Conference noted::bicycle

    From the picture I saw in a magazine (being new to this game I can't
    say for sure) it would appear you must remove both wheels.

By bike box, they probably mean the cardboard boxes that manufacturers ship 
their bikes in. You can get one from any bike shop. They are usually happy
to give them away. Just let them know the size of your bike (seat tube length)
and what type of bike it is (i.e. touring, racing, mountain). They will then
give you a box which is the right size.

You'll have to remove the pedals, seat, handle bars and the front wheel. You
may have to disconnect the brakes also. The front fork should be turned so
it points to the back of the bike. I did this when we took our bikes to
Hawaii and everything came out O.K. Others are not always as fortunate.
Hope this helps.

                                            Keith

>You'll have to remove the pedals, seat, handle bars and the front wheel. You
>may have to disconnect the brakes also. The front fork should be turned so


Isn't that a hassle for anyone except those adept at using tools? 
For me the only tool I ever use is a fork and an occasional knife. 
At that I use them way too often! 
Seems to me that as soon as you remove the handle bars,
you've blown away the whole brake and derailure adjustment, both front and
rear. 
Why, I'm threatened by having to put Grab-Ons on my bike (Reg, Grab-Ons
are those soft spongy things we *TOURISTS* use to prevent callouses forming
on our hands). 
Can someone explain how *EASY* it is to put your bike back into shape just
after you've gotten off a bus in the middle of Essex Junction Vermont, it's
getting dark out, and the Youth Hostel is still another 20 miles away and
there you sit with a handle bar in one hand, panniers in another, seat and
pedals waiting for attention patiently, and the black flys giggling with
delight for the flatlander has arrived!???


		or does the bus company offer a reconstruction service?


Just wonderin', thats all.
    

    re .3,	I recommend "Anybody's Bike Book," by Tom Cuthbertson.
     		After reading it and a little practice, out of the bus
    and on the road is a 10 or 20 minute exercise, using skills you'll
    eventually need on the road anyway.
    
    What to do with the box when you unpack the bike is an interesting
    problem;  give it to Vermont Transit?
    
    One packing hint:	Use a 1/4" threaded rod, 4 flat washers, and
	    		4 nuts where the front axle went in the forks.
    That way when a suitcase falls on the forks, they don't assume a
    new and creative shape.  Wouldn't hurt to do it in the rear, too.
    
    John
0

The problem I've seen with bus companies is that each person along the
line knows a little (very little) more than the first person so that,
if you hadn't asked here you would have learned stepwise.

1. You need a box.
2. The box must be 5 feet or less in every dimension.  There may be
another requirement depending on the bus co.
3. Remove or reverse pedals -- it seems that someone did not and they popped
through and tore a suitcase. (or so goes the legend).
4. protect your forks (discovered via the school of hard knocks)

Sometimes, a station will let you do less only to find out at the transfer
point that you need more.

ed

    re .3	Yup, but if you think *THATS* a bit of a bitch, just
    try it with a counter-point tandem sometime.
    
    	Reg
    
    	(err...  ...anytime, its your tandem after all.)

    
    These tours you do....is there a "mechanic" on the trip? Do you
    rely exclusively on him/her? What if he/she is 50 miles behind,
    do you wait three hours for your minor problem to be fixed?
    
    My point is this....if you are serious enough to do these tours
    you should be equally as serious about knowing every part of your
    bike well enough to at least KNOW what needs to be fixed when something
    goes awry. Books are great, but the best way to learn is by doing
    it. There are many places you can take a course in bike repair for
    very little bucks. I've been known to teach them myself...
    
    Assembling/disassembling for shipping in a box is extremely simple
    with the proper tools. You should need nothing more than a 15mm
    pedal wrench, two 5 and one six mm hex keys. Be sure and put a strip
    of tape around the handlebar stem and seat pin before you take them
    out, that way you'll know where to put them back in and avoid
    readjustment. I used to take the Amtrak train from South Station
    to CT every month while in school. I'd ride my bike to the nearest
    shop (in the North End), get a box and ride to the station, and
    pack it up. I'd get off at New Haven and reassemble the bike in
    the station, and be on the road to Fairfield in less than 15 minutes.
    
    Reg, you're not serious, this ISN'T a tandem we're talking about
    here, is it? 
    
    CdH
    
    
    

>>> I've been known to teach them myself...
   Chris, can we talk you into considering, maybe, perhaps...having
   the DEC Bike Club sponsor (ie: advertise) a bike clinic during the
   winter months (November/December/January time frame, where the
   participants will overhaul BB's, Headsets, deraileurs, cables, etc etc
   etc??? What would that cost? Where could we do it?Are you willing?
   Will Reg help? Are there any other mechanics willing to help?Is
   there any interest out there?It will not be a freeby, understand. But
   besides getting bikes in shape for the next season, it'll also serve
   to remove the mystique on the other side of those ball bearings.
			Waddyasay, huh?huh?huh?



>    Reg, you're not serious, this ISN'T a tandem we're talking about
>    here, is it? 
    
 He's just makin fun of me cause I got a new bike, and I haven't invited
him to ride it yet.   
    
    

    re .8	Yep, Reg can help with a little mechanic'in'.  Probably
    about time I formally stripped out a headset and/or bottom bracket
    anyway, trouble is finding a bike that needs the work that my tools fit
    and having all the bits together for the demo, you'd almost certainly
    have to do a dry_run/trial_fit.  My bikes never need this kind of work
    in the winter, coz I take such perfect care of them during the season. 

    	Oh yes, Reg is never serious, especially about tandems that
    he hasn't been invited to ride.
    
    	Reg
    

    
    Weeeelllllllllll.......sure.
    
    I'd like to meet some of you as well. If Reg and Chuck are willing
    to help/lend tools and others are willing to provide food/beer etc.
    I'm sure I can rustle up some time during the off season.

    Let's talk (start a new note) about this after the summer's over.
    In the meantime keep those questions coming.
    
    CdH