Bike Travel Tips
Traveling with your bike can seem daunting, but we have a few tips and tricks that will make the process much easier.
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Keep track of the tools you use to pack your bike and bring them with you.
-Most bikes, and bike bags, don't require a whole lot of disassembly, so you're probably going to use a set of Allen keys to get the job done. You should likely have these in your toolkit that you bring on rides, but make sure that you can properly dismantle the bike with those tools. If you require any special tools, bring these with you on your trip, as we may require them to assemble your bike when you arrive. NOTE: Do NOT pack tools in your carry-on bags. The TSA will not allow you to travel with them in your carry-on. These must go in your checked bags, or in the bike bag itself.
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If your bike uses disc brakes, remove the rotors.
-Rotors can easily get bent in transit, and removing them is easily done. If you're confused about the process, send us a message with an image of your disc brake rotors (showing the entire rotor), and we'll let you know what to do.
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If your bike has an electronic shifting system (Shimano Di2, SRAM AXS, Campagnolo EPS or EPS Wireless)
-Electronic shifting sytems require batteries, and airlines can be a little weird about this. If you use either SRAM AXS or Campagnolo EPS Wireless, the batteries will be located on each derailleur, and you should just take them off and put them in your carry-on. Be sure to place the battery block on the derailleurs to protect the connector pins in transit.
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This is a little more complicated with Shimano Di2, or Campagnolo EPS (not wireless), as the batteries are installed inside the bike frame. The good news here is that both systems use batteries that fall well below the threshold required for them to be removed. We recommend printing out the spec for each and bringing it along in case the airline asks you about them. Links to spec sheets below.
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If your bike uses tubeless tires, let us know.
We can accommodate this, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
-Airlines are going to require that you deflate your tires, and this will often break the seal along the tire bead with the rim. This will result in tubeless sealant leaking, which is...not fun.
-We recommend that you remove all of the sealant from your wheels and travel with the tires deflated. We'll inject some sealant when you arrive and inflate the tires. There's a small charge for this ($15USD).
Pool noodles are your friends
-A cut up pool noodle is a great (and cheap) way to protect things like seat stays, chainstays, and handlebars from any bumps and nudges along the way.
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Remove your rear derailleur
-This may sound daunting, but it isn't, and removing your rear derailleur pretty much guarantees that your derailleur hanger won't get bent in transit. A bent derailleur hanger is a surefire way to put a damper on your rides, since your shifting will be out of whack. While this can often be fixed, that's not always the case, and sourcing another derailleur hanger can be difficult (they're different for all makes/models of bikes).
To do this, you'll need a 5mm Allen key, which you'll use to remove the derailleur (you don't need to remove the chain). Once removed, place the derailleur in a small bag, and secure it to your chainstay with a ziptie. Easy peasy. If you have questions, let us know. We'll walk you through it.
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Bike computers, batteries, and all electronics go in your carry-on
-This may seem obvious, but it's worth mentioning.
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ALL TOOLS go in your bike bag or checked bags
-The TSA won't let you travel with tools in your carry-on. Allen keys, screwdrivers, torque wrenches, etc all need to go under the plane (secured safely in the bike bag or in another suitcase).
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Check with the airline before you travel to make sure they'll take your bike.
-Have you ever booked a flight for a trip and planned to bring your bike, only to find out that the airline won't bring a bike on that flight and then needed to book another flight?
We have. It's not a great deal of fun. Avoid this by making sure that the flight you're on will take a bike (smaller planes sometimes can't). If you're not absolutely sure, call the airline before booking.
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If you're unsure on anything relating to traveling with your bike, let us know, and we'll happily assist, including doing a video call to help you out.