cyclists: What's your bike of choice when travelling?

amandaeve

Does anyone use a folding bike? I've been enamored with the Richey Breakaway as a full-size folding option, but recently a friend was trying to talk me into the typical small folding bike. Does anyone use one? Do you ride long distances with it?
I used to box my bike up, but stopped when luggage prices jumped for air travel. Now it's cheaper to rent a bike wherever I go, but then I end up just having a bike for one day. I'm curious what other riders do.

NorthCascades

Depends on what kind of traveling, but you mentioned boxing up your bike, so probably somewhere far enough to ship it.

You can ride any bike for five minutes. But you need a well fitting bike to do any kind of distance.

I'd look into rental options where you're going, and, if possible, call a shop and get an idea about their willingness to fit the bike to you, change out the stem and post and stuff if necessary.

deannalfisher

there is also the service Spinlister - when folks can list bike they own for rent - and you can search by the location you are traveling to

I'd also call local bike shops like @NorthCascades mentioned - I think it depends on why you are taking your bike (I.e. I travel for races, so I am taking my bike with me), but if I was just doing it for health - I'd probably rent

jjpptt2

Unless I'm racing, I'll typically rent for the week. It's just easier, and not much more expensive than traveling with my bike. Personally, I wouldn't want a small folding bike. I want the ride/feel of a true road bike (#bikesnob).

There are travel boxes/bags that get in under the oversized baggage parameters for most airlines. It's a big chuck of change up front, but if you travel often enough, it'll work out in the long run.

MeanderingMammal

I've used a Brompton for commuting, so fairly short distances; 10 miles or so each direction.

Mine is the S6 model so quite an aggressive ride position and a reasonable range for hills.

The biggest issue is that riding it without a load on the front leads the handling to be a bit skittish at speeds above 13 mph or so.

I've used it for up to 30, hilly, miles and it's perfectly comfortable, if a bit slower than my road bike, but somewhat faster than my mountain bike on the road.

Machka9

My husband and I use our Bike Fridays when we travel some distance away, but whatever bicycle is appropriate for the situation if we travel short distances.

kerry0521

My husband recently bought a Bike Friday, but he did not like it vs a regular road bike. He sold it after one trip to Hawaii. Rental bikes (good ones) were available there for as many days as we would have needed so would have been way cheaper than shipping ours like we did. We have also been looking at the Ritchey Breakaways.....

ronocnikral

My randoneeuring rig has s&s couplers. If I were to design another s&s bike I would go with caliper brakes and threadless headset. They are pretty slick and if you do a lot of riding and traveling, well worth the money. My tandem also sports couplers.

amandaeve

Tanks, everyone. @deannalfisher thanks for pointing out spinlister- I hadn't heard of that before. They don't have anything in the places I'm visiting on this trip, but I'll check them out whenever I go other places. I have a bike rental reservation, but my budget can't afford renting for more than a day- especially since I'm not going on a biking vacation, I'm just squeezing a spin out on my own when the family isn't looking

deannalfisher

where are you heading?