-
I've not interrailed but my experience of trains and bikes in Europe is nothing but hassle.
I've had a few good experiences (Belgian train staff allowing me to take a bike on without the bike ticket that I didn't know I needed), but overall I know what you mean. I had a conversation once with a German ticket inspector who claimed that all train staff hated the bike compartments and she couldn't wait until they were abolished again. I'm sure she was wrong about other staff, but from her tirade I suspect that at least quite a few share her views. To be fair, she had some horrendous stories of arrogant, abusive, and annoying cyclists that I fully believed.
The TGV/ICE network is poor for cycling as it was mainly conceived for business travel and not 'ordinary' people. In the 70s, most transport planners thought of cycling as an antiquated mode, mainly an absurd sport, that was on its way out. Some still think that way. I've seen various reports that bike compartments are coming for ICEs in Germany but have yet to encounter one. I was wondering the other day if they were pushing ahead with their plans for an ICE service to London and whether that one would then have to have a bike compartment (as there's a legal requirement for Eurostars to have one).
Oliver Schick-
Yes, I've had very good encounters with staff too. They are generally helpful but unwavering in their application of 'the rules', which is really at the heart of the hassle because transport via train is not as straightforward as you'd hope. Different countries, rules and languages all add to the 'why does this have to be so complicated?' feeling.
RubberDucky
I've not interrailed but my experience of trains and bikes in Europe is nothing but hassle. Fast trains won't accept bikes that aren't broken down in bike bags (aka can be treated as normal luggage). Some but not neccessarily all (at least in Spain) regional trains will take bikes but it can be hard to get accurate information about what the local exceptions are.
Rail replacement transport won't accept bikes unless they are in bike bags.
Consider a Brompton?