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Why not just hire a bike in Amsterdam, they aren't that expensive, the one downside to taking your own is theres a good chance its a nice clean shiny one which makes it a target for thieves.

Boner wrote:Why not just hire a bike in Amsterdam, they aren't that expensive, the one downside to taking your own is theres a good chance its a nice clean shiny one which makes it a target for thieves.

Why didn't I think of that? Just kidding. Good points to think about.
My bike is anything but shiny, quite the opposite, a tired nine year old trail bike. My bike would be a target, as with most, but that's what locks are made for, and Coke bottles as well, you know - to throw at some knucklehead trying his/her damnedest to steal it, followed by a beatdown and then maybe a call to the Politie. I swear ocifer, he/she was already in that condition. Good thing I called you guys, huh? Witnesses, there aren't any, at least none that would speak up on behalf of a thief. Next...
My intent is to save as much as possible so that I may spend what available precious resources I have on gear. I can get a box for free (KLM charges 20e at Schipol), transportation between airports is free (free baggage), the only glitch is as stated, nowhere to store the box (at no cost). If all else fails, I will dispose of the box and buy one from KLM for my return trip. At a weekly rental rate, I'll still save enough for a few grams of choice gear, which is my intent after all.

Happy trails...

Trad wrote:Is this a cardboard box that you need to store? Or a crate? If it is a box that can be stored flat then I'm sure I could find a spot for it in my apartment....under a bed, behind a wardrobe....

I appreciate the offer Trad, thank you. I don't think it will come to that, but it's nice to receive the offer nonetheless.
The box is made out of extra heavy-duty cardboard, the type that doesn't fold/bend well. For this reason, transporting the box becomes a problem. I could keep it at Schipol, but at a cost which I want to avoid (cheap bugger I know). I can store the box, the problem is getting it to the location. In retrospect, the problem has more to do with transporting than storage.
I'll decide a few days before departure if I will bring the bike, weather permitting and all that.

Uncle Ron wrote:

Trad wrote:Is this a cardboard box that you need to store? Or a crate? If it is a box that can be stored flat then I'm sure I could find a spot for it in my apartment....under a bed, behind a wardrobe....

I appreciate the offer Trad, thank you. I don't think it will come to that, but it's nice to receive the offer nonetheless.
The box is made out of extra heavy-duty cardboard, the type that doesn't fold/bend well. For this reason, transporting the box becomes a problem. I could keep it at Schipol, but at a cost which I want to avoid (cheap bugger I know). I can store the box, the problem is getting it to the location. In retrospect, the problem has more to do with transporting than storage.
I'll decide a few days before departure if I will bring the bike, weather permitting and all that.

You need no cardboard box to travel with your bike by plane
You need a bikebag or bikecase! Bikers use them to go to Malorca f.e. for pre season training. My dad owns a good wheeled and padded one, if you come to Stuttgart to pickup he will lend it to you, but you have to bring it back to Stuttgart as well. do you still have the box your bike was delivered in? btw no good idea to bring a good bike to Amsterdam imo.

Here is a cheap one for 70,-Euros, expensive ones are up to 500,-Euros...
http://www.amazon.de/Vaude-Fahrrad-Tran ... 849&sr=1-1

Colina wrote:You need no cardboard box to travel with your bike by plane

Thanks.
From KLM: https://www.klm.com/travel/de_en/prepar ... /index.htm
"Bicycles and tandems - You can take your bicycle or tandem with you in suitable packaging or a bike box."

Colina wrote:My dad owns a good wheeled and padded one, if you come to Stuttgart to pickup he will lend it to you, but you have to bring it back to Stuttgart as well. do you still have the box your bike was delivered in? btw no good idea to bring a good bike to Amsterdam imo.

Thanks for the offer. I will send you a PM.

As for my bike being good (ie.. a target of theft because of 'significant' value), if someone is willing to risk life and limb, must be better than I thought.
I bought my bike in Silver Springs, Maryland, a suburb of Wash. DC. I used to ride it around DC at all times of the day and night. I still have it, and not because of luck, but because of locks and chains and no visible gee-wizz gadgets. I also rode my bike in Manhattan (NYC baby), and as above, I still have it. Lucky, perhaps, but I also think it may have something to do with the fact that I took the necessary precautions to deter theft, ie.. locked and secured properly, placed most of the time within line-of-site, and secured indoors when not being used for extended periods of time (like overnight).

Colina wrote:Here is a cheap one for 70,-Euros, expensive ones are up to 500,-Euros...
http://www.amazon.de/Vaude-Fahrrad-Tran ... 849&sr=1-1

Thanks for the info.

Happy trails...

Uncle Ron wrote:

RasaLibree wrote:Myself Ron, like I said only have had to make use of them in one event. Not trying to say you all are lazy FUCKS if you ride them haha (sarcasm). But once again I cannot stress enough how enjoyable biking about in the city is! It's my highest recommendation unless you know for a fact you will be to high to handle it and put yourself in harms way

Thanks for the clarification.

I am with you 100%, biking for me is incredibly enjoyable in Amsterdam, and the surrounding areas as well. In fact, I like biking just about anywhere in The Netherlands because it's SOOOO FLAT.
Still, my preferred method to get around inner Amsterdam is walking, all things considered.

I was thinking about bringing my bike for the 4/20, but the problem is where/how do I store the box in Amsterdam (at no cost)? KLM requires bikes to be transported in a box. The cool thing is that it's free (not the box), counts as one item of baggage, otherwise it's 55 Euros for excessive baggage. Any suggestions?

Happy trails...

you can leave it in my hallway

if you take/rent a bike and want to walk

places to lock your bike are
-central station (multi level garage)
-muntplein
-marie heinekenplein


these are spots i used when i rented a bike
but felt like walking around and exploring

my own personal (north-south) metro line

Boner wrote:Why not just hire a bike in Amsterdam, they aren't that expensive, the one downside to taking your own is theres a good chance its a nice clean shiny one which makes it a target for thieves.

By far this one of the best advice given right here! I just wish I hadnt waited until day 3 to take it!
I walked bought a tram pass for the first 3 days and the pass was a waste of money and walking was exhausting. I rented a bike and it was great, places that took 30-40 minutes to walk to could be biked to in less than 10 minutes. I strongly advise a bike or if you can swing it a scooter....Thanks Boner

No worries, I've never used this company before but location wise they're perfect:

http://www.starbikesrental.com/

The prices dont include insurance btw, I emailed and asked that Q yesterday.

Boner wrote:No worries, I've never used this company before but location wise they're perfect:

http://www.starbikesrental.com/

The prices dont include insurance btw, I emailed and asked that Q yesterday.

what is insurance price? and you know if the bike come wit sattle bags or that extra?

I didn't get the price with insurance (I'll send them another email in a bit asking), saddlebags are normally extra aren't they?

Boner wrote:I didn't get the price with insurance (I'll send them another email in a bit asking), saddlebags are normally extra aren't they?

Some places they charge extra others dont (like fredricks bikes!) TY!

I can vouch for Fredericks off of Haarlemmerstraat, they rent for 10 e a day including lock, insurance, and bags if you need them. i rented from there this past March and got a really nice bike and no extra charges.