Flying with Your Bike: How to Pack It for Air Travel (Step-by-Step Guide)

[@giantcheerio]

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[@brunoreina8770]

I also had that problem when removing the pedals, which were very rigid... It is easily solved by putting assembly grease on them from time to time every time you reassemble them... You'll see how they come out much more easily... hug from Spain...

[@JohnPilling25]

I have flown USA to Europe with bikes in a cardboard box 7 times. Each time the TSA has opened the box in the USA then left a note inside and then re-sealed it. I've had panniers as packing and used pool noodles to protect the frame. I leave the back wheel on and take the front wheel off but remove the skewers to cut down on width. As long as the box etc weighs 23kg or less it goes as a regular checked bag on Norse Atlantic, Delta, Iberia, Virgin, BA. No additional/oversize charges. Make sure you have a printout of the airlines terms of carriage stating that the bike box is carried as regular checked bag because the check-in counter will always tell you otherwise and try and charge you for it. EasyJet have a small fee in Europe for the bike box. Last time I used EasyJet it was €25 for the bike one way. E-bikes are generally not allowed because of the battery unless it's a Brompton or a similar sized battery that can be carried in your cabin bag.

[@petergarner]

My tip is to always shift your derailleurs into the innermost gear. This keeps the derailleurs inside the frame, and the frame itself acts like a shield. I’ve flown many times using just a plastic bag (provided by the airline), and never had any damage this way, but even inside a box, it would provide a little extra protection.

[@bengt_axle]

If you are driving to the airport in an ordinary car, then it may be possible to reduce the space of the bike box, by removing both wheels and packing up the bike smaller. It will normally fit in a compact car, in the back seat. This is a huge advantage, as it saves you from having to hire a van which can cost much more. In this case, you may need a smaller bike box or to reduce the volume of an ordinary box by cutting in half and bringing the two halves together (there will be overlap in the middle). It is imperative to remove the derailleur, but it can be fastened to the inside of the rear triangle. Removing the front fork can also save additional space and protect it from damage, and this will also mean that the handlebar can be packed up as well.

[@efraimlouisegolicruz795]

very informative! thank you lara for the tips! ☺

[@giantcheerio]

Glad it was helpful! ✨🌸

[@rumpel8037]

Oscar!! ❤ 8:26

[@giantcheerio]

Wooow you spotted him 😍. I didn’t even noticed him when editing! EAGLE EYES

[@rumpel8037]

Nur unendliche Tierliebe. Groß ist er geworden der kleine Racker.

[@RAsadventures-zr1ge]

Thanks for that Lara. When I saw you removing the handlebar from the stem with your Allen key I thought it might be worth pointing out that I discovered by bad experience that it is important when reassembling the bike that those 4 bolts should not be overtightened, which is a very easy thing for an amateur mechanic to do. I was touring on a second-hand bike with a similar clamp and both of the alloy straps across the front of the stem broke suddenly with a bang like a gunshot - which could have led to a very dangerous incident as my handlebars were almost detached from the bike. When I replaced the stem I saw that the instructions with the new stem emphasized the low value of the correct torque, insisted that a torque wrench must be used, and said that in the absence of a torque wrench they should be tightened only just enough to prevent the bars moving - far less torque than you would naturally want to use. I'm pretty sure that mine broke because they had been overtightened by a previous owner of the bike. The correct torque feels very low but does not put too much stress on those thin alloy straps. Take care - I always enjoy your videos of your adventures.

[@giantcheerio]

Thanks for your input on that handle bar matter! I always tend to overtighten all kind of screws but also learned that less is more when it comes to those screws (and some others) Thanks !!

[@Cycling.Bikepacking]

The “easy” biomechanical hack. If you want to remove your pedals - stand over your bike, insert your allen key into the pedal axle, put your foot on the pedal and pull the allen key up with your whole body. The combination of your back muscles(pulling) and your leg muscles(pushing) makes it very easy.

[@jasasyiken5561]

If you’re using a common bike box from common brands, it’s good to make some unique markings on your box. You can draw some patterns or whatever with a marker pen. Last time I flew to Amsterdam, there were 2 same Giant boxes that came out of the conveyor. In fact that cyclist and I took wrong boxes. Thankfully we realized quickly and managed to exchange our boxes. I had drawn a smiley on my box with flight details and that was the thing that helped me realize quickly it was the wrong box on my trolley. 😊

[@giantcheerio]

Haha what a bizarre coincidence, having the exact same boxes! Lucky you that you didn’t end up with a bike that doesn’t belong to you 😁

[@jasasyiken5561]

@ That would be a nightmare!! With a bike that don’t fit and not knowing who the guy is or where to look for him 🤣🤣🤣

[@elchkizz]

Hi Lara, thanks for sharing this. A Tipp for your struggle with removing the pedals. Easier before removing the handlebar: use a Brake to fix the bike. Use your foot to put weight on the Pedal, and turn the Tool. So it cannot turn while using the tool😊 hope it saves you hours!

[@eikenblad]

Hi Lara, thanks for the instructive tips! Wrt the pedals: do you use grease or assembly paste before reinstalling them? It helps a lot!

[@giantcheerio]

I should have used grease but I didn’t because I forgot to get some. 🥶

[@tacotuesday-v4h]

Not sure if your aware but the pedal on the non driveside is actually a left hand thread to stop it loosening while you pedal so the pedal you were unable to remove is righty loosey :) hope this helps next time!

[@giantcheerio]

Thanks for the tip. I knew that. It’s now 3 months later and I still wasn’t able to get it off 😂 it’s stuck

[@tacotuesday-v4h]

@@giantcheerio Ah ok, we've all been there haha. When that happens I would get a metal tube and slide it over the allen key to make it longer so you can get more leverage / stand on it if needed to force it open, they can be a bit of a nightmare to get off if they're over tightened, :) ( basically use this technique :) www.google.com/search?q=extra+leverage+tube+allen+key&sca_esv=ff4380769abef046&udm=7&ei=Tok4Z7iXKt-MkdUPk7yCsQ8&start=10&sa=N&sstk=ATObxK6SemXdNo7LfgJ_xUTTC_m97Cb2cpADza4RhmM01L67QgReIg2Jbuq-gP-ugeUd_05MN0aPfpKgWN1Eu_pf1H1lfwjkBslVRg&ved=2ahUKEwi49pPp5uCJAxVfRqQEHROeIPYQ8tMDegQIAxAE&biw=1920&bih=945&dpr=1#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:a5faa66d,vid:FtnogLf6C2A,st:0 )

[@joystation1]

​@@giantcheerio If it's not loosening with a standard length hex key, you need extra leverage. Put the closed end of a long ring spanner / wrench over the hex key. Put an anti-seize grease, such as Copaslip, on the axle threads and on anything that rarely gets undone. Copaslip contains pure copper particles, corrosion inhibitors and anti-oxidants that prevent parts seizing and corroding (sorry if this sounds like a commercial).

[@compassionsix]

Look at First Class tickets when flying. Many airlines allow free luggage and also overweight without charge. The money I saved in fees payed for my upgrade (also, I had a nice gourmet meal).

[@giantcheerio]

That sounds awesome! Never thought of that but 'only' paid around 100 € for the bike. Guess a first class ticket is somewhat more expensive 🥶😭😁

[@tomsitzman3952]

Never have any parts loose inside the box. Secure every removed part to the frame with tape of or straps.

[@giantcheerio]

Yep!!

[@cherylmacklin3578]

hi🌷 Nice to see you again! Looking good and enjoyed your videos! Where are you going next? 🥳 Cheryl

[@giantcheerio]

I don’t know tbh. For now staying home for the rest of the year :)

[@kylegigot5797]

How do you get a box to return home?

[@JohnnySantoDomingo]

Can you pack bike grease in the box? Is it only oils that are not allowed. Will be traveling this coming January!

[@giantcheerio]

I think grease should be fine, but since they specifically asked about chain oil, it’s probably because it’s considered inflammatory.

[@KaushikNSanji]

@@giantcheerio Are they also not allowed in checked baggage?

[@NBM397]

This seems like hearsay at this point. I don't recall you having published anything where you actually took your bike on a plane. In fact, you haven't posted any travel video for months. It looks more and more like you are just milking your subs as a public to advertise to, while seemingly haven given up entirely on bike travel.

[@paterfiets]

She actually did, I believe it was the video where she went back to Tenerife.

[@NBM397]

@@paterfiets I stand corrected. Did she bring her bike? Not that it matters. It's one trip, Within Europe. wooptydoo.

[@Kevin_geekgineering]

Hi Lara, thanks for nice videos, I have request if you could please make a video about what kind of bike we can use for touring, there are all kind of opinion about it on youtube and most of them are commercial promotion, if you could explain all components of a touring-suitable bike (from handle bar down to the pedals, especially hydraulic brakes hype these days, are they useless for touring comparing to mechanicals?) that would be much appreciated Thanks

[@giantcheerio]

I would love to make such a video but honestly- I don’t have a clue! I saw people touring on steel bikes, with v-brakes, hydraulic brakes, titanium frames, aluminium frames, carbon forks, pinion, regular 1x11, panniers, drybags, etc-bikes, and it goes on and on and on. I always say that your choice of bike is an individual choice and my choice is not suitable for everyone out there. But I will take some notes and maybe come back with a video idea ;) 🙏😃