Bike transport bag

[mwmackenzie]

Hi all,

I'm jetting off to Mallorca next Tues for the last of the sun and am contemplating taking my bike to get a bit of cycling done (Mallorca is well geared for cycling). Not sure if it's the done thing or not, please just say if not, but wondering if anyone has a transport bag i could borrow if I do decide to take my bike, it's a 54cm road bike, not 100% I'll even bother yet.

Thanks
Mark

[Dark]

Sorry don't have one to lend.

But you have to cycle there, it's amazing!

I recently hired a bag from Pedal Power in West Calder for a trip to the Pyrennes - £5 / day for a semi-rigid bag with inflatable bladders to protect the frame. worked perfectly. I think Edinburgh Bikes also hire rigid bike boxes from the small shop in Canonmills. Be warned that they are all large and will take up most of the space in a hire car!

For my last two trips to Mallorca I've hired a bike in Puerto Pollenca. First time a Kuota carbon from Miquel at Pollenca Cycling, then a Van Nicolas Astraeus Ti with Di2 from Procycle Hire. Both bikes were excellent, really well maintained and I didn't have any mechanical problems, not even a puncture. There is also a new shop just opened by Phil Axe who I've ridden with a few times which has the latest Pinarellos if you like the bling!

If you want somebody to ride with, a group of expats & locals leave Tolo's restaurant in Puerto Pollenca every morning at 8.30 or 9.30am depending upon the season. They are very sociable and usually very happy to guide visitors around. Tolo's is worth a visit anyway for the broken eggs & chips and to see Brad's TdF bike and all his jerseys.

PM me if you want some route suggestions. I can even lend you the local cycling map.

Cheers, Mark

https://www.pollensacycling.com/index.php
https://www.procyclehire.com/
http://www.mallorcabikehire.com/

[Scotty C]

I have one if anyone can get it down to you? Or best bet is get a box from your local bike shop or if your only going to do a couple of small rides. Hire a bike over there, loads of bike shops with really good quality bikes.

[mwmackenzie]

Thanks guys!

Some great information there Mark! Actually the pollensa cycling site looks decent and they deliver/collect for free to Cala St Vincente where we're staying so may think about a hire bike as its only £20 a day so about £100 all in.

Thanks Scotty, might be a bit tricky to get it down here? If someone is passing that'd be great though Thanks, also need to check with airline as I believe they only allow a certain bumber of bikes per flight?

My only concern is if I don't take my bike I may get too comfortable on the beach to bother renting one hahahaha

[Andy G]

was about to say the airline baggage charge might make it cheaper to rent for the week.

[istoo]

I have a soft shelled bag for the MTB, an old hard shelled one but tis royally hooped (welll travelled), depends how you look at it. I am a bit north of you though...

Scotty is right, nip to local bike shop get a cardboard bike box and use that, remember to pack a spare roll of brown tape/duct tape.
NB if you take the wheels off make sure you have either a space hub or a spold spacer when the axles will be, frame and forks very weak without the hub present. Isome of the shops 'may' even have the plastic spacers they use these days.

KLM do a box you can rent for i think 35euros foir a round trip, its alke a flight case, solid as hell.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/s?q= ... t=pricelow

Although first reply looks like a sound choice, if yopu do more trips then can make the investment.

[Dark]

We took 10 bikes to Toulouse without any problems: Jet2 charged about £65 / bike. Everyone was quite nervous as we unpacked mind!

If you're only planning to ride for a few days then I would definitely rent. It's much less hassle / stress and a chance to ride something different.

From Cala St Vincente there is some great riding up into the Tramuntana mountains although don't be tempted to ride straight up from Pollensa Town, it's long, boring and there's no shade. Much better to head west along the base of the mountains to Campanet & Selva and then up the Coll de sa Bataia to Lluc. Amazing scenery, great roads and a steady climb through the trees.From Lluc you can either head east along the top of the mountains and a superb decent back to Pollensa or head a few miles west to the Col de Reis and contemplate a decent to San Calobra! Heading further west you can climb past the Blue Gorge (stunning!) to the Coll de Puig Major and views down to Soller. To explore the centre of the island I recommend going on a group ride from Tolo's one morning, they know all the roads and it will save you getting lost! If you get up early you could also ride out to Formentor. I assume you've seen this???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1LhUzL3qdU

[mwmackenzie]

Mark you use the word climb all to frequently! hahahaha road looks cool but I'd not like to come across a Boxster GTS giving it licks like that when out on my bike Thinking the rental idea might be the way forward, so thank you so much for the links and route ideas from Cala St Vincente!

Good info there too istoo, thanks, and thanks for the offer.. I may buy one if I plan more trips

[Doc883]

I fly out to Majorca a week on Saturday (18th) for 7 days staying in Puerto Pollensa. Doing the Palma 10k run on the Sunday then 4 days bike hire. Also hired a bike last October and went out with the ex-pats and other tourists from Tolo's restaurant. Sociable rides with the obligatory coffee and cake stop plus they know all the routes like the backs of their hand.
I went for the kuota Kiral with optional carbon wheels for some added bling from https://www.pollensacycling.com/
One thing I would say is dependent on the size of frame you ride choice may be quite limited this late in the day.
The Pinarello at http://www.mallorcabikehire.com/ looks like excellent value at only £68 for 4 days, has to be cheaper than taking your own

http://www.wheelsuckers.co.uk/cycling-d ... #traveltop

[mwmackenzie]

KUOTA KORSA is available in my size, Medium, at the minute.. Do you take your own helmet? Just thinking it could get damaged in the hold if something heavy is dropped on my case as it's a soft case??

[Dark]

Yes, take helmet, shoes, gloves, multitool, etc. Helmet should be fine if packed in the middle of your bag.
The bike shops can provide most pedal types but check they have yours before you travel. They will also provide spare tube & pump.
Remember not to take any CO2 gas canisters on the plane!
It can get cold & wet in the mountains so pack accordingly!