stirring it up re. bikes
 

following on from the folding bikes thread:

Whats the largest amount of "bike" you could bring on a train and it not be a bike?

I'm thinking gear cogs is fine, full bike is not ok.
a front wheel would be ok, how about a brand new clean frame?
where would you draw the line?

prize* for the funniest answer (unless I'm drinking and laugh and spray all over the monitor)

Actually if you were someone selling fold-up bikes or organising a fold-up bike race could you be stopped legally from transporting them for free:D

Realisitically I am not sure that your typical IE inspector / ticket checker is on the ball enough to spot a fold up bike either way.

All through his college years a friend of mine used to regularly bring a full size racing bike from Dublin to Cork in the guards van for free, he'd fold down the handlebars, take off the wheels and wrap them and the frame in cardboard. Never once was he approached by anyone about it.