Air forks on aircraft

[Moose.]

Ok, probably a silly question (especially considering my profession ) but should one remove the air from forks when packing my bike up to take on an airliner?

I know it's not necessary to fully deflate the tyres (just take a bit out) as the cabin/hold pressure is equivalent to 7000ft but the forks are at a somewhat higher pressure so don't want to damage them by either under/over pressurising them.

If my bike survives the 6 flights it's going to take to get to Timor, I hope to share some wild and unexplored trails with the world

[Raven Flyer]

If the forks are going into the hold, I would definitely deflate them and the tyres.

My shower gel exploded in my snowboard bag, Stansted to Geneva, a couple of weeks ago. I mean, really exploded.

[shalmaneser]

No need, it's fine.

Seals are put under much, much more force on a big bottom out than they will be subjected to in a flight.

[Moose.]

Figured that might be the case. Cool, might take a few psi out, just in case though

[AyBee]

No harm in taking a bit of pressure out if you have the equipment to sort it out at the other end. I didn't fancy leaving my roadie tyres at 120psi but from research was told that they'd be fine if I had left them.

[shalmaneser]

AyBee said:

No harm in taking a bit of pressure out if you have the equipment to sort it out at the other end. I didn't fancy leaving my roadie tyres at 120psi but from research was told that they'd be fine if I had left them.

To be fair fork seals can take a whole lot of pressure, whereas tyres are a bit more fragile....

Deflate your tyres but don't worry about your forks/shocks would be my advice (as someone who has heard an innertube explode while being pumped up). Not something you want to hear on an airplane.

[Moose.]

Just to bring this one to a close; my bike survived Six flights on three different carriers, across 8 time zones and no problems (other than the total pain of carrying it at each airport along with a suitcase and rucksack in tow). I set the fork pressures to 50 psi upper and lower chambers which was obviously fine.

Now to go find some trails