How to Fly with Your Bike (Almost) for FREE

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So you're taking an upcoming bike trip, and while it would be great to experience a new location on a rental bike, nothing would beat riding those landscapes on your pride and joy bike. Here's how to fly with your bike (almost) for free. I fly with my bike every three to six months, and I've found a way to fly with my bike that minimizes costs and is relatively easy. Here's how I do it:
1. Shipping vs. flying with bike: 1:22
2. How to choose the right airline for your bike: 1:46
3. How to choose the best packaging for flying: 4:17
4. How to pack your bike in a bike box for free: 7:31
5. The hidden costs of flying with a bike: 10:33
Fixie Famous Shoutout:
StanStrong108
Ryan Witt
Patreon Singlespeed Shoutout:
Carlos Flores
nicodache
@ffnivas
Barak S
Pat Bateman
Simon Newton
Gregory Tomlinson
Connect with me:
/ strava
/ strava
/ zachygallardo

[@ZachGallardo]

It's a long video, so here are some time stamps so you can find exactly what you need: 1. Shipping vs. flying with bike: 1:22 (Russ over on Path Less Pedaled has a more detailed video on this) 2. How to choose the right airline for your bike: 1:46 3. How to choose the best packaging for flying: 4:17 4. How to pack your bike in a bike box for free: 7:31 5. The hidden costs of flying with a bike: 10:33

[@zonatedproduct]

Zach Gallardo i use a pool noodle thing two, actually can cut it up and never throw away, saves time with wrapping

[@markjthomson]

Fork spacers... just to pack out the gap... an old hub and quick release works.

[@alienrefugee51]

You can buy cheap pipe insulation foam at hardware stores that's thicker than sheets of foam and doesn't require a whole roll of tape. Just buy one long piece, slit it down the center to open it up and then cut the pieces to the size of your tubes. Sounds complicated, but it's not and it will protect your frame way better than just wrapping thin sheets of foam around the tubes. I used zip-ties to secure it to the frame tubes. You'll need some foam sheets though, for cranks, stem, pedals, etc. I did this, had it shipped overseas on a cargo ship and it was bullet-proof. The only caveat is if your frame tubes aren't round. My down tube is more modern-aero, but I still managed to get the pipe insulation foam to cover most of it.

[@BruceChastain]

I've done it twice, once was free going to Japan with Swiss air, and with Swiss they allow you to take the bike in place of your checked luggage. The second time was inside Europe, there I had to pay a hundred or so extra with easyjet.

[@thomasmuller986]

49 per flight

[@thatguy00842]

Biggest tip? Fly with a bike that you like, but don't really care about that much. Many people buy bikes because they think they'll take up riding and never do. I bought a set of 2 90s hybrids for less than $150. They were probably ridden less than 100 miles in the past 25 years and were 100% original. Replace the rubber components that harden with age (tires, tubes, brake pads), re-grease and adjust the hubs if necessary, and it's good to go. The second advantage is you get to decide how you want it set up. I put on some ergo grips, strapless clips on the pedals, a cheap rack, and wider gravel tires. If you're a "bike person" or know people who are, most of this will be free- it's probably lying around in someone's spare parts bin! It's a few pounds heavier and has a few less gears than my other bike, but it feels new. I also don't really care if it gets scratched in transit. I wouldn't even be upset if it was lost in transit.

[@psychoaiko666]

This was quite insightful. Thank you.

[@dernils6176]

This video just made me decide that I'll never even try to pack my bike myself to travel. I'll have my local bikeshop pack it and another bike shop put it together at my destination. Not only will this safe me a lot of headache, I'll also support bike shops.

[@ziggymack2233]

packing/wrapping up the wabi to take on SF for the first time as we speak. thank you so much your video posts. I've been following since 2020, and they've been very helpful and entertaining

[@darktanman]

Good stuff! I am planning a trip and would love to take my bike. Preciate the insight, this was helpful!

[@bernihstv729]

Eva Air has the best experience when flying from SFO to TW. Now that I know, I'm taking my bike with me next time. And with 2 bikes, I might buy one there! Thanks for the sharing this info!

[@michalisxenopoulos2192]

This is quite useful, thanks mate.

[@blakboyytunes]

much needed advice thanks.

[@FJ-xz7yy]

wow you read my mind, I need this!

[@billymartingould2784]

I'm travelling soon, thank you for the information :)

[@ramonsanabria1472]

Excellent video Zach ! I knew you would do a bang up job on this subject ! Now I gotta buy a Wabi to travel with rather then my 11 spd Giant TCR road bike ! Thanks again !

[@TL243]

Dude!!!! So cool you are going back to Taiwan!!! Cannot wait to see you explore the country by bike!!!

[@ZachGallardo]

I plan on riding around the island and vlogging it in spring. Should be fun.

[@markcouch4235]

I'm wanting to fly to Hanoi this winter and cycle tour for a few months - I'm wondering whether to box up my ol' Surly LHT touring rig, or take my Litepro Brompton-clone folded up in a Dimpa bag. I've been leaning towards the folding bike for simpler airport and public transit and for "skipping" sections with ease, but thinking the Surly might be better for all those mountain climbs and making distance.

[@dirface]

Great vid! After seeing it, and for shorter trips, I'd actually prefer to buy a hard case because the time it would take to pack/unpack. Different spokes for different folks, I guess! :D

[@ramdarass]

Dude the 2-hour pack time for the bike was dead on. I should have listened. Great video and you saved me mad money and time. I’m so much more confident and looking forward to taking my bike with me now. PIT ✈️ SAT Maybe even overseas like you.

[@josiahamaze]

Sat? San Antonio?

[@davidlc9326]

I first learned to love biking while living in Taipei!

[@johnnyharperscoutstable5386]

Nice bro. I’ll bust this set up on Tuesday. Thanks.🐸🍺🔪🔥

[@lucasmateucci]

Waiting for this vid

[@yuginsantos846]

Good day. Hope you are safe. How do you claim the box? Was it in normal baggage drop off. Or oversized drop off? Thank you

[@TrevorCanToo]

Ocd kicked in when he started wrapping the top tube

[@belshazz7054]

Hello sir, I hope you’ll notice me. I just want to know if you asked the Eva air for pre approval of your bike before the flight. Thanks

[@Ghanzboy23]

Mate the standard box of bike is allowed in air flight?

[@liveisevil1]

Hey Zach, what do you do for air for your tyres? Do you wheel the bike to a shop after assembling it? or do you bring canisters? I usually bring like a full hand pump with me.. but seeing that you didn't, and i would rather not bring one.. just wanted to know what's your technique for that.. thanks

[@michaelpennington5111]

I am in Taipei now... What store did you use?

[@saechak206]

whats the name of your silver luggage? i want one like that!

[@peterbooth6753]

This was interesting. I would love, love, love to have my bike when I go on vacation. I was imagining the stress of wrapping my bike, then I had a brainwave. I bought my bike on craigslist for $200. It's an unimpressive fixie that delights me. Perhaps it would be cheaper to just buy a bike in Chang Mai, Seville, Rome, Amsterdam or wherever I go to next?

[@FortheLoveofCycling]

Done it many times but only once I got lucky and did not pay. Always depending on who is helping you when checking in. Europe amd US both paid 70dollars canadian, 35 eauro coming back. Great vid.

[@gundy3842]

Love your Channel, the content, and the cadeince perfect balance. Thank You Zach, you rock !

[@thepeoplesoul]

bike box dimensions?

[@BruceChastain]

I paid about $100 for a cheap nylon bike bag. The bag is okay, but I think next time I'd get a hard case.

[@BruceChastain]

the only problem with the hard case would be you can't really ride out of the airport like I can with my soft case.

[@fast.biking_freddy]

@@BruceChastain true

[@dominicvasturia9326]

Brought to you by Wabi Cycles and Eva Air haha XD

[@spotmebro3589]

Yo Zack. Help me out here. I bought the O8 rack but the holes are too large to attack to fork eyelets on my Wabi thunder. How did you get it to attach on yours?

[@ZachGallardo]

Mine installed without any issues. Hard to say without seeing it. Feel free to email me photos. You can find my email on my Instagram bio or my KZbin channel's about page. Would also help if you message Wabi directly. They're super helpful and would probably know more than me since they build hundreds of these bikes, but hopefully we can figure it out.

[@seantaras1904]

good stuff, I would never pack the helmet in the bike box though. way too easy to damage

[@four-x-trading5606]

Or you can get a hockey bag and disassemble the bike into the bag it will be a checked bag if they ask its sporting equipment :) you welcome for anyone wondering you can find the video on youtube :)

[@markjthomson]

As a comparison, if you rented a bike at your destination... probably more for the rental!

[@acortez1192]

Get the mash flight bag. Line it with cardboard Fly steel

[@JuanCarlos-tg7bl]

I plan to travel from salt lake city Utah, to New York city.

[@Williamchan87]

Hey Zach, how long you staying in Taiwan, I'll be flying there in like 24 hours

[@ZachGallardo]

I'm in Taiwan for a couple of months. I'll most likely be at Faith Gear on Saturday night around 9:30 for their group ride (if it isn't canceled due to rain) if you want to hang out.

[@swilhelm3180]

What about using the empty spaces in your box to pack some of your stuff? Anything soft and not too heavy?

[@charlesm.8807]

Mr. Zach, what are your thoughts on the Cinelli Tipo Pista?

[@user-el6mc6rj5l]

Chuck M shite

[@charlesm.8807]

THIS NAME IS TOO LONG ALSO DONT BE A GOAT , thank you for the response. What would you suggest? I am new to the fixie idea.. I come from a BMX being my only bike.

[@user-el6mc6rj5l]

Are you tricking or racing or cruising If tricking get a fixedgear freestyle or a track frame thats 2 sizes smaller than you would normally ride with risers or downhill bars with 100mm or below stem A good crank for tricking is the sram omnium for screw on bb shells For square taper cranks just go with anything you dont feel like destroying For wheelsets you can consider hplussons laced to gran compes or what ever is good in your 2nd hand market in your area Seatpost depends on your setback and how small you want your frame to feel For saddles its up yo personal comfort

[@charlesm.8807]

THIS NAME IS TOO LONG ALSO DONT BE A GOAT , Wow that’s a lot of info... I have the BMX for the tricking. This would be more for cruise and getting around town and paved trail rides..

[@user-el6mc6rj5l]

For crusing around i would recommend a frame with larger tyre clearence like the nabiis a2 or a modern steel frame thats meant for slight offroading For wheelsets depending on your budget i would be looking for lowprofile high spoke count wheelsets like the plusson hydra 3232 laced to circus monkey or gran compe Bars i would say to go for riser bar and for stems go for true to size Cranks i would go for a decent square tapered crank for reliability if you are not upgrading if you are however then got for a hollowtech or gxp crank A pedal and strap is the recommended for tricking and cruising while for speed its recommended to use cleats Tyres I would go for panaracer gravel tyres or continental gravelkings as i have tried those before and they are amazing and can hold speed off road

[@isaacanderson5806]

fly with a brompton as a carry-on? no bag/box necessary, just fold it up and throw it in the overhead bin

[@Sir_Arlin]

DONT PACK YOUR HELMET INTO THE BIKE BOX TAKE IT ON YOUR CARRY ON

[@chris.graham]

Video smells like summer mist candle wax, if you know what I mean.

[@charlesm.8807]

Does Mr. Zack ever like or respond to any of the comments???

[@ZachGallardo]

I do my best to.

[@charlesm.8807]

Thank you Zach. I hope all is well.

[@charlesm.8807]

Zach Gallardo, well I just joined the fixie world because of you.... not sure if that make me hate or love you... we will see...

[@MTNorville]

(NOT) Solution: Buy a bike before hand. Then have a Discord/Reddit buddy from the area you're going to buy receive/pickup the bike. Like people do with cars.

[@matthewdezii]

I would carry your helmet with you. I wouldn't trust my brain bucket in the cargo hold.

[@psychoaiko666]

I agree with you, even though I never wear my helmet. Ok, lemme elaborate, I'm Dutch. No one here wears a helmet. I do have one, I just don't wear it riding on the streets.

[@matthewdezii]

@@psychoaiko666 Don't worry, I'm familiar with the dialogue about helmets. I won't force you to wear one, especially since you've got ideal riding conditions.

[@psychoaiko666]

@@matthewdezii yeah, it's some kind of cultural thing here. People would think you're weird if you'd go out wearing one. 😅

[@karlzara9698]

1st

[@kennn2lol857]

2nd

[@rdslmi]

@@kennn2lol857 3rd... you guys are fast...

[@kennn2lol857]

@@rdslmi a good youtuber deserves to have fast viewers XD

[@jlebad2308]

You should cut this video into two videos and label one "how to pack your bike for travel"

[@gosto312]

Tak nak lah

[@Spokes2024]

I thought u meant actually fly... disappointed ☹️

[@ZachGallardo]

Our bike technology isn't quite there yet.

[@jackfabros7910]

Be unreasonably dangerous and you will fly

[@derekmcdaniel6029]

How to fly with a bike for free: take a skateboard instead.

[@event4216]

Research policies and prices? Um, this is like buying a bike - first you research and then pull the trigger. I think this is true for everything unless you are one of those kids burning pile of $100 notes for instagram video or crashing your maserati only because you have 10 other similar cars in a garage.

[@ZachGallardo]

Totally. It can be pleasantly surprising what the research shows. My mind was blown when I found out I can fly across the world with two bikes for (almost) free.

[@fantasmfred1230]

Fake news! They still want money for the airline ticket!

[@briantruck2284]

It's depends

[@ottothecocker]

Poor timing on this video eh? *puts out a video on how to fly with bike, global pandemic hits in a month*