by Maria David » Fri Nov 11, 2005 3:12 pm
I've taken bikes on planes in various guises, and I get the impression that if you don't want your bike to be damaged you either have it in good quality wrapping (a bike case or very well padded bag) or don't wrap it at all - if they see it's an unwrapped bike they treat it with care - if they see it's a wrapped bike they're not that fussed if they throw it about/drop it as they assume it's well protected.
Easyjet say your bike has to be wrapped, and they charge about £20 handling fee. BA don't mind if you don't wrap your bike, though they might give you a transparent cellophane bag to put your bike in. It's free, as long as your baggage doesn't exceed a certain allowance. The excess they charge isn't that much anyway.
Also, FYI Ryanair charge £30 to carry bikes and they make you sign a disclaimer that lets them off being held responsible if your bike is damaged during the transit, so make sure your insurance is up to date !
If you're likely to make a few trips by plane with your bike it's worth getting some kind of carrier. I have a well padded bag that I got from De Ver's cycles (Streatham High Rd). It's got 4 wheels and a handle so you can pull it along if you have to walk across airport concourses or through the streets. The inside of the bag has a stand in which you put your bike frame (It is held in place on the forks.) Then there are two other areas to put your wheels. You just need to turn your handle bars inwards, and possibly remove the pedals. The bag is big enough for you to put in other bits and pieces like cycling kit, track pump, helmet, shoes, tools etc. I find it really handy.
Alternatively, if I don't plan to be away a long time and I'm flying BA (or some other national airline), I just travel light, with a ruck sack - cycle to the airport armed with pipe lagging bubble wrap, scissors and tape, tape up the bike at the airport, deflate tyres, remove pedals, and check in. If ever they say the bike needs to be boxed there is a left luggage place that sells cardboard boxes. You can put your bike straight in (they're pretty big). Then at your destination, you either leave your cardboard box at left luggage, ready to pick up on your journey home, or you travel with your newly boxed bike.
I did this last year and it worked out ok - you just need to allow yourself time to tape up the bike at the airport (if you ride there), and untape the bike/pump up the tyres, refix the pedals, if you plan to ride your bike straight out of the airport at your destination.
I'm not sure what bike hire is like at mallorca, but it does seem to be on the increase in big cycling areas - Italy Bike hotels do it, and they hire out some good quality road bikes too. Last year when I went with them I paid £45 for the week to hire a canondale of a similar spec to my specialized allez comp. You would just need to let them know your measurements in advance.