Bike Transport!

[DebW]

Do you have a threaded headset and quill stem, or a threadless headset where you can remove the handlebars without removing the stem? In either case, removing the stem or handlebars is not difficult. Figuring out how to pack the bars without disconnecting all the cables can be a little challenging.

[Pedal Wench]

I agree (of course) with Deb. Try to keep the stem on and just remove the handle bars. The stem really shouldn't have to come off.

[DebW]

If it's a quill stem, then the stem comes off without any impact on the adjustment of the headset. If it's a threadless headset, you should be able to remove the handlebars and leave the stem in place, again without touching the headset adjustment. Are there 4 bolts and a removable section that attach the handlebars to the stem? If so, just undo those 4 bolts. Then you find a way to pack the handlebars close to the top of the fork where all the cables can reach. Sometimes you can loop the bars over the top tube or around one of the wheels.

[Brandi]

Do you have a threaded headset and quill stem, or a threadless headset where you can remove the handlebars without removing the stem? In either case, removing the stem or handlebars is not difficult. Figuring out how to pack the bars without disconnecting all the cables can be a little challenging.

Don't remove the cables, just bubble wrap the handle bar's with cables still attached then zip tie to top tube. if there is enough play in your cables. And I agree it depends on what kind of stem?

[Eden]

If you have any carbon parts - bar-stem-seatpost invest in a torque wrench. You don't want accidentally crank down on the anything too hard (most carbon parts I've seen reccommend 5nm) Even if you don't have any carbon parts its a handy thing to have so that you aren't overtightening.

[equus123]

Great replies. Thank you all very much for your feedback and help. *hugs*

I have a threadless headset.
Aluminum Ritchey stem.


Carbon bars.
I do not have a torque wrench but have thought about getting one.

That's great advice to just take the bars off. I only hadn't thought of that because I have to have my bars at an exact rotation/angle or else I'm miserable. But I'll just measure from the ground to the tops of the shifters to get an exact spot. But it certainly makes this much easier if I only have to worry about one thing (bar angle) instead of several!

The case is coming in tomorrow so I'll be able to see what room I have to work with and play with different places to have the bars during transport.

Thank you!!

[equus123]

I've been looking around online at the case that is to be given to me. I actually found a nice *real* picture on craigslist.com. After all of my questions yesterday I don't even have to touch the front end!

[Pedal Wench]

It looks like the bars are off and flipped in that picture. To get the angle the same, just mark the bars with something - lipstick, eyeliner, whatever, so you can easily put them back in the right spot.

Whenever I pack up a bike, I cover every square inch of the frame with pipe insulation foam. Even in a box, things get shifted and start moving around.

[equus123]

Just to follow up with everybody who helped - I packed the case last night because it's going to DHL today after work.

I really had to try and figure out what to do after taking the bars off because my cables are so short and the computer/powertap wires make it even shorter. I had just enough length to get the bars off the stem and rotate them parallel to the fork, tucking one of the bar ends beneath the fork. I just hope the cable doesn't pull too hard on the front break and rip off!

It was kind of scary packing my bike for the first time. I only have one to ride and race and do everything!!! So I hope I did everything okay. The directions weren't all that great to follow either...which didn't help. I also figured that this would have been much much easier either with a work stand or another person. Doing it by myself felt like it take twice as long - especially when it came to putting the lid on and tightening the straps! I was walking on top of it back and forth tightening the 3 belly straps. lol

But it really was easy. Most of the time came from figuring out how the heck the bars were going to be situated or which front chainring to keep the chain on or what other items I wanted to put in with the bike (helmet, shoes, tools, etc.). Once I get the hang of it, the packing time should definitely drop a lot.

I wished my bike goodbye this morning when I walked out the door - "okay bike. have a safe trip and see you in Florida! byyyyeeeeee."