Eurostar's EuroDespatch... do I still need to dismantle??

[bluecrumpets]

Hi all, I'm having some difficulty understanding the rules about bikes on Eurostar (and that's the English written rules, even before I phone up Eurostar!!)

I'm going to be returning from Paris to London via Eurostar, with my bike.

I understand you can either send your bike through EuroDespatch, OR dismantle it and put it in a bike bag that can be taken onto Eurostar as luggage allowance, or via registration if it's too big to meet standards.

So this is my stupid question. Do bicycles that are going to be sent through EuroDespatch ALSO need to be dismantled and packed into a bag or box? Or can I literally hand over my full bicycle to the EuroDespatch, who will transport it whole?

 

[vernon]

I've always handed my bike over in a fully assembled state.

If you want to make a speedy getaway upon your arrival at your destination, look for the luggage compartments being unloaded roughly at the mid point of the train and recover your bike there rather than at the office. You will need to have your bike ticket/receipt to hand.

 

[Trickedem]

You have to take all bags, pumps, lights etc off, but that is all. I used it coming back from PBP and it was a good service. Although they had loads of bikes on the train, so they wouldn't let us collect them on the platform.

 

[jonny jeez]

Book a spot, £30 booked, £25 if you walk in...walk to the left of the platform along the side of the track at the gar de nord (spelling) and right up the back,
...way, way up the back beyond the end of the trains to the luggage room, handover bike and paper work. They hang your bike by the front wheel (so be careful with expensive rims) in the room and deliver the bike to St Pancras. If it's on the same train as you you will still need to go to the luggage depot at St Pancras to collect, even if you can see the bike being unloaded.

If you can't book the bike on the same train, walk in and they will deliver and store for up to 10 days at St Pancras anytime. You just won't be able to ride home from St Pancras if this is the case.

I used to take off all stuff like sensors and bottles but just take photos now,

 

[jonny jeez]

You have to take all bags, pumps, lights etc off, but that is all. I used it coming back from PBP and it was a good service. Although they had loads of bikes on the train, so they wouldn't let us collect them on the platform.

They seem to have stopped platform collection altogether now, seems bikes were being collected by the wrong people. This may just be a holiday thing.

 

[midliferider]

I have just taken it from London to Brussels. I will be taking it back from Geneva to London in few days. I understand your confusion. After several e mails I clarified the following. You have 3 options.

You can take it in a bike bag, the size is the same as ordinary bike bag that you use for air travel.
If you pre book it, it will guarantee to go on the same train as you. It will cost you £25.
If you just walk and try your luck to get it in the train you want, it is £10. I did that. I was lucky. Otherwise it will be delivered next available but in 24 hours
Bike without a bag is £30 and same rule apply regarding delivery time.

 

[Trickedem]

According to the latest CTC magazine, Eurostar have changes the rules again. Seems like the bike now needs to be bagged up. Tw%#s
This is really going to change how useful this service is. I don't want to do a tour where I need to lug a bike bag with me.

 

[vernon]

They seem to have stopped platform collection altogether now, seems bikes were being collected by the wrong people. This may just be a holiday thing.

If they were handing bikes to the wrong people they were doing so without paperwork.

I was always asked for my bike ticket and it was matched toi the bike before they handed it over.

 

[chaingangclub]

I'm heading on the eurostar at Christmas and planning to break my bike down into a box which you can take on as one item of luggage if its under 85cm in length. I've had a look at the bike boxes which all come in sizes over 100cm. Only reason I'm not going to get it booked on is I have a transfer between eurostar and TGV and want to ensure I get it there. Has anyone managed to pack their bike into limit? I've decided to pack it using cardboard and bubble wrap then put it in a cloth bag to carry

 

[midliferider]

I'm heading on the eurostar at Christmas and planning to break my bike down into a box which you can take on as one item of luggage if its under 85cm in length. I've had a look at the bike boxes which all come in sizes over 100cm. Only reason I'm not going to get it booked on is I have a transfer between eurostar and TGV and want to ensure I get it there. Has anyone managed to pack their bike into limit? I've decided to pack it using cardboard and bubble wrap then put it in a cloth bag to carry

That is so interesting to hear.
I measured my road bike. I think you can pack the bike to 85 cm length if you remove both wheels, remove the handle bar and more importantly, turn the fork inwards.
I could not find a bag which measures 85 cm try this out.
Please let me know if you succeed.

 

[chaingangclub]

I called up eurostar and have seen another blog somewhere which talks about a chap who managed to do the same with no trouble he had a 56 frame he mentioned getting a cloth bag and using cable ties to pull the bag in to the correct size. I think they're a real market for a bike box under 85cm. I'm going to set up a stall at St Pancras ha

 

[midliferider]

I called up eurostar and have seen another blog somewhere which talks about a chap who managed to do the same with no trouble he had a 56 frame he mentioned getting a cloth bag and using cable ties to pull the bag in to the correct size. I think they're a real market for a bike box under 85cm. I'm going to set up a stall at St Pancras ha

I am quite used to carry my bike in a bag. I pack and unpack it on the road side when I tour in Europe. You do not need cable ties. What you really need here is a bag which is just 85 by 85. If I can find a bag, then I will try this at home.

 

[toffee]

As Mrs T and I are thinking of returning on Eurostar from Paris next year with our bikes I thought I would ask them the internal dimensions of their bike boxes they replied as follows

The internal dimensions of our boxes are 1261x774x239mm.

Mrs T bike is 255mm wide due to the rear rack being extra wide due to disk brakes. On dear.

Derek

 

[toffee]

Has anybody booked a bike on to a eurostar train yet?

As well as the problem above of the rack on my wife's bike making it too wide get in one of there bike boxes I see how they will go in length ways as both bikes are around 1400mm long with mud guards where asvthe boxes are a Max of 1267mm.

Derek

 

[robgul]

At a slight tangent here ... from a couple of tentative enquiries it looks as if the Dover-Calais ferries have increased the fares for cyclists next year .... whether that's an opportunistic action is open to conjecture ...

Rob