MtnBikerChk wrote:
I had already registered for 2 travel races with the intent of using TBT before they went under.
I would most likely not have registered for them because like an earlier poster said, now I have to buy/rent a box, get comfortable with breaking it down, get tools etc.
Not a fan.
The PlayTri store on the Ironman site, provides the service of building your bike for you at the race site prior to the race, and during the race, will get your bike from transition, break it down and pack it back up for you and put your bike in its box back in your transition spot.
Nirvana for European races I think does something similar.
When I first started tri, I just took my bike to the bike shop and they disassembled it and packed it up for me and when I arrived to my destination, took it to the bike shop and they put it together for me.
Since then, I learned to do it myself. I now have the BTA aerofit and what others have said, I don't put anything else in the box as it comes in at 50 lbs and I have never had to pay extra for it (Delta) and it's so easy breezy as I don't have to take anything apart to pack it up (other than pedals). Way easier now with integrated frame and this box compared to previous bikes and smaller boxes that required more disassembly.
I have flown with my bike around 40 times over 20 years and never any issues that have been raised in other posts here.
Edit to add: I do take off the rear derailleur for the Bike Box Alan and it took a couple times for me to figure out how to get it back on correctly. I am not shy about using the race site mechanics to help me out and have always had a good experience.