Transporting a tandem from Istanbul

[roubaixtuesday]

A long talked of dream to cycle the tandem across Europe whilst not yet certain may now happen next year, so early in the planning.

The intent is to take about three months, which is also the amount of time Brexit allows us in Europe, so we'll probably need to fly back from Istanbul and certainly won't have the time to cycle.

Question is: how to get the tandem back?

I looked at getting a ferry to Greece then hiring one way cars/ vans but as far as I can see you have to get to Izmir for a ferry, and it would be an awful faff.

S&S couplings would be ideal but the machine has ovalised tubes, so not possible.

All ideas welcome!

[MrsHJ]

I’d persuade a friend with a suitable vehicle that they’ve long dreamed of driving to Istanbul. They fly or train home home and you drive.

Seriously I think it will be tricky but eventually doable- don’t let logistics be a barrier to fulfilling a dream.

[Mr.Benton]

According to their website KLM take tandems and fly from Istanbul to Amsterdam. [https://www.klm.co.uk/information/bagga ... al-baggage]

[roubaixtuesday]

According to their website KLM take tandems and fly from Istanbul to Amsterdam. [https://www.klm.co.uk/information/bagga ... al-baggage]

Wow, I had no idea that could be possible, thank you!

I'll see if I can contact them and confirm.

[simonhill]

What is the minimum length is your tandem frame? Wheels removed, etc, poss forks off as well.

That size from KLM is pretty good at 176.5 long. Nonetheless you can always get it freighted home, air or sea. More of a pain and you would need to see a shipping agent or similar. You'd want it well boxed. Cost is often a deterrent due to pricing on l+w+h.

I once met a young English guy in Cambodia who had had his 500cc motorbike air freighted from Katmandu.

[roubaixtuesday]

What is the minimum length is your tandem frame? Wheels removed, etc, poss forks off as well.

That size from KLM is pretty good at 176.5 long. Nonetheless you can always get it freighted home, air or sea. More of a pain and you would need to see a shipping agent or similar. You'd want it well boxed. Cost is often a deterrent due to pricing on l+w+h.

I once met a young English guy in Cambodia who had had his 500cc motorbike air freighted from Katmandu.

Rear drop out to front is 178cm; to headset is 166. I would guess disconnecting cables and turning the forks around would just about squeeze it in...

[simonhill]

Yes sounds good.

If you want one of those KLM boxes, which are much bigger than usual LBS ones, I'd order if possible. I doubt they are held at many airports apart from Schiphol (Amsterdam).

[m-gineering]

Nonetheless you can always get it freighted home, air or sea. More of a pain and you would need to see a shipping agent or similar.

And you'll have no end of fun with customs duty and the like!

[roubaixtuesday]

Yes sounds good.

If you want one of those KLM boxes, which are much bigger than usual LBS ones, I'd order if possible. I doubt they are held at many airports apart from Schiphol (Amsterdam).

No idea how to get one from Schipol to Istanbul!

Probably nearly as difficult as the tandem.

I imagine acquiring some cardboard locally and gaffer taping it round the tandem would be the way to go.

[MrsHJ]

I’d try and get two regular bike boxes and a seriously sharp knife and string tape to convert to a longer box. At least there’ll be two of you to carry it and you’ll probably want a minivan taxi to get it and the rest of your stuff to the airport.

[simonhill]

If you decide on KLM then that size is OK. If thinking of using another airline, check on their size restrictions. It may be less. I've seen some airlines that say no tandems.

When I said order a box from KLM I meant to pick up at Turkish airport, so I imagine they will fly it out for you.

[roubaixtuesday]

If you decide on KLM then that size is OK. If thinking of using another airline, check on their size restrictions. It may be less. I've seen some airlines that say no tandems.

When I said order a box from KLM I meant to pick up at Turkish airport, so I imagine they will fly it out for you.

Would be quite happy to choose airline purely based on the tandem carrying ability!

You think they'd fly out a box? Would be brilliant if so. Very hard to actually talk to a person to arrange that sort of thing; took them three hours (!) to come back with the attached on their chat facility. 23kg might be pushing it for the tandem.

Thank you for your help and suggestions here, much appreciated.

[roubaixtuesday]

I’d try and get two regular bike boxes and a seriously sharp knife and string tape to convert to a longer box. At least there’ll be two of you to carry it and you’ll probably want a minivan taxi to get it and the rest of your stuff to the airport.

Yeah, that was exactly my thought

[simonhill]

I've used 2 box taped together a couple of times when I didn't want to remove front wheel (long ago tour to NZ). It works, but cut the box long and slide one into another so you maximise the double up. Just sticking a bit on the end would not be very robust if any heavy handed baggage handlers.

Also check weight. KLM max was 23kgs. I reckon a tandem in doubled up boxes (3 kgs each), could be getting close.

What I meant about KLM flying the box out was try and order one for your chosen airport in Turkey. It may only be available from Amsterdam, but if they say you can then they would arrange for the box to be there (presumably flying it out with other office stores, equipment, etc).

[roubaixtuesday]

I've used 2 box taped together a couple of times when I didn't want to remove front wheel (long ago tour to NZ). It works, but cut the box long and slide one into another so you maximise the double up. Just sticking a bit on the end would not be very robust if any heavy handed baggage handlers.

Also check weight. KLM max was 23kgs. I reckon a tandem in doubled up boxes (3 kgs each), could be getting close.

What I meant about KLM flying the box out was try and order one for your chosen airport in Turkey. It may only be available from Amsterdam, but if they say you can then they would arrange for the box to be there (presumably flying it out with other office stores, equipment, etc).

I'd guess if over 23kg we'd just get an excess charge, which wouldn't really matter in the scheme of things.