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Travelling internationally with a TANDEM


DJR

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How would one go about getting an old classic steel framed tandem to Europe and back for a special ride? Let's say something like Eroica Limburg or Espana (hypothetically of course, I still have to convince Mrs DJR to ride a bike, a tandem on top of that.....and with me)  

 

Disassembling it and packing it into a custom box will leave me with an impossible size piece of luggage that the airlines are unlikely to fly because it will be too big and too heavy. On that side it will be near impossible to use public transport with it or even get it into a rental car.

 

Ship it freight beforehand to an address there? (How? How long before?

Get someone to convert it into a break-down frame and fly it with me? (Is it even possible?)

Can one even rent a tandem that will be Eroica ready? (Hens' teeth I'm sure)

 

The more I think about it the more impossible it sounds........anyone with a brilliant solution for my crazy idea?

Edited by DJR
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I know the box is still long but one of the boxes we use is actually for a single bike. It's a merida box and according to the LBS I got it from, the bikes that comes in these specific boxes come with the rear wheel fitted. We do have to remove both wheels but it fits, just. As for public transport/rental car etc you are spot on. We need to hire a car that the rear seats can fold down, boot remains open and only 2 people in the car.

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I've got no advice on this apart from saying 'good luck' - in a nice way not a sarcastic way. Having hauled bike, boards and all kinds of sporting gear around on flights I've noticed how harder airlines are making it. I'd honestly not thought about the logistics of moving a tandem over a normal bike and would love to hear how it goes. Hope you get it there easily and enjoy what ever event you go to. 

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What is the length of the bike from rear dropouts to front ?

 

Will it not fit in a MTB box if you take the wheels, seat posts and pedals off ?

 

As you are two, you can fit these pieces in a separate wheel box along with your kit.

 

Ps.

 

 

If we are the believe the Emirates thread, the problem is only a one way issue. By the time you get it back after your outbound flight you can fit it all into your hand luggage

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................

If we are the believe the Emirates thread, the problem is only a one way issue. By the time you get it back after your outbound flight you can fit it all into your hand luggage

:D  :D  :clap:  :clap:

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I travelled with a tandem back in 2005 through Italy.

 

- Shipped in customized cardboard box (extend first one using cutout from second one)

- Disassemble fully (derailleur off, seatpost off, bars twisted/off, wheels off, pad chain wheels heavily)

- Flew the box both ways at no extra charge. This would now have changed and you’ll pay the standard $100 to fly the bike (think this is per leg...I flew KLM 2 months ago with a standard bike and paid only one charge).

- if you go over the 23kg allowance you’ll pay extra for weight. I went up to 28kg all in, but paid nothing extra on the first leg...charged on the leg back

- we did train transits twice. Ravenna-Florence & Genoa-Milan. Both cases no problem, but had to use “regional” trains not speed trains. You will need to study the timetables (online) since these don’t run as frequently (I.e. maybe twice a day and once on Sundays, or whatever). Just allow a day spare around these legs and you’ll be fine.

- we could get around with the bike (I.e. toured with it and used it as transport), and stored it if we wanted to explore cities.

 

Europe is super geared for cycling. Everyone understands and helps, even if you stuff it up.

 

It’s an awesome adventure and the tandem is a great convo starter. I’d would go for it and not over plan. It’ll all work out with a bit of flexibility on your part.

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it might be cheaper in the long run to ask Dave Mercer to install some S&S couplers..... Then it will fit in a normal bike box.

I think i will definitely investigate this possibility, we are both based in Slaapstad

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