Secrets to Packing Your Bicycle for Air Travel

So, you've signed up for your bike tour and you are excited to go. You are bringing your bike and you need to know how to do it. Properly packing your bike for air travel is important so that your bike arrives undamaged and ready to roll once your get to your destination.

First you'll want to have a good bike case made especially for bicycles or get a bike box from your local bike shop. When you are ready to pack make sure you have your space organized and tools you will need (wrenches for your seat, head set and pedals). You may also want some bubble wrap, pipe foam insulation and electrical tape.

You'll start with taking off the wheels of your bike. You'll want to remove the skewers first and then put them in separate bag, so everything stays together. Deflate the tires and set your wheels aside for later. Next, mark where your seat position is on its stem with piece of tape or use a marker. Remove your seat.

Next you can take off the pedals using a special pedal wrench. One pedal comes off in the forward direction and the other comes off in the backwards direction. Next, loosen the middle bolt first on your headset and the two (or one) in front if there are some. Roll the handle bars forward and place them around the top tube.

You may want to wrap them in bubble wrap or foam pipe insulation so they aren't touching your frame directly. Also, you can fasten the bars to the frame using a zip tie, so they don't come off the column completely and they are now just hanging loosely. You can pack your wheels separately on each side of the bike. Use bubble wrap around your cog in back. You could even use flat foam or bubble wrap between your wheels and the box sides. Make sure you pack your skewers, tools, extra grease, scissors and some kind of tape for putting the bike together when you arrive.

Here are a few more helpful tips that will help you bring your bike on your tour:

• When you pack your bike (either in bag or box) make sure there are no loose objects (i.e. skewers, wrenches). They can ding up your frame in transit.
• Buy some foam pipe tubing from the hardware store and wrap the painted surfaces with it.
• Make sure you shift your derailleur so it is positioned closest to the frame. I also wrap my derailleur in bubble wrap and secure it with electrical tape.
• Make sure you tell the airlines that you have a bike when you reserve your ticket. Arrive at the airport an hour sooner than the airline's recommended time.

Good luck and have fun!

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