Taking bike on plane - easy?
Discussion
I am planning a quick trip to Spain to see a mate and have a few days cycling there. There don't seem to be too many options for bike hire where I am going so I am considering taking my bike in a cardboard bike box - I have watched videos on how to strip them down and protect them.
I am just wondering, if I have to remove the rear derailleur - when I reattach it, will it need adjusting / indexing etc.? as I don't know how to do it.
Cheers.
I am just wondering, if I have to remove the rear derailleur - when I reattach it, will it need adjusting / indexing etc.? as I don't know how to do it.
Cheers.
I'd genuinely consider renting a hard bike box.
I used http://www.bikebox-online.co.uk/ previously (the Windsor one)
RE the Indexing, as above shouldn't matter. But my bike did not enjoy being stripped and rebuilt. So there was some fettling required on location and when I returned. Su take ALL the tools for the bike you can.
EDIT TO ADD
What happened with mine was that in transit the rear gear cable popped out of its stop inside the frame (internal routing) Once I figured out what had happened it was ok to sort. I didn't remove the rear mech. Just the bars, pedals and seat tube (which in fairness I possibly didn't need to)
I used http://www.bikebox-online.co.uk/ previously (the Windsor one)
RE the Indexing, as above shouldn't matter. But my bike did not enjoy being stripped and rebuilt. So there was some fettling required on location and when I returned. Su take ALL the tools for the bike you can.
EDIT TO ADD
What happened with mine was that in transit the rear gear cable popped out of its stop inside the frame (internal routing) Once I figured out what had happened it was ok to sort. I didn't remove the rear mech. Just the bars, pedals and seat tube (which in fairness I possibly didn't need to)
Edited by Rich_W on Sunday 20th November 11:22
Each to their own but I'd rent a bike box. I borrowed two boxes of mates when I went to Mallorca last month ... even those didn't escape unscathed but I dread to think what state the bikes would have been in had they not been in hard cases.
Also, another tip, take a larger pump ... a frame mounted pump would be perfect. Pumping up 4 tyres to 80 psi with a mini pump was an absolute ball ache!
Also, another tip, take a larger pump ... a frame mounted pump would be perfect. Pumping up 4 tyres to 80 psi with a mini pump was an absolute ball ache!
I've flown twice with mine hastily packed into a scavenged cardboard box. Absolutely fine both times (BA and Sleazy) but, as above, that's no guarantee of continued success. I tape my helmet around the rear mech and started with decent 'new bike' cardboard boxes from local LBSs. I also write bicycle and fragile all over the box in whatever language the local throwers use.
gazza285 said:
You are doing it wrong then, there is no reason to have to adjust anything after removing a wheel.
tbf there is if you don't take appropriate precautions with hydraulic brakes, if the lever gets depressed with the wheel out the pistons will close; you need a shim between the pistons or something solid between lever and bar.I've flown with my bike in an Evoc bike bag a few times now and never had any issues. Yes, rear derailleur removed and no, you don't need to adjust it when you bolt it back on as the cable tension doesn't change.
Mate of mine has a hard case and it has taken quite a few knocks when flying - a hole through the plastic, a snapped wheel.
I tend to agree with the school of thought that says baggage handlers will chuck a hard case around with gay abandon, but be more gently with a soft case.
If you're not going to fly again, just go to your LBS and ask them for a cardboard bike box, they should give you it for free.
Mate of mine has a hard case and it has taken quite a few knocks when flying - a hole through the plastic, a snapped wheel.
I tend to agree with the school of thought that says baggage handlers will chuck a hard case around with gay abandon, but be more gently with a soft case.
If you're not going to fly again, just go to your LBS and ask them for a cardboard bike box, they should give you it for free.
I have borrowed Dowks (cheer so Simon) BBA twice, rear mech was out second time but generally no issues, other chaps also use the same type of box and have taken bikes between them over twenty with no issues.
We did see this in Tenerife last month, where baggage handlers normally look after bikes!
Only a crapper by the look of things but makes the point.
We did see this in Tenerife last month, where baggage handlers normally look after bikes!
Only a crapper by the look of things but makes the point.
JustinF said:
gazza285 said:
You are doing it wrong then, there is no reason to have to adjust anything after removing a wheel.
tbf there is if you don't take appropriate precautions with hydraulic brakes, if the lever gets depressed with the wheel out the pistons will close; you need a shim between the pistons or something solid between lever and bar.Take a spare rear mech hanger, as obviously often they are specific to the bike and hard to get when abroad, don't really take up any space anyway. Probs good idea to take a spare gear cable to be prepared. A couple of mates have had hanger issues when travelling abroad and could find a shop to do repairs but no chance of getting parts specific to the bike so bodged it and spent 3 days in the alps with a 39/23 as the lowest gear as that's all the rear mech hanger could stretch to!
I'd rather hire a bike abroad , but if no options then id hire a box and use it and be prepared to do a bit of adjustment and indexing when at destination
I'd rather hire a bike abroad , but if no options then id hire a box and use it and be prepared to do a bit of adjustment and indexing when at destination
Personally I always pop the mech off, it's a no-adjustment re-attach (just undo the centre of the pivot and do it up properly afterwards). On my TT bike the hanger is part of the frame and not replaceable, so not taking any chances! As okgo, I wouldn't travel in anything other than a hard case - they can lob it as much as they like in a bikebox alan, even if they take care (unlikely), accidents can happen, and cardboard isn't what you'd call protective.
There should be no need to index or adjust anything really - if there is, something got bent or leaned on.
There should be no need to index or adjust anything really - if there is, something got bent or leaned on.
I remove the hanger, brake callipers and bars (mtb).
Pack the wheels with the discs on the inside of the bag.
I use a £100 fabric CRC bag; I'd love a hard case but with a DH bike it's hard enough getting it under the 32Kgs absolute limit.
Turn up early as you need to check-in twice (once for you, then once again at over-sized luggage).
Expect to get done over on fees, even if you pre-book.
Expect to wait a long time for it to arrive at the other end.
I've been doing it for nearly 10 years on and off, one bent disc and accompanying boot print on the bag where they stood on it, and one that failed to arrive until the next flight.
The airline you use doesn’t matter in regards to how it’s handled behind the scenes, the chuckers are employed by the airport, but if it has to be put on the next flight BA might bring it to you, Sleazyjet will probably want you to pick it up from the airport.
Pack the wheels with the discs on the inside of the bag.
I use a £100 fabric CRC bag; I'd love a hard case but with a DH bike it's hard enough getting it under the 32Kgs absolute limit.
Turn up early as you need to check-in twice (once for you, then once again at over-sized luggage).
Expect to get done over on fees, even if you pre-book.
Expect to wait a long time for it to arrive at the other end.
I've been doing it for nearly 10 years on and off, one bent disc and accompanying boot print on the bag where they stood on it, and one that failed to arrive until the next flight.
The airline you use doesn’t matter in regards to how it’s handled behind the scenes, the chuckers are employed by the airport, but if it has to be put on the next flight BA might bring it to you, Sleazyjet will probably want you to pick it up from the airport.
Few points:
Insure your bike- maximum compensation for lost/broken is only circa £1k, and then it takes months via the airline.
Your bike will need to be inspected by security, on long haul, multiple times, that well packed cardboard box wont be as well packed at the end.
There's a very real chance that your bike will be bounced off a flight if the gross luggage allowance of the flight is exceeded.
Label everything and take photos prior.
Insure your bike- maximum compensation for lost/broken is only circa £1k, and then it takes months via the airline.
Your bike will need to be inspected by security, on long haul, multiple times, that well packed cardboard box wont be as well packed at the end.
There's a very real chance that your bike will be bounced off a flight if the gross luggage allowance of the flight is exceeded.
Label everything and take photos prior.
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