Shipping My Bike

hello ladies, im packing up my bike and taking it on the plane with me, i know i need to take off the peddles, handle bar, and the front tire. is there any advice for me as to what to use to pad the bike or what to use to make sure it's not moving around in the box???

thanks so much for the help:D

A lot depends on what kind of bike box it is. Is it soft or rigid? Does it have any tie down places to secure wheels, etc.? How much extra space is there in the box with the bike in it? Can the bike move around much?

Generally, pieces of foam pipe insulation available at a hardware store make great protectors for tubes. They're split down the middle and wrap around. They do have adhesive strips, but don't use those (use zip ties or tape) because if you do, you can't re-use them!

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Originally Posted by maillotpois

A lot depends on what kind of bike box it is. Is it soft or rigid? Does it have any tie down places to secure wheels, etc.? How much extra space is there in the box with the bike in it? Can the bike move around much?

Generally, pieces of foam pipe insulation available at a hardware store make great protectors for tubes. They're split down the middle and wrap around. They do have adhesive strips, but don't use those (use zip ties or tape) because if you do, you can't re-use them!

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I make sure there are no loose parts in the box -- nothing that can come loose and scratch or bang anything. A spacer in the fork can be picked up at any bike shop - they just throw them away. And, once you take off the bars, you might want to secure them so they don't rub on the frame.

When we recently traveled with our bikes we made sure everything was tied together with bits of foam padding or cardboard to prevent parts from rubbing each other or coming in contact with the outer shell of the case. My BF used short buckled straps which were easier to deal with than the plastic twine we used to secure mine. Everything came through fine, and keeping everything secured together discouraged TSA from removing too much when inspecting. We watched him check the cases and he basically swabbed random surfaces, checking for explosive residue, I guess.

thanks everyone for the info, im actually gonna be using just a cardboard box from the LBS, is this okay? i figure i will just secure everything so no moving around inside the box, i might even take a old blanket and use that to take up all the space.

will this work okay???

thanks, your help is very appriciated!

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Originally Posted by clarson1178

hello ladies, im packing up my bike and taking it on the plane with me, i know i need to take off the peddles, handle bar, and the front tire. is there any advice for me as to what to use to pad the bike or what to use to make sure it's not moving around in the box???

thanks so much for the help:D

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+1 on the foam pipe insulation to cut to size for all of your tubes, yes, take off pedals (I usually wrap them per greasy spindles and put in zip lock bag), also, bubble wrap works great too; I wrap it around the rear derailleur and use masking tape or zip ties...make sure to have a small tube of grease for any metal-on-metal parts during re-assembly...and zip lock any such lubes or liquids too. I tuck them into my shoes and wedge into corner of case...someone here recently showed their packed bike in a case and had a paper taped to the inside lid showing pictures and description of each layer so as to make it easier for TSA-types to look and maybe not mess with how carefully everything is packed...great idea IMHO!

I have heard that a cardboard box should work just fine -- much cheaper than buying a special box just for the bike, although if you plan on traveling with your bike much, a special plastic box made for holding your bike might be worth it.

Bicycling Magazine has bike packing suggestions here: http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6...1060-1,00.html

Couple other thoughts:
1. Don't lock it, since the TSA will want to look at it, most likely;
2. Let the air out of your tires before you fly -- you don't want any flats from air pressure changes!
3. Shipping bikes is expensive however you do it. Airlines will be charging big bucks for oversize/overweight packages, and I know from experience that shipping with FedEx/DHL/UPS-type people costs about $125 each way if you go from Boston to Seattle, the cheapest possible shipping. Ouch.

We fly all the time w/ our bikes. Just returned yesterday from an out of stat MS 150 ride. Now we have hard cases and they come w/ foam and packing instructions.
Some airports have LARGER x-ray machines and no opening of case is required.
I believe you said you were shipping...do pack well! Foam egg crate mattress pads are good, too. Belive it or not, I have only had minor damage with all my travels and shipping was where it happened. When we "fly" w/ the bikes...no problemo!
Like everyone said, pad things, don't let anything be lose AND no "rubbing".
You LBS may help you...ours did the first time we had to do this!
Have fune.

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Originally Posted by wavedancer

When we recently traveled with our bikes we made sure everything was tied together with bits of foam padding or cardboard to prevent parts from rubbing each other or coming in contact with the outer shell of the case. My BF used short buckled straps which were easier to deal with than the plastic twine we used to secure mine.

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Velcro One-Wrap

thank you all so much, it has been a great help. im excited to be back in utah, however coming from north carolina sea level might be a little adjustment to my lungs. oh well pain is temporary!:o