shipping bikes

i'd go with option 2.  have your hubby take apart and put together the bikes a time or two at home so he's familiar with doing it and ask any questions of your LBS.

then, when you get there, if there are any small adjustments to be made, larger races usually have people there that provide some fine tuning for a tip or small amount of $$.

have fun.

k

i'd go with option 2.  have your hubby take apart and put together the bikes a time or two at home so he's familiar with doing it and ask any questions of your LBS.

then, when you get there, if there are any small adjustments to be made, larger races usually have people there that provide some fine tuning for a tip or small amount of $$.

have fun.

k

The best thing you can do for yourself is to learn to assemble/disassemble your bike!  It seems like a daunting task at first, but really it is very easy and after you do it a couple of times it will be a piece of cake!  I know the first few times I took mine apart and put it together it took me a lot longer than it does now.

If you don't have a friend that knows how to do it, ask your LBS.  Most of them will show you for free or at least offer advice.  A good technique is to ask the LBS how you do it and what tools you need to do it then buy them from the store!  The key is to disassemble as little as possible!  You'll definitely have to take off the pedals (requires some kind of pedal wrench).  Definitely at least the saddle...but sometimes you can get away without moving the seatpost.  For example, my bike has a reversible seat post.  It turns out one little allen screw removes my saddle and the reversible seat post at the same time so not only do I not have to mess with the seat post height, I don't have to mess with the saddle tilt either.  Of course, this only works because I'm short.  But just a hint for you.  The first way you take it apart won't always be the best way!

One last put...eventually it might be worth investing in your own bike boxes too! 

It's actually very simple.

1. Take bike apart .

2. Put bike together.

3. Hide parts that are left over.

4. Pray the d&mn thing doesn't fall apart while you're riding.

First off, that $80 is each way I'm sure and double check that.  With a double bike box, they might say they don't have to take it.  and when you fly with your bike, it's not insured.  I have flown and UPS'd my bike. 

It is as easy as people say.  Just do a couple of things.  Take electrical tape and mark where your saddle height is now.  That way you can just put the seatpost back in at the right spot.  Take a marker and put a line across where your aerobars and the handle bars meet (if you have to take them apart).  Match the lines back up, put the seat and pedal on and you're off.  PLUS...if crap hits the fan, find someone in your hotel that is also doing the race.  I bet they will help.  Or at the race site.

You can have it UPS'd to your relatives house.  And if you ship it, it's insured (if you pay for it). 

If you read the airline rules carefully, if it's larger than X, they can deny it.  Granted, I've never heard of it happenning before, but you will pay.  Delta is $100 each way btw.  I know Airtran is $65 each way.

Do it now and put it together.  You can work out the kinks ahead of time.

For bike boxes that large, yes, it will will more expensive.  I have a sunlite which conforms to UPS shipping standard (so much cheaper).  Be sure you read US air's policy on size.

No, you can't fly with CO2.  It likes to expand and explode.