Travelling With Your Bike
Travelling with your bike is all part of the fun of cycling, but to get from A to B with your pride and joy in one piece, there are a few things you must do.
First of all, remember, if you’re travelling by air the baggage handlers don’t really care if your luggage is your £6,000 ultra light race bike or a bag of dirty laundry and will launch it across the baggage hall as soon as look at it!
As such it’s important to pack it properly, preferably in a proper bike travel box or at the very least a cardboard bike box/bag which new bikes are shipped to shops in.
Before you put your bike in the bag/box you need to prepare it.
- Remove wheels and protect/pad individually, remove QR’s and pack into bag/box
- Remove saddle and seat post and wrap
- Turn or remove bar/stem set up
- Remove and pack pedals
- Remove rear mech from frame and tape or zip tie to chain stay
- Fit drop out savers into fork and frame (available from most shops – if you ask nicely)
- Next, take your time to wrap the frame tubes to protect from scratches and dents. Don’t skimp, it will be worthwhile in the end
- Put the whole lot in the bag/box and weigh it. 20kg is the target weight, although some airlines allow up to 30kg. Make sure you check before you travel
On arrival in location, if you’ve flown its worth checking your bike for damage (especially if there is external damage) as airlines won’t do anything after you’ve left the airport.
To reassemble your bike...
- First - Take your time
- Remove all packaging and save for the homeward trip
- Re-fit wheels first
- Re-fit all parts paying particular attention to the torque settings
- Re-fit rear mech and check function, especially make sure it will not travel into spokes, if in doubt re-adjust. Even if your gears were perfect when you left, don’t assume they will be after disassembly and reassembly. Check and double check!
- Once fully assembled take a gentle spin around the car park to check proper function before heading for the hills and your first proper ride
- For the return leg repeat above
For the ultimate travel bike bag check out Evoc bike bags, available for sale or hire from ourselves here at Ride. Ask one of the team for more information.
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