What is the best way to travel by airplane with my Unicycle?

[UniLau]

Hi,

I am planing a trip, and I wish to bring my unicycle with me.

What is the best way for me to carry it? anybody has any experiences of traveling with his unicycle on an airplane?


Thank you very much for your help

[johnfoss]

Loads. Search the forums. Topics like air travel, airline, unicycle luggage, etc.

I recommend luggage that looks like luggage. Avoid a cardboard box if possible, as they tend to get destroyed pretty fast, and you might need to make a new one to get home.

[Tyler_N]

i took my trials apart, let the air out of the tire and shoved it and the tools i needed into my luggage with my clothes. If you do this make sure that it meets the bag size and weight requirements with your airline. I brought it to hawaii. Remember to bring a spoke wrench to tighten the spokes and true your wheel when you get there because they do not take the best care ever to your luggage.

[johnfoss]

Note that a Trials, or 20" tire, is about the biggest that will fit in most luggage. Also they take up more width than you'll think, so be prepared! Put the uni in one or more layers of garbage bags to protect everything around it.

[BillyTheMountain]

The new rules don't allow any tools longer than 6"

Does anyone know of a pedal wrench less than 6", even one that might fold or something?

Also, some people manage to carry their large bags out on the tarmac and drop it by the side of the plane for them to load on. This seems safer than letting it get handled by all hte baggage handlers.

Does anyone know if you can insist on this? The cool thing about this is you also get your bag immediately upon deplaning, and don'thave to go to the baggage claim area.

[Pseudonym]

Surely you can pack tools into you main bag. All those rules normally apply to carry on.

If that is the case then you want to use a small allen key and an extender - which is a pipe that will fit over the allen key. I used my seat post before i got a decent pedal wrench.

[scott ttocs]

If you want a serious travel case you should consider pelican cases:

http://www.casesbypelican.com/

They make indestructible water-tight cases for computer equipment, cameras, and everything else you can think of. Many of them come with pluckable foam inserts that are easily customized for odd shapes. You could partially disassemble your unicycle and find the appropriate case to fit. Include slots for the tools you need to reassemble it and you will be ready to go. There are cheaper options, but I doubt you will find anything more reliable.

An appropriate case might cost $150 to much more depending on the size and inserts.

[MuniSano]

Though a bit pricey I've used the FrieghtLiner by Patagonia:
http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/prod...=48623-155&ws=

I'm sure there are several cheaper alternatives but the size of this rolling bag is the important thing: 29" x 17" x 15.5"


twice now I've used this rolling duffel to fit both my KH24 AND my Nimbus 20" trials when traveling with no ill effects. The 20" fit in with only the air removed from the tire and pedals/seat-post removed. My KH24 I had to remove the tire and tube, pedals and seat-post. I just was real careful with the 24" rim and folded and taped cardboard sections around it then packed some crumpled newspaper/plastic bags all around.

[joemarshall]

Originally Posted by scott ttocs

If you want a serious travel case you should consider pelican cases:

http://www.casesbypelican.com/

They make indestructible water-tight cases for computer equipment, cameras, and everything else you can think of. Many of them come with pluckable foam inserts that are easily customized for odd shapes. You could partially disassemble your unicycle and find the appropriate case to fit. Include slots for the tools you need to reassemble it and you will be ready to go. There are cheaper options, but I doubt you will find anything more reliable.

An appropriate case might cost $150 to much more depending on the size and inserts.

Blimey, imagine how big, heavy and expensive a pelicase for a unicycle would be? The big ones (big enough for a dismantled 24" or 20" unicycle), cost a fortune (£200), and weigh about 10-15kg. Pelicases are good for fragile electronics and gear like that, but if you're having to put a unicycle in luggage on a plane, they're a really bad solution - the weight is so much, they don't come in sizes big enough for anything over a 24". They are a right hassle to take on planes too, hauling the darned things through the airport etc. is just trouble. Also they scream 'expensive equipment', and you are pretty much guaranteed to get hassled to sign a damage waiver at the check in.

I have a big unicycle sized sack for if I'm telling them it is a bike (a few airlines take bikes cheap or free, and it means you can just take it out and ride straight from the airport), and a big duffel bag for if I'm dismantling it, which doesn't look like a unicycle at all once it is packed up, so goes as norma luggage no problems.

Joe

[MuniSano]

That is exactly why a large duffle or other semi-soft shell case is better (as long as you take proper precautions to include padding to protect your unicycle) because after you arrive at your destination who wants to lug around a large, empty, case? The rolling duffle is easy to wheel around yet really packs away well. Better would be a large, true duffle bag that could be crumpled up and packed away....

[petad]

When I took mine to Florida last spring we just took off the pedals beforehand, checked it like normal luggage, and put in this "oversized luggage" container they had with skis and golf clubs, etc. in it. No case or anything, but I have a pretty cheap Torker LX.

[BillyTheMountain]

You could try this with an Ultimate Wheel.

Only problem is this guy was flying on Egypt Air instead of Air El

http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73569

[peleschramm]

Originally Posted by BillyTheMountain

You could try this with an Ultimate Wheel.

Only problem is this guy was flying on Egypt Air instead of Air El

http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73569

El Al you mean?

[maestro8]

Originally Posted by scott ttocs

If you want a serious travel case you should consider what you're packing

FTFY

Your unicycle gets dropped. A lot. Especially if it's a muni or trials.

Mine have been hucked off cliffs, banged against the concrete, smacked into trees and boulders. And they're fine.

Why wrap it in $200 of foam and plastic for a measly plane ride?

[corbin]

Originally Posted by maestro8

FTFY

Your unicycle gets dropped. A lot. Especially if it's a muni or trials.

Mine have been hucked off cliffs, banged against the concrete, smacked into trees and boulders. And they're fine.

Why wrap it in $200 of foam and plastic for a measly plane ride?

I think I ran over yours in my car too; I did ever tell you about that?