Video: Baggage handlers destroy Vittorio Brumotti's bike on way to USA - and the replacement on way back to Italy

At the risk of sounding like a stuck record (I always post this under articles about airline-damaged bikes), there is an alternative to putting your bikes on a plane if you want to ride in amazing places, albeit that the US is a little out of our range! #bikesdonefly Check out http://www.lavieenvelo.com/cycle_france/file/getting_there.php

Suspect that might give a bit more than conventional lacing, for massive drops on skinny road tyres.

I suspect it is homeland security opening the bike cases and not repacking correctly.

You think we have it bad - Ive just read this http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40876598 so what chance do us us poncey bike lot have when they routinely destroy mobility equipment!

I always just hire locally, its not the same of course, but I dont consider my bikes replaceable as they're all hand built or got my choice of mostly obsolete components.

Hard cases protect well, but useless if you want to tour straight from the airport. I used Eurostar's service recently whereby despite being told we could wheel our bikes straight on to the train at Lille, we were then told at the very last minute that I had to disassemble and box the bike in the hard cases they provided. Despite the stress of taking it all apart (wide, straight handlebars had to come off completely), the boxes did a good job of protecting the bikes. Don't know if airports offer the same facility?

Hopefully the new bike uses a proper spoke lacing pattern

He left the bars on!

That's like wearing team colors at the "other" pub.

Quite a few British riders heading to the BMX Worlds in North Carolina recently arrived to find their bikes had been damaged. Luckily repairs were made in time but it was a close run thing for some, especially those on tight budgets. One comment a rider suggested is using an old golf bag to transport bike parts instead. They give a lot more protection for bike frames. But while you can get a BMX frame in one, a road bike or hard tail MTB frame would be out of the question alas.

Bikes get treated best when you pad them, but leave them uncovered,  or put them in a clear polythene bag.  Many airlines require a cover, so that bits that fall off stay in the bag.  The CTC cybershop sells a suitable transparent bag that meets international aurline standards. (I will admit that that didn't stop me losing a vital part of my fork lockout, when I whipped the bag off my adventure bike at  Suvarnabhumi airport earlier this year, but at least that was my fault!)  Not all airports have a left luggage facility,  I just stuff the bag in a pannier.  It's not so easy to deal with a bike box, although you may be able to leave it at a hotel if you can find transport for it. 

I have to admit that I don't trust the baggage handlers on any airline - that's why we always use Samsonite hardcase luggage - they would have to be really crass to destroy them! I've seen too many examples of people's softsided luggage in tatters on luggage carosels around the world. I would also agree with getting a hardsided case as well. It would give your bike a fighting chance

Wot no pipe lagging ? He does love to take risks I guess.