Wanted: Bike Bag or Case for Flight to USA

I am traveling to Oregon for three weeks from late July and would love to do some riding out there. Would anyone be able to lend me a bike bag or case capable of transporting a road bike to the USA? I am happy to give you something in consideration of the loan.

Can do, but you may have an offer closer to you for pick up, fighting a bike bag on the tube is a chore.....it wins every time

I saw a couple of these getting loaded into the plane when I went to Mallorca, not very expensive if you would use it a couple of times

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/rose-travel-box-v/aid:472876

I have a Sci Con Aerotech box you can use, but I am 20 miles west of Heathrow. I could meet you near the airport to save you trying to get it on the tube and you can pack your bike into it outside the terminal. I have done this for clubmates many times. I have tons of frame protector bubble wrap etc in the box.
Just cover my fuel costs and bring me back something from your travels.

Thanks for your offers and replies.

Unfortunately I am flying with American Airlines, so the tickets are among the cheapest, but the baggage allowance is not good. Unless a bike in a box measure 62 dimensional inches (that is length+height+width) or less, you are charged $150 each way.

The smallest bike box I've found so far is 79in. It's too small on purpose.

I may be better off hiring a bike locally. I could get a Bianchi Volpe for $25/day.

Would be interesting to know what allowances regarding bikes different airlines have.

Thinking I might buy this, then sell it when I leave. Planning on doing a few rides up to 65 miles - will it be too shite?

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/mirage_xi_steel.htm

It will be shite, but it is wheels and if it gets out then it is worth it!
I have friends out there though, cycling ones! where exactly are you going and what size bike do you ride? Might be able to help with something decent to borrow!

a decent bike bag weighs an amount too- add that to the bike weight and it could be lots of dosh there and back and better invested elsewhere, and if going back the buying option if borrowing isn't on is better.

I think there's some Texan guy over there that has a few bikes- Livestrong or some such, some other TdF winner who was stripped of his win may have a few bikes to get rid of too...

Try a plastic bag:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/bike-blog/2011/apr/21/taking-bikes-on-planes

hmm thass a good un.

My thoughts are the STI levers and rear mech need special attention with the pipe lagging- it may be prudent to loosen off the bars and swing them down to protect the STI levers as you'd do when using a bike bag. Also they're likely to puncture the plastic bag.

(I know of someone whose STI lever was wrecked on the plane journey, and it'd be pot luck if the LBS had your variety in stock, his was sorted out btw and not cheaply either).

I'm going to Salem, Oregon. Flying into Portland.

I'm there 3 weeks from late July.

I could make most 52cm-54cm bikes work for me.

Cheers