Anyone tried one of these? Seems to fold up which seems to be a key detail for this trip

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobi ... -prod35558

They don't pack down that small...from memory (1 man tent size?). They will also require a fair bit of dismantling/tetris to get a bigger bike to fit.

(I hasten to add I've never used one, used to sell them at the bike shop I worked at)

One man tent size is fine - I think someone said left luggage will only take suitcase sized bags - father than huge bike bags

I've got 2 of those (I think mine are branded Cinelli), I used them in the car for longer trips. I can get a large hardtail 29er into it, just. If anyone want's to borrow them for the Italy trip you can but you'll need to collect from Bishops Stortford. They are very soft though so you'll need to be a bit creative with bike protection.

I'd wait until we get all of the event confirmation, to see if they are offering the bike bag service that Taylor mentioned.

Sounds a lot less hassle than the other options.

Im thinking there must be somewhere at the start folk can leave boxes or bags surely?? There are going to be alot of folk not from italy so id imagine they must account for this

there is the option to get them to carry your bags from the start to the end - for a fee. but if you have a big bag you may not want to have to lug it from the end back to the airport - especially if you plan of having a bit of time to wander about after the event

there is a website called safe-bag.com that apparently have offices at airports around the world.
they also do bike boxes that you have to pre book and when you get there they will supply and even help you to pack the bike up .
I believe there is one a pisa airport , so you can send your bike out in a bike box from a shop over here , bin it, and use safe bag box to send it back ,
I cant find out any prices yet, but whatever it is I am sure its worth it to take worry out of damaging your bike.
website says boxes are 160x92x23 or you can even have the bike just wrapped in plastic no box

But wrapped in plastic is the same as the ctc bag surely?

no its red and sparkly plastic, .and as we are all aware its some how stronger than clear plastic
but I was more thinking about the bike box so you haven't got to carry or store anything .

Bearbonesnorm wrote:Anyone tried the CTC plastic bike bags? You could even take it with you ... make a nice groundsheet or emergency tarp

*noise of whirring cogs*

Could you make a bike bag out of the Tyvek?

(Like a halfway house between the Ground Effects bag and the CTC one)

Could you make a bike bag out of the Tyvek?

Yep, it wouldn't last forever but would be okay for a while ... I certainly wouldn't view it as disposable.

Time to learn to use a sewing machine.

Now where can I get some Tyvek?

Now where can I get some Tyvek?

I've been promised my industrial supply by next Tuesday if that helps?

Bearbonesnorm wrote:

Now where can I get some Tyvek?

I've been promised my industrial supply by next Tuesday if that helps?

Yeah that was what I was hinting at. I should have just have asked.

Yeah that was what I was hinting at. I should have just have asked.

Sorry, I'm having a dim day.

Anybody want a box?

adjustablewench wrote:Anyone tried one of these? Seems to fold up which seems to be a key detail for this trip

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobi ... -prod35558

I used something similar Bristol <-> Nice a few years ago for my Inbred. 2/10, would not use again.

Damage on the way out included a scratched seat clamp (had evidently been dragged along with the seatclamp downmost and worn through the bag) and the rear gear hanger having been bashed to the extent that the rear wheel would no longer drop into the frame. Luckily someone in my group (we were staying in a hostel) had an adjustable spanner with which I could persuade things back into the right place. On the way back the bag gained numerous holes and had obviously been thrown around a lot.

The CTC bag principle seems most sensible to me, inasmuch as they can see it's a bike and will hopefully treat it with a little more care. Inside one of these things, they don't know what they're dealing with.

DoctorRad wrote:
The CTC bag principle seems most sensible to me, inasmuch as they can see it's a bike and will hopefully treat it with a little more care. Inside one of these things, they don't know what they're dealing with.

Apparently over on the CTC forum their saying Air France is no longer accepting the CTC poly bags but check to confirm.