Behind the Ride - How to Pack a Bike in 15 Minutes?

Since I was prepping up for my next trip I thought I'd flick the camera on and show you how I pack my bike. I've travelled with the Scicon AeroTech case for a number of years, preferring the extra protection that it gives when being manhandled by various airlines and, while it has many neat features to keep your bike safe and sound in transit, I've found a way of packing it that's fast, effective and works well for me.
For those that like to look great as you travel you may notice The Col Collective Limited Edition "Stelvio Inspired" design and as a fellow col collector I'm happy to be able to give you 30% off this and other Scicon products including The Col Collective AeroComfort Bike Bag and Race Rain Bag!
Simply use the code FRIENDSOFTCC-30 for 30% off at sciconbags.com.... Click a direct link below to take you to The Col Collective range in your country.
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I hope you have a wonderful season of cycling planned and if you're inspired by the mountains then why not join The Col Collective this summer for a cycling tour of a lifetime? For more details visit thecolcollectiv....
Stay well, ride safe and thank you for watching.
Peace.
Mike

[@sonivex]

Love the content. This is the most underrated cycling channel on YT.

[@kaizaid967]

instablaster...

[@running4fun863]

The best part is the beautiful little cat enjoying the sun.

[@themississippikidful]

Great info , Thanks ! Very happy to see the Collective Cat making another appearance 😽

[@johandenizot3319]

Mike Cotty is so humble,i love his videos and the way he explains it all.he's done some crazy rides,he looks like he never suffer at all and it's a piece of cake going up hill.In my next life i want to be him, to be able to ride how he does ....You are in serious shape!

[@TalesfromtheGreenway]

Great tips thanks. PS love the written content on the website, some of the best out there. It reminds me of the pre KZbin days when I was a kid and had like 3 cycling magazine subscriptions. Your website made me realise I'd forgotten how captivating and enjoyable written content can be. The writing and editing is very talented and naturally gifted. Thank you for all the effort.

[@Ele827]

*Great **Latest.Bike** , good looking, good suspension and love the gearing. I've tested some bikes that were more then twice the price but not as good. Get lots of looks when riding.*

[@fernandonuwanraasika]

Grazie.

[@jacla1410]

Great point, with just putting wheels into the case without using the quick release. Had twice after a trip the quikc release top was hit during transport and skewers were bent, and 1 time it broke the shell around the hole. But indeed, why going through the trouble and the obvious risk of using them.... Thanks !

[@kdub0529]

I’ll have to try using wheel bags. It didn’t look like would be enough room for wheel bags.

[@nik-roshansirak3398]

I really like the cats purring around in the background!

[@TheColCollective]

Such amazing animals 😻

[@nik-roshansirak3398]

@@TheColCollective so fluffy I'm gonna DIE!!! 😹😹😹😻😻😻

[@chrishumphreys]

Have you ever thought of using the thule World traveler hard case. It's large in size but I didn't have a choice with a xxl frame. But pedals stay on, rear derailieer stays on, space for all my kit in one box. Even seat doesn't need taking off if your frame is small enough. Brilliant box can't fault it. I'm surprised I don't see more. Great channel by the way 👍

[@MVProfits]

I've looked into it, thanks. I mean for those of us more "mechanically challenged", the less taking off - and putting back on - parts that's needed the better. Do airliners charge extra as it's bigger?

[@dr_taka]

Ehhh... a card or brake block between your disc pads... so the pistons won’t come out (ie accidentally squeezed)?

[@rikkiola]

yeah, was thinking the same!

[@reflectionsdetail]

Come on now, there is NO WAY your pedals came off that easy! LOL

[@frazergoodwin4945]

If I'm flying I now pack shoes, saddle + seat-post, and pedals in hand luggage. That way if for any reason the bike box doesn't arrive - either because the airline didn't have room for it on your flight or there was a baggage handling error - you still have your main contact points with you. You are then free to hire a bike at your destination, not miss your event and still ride with your shoes and saddle :-). You could still hire a bike at your destination / event location, but shoes, and saddle become more awkward. Of course if I'm on the TGV there's no need for this step...

[@johnmac9995]

Literally just put this myself, probably should've read the comments.

[@rikkiola]

I see this written so often, but that gear all fits in the bike bag so well I always pack them there. Suppose it is a slight risk but feel the trade off is worth it. Travelled numerous times without issue

[@frazergoodwin4945]

@@rikkiola Well I too used to pack it all in the box as well - but the last time I rode l'étape du tour (in 2015) a whole group using the same tour operator as myself didn't get their bike boxes on their flight. Several of them had to hire bikes to ride l'étape as the airline didn't get them to La Toussire before the event and had huge difficulties/ extra expenses with shoes in particular. So since then I've just packed them in hand luggage just to be safe. I also now try and go by train so its not an issue - but this depends on the itinerary....

[@andymci5981]

Good video. Lots of useful tips. I would like to have seen you weigh that at the end....to compare it with my Aerocomfort bag that i use.

[@TheColCollective]

Normally comes in around 23kg with a bunch of kit in the box too. The Aerocomfort will be lighter for sure but not quite as much overall protection. 👌🏼

[@andymci5981]

23kg is around the weight for me with the Aerocomfort.Last trip, it was under a large pile of suitcases and the bike was ok but i put a lot of protection round the frame which they say you don't need. Always worth doing. Although puncture marks starting to appear after about 4 trips. 👍

[@artvideobartv]

Lovely!

[@mikeanders7885]

Beautiful cats Mike,surprised they didn't help more.

[@stanisinjo]

Very useful video, thanks.

[@Phaidrus]

adorable cats!

[@jkilonzo]

Great! Could you please post a video doing the reverse?

[@asams7255]

Maybe I'll just hire one when I get there

[@martinberry1540]

No spacers in your disc brake calipers? Aren't you supposed to blead the brakes before travel - no oil

[@johnmac9995]

I always thought putting helmet and shoes in a bit of a risk. If your bike goes missing your trip is completely ruined but if you have your shoes and helmet you'll at least be able to hire a bike (hopefully).

[@DarrenJohnson1973]

when my bike cost me 11.5k i'm taking my time to make sure it's done right my last cycling holiday i got home only to realise the £30 seatpost clamp was still in Mallorca.

[@charlesredick9424]

First thing (on the bottom) a letter sized dual sided sheet with contact info. Last thing, right on top, the same thing. Remember that Murphy is too often an uninvited guest. There are also several tracking devices like LugLoc and soon Apple’s AirTags that allow you to locate your errant bike luggage😱 Nothing like being able to tell the lost luggage attendant (who will repeatedly tell you to watch the carousel- it’ll be there shortly) that the bike landed up in Omaha/Sydney or wherever. Ounce of prevention.....

[@TicatHockey]

are the wheels supposed to be stowed against the top half using a skewer to hold in place?

[@TheTonicro]

hmmm maybe take shoes and helmets separetly becuase if bikebag gets lost than at least you have shoe and helmet with you so you can borrow or rent a bike

[@adamoweb]

Saw you riding the SuperSix Evo now. Is there a good bike box choice for that?

[@pault477]

Great video- regarding your DI cable ( not sure what that is ) but I have a dropper cable attached to my seat tube and wondering what you do with the cable when you ship it and is there anything you do to secure it. Thanks !

[@pieteb_nl]

And now with a single piece handlebar with integrated cables ;-)

[@GuillaumeGrassiant]

Do you always leave the rotors on? Do you have any issues with them being bent?

[@TheColCollective]

Hi Guillaume, I’ve always kept the rotors on and fortunately never had a problem. I put both wheels in the wheel bags which helps keep things protected.

[@GuillaumeGrassiant]

Awesome, thanks for the reply :)

[@jamesriley4300]

Hey Mike, your code is not working. Do you have a new code?

[@KPlainfeather08]

Thumbs up

[@acousticmany]

Do you have to remove the rear deralieur since this is a hard case? Or is this something you do of your choosing?

[@THECYCLISTENVE]

Will this fit a TREK MADONE SLR 9 ETAP AXS?

[@jonnitm7370]

Hey Mike, thanks for het another great video. That kit bag at around nine minutes in, what is it and where can I get one?

[@TheColCollective]

Hi Jonni, glad you enjoyed the video. It's a Scicon Race Rain Bag, so awesome for travel and events. You can buy them directly from their website, if you fancy the custom Col Collective edition then this link should take you to it smarturl.it/col-collective. And don't forget to use the code FRIENDSOFTCC-30 for 30% off! Hope it helps! Thanks for watching. Mike

[@11robotics]

asking the important questions: are all those lovely cats yours?

[@TheColCollective]

Certainly are! :-)

[@11robotics]

awesome!

[@bengt_axle]

Do the rotors ever get warped when you pack the wheels like that (i.e., without removing the rotors)? Your cats are always there to photobomb your cycling barn videos!

[@fit4ride]

Do you find the Di2 battery cable is hard to fish out when you are assembling the bike? Do you use the special Shimano tool to connect the cables? I've never unplugged my connectors.

[@peterallen7189]

Pays to just tape it to the frame with a bit of electrical tape to make sure it doesn't disappear.

[@bodhisatwaghosh]

Do you still have the collaboration. I don’t see the links working

[@TheColCollective]

Unfortunately not. Sorry for that 😞

[@bodhisatwaghosh]

@@TheColCollective Ok. I really liked the design. BTW do you still prefer this or are there better options available?

[@TheColCollective]

@@bodhisatwaghosh Still using this exact same box several years on so no reason to change. I must admit the Stelvio design is still super cool. Would be great to resurrect it with Scicon!

[@kevindong9672]

The kitty: am I packed in?

[@Mrpdan67]

Sadly only allowed one trip a year so it’s rental boxes for me.

[@許嘉宇-y5r]

I am a simple man. I see cat, I hit that like.

[@murphyspattaya]

Good video put me right off traveling w a carbon bike , Camera too far away btw

[@geraldgalmiche8066]

Vu le manque de soin de son vélo, il peut le mettre dans cette valise sans trop se poser de question !!!

[@danTesDan]

3:08 you ve just bent the disc brake

[@MladenMijatov]

Those bags are stupid expensive and not really worth it unless you are traveling a lot. For once or twice a year, not a chance am dropping $1000 on a bag.