how to pack a bike to fly

[oldbikah]

Could someone help me out with a reference to a good set of instructions for dissassembly of a bike to pack it up for shipment in a bike box (for airline travel). I am going to buy a bike box but haven't chosen one yet.
Thanks!

[Pedal Wench]

I did a google search and read each and everyone, taking what I thought was the best advice to pick and choose what I thought was important. Also, if you're buying a new box, it will have instructions.

My advice: secure everything! Anything that can bounce around, WILL bounce around. I cover every inch of the frame with foam pipe insulation, and remove anything that can move around and pack seperately. Use spacers in the fork AND rear drop outs, and I was much happier with my packing job when I took my rear derailleur off (just unscrewed the whole derailleur hanger, so there was no adjustments when I put it back on.)

[meridian]

Good detailed reference at the bottom of the page:

http://www.sandiego.org/article/Visitors/80

Youtube has some good videos too if that helps. Here is one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2jCN2nVnNY&mode=related&search=

[aicabsolut]

Your LBS should be able to pack it for you. A good one will wrap things up very well. If you need to ship a bike, you can do it at a local REI store (they will pack it in a bike box), but I don't know if they'll necessarily pack it in your travel box for you.

[IFjane]

Could someone help me out with a reference to a good set of instructions for dissassembly of a bike to pack it up for shipment in a bike box (for airline travel). I am going to buy a bike box but haven't chosen one yet.
Thanks!

I've been flying with my bike for years. Once you get the hang of packing, it's not all that hard and doesn't take long. Just remember that you get what you pay for with travel cases - the good ones are quite expensive (mine was just under $500) but are worth every penny. PW is right - things will bounce around & foam pipe insulation is your friend! Be careful with packing extra stuff in the box - there is usually plenty of room, but if you go over the weight limit you'll pay a heavy penalty at the airport. I usually pack my (empty) bike bottles, helmet & shoes but little else.

Oh and beware of having your LBS pack for you. I tried that once and the monkey they assigned the job to had never packed a bike - I had to repack when I got it home. Time wasted.

[Veronica]

We've discovered that TSA is less likely to cut zip ties when inspecting the bike. They will undo velcro and aren't very good at repacking.

We'll now be asking to be there when they check it just to make sure everything gets tightened back up.

V.

[IFjane]

We've discovered that TSA is less likely to cut zip ties when inspecting the bike. They will undo velcro and aren't very good at repacking.

We'll now be asking to be there when they check it just to make sure everything gets tightened back up.

V.

Wow, reallly V? I haven't had any problems. Last flight outbound they obviously took a look but didn't mess up anything. I don't think they even looked on the return flight. I use both zip ties & velcro. Will they willingly let you stand by while they inspect?

[Veronica]

When I took my Legolas to Hawaii last year we were able to watch them. We didn't bother to ask when we took the mountain bikes to Maine. When we got home we found that they had somehow inverted my handlebars and crossed the cabling. They also don't close the case correctly.

V.

[oldbikah]

thanks for the tips so far...I am a strong believer in zip ties as I have found that when I use them on luggage they are rarely cut!
I want to learn to take the bike apart and reassemble by myself (self sufficiency); got to learn what to do when my son isn't here to do it for me!!

[Veronica]

When you get your box you could have your son assist you in taking apart your bike, packing it and reassembling it. Then do it on your own, with him there, but not helping.

That's what I did before I toured Nova Scotia last year since Thom wasn't going with me. It was a real confidence booster.

Things we had to do - both wheels off, air let out, pedals off, water bottle cages off, handlebars turned.


Here's a link to some pics.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=7745&highlight=nova+scotia

V.

[ChickWithBrains]

Also depends on the box. Just a normal run of the mill hardside? A cardboard manufacturer's box? Or my favorite, the Pika Pack? They are all a little different. Pika has good instructions but no pictures, the hardsides usually come with good instructions, and your local bike shop is the best bet for teaching you how to do it well...