and thus no idea how to remove peddles, wheels and handlebars from a bike... Would someone at the airport be able to do that for me?? I am afraid it is not a lightweight bike. It is a real Indian sturdy Avon cycle.. not a sportbike, but a city cycle. (And that is exactly the reason I wan to take it home) But I am willing to pay the fee the airline quotes on the website, about 80 euros or so, as that would still make my bike cheaper than one I would buy new in Holland...

Apr 24th, 2008, 18:59	#4
fsg Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: U.K Posts: 254	Having travelled quite a while ago with my husband and kids,AND bikes, 5 members in all in Europe. Here's how we did it You have to turn the handlebars paralell to the frame, and remove the pedals, and keep all these things in check in luggage, they might disappear as being dangerous weapons in hand baggage........ Nonsense, but nevertheless you have to be prepared. Deflate tyres I dont think they will be too bothered by mudguards, but again play safe and remove. If you think they will do this at the airport.. think again. How many times have you travelled in and out of Indian airport Get the preparation done by someone you trust . OK you will have to get the bike transported to the airport. its a cheap price to pay I dont think and Indian cycle will suffer much damage, Forget the box

Apr 24th, 2008, 20:57	#5
zoltan Forum Leader Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 874	To remove the pedals & move the handlebars, you'll be best off with a small adjustable shifter. The pedals are just bolted onto the bike - the thread is reverse to the direction you pedal in (ie. counter-clockwise). Connect your shifter to the pedal & push it up - the pedal should undo easily (if in doubt, get any bike shop to do this for you). As for the box, it's only what's used here in Australia. You may be able to get away with just plastic wrap, but you'd be best asking at the cargo office of the airport. Cheers Zoltan

Apr 24th, 2008, 22:18	#6
dcamrass1 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kibbutz Hamadia. Israel Posts: 88	Hi Sent you a PM hope helps

Apr 24th, 2008, 23:08	#7
sannna Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 445	Thanks all! I think I save myself a lot of trouble if I get the whole thing done in a bikeshop during the day and go straight to the airport afterwards - and take one of those taxi-buses instead of an ordinairy cab. All teh technical advice is of great help though, since I will be able to tell the bikeshop what I want and ee if they are doing what has to be done. SO thanks for that! Would anyone of you know a reliable bicycleshop in Delhi? or just the area in Delhi where bikeshops are located? Thanks!

Apr 27th, 2008, 13:52	#8
sannna Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 445	Hi all, I have decided to leave my cycle in India for a bit. I'll pick it up from LKO in July and bring it to Bombay where I will be staying for a couple of months. It saves me the hassle right now (in the summer heat) and I have to go back to LKO anyway to pickup my other stuff. Your advice remains helpful, as eventually I do want to take it back home. I think I will arrange a direct flight, which will make it a bit easier too. Thanks.

Apr 30th, 2008, 23:31	#10
sannna Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 445	Well, I have two bicycles at home already... so yes, it's sentimental value. It is a nice bike, new, and Indian. And, more important, it is my first Indian bike whith which I have cycled the streets of Lucknow for a couple of months. I am a sentimental person, I guess. It is a bit of hassle, but I think its worth it, though not in summer. That's whjy have decided to postpone it a bit..

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